Hidden pool on Riviera Roof

Was finally able to locate the abandoned swimming pool this past Friday and took some photos of it, along with some others around the property.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4480201808849.2181336.1404176376&type=1&l=a7e6293c0f

 

hey thanks for the pics I had seen that on google maps and google earth and I had just about convinced myself it was not an old pool and it was just some type of old roof decoration or painting

guess my first guess was right

 

Can anyone see this pool? How do I find it?

 

Great photos Sam.....do you know the story behind it? Seems like it is/was the perfect spot for a pool deck, I wonder why they shut it down?

 

Great Find !
Thanks, Sam.
.
It looks to me, to be the roof of that adjoining
casino ( to The Riviera ) called "Nickel World" or
something like that ?
Am I correct ?
And how did you gain access ?

 

Hi, everyone. Glad you liked my photos. I actually had heard about the pool from an older post on this board. Last Friday I was moving from Bill's on the strip to El Cortez Cabanas downtown, and had several hours to play with, so I stopped for some pics of Sahara's grounds then decided to explore Riviera for the pool. I stopped and asked an employee, who said she has worked there for 33 years but never saw it, even though she knew generally where it was. She told me to take the up-escalator at the south end of the casino between the pinball machines and food court, and it would probably be up there. Sure enough, it was. I remembered reading here that it was marked as a public smoking area, so I spotted the sign on the second level, walked down a corridor and out onto the roof. There it was in all it's glory. It's situated on the north end of the main casino roof, down by where the sportsbook is underneath it. There was one employee sitting up there to one side, smoking, and myself. It was eerie and cool at the same time. And horrifically hot. Here's something I found on the internet about it:

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images/quiz-roof-pool-answer.jpg

BTW, the Riviera itself was pretty lively on a late Friday morning, and is looking quite a bit fresher than when I stayed there two years ago. New signage, changes in layout, etc. Still has an old-school vibe, and reminded me a lot of my first stay at Sahara 6 years ago before that place went completely in the toilet. Riv is still hanging on and seems to have some hope after all. The underground valet area was sadly abandoned, though, but allowed for some neat photos of the lighting and doors.

 

interesting stuff Sam, thanks.

does security ever hassle you for checking this stuff out? they seemed to hover around me like mad so I rarely get a chance to get away from them long enough to explore.

 

The only place I've ever been hounded is Las Vegas Club. Twice.

 

I have mentioned it on here before, I have never set foot in the place, but to me, it is easily the coolest looking casino at night in Vegas. My first time there at night we drove by and I was mesmerized by all the neon on the outside of the place. When I go in November, maybe I will make it a point to go in there and stick a few bucks in a machine.

 

Sam, I bet it would be a blast to hang with you in Vegas. You seem to have some great exploring adventures that I would find fascinating.

 

Thanks, I try to find something new every visit. My mom was the exact opposite. She'd stay at the same casino every time and never leave. Meals, shows, gambling and sleeping all in one place. If that works, great, but there is so much hidden away that deserves to be discovered again, right?

 

that is a cool find.

we will be staying at riviera for a few nights next week and will have to take a peek.

we like how riviera has been improving lately and the cocktail service was improved tremendously in july.

 

It seems one is always able to find something interesting in Vegas. Nice find and good pics.

 

Thanks for the pics, we plan to be at the Rivera in a few weeks for the Illutions show, will have to check out the pinball machines

 

Sam you delivered again, thanks for the pics of both pools. I was also impressed with the cleaner feel to the Riv this August and was surprised to find the Pinball HoF outlet. It was the first time I had parked in their garage and walking past the active pool area reminded me of 1960's - 1980's Vegas. My wife and I commented on Dan Tanna hangning around the pool.

 

Thinking back, I vaguely remember some casino with a roof-top pool on a hotel tower. Anyone remember 4 sure?

 

When I saw the Riv during weekdays this past spring, it seemed like not a lot was happening around there. Lots of open space, little pedestrian traffic in and out the front door, next to no business during the lunch hour in the food court.... all bad signs. My visits were largely weekday during a "slow" week in Vegas, but there was no vibe that anyone wanted to be there. They weren't pretending to offer poker any more. If things are turning around, I'm impressed, given that its location lends to much greater geographical challenges these days. I guess 1000X odds is paying off, but it still has a long, long way to go.

 

Been there quite a while now, (more than 18 months, for sure,) although you'd never know there was a PHOF substation on the strip if you visited the headquarters on Tropicana... they fail to note to people that they can get 24-hour pinball there, which seems silly. Originally there was little acknowledgment that the machines came from the PHOF, at least now they have a sign. Last I saw, they still didn't tell you where to go to play more than 200 machines from the past six decades.

 

we are very happy to have found the pinball hall of fame machines at riviera a couple of trips ago.

we have been to the hall of fame 2 or 3 times and it is awesome but when we are too tired for the journey the smaller version at riviera is great.

 

Pinball!

I never stop learning new things from this board! I have been to the PHOF on Tropicana many times when I have a car, but I never knew about the pinball machines at the Riviera! I won't have a car for my trip this month, but I have a separate reason to be at the Riviera, so I'll have to spend a little bit more time there playing pinball!
Thanks, gang!!!