What's the History of Atomic Liquor?

I saw an LVA news item that Atomic Liquor is the oldest bar in Las Vegas. Is that true? And if so, can you detail its history for us?

Although it closed for a year or so in 2012, the downtown bar reopened in 2013 in the exact same location (917 Fremont Street) and with an only slightly altered name. Hence, it seems legitimate for The Atomic (formerly Atomic Liquors) to maintain its claim of being the oldest "freestanding" (meaning non-casino) bar in town.

For the benefit of the uninitiated, permit us a slight historic detour to relate how this venue's transformation from a café to a liquor store and bar coincided with the first atom-bomb tests at the Nevada Test Site -- hence the name. While the core clientele was composed of locals, including many industry workers, it was also a popular spot with tourists and celebrities -- in its original incarnation, Atomic Liquor's bar stools are said to have been graced by the backsides of Roy Rogers, Clint Eastwood, the Smothers Brothers, and members of the Rat Pack; Barbra Streisand even recalls playing pool there in her memoir.

The aforementioned Virginia café was owned by Virginia Barrett, who inherited the property from a local judge she befriended and cared for in his dotage. Her younger daughter, Stella, after marrying one Joe Sobchik, took over the café from Virginia and her husband and ran it for nearly a decade, then transformed it into Las Vegas' first bona fide liquor store and bar. The combination necessitated the issuance of the first "Tavern Liquor License," #00001, to Atomic Liquors in June 1952 -- hence, the bar celebrating its 70th anniversary with a variety of events over the past few days.

Joe and Stella ran Atomic well into their 80s with the help of son Ron. Joe died in October 2010 and Stella in January 2011, both at age 91.

In 2012, Ron sold the property to a group of local investors, who closed it for a major remodel, reopened it in 2013, and still own and operate it.

With its authentic Old Vegas look and charisma, it comes as little surprise that the venue has been a popular location for TV and movie crews over the years, including screen time in several westerns, an episode of "The Twilight Zone," Clint Eastwood's 1977 The Gauntlet, Casino, The Hangover, and A&E's long-running "First 48" reality crime-solving series.

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jstewa22 Jun-20-2022

Casino?

Anybody know which scene in "Casino" was shot at Atomic Liquors?

Gregory Jun-20-2022

Casino

From the web....

Remember when Joe Pesci stabbed some jerk in the neck with a pen? That scene was filmed at Atomic Liquors, which is one of the oldest bars in Vegas, and although it wasn’t based on a real-life event, it actually inspired by a prison fight witnessed by Cullotta while behind bars.

O2bnVegas Jun-20-2022

How do they find them?

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world" how does a certain bar or hotel lobby or farm or any place get noticed and selected for a movie setting?  I presume 'word of mouth', especially after the first time.  Clearly Las Vegas would be prime hunting ground for any gambling-themed production.  

Glad that jstewa22 and Gregory asked about this one since I also wanted to know.

A house in my town was picked for an A-list movie, so many years ago that I've forgotten the name of the movie, and how "of all the gin joints" it was noticed and used.  Basically was just a nice two-story in a nice neighborhood, not a palace.  The owner was a co-worker of mine, and I recall her telling me that during negotiations the movie people laid out what alterations they would do (outside only), and they returned it in pristine condition, landscaping, paint job, etc. much more than before the shoot, of which my co-worker was delighted.

Candy

rodfan Jun-20-2022

Twilight Zone

Does anyone know the episode(s) this bar was in? Thanks!

full_monte_carlo Jun-20-2022

future QOD

maybe this should be a future QOD (would requite multiple parts I am sure) what scenes in which movies were filmed in these locations in Las Vegas. I know I get excited when watching a TV or a movie and recognize somewhere in Las Vgeas. My favorite part is saying that is not a possible path (Con Air)

Brent Peterson Jun-20-2022

Twilight Zone Episode?

I'd imagine it was the episode of the guy who became obsessed with a slot machine in Las Vegas, "The Fever." I don't remember seeing Atomic Liquors in the episode however.

Deke Castleman Jun-21-2022

This in from a Vegas expert

Jeff from VintageLasVegas.com, a Vegas historian extraordinaire, takes issue with what he calls a PR story about Atomic. To set the record straight, here's what he writes:

This is basically the current ownership's semi-fictional PR story rather than the facts of the bar. 

Atomic's motto is, "Las Vegas' first bar, Est. 1952,” but 1954 is clear and consistent in records from the county assessor, business licenses, news articles, and even from the former owner himself. Some time ago I wrote to Atomic asking where the 1952 date comes from. The reply was that the owner's son who sold them the bar says it opened in 1952 -- just that. I wrote about Atomic and its predecessor Virginia's Cafe with all my source info here: 
https://vintagelasvegas.com/post/178571913359/virginia
https://vintagelasvegas.com/post/687619040010731520/atomic

Deke Castleman Jun-21-2022

Vegas expert cont'd

Secondly, I can't make any sense of the "Tavern Liquor License #00001." There were bar+stores before Atomic. 5th Street Liquor is one that comes to mind. I don't think anyone has seen this License #1 they mention. Maybe it was the first license issued in 1954. Who knows? 

Last, the bar doesn't appear in The Gauntlet – its bar scene was Rose Bowl (on the Strip) - and I haven't found a "Twilight Zone" episode with any Las Vegas footage aside from stock film of famous casinos.

Question of the Day - 20 June 2022

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