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Where?
Downtown
Who owns it?
Sam Boyd
Ostensible Theme
According to the Main St. Station, this casino attempts to represent
the "romance and charm known only to turn-of-century America."
Clientele Surprisingly,
the frilly décor doesn't scare the typical downtown crowd
away.
Employee costumes
Waitresses wear maroon brocade bustiers and matching gold-trimmed
bolero jackets with black skirts.
Carpet and Other Decor
The high coved ceiling, inlaid with stained glass and hung with
chandeliers, is reminiscent of a particularly fancy late Victorian
rail station. There's also plenty of wood and burnished brass,
as well as accents such as gilt-framed mirrors, fake palms and
carved ladies peeping from the corners. The carpet consists of
a pale sea green background with medallions of ivory, red and
dark green. The arched windows are flanked on either side by
thin Corinthian pillars, while dark red leatherette covers chairs
of a vaguely Victorian shape. And what Victorian structure would
be complete without a cupola? Cupolas and furbelows, folks, that's
what it was all about in those days.
Over the bar hangs a rather unique paddle fan. There's also lots
of marble and a huge brass boar statue. Near the Garden Court,
the entire ceiling is gilt and encrusted with ornament. Gosh,
one could spend all his time here looking up.
The hotel lobby has long, curvaceous benches and ceiling fans-
just like the old train stations might have. There's a variety
of old paintings, including one called "Beethoven's Dream."
Other pieces of art include a naked lady clock and a painting
of Monte Carlo. Where did they find this stuff? Anyway, it seems
pretty close to fin de siecle taste, even if it's quaint to us
now.
The entrance to the restroom is hung with a reclining nude in
an opulent gilt frame, flanked by two pictures of urns. Surprisingly,
there's no ladies lounge, but the dark wooden stalls and salt
and pepper granite counters are very simple and clean. The sign
on the door has an etching of a turn-of-the-century beauty's
face. Check out those curls! In the men's room, I'm told, you
can pee on the Berlin Wall. Women will have to bring their own
pieces of the Berlin Wall to pee upon.
Food
Well, sure, there's the Triple 7 Brewpub, but the other eateries,
such as Garden Court Buffet and the Steakhouse don't detract
from the theme a whit. You know that The Pullman Grille is supposed
to be upscale from that last "e."
Games
Here, the slot club is called nothing more than "Player's
Club." Maybe it should be "Player's Clubbe."
Entertainment
Don't miss the restored railroad cars beside the casino;
it's like a mini-sightseeing break in the middle of the usual
Vegas activities. There are plaques explaining how private car
No. 92 served as private quarters for Teddy Roosevelt and Annie
Oakley (Oh, not at the same time; honestly, what must you be
thinking?) and the Cascade Railcar was originally used by the
president of the Colorado Midland Railroad. The cars are quite
deluxe with inlaid wood paneling and brass fittings, tapestry
and a passel of old gauges. That's travelling in style!
Did it work?
Yes. They did a good job. I just can't imagine how this place
stays so nice.
Suggestions
Tell me where I can get one of those paddle fans!
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