The Internet is a wonderful thing

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on February 14th, 2006

Las Vegas Casino Death Watch is an online entity entirely devoted to implosions of Vegas casinos. Bookmark it, check it out regularly if you are at all bummed about the disappearance of Old Vegas. (Or Sorta Old Vegas. Let’s face it, Old Vegas is gone. And most of us are too young to really remember the Old Vegas.)

On downtown’s venerable Golden Gate:

From statements owner Mark Brandenburg has made as well as this hotel’s reluctance to ink a new union contract, it sounds like this venerable downtown hotel/casino isn’t making a lot of money. While this place may not have elaborate mini-suites, big-name headliners, or gourmet restaurants, we really like this little place. The Golden Gate is probably the casino which best exemplifies the feel of old Glitter Gulch. If we recall correctly, this property first opened in 1906, and it’s last major “upgrade” was in 1930. That’s a lot of history, and it would be a real shame if the place had to close.

We recall a tremendous late-night breakfast around a large circular table at the Golden Gate during our Comics-Only Reunion back in April of ’01. Eight or nine comics (Don Weir, Pat Mac, Kid Dave Miller, to name a few) ordering all manner of unhealthy foods, swapping stories about life on the road, in the clubs or on the stage, staying way past the checks. We’ll miss the Gate if it goes down in a cloud of dust.

Word is that Bourbon Street dissolves in a heap TONIGHT!