1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Las Vegas Club Memories

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by tominiowa, Nov 16, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. tominiowa

    tominiowa High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2004
    Messages:
    807
    Location:
    USA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    300
    Oh how I miss the old days. My annual all guy trip is coming up in December and my mind wanders to trips from past.

    The MVP rooms in the north tower were very nice then. Tom Kaminski ran the joint and always made me and my companion
    feel special. He always comped me and a guest to a romantic meal at the Great moments rooms. It was a classy joint
    and we would dress us extra nice for the meal. Now you seldom see this anywhere downtown. (occasionally at the 4 Queens)
    I miss having a dining companion who would looked extra nice for this occasion. In fact so beautiful and sexy. Of course years later I now realize how much she also looked forward to it and how special these trips were. Bloody noses and all.

    The coffee shop upstairs was a great place esp at 4 AM before hitting the bed. Great gamblers specials then. 1.99 for
    several items. A $25 BJ table with great rules and during the daytime it would be a $5 table. Great drink service always.
    Seeing a novice BJ player get so good that she once cashed out a pink $500 chip. She was so proud and deserved it.

    The staff was always the same and whenever we came to town they made us feel special and welcomed. They called us by name
    , not just a damn player card.

    Now it is sad when I walk into this joint. Loud music and crappy gambling. Rooms turned into dumps. No coffee shop or fine dining. But I always walk in, just to have my mind wander to so many great memories made here
    and at times miss them. But am happy I had a chance to enjoy them in my life. I wish I was a camera person and had pictures now.

    Anybody else remember the LVC as a great casino in those years? Or have great memories of years past?
     
  2. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2008
    Messages:
    6,550
    Location:
    Flusherville, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Great post.

    It is a shame what's happened to that place. Great Moments room was terrific.
     
  3. suecasey

    suecasey Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2006
    Messages:
    160
    Location:
    North Las Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    I, too, have fond memories of the "old" Las Vegas Club. Back in the mid 80's, my husband and I, along with the 2 other couples we traveled to Vegas with, would "take over" a whole blackjack table, playing $1 BJ. We had SO much fun! It was the first time I ever saw the cards dealt all face-up. We would yell "shuffle" every time the dealer shuffled, lol. This was when they used to advertise "the best blackjack rules."

    Video poker was new back then -- just regular "draw poker," no bonus hands, etc. Coins would drop every time you won a hand. I'd run a roll of quarters through a machine and take the money that was in the bin back to the blackjack table.

    The coffeeshop back then -- I believe it was called the Dugout -- was a great place for breakfast. I really liked the baseball theme. And the Great Moments Room was wonderful for a nice dinner.

    I miss those days ... :)
     
  4. merlin

    merlin MIA

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    Messages:
    3,755
    Location:
    mn
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    We remember, but keep in mind, it didn't just fade away(along with the plaza), it was ruined by deliberate decisions made by poor management. I remember when the Plaza was the place for me, I stayed there many times, ate there(for better or worse) , and the casino was fairly busy, even lively.

    After jackie sold them, along with the western, the places slowly went downhill, then rapidly downhill.

    Sadly, right now, I would say that the LVC and Plaza have less business than they ever have. Vast empty spaces, row after row of machines with no players, a shrunken pit with no players.

    If the current management doesn't wise up, and there is zero evidence that they have the ability or desire, they'll both be closed in another year or so. RIP!
     
  5. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2004
    Messages:
    9,135
    Location:
    So Cal 91748
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    300
    Tommy was one of the best casino managers EVER! He now lives in N.J. and is away from the gambling business. I miss him.
     
