A Pilgrimage to The Riviera

You are here: Home » Current Events » A Pilgrimage to The Riviera

A Pilgrimage to The Riviera

March 31, 2009

Well, the Riviera is the latest property to go into default. It seems like another one
of these stories comes out every day, but it is what it is.

Riviera Hotel and Casino

Technically, Riviera Holders have decided not to make a $4 million interest payment that
was due yesterday on a $245 million loan.

Things are getting kind of scary. Without liquidity, any number of things could happen,
including the worst-case scenario … foreclosure. Of course, other possibilities also
exist like restructuring and repayment negotiations, so it’s probably not time to panic
yet.

However, just in case, I decided to head over there today, not just to see how the place
was faring, but to lend my support to the fledgling property. They only got $10 of my
money, but at least now they are only $3,999,990 short instead of $4 million. Every
little bit helps.

For whatever reason, the Riviera does not seem to have many enthusiastic friends in this
town. When local publications do their annual “best of” polls, The Riviera often does
well only in such categories as “most deserving of the wrecking ball”.

As usual, I disagree with most of the people who participate in Las Vegas polls. It’s my
firm belief that most people vote the way they think other people vote, and few of them
have much first-hand experience.

But what can I do? This country has a rich history of allowing stupid people to vote,
and I doubt that is going to change anytime soon.

Riviera Hotel and Casino

The truth is that the Riviera is a Las Vegas institution, and it still has the best neon
in the City. The Riviera is traditional Las Vegas personified. It’s part of what
catapulted Las Vegas to international stardom. It certainly deserves more respect than
it gets these days.

Within that institution of the Riviera is another institution. Crazy Girls.

I have seen Crazy Girls numerous times, and I am not going to lie and act like it is not
cheesy beyond belief … because it is. That’s part of its charm, though. It’s so
gratuitous, you don’t know whether to laugh or get a boner, so when I see the show, I
just cover my bases and do both.

The chicks are smoking hot, and in my opinion, Crazy Girls is a must see for all
heterosexual men. Hell, I think it’s a must see for gay men too. If you ever wondered
what we see in women, this show will teach you all you need to know … and maybe you will
all stop being heterophobes. Most of us are decent humans, we just like boobs. We’re
here, we ain’t queer, get used to it and shut the hell up.

Crazy Girls at The Riviera

Anyway …

I spent the morning in the Riviera and I looked everywhere for signs that it may be on
borrowed time. However, I did not find any of those signs. As a matter of fact, they
were installing a bank of brand new slot machines next to the Poker Room as I stood there
and watched.

One interesting thing about the Riviera is that the place does not age or ever attempt to
re-invent itself. It looks the same now as it did 10 years ago. That’s why many people
hate it, but it’s a primary reason that I like it. Some of the popular shows are gone,
such as Splash and La Cage, but newer shows like Ice are still pulling in audiences.

Ice at The Riviera

Riviera Casino Poker Room

Riviera Casino

Riviera Pool

Riviera Casino

One thing did strike me as slightly depressing today. The casino was damn near empty.
There were zero, count’em … zero people in the poker room, and they only had one
Blackjack table running.

This table was $10 3:2, and this was all that was available. I was a bit miffed because
I felt that $10 on a weekday at 11am in the Riviera was a bit much, but I bought in anyway. After
losing 5 hands in a row, I took the $50 I had left and stuck it in a quarter Bonus VP
machine … where over the course of an hour, I proceeded to win $40.

I will restate this one fact … I am the greatest break-even gambler on the planet.

I left the Riv ten dollars poorer, but considering I was in there for 2 hours, that’s not
bad. I also got two free beverages, so for all intents and purposes, I’m calling it even.

Anyway, I certainly hope the Riviera sticks around for a good long time.

If they can hold it together for another year or so, they will be able to bask in the
glow of the brand new Fontainebleau … more commonly known as “F Blu or Fblue”.

When the Fblue opens up, the Riv is going to be smack in the middle of a hotbed of
activity. Not only that, but if Echelon ever decides to resume construction, the Riviera
will be on prime real estate that would make the mouth of any Vegas land developer water.

I cannot help but imagine that business would pick up dramatically.

Right now the entire North Strip is in the doldrums, but eventually it will make a
resurgence.

When that will occur is anyone’s guess, but given its storied history, it would only be
fitting for the Riviera to participate in that renaissance.

I sincerely hope that happens.

Come on Riv! We’re pulling for you!

Well, some of us are, at least.

