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Where?
North Strip
Who owns it?
The Boyd Group
Ostensible Theme
This is another place that was around before themes became the
standard. We can make one up, though. Astronomy? The mystery
and romance of the evening hours? Old pop standards? If all else
fails, the theme can be Las Vegas gambling.
Clientele This
place is senior citizen mecca.
Employee costumes
Dealers wear white shirts with tropical print bands under collars
and black pants. Cocktail waitresses wear once classy purple
velveteen minidresses.
Carpet and Other Decor
The Stardust sign is one of my favorites in this town- a big,
twinkly swoosh of stars in white, blue, and pink. The casino
building is actually more garish than the sign- moving stripes
of blue, pink, and orange. If the sign represents a distant galaxy,
the building is a supernova right in your face. The fountains
are of the leaping water-snakes variety.
The carpet pattern consists of bold shafts in red, green,
purple, and yellow on a black background, with a pathway of leaves
in the same colors. The folks at the Stardust have a motto, "If
a color exists, why not use it?" As if you were not getting
enough brass, mirrors, low ceilings, and flashing lights, the
Stardust has those, too. There were a few appropriate and visually
engaging decor touches, though, small patches of ceiling with
twinkly stars, the shiny glass globes at entrance of Starlight
Lounge.
The Terrace Bar has purple lighting and fake palm trees, another
example of the influence of Miami Vice on Las Vegas decor. Pretty
soon, it will be hip all over again.
While I was there, the music switched from old-style crooning
to 1960s novelty hits.
Restrooms are anything but glamorous- beige tile floors and
walls in peach tile with a border of peach and teal fans.
Food
I would say that the theme of the Stardust eateries must be "Food
that Older Folks Eat". Patrons of Tony Roma's ribs, Tres
Lobos, Ralph's Diner, and Toucan Harry's can take a break from
their Ensure habits. Those of a more fancy-pants bent can visit
William B's for Continental meat and potatoes fare.
Entertainment
Nothing is more traditional in Las Vegas than Wayne Newton.
Services
The sign that promises "Twelve Fascinating Shops"
is lying, unless you're fascinated by tshirts with toucans on
them.
Did it work?
What? What's to work?
Suggestions
Go for old-style glamour. Today's young people are yearning
for that stuff and Grandpa never stopped liking it, either. More
of a starry, night-time look can be magical.
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