Saturday Morning Hooters

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Saturday Morning Hooters

March 8, 2009

This morning I dropped by one of the most maligned casinos in Las Vegas.

Sure, The Stratosphere, Sahara, Riviera, Circus Circus, etc … are arguably more shat upon, but Hooters is a place that elicits a special snicker among so-called Vegas-phlies.

Las Vegas Hooters Hotel and Casino

Personally, I have been going to Hooters since Day #1. When it first opened back in February 3nd of 2006, I was there. I played in their Poker Room the first day, played some table games, and while I thought it was a fine property, I was a little disappointed in their dealer and waitress outfits.

I had been to Hooters in other cities, and the costumes at the Las Vegas Hooters Casino were no more racy or revealing than the Hooters in Toronto, Canada. I felt that this was a horrible miscalculation on the part of the property. They really could have let loose and pushed the boundaries on the raunch factor, especially with a casino named “Hooters” … but they did not seize the opportunity.

They allowed the Orleans, Mandalay Bay, and Rio retain rights to the most revealing cocktail waitress outfits at the time.

When you open a casino called “Hooters” in Vegas, you set a certain expectation.

These days, I stand by the opinion that I formed three years ago. I still think they could have, and should have gone a little further in this city given the brand. Nonetheless, I have gotten over the fact that they aren’t going to show me much skin, and I have grown to appreciate the property for other reasons.

First and foremost, I always root for non-Harrahs, and non-MGM/Mirage properties near The Strip. If there is anything this town needs more of, it’s competition, so I almost always appreciate it when another player makes an attempt to bring their product to Vegas.

Hooters is a small, niche’ property, and it has its own charm. It is also one of the friendlier casinos on The Strip.

Las Vegas Hooters Casino

About a year ago I was walking past a Blackjack table at Hooters, and one of the dealers struck me as particularly photogenic. Not wanting to be obvious, I pulled out my little handheld camera and tried to get a quick shot directly at the table. The Pit Boss noticed me and yelled “Hey!” Naturally, I thought I was going to get yelled at and asked to leave, but instead he said “Why don’t you take a proper picture?”

He instructed the dealer to pose for me, and I turned on my flash and got a much better photograph. Since that day, I have had an appreciation for the place that is hard to describe. When you have been covering this town for a few years, and you get used to be scolded and reprimanded over the most mundane things … little interactions such as these stand out in your mind. They seem to “get it” in regards to not taking themselves too seriously.

Hooters is not tiny, but it is on the smaller side for a Vegas casino. It has 696 rooms, and has a 35,000 square foot casino. This is large enough to have a good selection of games, yet small enough to feel intimate. One of the often overlooked positives of Hooters is the excellent location. It is directly across from the MGM Grand, and it’s about a 7 minute walk from one casino floor to the other using the Tropicana overpass. It’s also on the Monorail (via the MGM), and it is easy to avail yourself of nearby properties such as NYNY, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay.

Hooters was not built as Hooters. As most people know, it was the San Remo Hotel for most of its life.

In its short life, Hooters has already been the subject of speculation that it would be sold. It has apparently come close on at least one occasion, but the deal was never consummated. It remains its own entity.

Today, I dropped by the casino earlier than usual … around 11am. Unfortunately, there was only one “Hooters Girl” dealer (pictured). They actually had several male dealers, but all of the waitresses were still of the orange shorts variety. While it wasn’t packed, there was already a spirited craps game taking place. I plunked down a little down myself, and doubled up in very short order.

Hooters' Dealer

Las Vegas Hooters' Craps Table

Las Vegas Hooters

Las Vegas Hooters Poker Room

Afterward, I walked over to the Poker Room, and noticed that there was absolutely nobody playing. The Poker “Room” itself is now down to two tables, and it seems to be getting little action lately, but it’s there if you need it. Directly adjacent to the Poker Room is yet another virtual dealer game … virtual Texas Hold ‘Em. As I noted before, these virtual games seem to be spreading like wildfire, but their viability has yet to be seen.

Hooters' Virtual Texas Hold 'Em

Las Vegas Hooters Pool

I checked out the pool right before leaving just in case there was some scenery, but it’s still too cold for bikini weather. The pool is quite nice for a property of Hooters’ size, however. It’s nicer than a few Strip offerings, such as NYNY.

I left Hooters with my two bagger, and the experience was overall positive. It usually is.

Like I said, I have grown to appreciate, and even respect the place over the years. I usually patronize the joint about once a month. The silly vibe and almost complete lack of pretense is a very attractive quality for the resort.

I still think they should skimp out on the outfits a little, but my pleas have fallen on deaf ears to point.

Maybe as the local economy continues to worsen and the transition to Vegas 3.0 begins to take place … perhaps better uniforms is the ace up their sleeve.

I have faith that the place will eventually live up to its name.

Frankly, I’m pulling for it to happen.

Both literally and figuratively.

The folks at Hooters aren’t the only ones who can use sexual inuendo.

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Author: Rex
Date: 12:50 am
Posted in: Gambling, Reviews

3 Comments »

Written by tully on March 8, 2009 at 1:19 pm

How can you not like a casino that puts up signs saying, “Exit. If you want to wash dishes, enter here;” “If you still got money, you didn’t try hard enough:” and “This facility dedicated to the memory of John J. Crapper—thanks for the convenience.”
They look fairly busy for Saturday daytime—–good for them.
Written by Rick Gerlock on March 8, 2009 at 7:07 pm

Don’t forget that the craps is 10x odds at 5.00 minimum, try finding that around that area
Written by Rick Gerlock on March 8, 2009 at 7:10 pm

Also in your link to the photogenic dealer I noticed she is the same gal in the other link you provided. Swimsuit contestant 142

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