The face of the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas will change at the end of the month. La Bayou, Mermaids and Glitter Gulch will all be closing their doors for good on June 27. While none of the properties are the most popular in downtown Las Vegas each of these family-run properties has offered something unique to the area. Here are a few reasons to check them out before they’re gone.
Mermaids
Mermaids is a very bright all-slots casino that is probably known more for its food than its gambling. Mermaids is the home of deep-fried Oreo’s and Twinkies in downtown Las Vegas. There’s an assortment of other cheap eats that pair nicely with a couple footballs of a slushy drink. Get the fried stuff while you can because there probably won’t be a replacement opening anywhere soon.
La Bayou
Here’s a little-known fact: La Bayou is the site of the first gaming license in Nevada. On March 20, 1931, the La Bayou, then the Northern Club, received the first gaming license in the state. The small slots casino has been known as Monte Carlo Club and Coin Castle before finally becoming La Bayou. Get your Mardi Gras beads before they go away! The home of cheap slots and quick drink service will be missed.
Glitter Gulch
Nothing says classic Las Vegas than the famous neon signs that are slowly disappearing from the landscape. One of the more famous neon signs still around the cowgirl sign of Vegas Vickie which sits above the entry Glitter Gulch. This sign is probably more popular with tourists than the business below it. The divey gentlemen’s club (using that term loosely) is the only one of it’s kind on Fremont Street. This is a throwback to a time when #DTLV was more commonly known as “Old Vegas.”
What’s Next?
The three properties were purchased by Derek Stevens who owns the Golden Gate, The D and the casino formerly known as the Las Vegas Club. Plans for the redevelopment of the Las Vegas Club haven’t been revealed yet but the space occupied by Mermaids and Glitter Gulch will somehow be incorporated into the property. Likewise, plans haven’t been revealed for La Bayou yet. It’s proximity to Golden Gate leads to speculation of expansion.
We’ll find out the future of the Las Vegas Club and Golden Gate after Mermaids, La Bayou and Glitter Gulch close on June 27.