  6. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2009
    Messages:
    2,785
    Location:
    Salem Oregon
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    63
    This post hurt my heart. I wish we could go back in time. I've become acquainted with someone who is behind the major decisions in the current operations of these places, and this person truly believes that the decisions they make are grand, wise, and beneficial to both the customers and the operations. They allowed me to tour the place before it was shuttered, sharing all the remodeling plans, then taking me through several times while Plaza was a work in progress. I got to see the final results of the High Roller suites renovations, and hear what restaurants, nightlife, and changes they had planned before reopening. Got to meet others that were working behind the scenes, too, and it all sounded great. But it truly has fallen apart, because the lofty plans weren't in touch with reality, and things have never been worse for them overall. As a customer, I've gone from being an enthusiastic supporter to not even wanting to stay on their properties anymore. LVC is probably the worst-kept casino in the entire city at this point. Extremely wasted potential, and enough to anger fans of the place.
     
  7. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,097
    Location:
    Bradenton, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    I guess it's nostalgia time. Fond memories of the (Las) Vegas Club (and Plaza) are enough to bring tears to my eyes! Huge banners near the ceiling in the Vegas Club proudly proclaimed "The Most Liberal BJ Rules on Earth," and they probably were. The tables were always busy, as were those at the Plaza. They were hopping places. That's back when The Sunspots were performing every night and the cocktail waitresses would say, "The Plaza would like to buy you a drink." Good rules, low minimums, and friendly people. I also miss "The Upper Deck" at the Vegas Club. It was always easy to get a comp and we really enjoyed the chicken stir fry, among other things. I just can't understand why someone would buy a property just to run it into the ground. :cry:
     
  8. merlin

    merlin MIA

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    Messages:
    3,755
    Location:
    mn
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    It sounds like they thought that by sprucing it up, adding a few gimmicks(the topless salon),and a little nightlife, they would be just like the strip casinos. Where rich tourists would flood through the doors, eat, drink and gamble...oblivious to the poor gambling conditions, and also oblivious to the fact that everywhere else downtown(mere steps away), is superior in every way.

    Is anyone surprised that didn't happen? And then they added that resort fee,another brilliantly "wise" move. It's now been well over a year, no players, no vibe, no packed rooms, just the beginning of the nickle and dime cutbacks...they cant, or wont admit, that the solution to their problems is on display right down the street.
     
  9. TFK

    TFK High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2010
    Messages:
    709
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    These places could be great again if they just went back to doing things they way they used to be done. Forget about the dancing girls, rap music, party pits, and all that nonsense.

    Offer a casino full of full pay video poker, blackjack with decent rules, food choices that are quality without costing an arm and a leg, good comps that make you want to play there and stay there, and a clean room with no resort fees. You know, the way things used to be.

    Go back to that, and I can guarantee you both the Plaza and the LVC will be packed and happening again.

    TFK
     
  10. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2012
    Messages:
    10,844
    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    I stayed there about 8 years ago, on my second-ever trip to Vegas. I was meeting a bunch of friends in Vegas for a Sunday-Thursday trip at Luxor, but I had to arrive on Saturday (I used to fly standby and Sunday didn't look good). I was pretty broke and needed a hotel for one night, and the LVC was the only place that was reasonably-priced and would allow for a one-night stay with a Saturday arrival. Even then I thought it was serviceable at best, and it was pretty clear that the place was in the throes of a serious decline.
     
  11. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Messages:
    456
    Location:
    Lakeland, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Add another broken heart.

    I miss "The Dugout" coffee shop - especially the $1.99 steak & eggs special. :cry:

    And they had those placemats with diagrams of all of the major league ballparks on it. I had one taped to the wall at my place of business for at least 10 years.

    I remember one morning at about 5:00 AM when there were no more than 3 crapshooters at a table in the LVC. We were all betting $1.00 on the pass line and backing it up with $1.25 odds. A player steps up to the table, changes $500.00 and starts betting $25.00 from the shoulder and hollering loudly after every roll, "Can I get a MEAL?? Can I get a MEAL??" This went on for about 10 minutes, after which time he was tapped out.

    I remember thinking, "Golly, fella! You could have taken every player at the table plus the crew and bought us all steak and eggs with just one of those green checks you tried impressing the house with for a comp!"

