The table games closed at 4 a.m. Monday, we learned reliably from VitalVegas.com (who was apparently roaming the Strip in the wee hours, while those of us with real jobs were sleeping). The property's gaming license was officially set to expire at noon yesterday, however, so the machines remained in play until about ten minutes prior -- according to the same source, "security got real serious during its sweep. Players weren't going quietly." The machines, meanwhile, have been acquired by Derek Stevens (owner of the D and Golden Gate downtown, and a former minor stakeholder in the Riviera), who apparently will be there to collect them all at some point today.
Earlier in the day Monday, at 9 a.m., the iconic bronze Crazy Girls butts were removed from their longtime home on the facade and are now enjoying a road trip up and down the the Strip, and possibly further afield, promoting the show's new gig at Planet Hollywood (where it's set to debut in just eight days time).
Veteran casino liquidation-sale specialists, National Content Liquidators of Ohio, already had representatives on the ground today, removing some of the more iconic bits and pieces, like logo-branded exterior door handles, presumably to avoid "looting" ahead of the public sale. That kicks off Thursday, May 14th, at 9 a.m. and will continue from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday (Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) until every last swizzle stick and toilet-roll holder has found a new home. An admission fee of $10 will be charged for the first four days and all items are tagged, priced, and sold "as is, where is" on a first come, first served basis, with the buyer responsible for the removal of all purchases. Payment by cash, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, only, will be accepted, and there's a buyer's premium of 10% on all purchases.
Once the liquidation sale is underway, memorabilia/bargain hunters can expect to find an array of fixtures and fitting up for grabs, including the complete contents of 2,075 guest rooms and suites, including flat screen TVs, king and full-size pillow-top beds, writing desks, lamps, mirrors, etc. In terms of the casino floor, look out for gaming tables, chairs, stools, cashier's cage equipment, signage, sports book stuff, and slot pedestals -- just no slot machines, since Derek will have removed all of those already. In addition, there will be bar, restaurant, and kitchen equipment, plus stage lighting, sound equipment, rigging, seating, and more, from a total of four theaters of various sizes. Other miscellaneous items in the sale will include, but are not limited to, chandeliers, sconces, bathroom fixtures, fitness equipment, fencing, carpet (new and used), doors, pallet racks, office equipment, pool and patio furnishings, and a "leaded glass ceiling." As we've mentioned before, one category of memorabilia that likely won't be in the sale is the Riviera's collection of historic photographs, since those were actually on loan from the Las Vegas News Bureau, which wants them back.
As a point of comparison, here's what Anthony Curtis wrote in the LVA newsletter back in June 2011, after the Sahara had just closed its doors, pending its transformation into SLS:
"The Sahara locked its doors at 2:08 p.m. on May 16. I was there at 1:38 and I have to say that I didn’t much care for this closing. I’ve been to a few others and they’re usually pretty cool, but this one had the feeling that the brass couldn’t wait to get out of there. The games were all buttoned up and only a single bar (serving two brands of beer) was open. A big sign at the cage read, 'Chips will not be sold.' Crowds were sparse and security padlocked some of the doors well before the announced 2 p.m. closing. Owner Sam Narzarian reportedly taped a promise to reopen on a casino door."
Riviera chips, in contrast, were being "sold," leading one dealer to be overheard observing that "so many people are buying chips, it ain’t like they’re gonna be rare." Should you be in the market for redeeming, as opposed to collecting, these now-defunct chips, you have until September 1 to hustle over the Westgate Las Vegas, which is the only official redemption center. Uncashed TITO slips, by contrast, must be mailed direct to the Riv, to arrive no later than June 2. Mark the envelope "Attention: Accounting" and enclose details of your players card number (or even the card itself, if you're not a collector/trader of such items) and send to: Riviera Hotel & Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
We'll conclude this with some personal recollections from pro bettor and curator of our LVASports.com sister site, Frank B. who, (along with "Vital Vegas," apparently), was at the Riviera late last night, paying his last respects and snapping some of the photos below. Here are his musings and personal recollections of the old dame, which pretty much sum up our feelings, too:
Frank continues:
One of the few places that never backed me off. First couple years in town, they were one of the main sources of my paltry income - did a run on day shift and one on swing shift running coupons. (Love those 7/5s.) Made my first big score there in 1993 with Ron S.: We split $16K by hitting the bad beat jackpot in the poker room - Ron had Aces Full cracked by Quads.
It was a dump, but it’s nice to have a dump or two left to remind you of those times - walked around in Circus tonight, too, and that’s a dump that still feels like it did back then. Not much else left like that, except maybe El Cortez and the Horseshoe.
PHOTO CREDITS: "Last Night at the Riv" montage appears courtesy of Frank B, LVASports.com; Farewell Marquee and "Haulin' Ass" appear courtesy of Scott Roeben, VitalVegas.com.
