That 70′s Post
May 30, 2010
Friday was the first night of “Summer of the ’70s” Downtown, and to show support for the effort, I decided to spend a couple of hours patronizing Fremont Street and soaking in the new theme.
Golden Gate's $3.99 Large Shrimp Cocktail
Before availing myself of the entertainment, however, I had to eat, and this time around I decided to fill up on the Golden Gate’s $3.99 “large” shrimp cocktail. Honestly, in my several dozen trips to eat at the Golden Gate, this was the first time I had ever noticed the “large” option, and I am upset at myself for this. Had I paid attention to the menu earlier, I would have been ordering one of these instead of two of the cheaper offerings. The bigger cocktail is more appealing to me because the “large” shrimp are actually large. I’m not sure if they fall into the “jumbo” realm, but they are damn close, and the dish is a good value at only $4.
After filling up on sea cockroaches, it was time for a little low-roll gaming. I played at the Golden Gate, then crossed over to the Fetish Pit. As usual, it was very entertaining, and both venues had their women out in full force.
Golden Gate Party Pit
Fetish Pit at The Las Vegas Club
Binion's Party Pit
Hypothetically speaking, as of right now, if someone told me that I had to spend an entire weekend gambling in only one pit in Las Vegas, my choice would be the Fetish Pit at The Las Vegas Club. Runners up would be The Golden Gate and Binion’s. They’re just more fun than most Strip pits, and I am even including places like Bellagio and Encore in this assessment.
Fetish Pit at The Las Vegas Club
After paying homage to the gaming gods, I walked through the canopy to see how the first unofficial night of summer was progressing.
On the Third Street Stage, the Sin City Sinners were well into their set. For those who are not aware, the Sin City Sinners are a local “supergroup”. Guitarist Brent Muscat was in Faster Pussycat, Drummer Rob Cournoyer played for Raging Slab, and singer Todd Kerns was in Age of Electric and also currently plays bass in Slash’s band. The Sinners usually have other musicians sit in with them, and on Friday night one of those musicians was none other than Jimmy Crespo, guitar player for Aerosmith in the (very) late 70′s and early 1980′s.
Third Street Stage - The Sin City Sinners
First Street Stage - Disco
I listened to the Sinners for awhile, and then walked back to the First Street Stage to catch the first Disco concert of the season. I watched as couples danced to ballads such as “How Deep Is Your Love” before breaking into the wild arm gestures of “YMCA”.
Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves.
Of course, not everything was 100% positive. Now that summer is sort-of here, it appears that more posers have found their way to the Fremont canopy. Be they showgirls or celebrity look-alikes, the same thing that is happening on Las Vegas Boulevard is now also happening Downtown. People are standing around soliciting tips for photographs, and the posers are a little bit confusing for new visitors.
Fremont Street - Tips for Photos
Fremont Street - Tips for Photos
Fremont Street - Tips for Photos
In particular, there is an Elvis and a Michael Jackson caricature roaming Fremont Street, and these costumes in particular drew children. Several kids approached the costumed-posers, high-fived them and started trying to interact with the characters. The tourists were not immediately aware that they had to pay for the privilege of posing with these creatures, and it was kind of awkward watching the posers trying to turn the organic excitement of the kids into cash.
The other problem I noticed is that the ACE Bus no longer picks up passengers on Casino Center Blvd. This is a real buzzkill, because this immensely-convenient stop was something that garnered accolades from yours truly when the transit line first opened. Instead, the RTC has combined the ACE stop with the Deuce stop which is a block away from the action. In my opinion, this was an incredibly stupid move. I really do not understand why they could not just leave a great idea … great. It’s a problem that is endemic to Las Vegas as a whole.
Vegas Genius 1: “Hey, Blackjack is really popular and it makes a lot of money for us, is there anyway we can ruin it?”
Vegas Genius 2: “How about reducing the payout on naturals?”
Vegas Genius 1: “By god, that’s brilliant! While you’re at it, see if you can make riding the bus less convenient.”