    Only in Vegas........
     
  12. Tree DA

    Tree DA High-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2011
    Messages:
    935
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    So when exactly were the glory days of LVC? I've been going to Vegas for about 20 years but only a regular downtowner for the past...8 or so I guess...and I don't remember the LVC ever being very nice (i've stayed there twice, 2011 and 2008, one night each time...the rooms sucked).
     
  13. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    I remember the dugout, they had a big t bone steak special and offerred that huge hamburger. But the other thing I remember was that service was sooo slow, even 15 years ago. The greater moments room served good food, I was sad that they closed it and made it a coffee shop. But even that is closed, they are one of the only hotel casinos downtown that doesn't have an eatery.

    I also remember that they offerred surrender with their bj, that their claim was that they (supposedly) had the most liberal bj in vegas.

    I don't mind the "dumpy" nature of the place, they have some of the best room prices downtown (next to the EC). Unfortunately they don't have the rooms available all the time but I remember that the rooms were usually filled because they had the cheap rates.

    I was afraid that they would try to "upscale" the lvc after the plaza, that would also mean that they would jack up their rates and probably charge a "resort fee". While they did change the carpets and wallpaper (same carpet design as the plaza) I don't think they could really do a remodel of the place without shutting it down to remodel the entire 1st floor. Unfortunately I think after the plaza fiasco they might be rethinking their plans to redo the lvc, either that or maybe they don't have the money to redo the place IMHO.

    But then we can reminisce about other places like binions that was a much better casino in years gone by.
     
  14. Foos

    Foos High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2009
    Messages:
    635
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    55
    The Las Vegas Club used to have a $1.95 Pound of Pig Late Night Special breakfast that was Excellent.
    Those were the days
     
  15. mikenhe

    mikenhe VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2006
    Messages:
    2,579
    Location:
    anglo american in Tampa
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    9
    the upper deck was my first ever meal in vegas.

    up for about 24 hours including travelling, a few beers and then a very necessary trip for some food.

    steak speacial at 2am - I think it was 3 bucks

    stayed there a couple of times thanks to the price - never have enjoyed gambling there too much.
     
  16. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2004
    Messages:
    9,135
    Location:
    So Cal 91748
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    300
    We used to play there no matter where we stayed because of their then BJ rules. The ones that I remember are.

    Unlimited split and re-splits, including aces
    Double after a 2-3-4 cards
    Automatic win with 6 cards without busting
    I think they had surrender too but I'm not sure
     
  17. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2012
    Messages:
    10,686
    Location:
    USA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    180
    Yeah, back in the 80s they had the most liberal BJ games in the universe. Nice little casino and the staff was always great. I really miss those BJ games though.:peace:
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
    Long Overdue Stay At The Golden Nugget
  18. Johnzimbo

    Johnzimbo VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2010
    Messages:
    2,856
    Location:
    DFW
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    I too remember the Dugout coffee shop, and when the keno lounge was along the wall the faced Main Street. One time we placed our keno bets before going into the Dugout and as soon as we were seated my MIL hit her 5spot for about $800...good times!

    Last time I stayed there was maybe six years ago. Being 6'4" I could see on top of the ledge above the closet in my room, and saw a used crack pipe. Yeah, the place was going downhill hehe.
     
    Annual me and Pete
  19. hanoscf

    hanoscf High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2007
    Messages:
    501
    Location:
    NW Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I used to love the LVC. It was the place I got my first comped meal for playing BJ. And it was at the Great Moments room, no less. And I was playing at a $3 table!
    I don't remember The Dugout. I only remember The Upper Deck. Where was The Dugout?

    I still go there to play VP. I have gotten 3 Royals there in my previous 3 trips.
     
  20. Jamie in PA

    Jamie in PA High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2003
    Messages:
    737
    Location:
    Greensburg PA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    We stayed ther about 6 years ago...twice. really enjoyed the place. sorry to see things go away, loved the Dugout.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.