Share and Enjoy:

Author: Rex
Date: 8:08 pm
Posted in: Current Events,Economy,Gambling,The Strip

10 Comments »

Written by SPRUNT on April 1, 2009 at 12:53 am

I like the Riv a lot. It was where I stayed on my second trip to Vegas. Not so great for location, awesome for vibe and price. While it wasn’t all modernized or anything, I didn’t find anything to complain about. And the neon outside is the best on the strip.
Written by Phouchg on April 1, 2009 at 1:43 am

Don’t forget its cinematic history…many of the interiors for “Casino” were shot there…and I think this is the casino where Nick Papagirogio (sp) from Yuma, Arizona won all those cars in “Vegas Vacation”.
Written by Vincent on April 1, 2009 at 9:10 am

As a gay man, I too can recommend Crazy Girls. While I’m not a heterophobe, nor interested in seeing what straight guys see in boobies (kinda like telling a hetero to watch gay porn), I can tell you that for anyone who appreciates the type of kitsch and camp that old Vegas used to offer, Crazy Girls can do you no wrong. It’s cheesy personality is what makes it so appealing. In fact, just add a script and some scenery and you got the stage version of the delicious gay favorite, “Showgirls”!
Written by Jinx on April 2, 2009 at 12:30 am

Another great article on a property that gets a ton of bad word of mouth. I’m in agreement with you again, much as I was with the Strat and Sahara. I don’t even know where to put the blame, I stopped going down to that area of the strip when they closed the Dust and while I rarely visited the New Frontier or Westward Ho, they were at least something to walk through on the way down to the Dust or Riviera. The destruction of those properties essentially killed that side of the strip in my opinion, with Wynn becoming the new ‘end’ of the strip.

On top of that, Vegas as a city that constantly is looking to reinvent itself is absolutely horrible with respecting it’s past. While the Riv isn’t Dunes or Sands, on the strip outside of the Sahara, it’s all that’s left and you are so right that it has the best Neon by far. Hell the newer part of the strip has some interesting lighting but a severe lack of neon. I’m as guilty of this as the next person I suppose on a smaller budget, I’ll gladly take the Bellagio or MGM to stay at when compared to the Riv or Sahara, but then again, it’s not like some of the smaller spots were trying to cater to a group that was looking for a home during the time period when comped weekends were a thing for high rollers only. So I guess it’s there fault as well, they wanted to play with the mid level properties instead of cultivating a base of gamblers and when that base is still travelling to Vegas, now it’s easy for MGM and Caesars to get them to come over as for the value their product is better. (at least hotel room wise and location).

I’ll tell you this though, when I started making Vegas a regular jaunt, Flamingo and IP were my two spots that I regularly stayed at, the last years before the IP was sold to HET, they started remodeling and were aggressive to low rollers with offers and I’ve made friends with people working there. So I still do stay there every couple trips, but I always visit there on a trip and usually for multiple nights. It’s a shame that Riv didn’t do something like that.
Written by tully on April 2, 2009 at 10:24 am

The Riv is one of a handful of casinos left on the Strip that has a lot of history. Hope they pull out of it. Nearly all of their rooms have been refurbished, and if the website photos are a fair indication, they’re not bad at all. As Jinx said, they seem to have done a poor job of identifying their market, and promoting themselves.

Location may not be the best, but according to Google maps, they are only 3/10 of a mile, or a six minute walk, from the Hilton’s monorail stop. The single ride fare is ridiculous, but a 3 day pass is not that bad, considering it lets you move up and down the Strip at will. Just bring decent walking shoes.
Written by wolynski on April 2, 2009 at 5:10 pm

Is the annual pool tournament still coming next month? I like the Riviera, but the coffee shop is not good.

VegasImages.blogspot.com
Written by vpking on April 2, 2009 at 9:45 pm

I’ve been coming and staying at the Riv since 1976. My most recent trip was in Oct 2008, stayed in one of the refurbished rooms in the north tower. 32 inch plasma, pillow top bed, overstuffed chair and a nice bathroom. I think a lot of people just follow the herd in shooting the Riv down, they probably have never even stayed there. It is old las vegas and that is what I love most about it. The new casinos and hotels are nice but I prefer the friendly confines of the Riv. As far as location, I always rent a car and I can get on 15 south, or head downtown or go out the back way and hop on paradise rd. and avoid the strip traffic. Come on Riv, hang in there I’m pulling for you too.
Written by loftypines on April 3, 2009 at 12:49 am

Thanks for the column on the RIV. my 2nd trip to Vegas was to the Stardust, I had a great time in the classic casinos up on the north side. my next trip was back to the Stardust. the pool area brought me back. I had a great time lounging in the grassy areas and drinking cheap american beers. This was also the first trip I played live poker, but the Stardust room intimidated me so I headed across the road to the RIV and was hooked. Then BOYD Gaming blew up the Dust and I spent my next 3 trips to Vegas at the RIV. My last 2 stays in the north tower that opens up right at the Poker room. The north end is just too quiet now so I chose to stay elsewhere the last 2 trips to Vegas but always spend a little time and money at the RIV and will again in 30 days when I visit in May!
Written by Ben Jammin on April 3, 2009 at 12:51 am

Rex your photography is really great. I really enjoyed the video from the M, and Halloween also. All of em.

Very Cool!

See Ya ,
Ben Jammin
Written by McGoo on April 4, 2009 at 1:40 pm

I really enjoy these articles on the older and less popular properties, I cannot say that I dislike or hate any property and find each has its own charm and personality. Well hold on, I dislike the MGM, I had a very bad stay there, and feel my reasons are justifiable. Rex I hope to see more articles like this one about other properties. My next trip to Vegas this may will include a trip to the Boulder strip.

Thanks Rex!