Vegas Genius 2: “I’m already on it!”
Anyway, aside from these two quibbles, Fremont’s new summer theme is off to a great start.
Look, I’ve tried to dance around this issue, but I’m going to come right out and say it:
If you come to Las Vegas in 2010 to gamble, and you don’t spend at least one night of your trip Downtown … then you’re kind of an idiot.
Seriously, if you are a guidouche or a metrosexual (closeted gay guys who use words like “amazing” and “gorgeous”), then I totally get it. You’ll find the lack of pretense disorienting.
For everyone else, however, Fremont Street is kind of what you have been asking for over the last decade. Good gaming odds, attractive female staff, interesting neon, casino choices, a lack of traffic, a large amount of musical entertainment, etc. Also, I never thought I would say this, but Fremont Street now feels safer than does The Strip. I’m not sure if it is the lack of porn slappers or the lack of club hustlers, but Fremont Street doesn’t feel like a long, disjointed scam. For the most part, people leave you alone and let you do your thing. With the notable exception of the posers.
The Golden Gate Outdoor Bar
Summer of 70's DJ
Fremont Street Summer of '70
The Golden Gate Outdoor Bar
Obviously, Downtown is far from perfect. The lack of production shows is obvious, rooms are less luxurious, and the dining options are not as robust. Now that The Vegas Strip has become the world’s largest swimming pool, however, Downtown becomes more compelling with each passing month. At least it does for me.
In any event, the Summer of the ’70s has officially begun, and this was my first visit of what is sure to be many over the next three months.
From what I’ve seen so far, it’s already a crowd-pleaser.
Written by blueboar on May 30, 2010 at 9:10 pm
2nd to last photo. White fence and what looks to be a new food concession.
What’s the deal with that? Looks like it unnecessarily takes up a lot of room from the sidewalk.
Written by Trevelbond on May 30, 2010 at 10:24 pm
I really enjoyed my last few trips downtown. As far as the rooms not being up to par with the Strip, the Rush Tower at the Golden Nugget is a great alternative to the McSuites of the strip. I stayed there twice and really enjoyed it.
As far as the Ace stop goes, I did notice on my last trip (which was around the first week of Ace operation) that the stop at Binion’s was extremely packed. This was on a Wednesday, at about 11PM. Their rationale for moving the stop may have been that the sidewalk is too narrow for the amount of people that were showing up.
Written by BigRedDogATL on May 31, 2010 at 1:13 am
I must be getting really old and out of touch because I didn’t recognize one name of the musicians that you mentioned. I have heard of the group Aerosmith but didn’t know the members.
Written by Team Valtrex on May 31, 2010 at 4:18 am
I travel to Vegas every January / February with a group of women I know from around the country. Even though they all go to Vegas at least once or twice a year, they had no idea that Fremont even existed, so I introduced them. Needless to say, they LOVED it! Next year, we’re staying at the Golden Nugget instead of yet another MGM property, and hopefully my wife doesn’t know how to find me.
Written by The Fonz on May 31, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Having enjoyed hair band rock in college, I still listen to some of it, and keep up with some of the new music being put out by the Brent Muscats of the world. I regret that I didn’t make it to the Sinners’ regular Friday night gig when I was in town last November.
Written by Tom on May 31, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Are the girls (dancers, etc.)in downtown getting less attractive than they used to be? Looks it from these pics!
Written by Tom on May 31, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Trevelbond, if lack of room on the sidewalk is actually being used as a criteria by the bus company, those bosses should be on the county planning board. They could then force the strip hotel casinos to provide more sidewalk for walking per hotel room,slot machine and table game. I know it’s too late now, at least until the next wave of major renovation hits the midstrip places.
Written by tombrokaw on June 1, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Just too low rent for my tastes. I can see the charm though.
Written by wrxrob on June 2, 2010 at 4:34 am
You can keep your high rent overcrowded scam known as the strip.
Fremont street is where its at!