Las Vegas Weekly

July 6, 2010 · 5:55 PM

Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon is getting an extreme makeover

By Robin Leach

Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon.

Photo: Courtesy

When Barbary Coast opened on The Strip in March 1979, it cost $11.5 million, and with 196 rooms, it was one of the smallest properties in town. Now it’s about to get a giant facelift costing more than when it was first built. In 2007, it was traded to Harrah’s Entertainment for land on the Strip where owner Bill Boyd would start construction of his now-stalled Echelon Place and renamed Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon in honor of Harrah's founder William F. Harrah.

I’m hearing exclusively from very reliable sources that the 4.3-acre property is part of a staggering deal with a major nightlife entertainment force, and everything including the 17,200-square-foot casino will get a major overhaul from top to bottom. When the news is officially announced, it will rock the nightlife scene.

With MGM’s Harmon Hotel on hold at CityCenter, I’m told that Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall will be renamed and become a boutique hotel and ultimate 24-hour party palace at center Strip. Plans two years ago for it to be converted into a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hotel, museum and concert venue came close to fruition but was shelved.

There are two restaurants at the property, The Victorian Room and The Steakhouse, but it’s most famous for being the longtime home of nightclub czar Victor Drai’s original restaurant and then After-Hours club. That opens after midnight and sometimes remains open until 11 a.m. doing incredible business.

I know who is rumored to be taking over Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall, but that remains a secret for now. Two weeks ago here at VDLX, we reported rumors of a major nightlife deal in the works, and now it looks as if it’s all set, with contracts signed, sealed and delivered. No word yet when the multimillion-dollar renovation and makeover gets underway.

The more important unanswered question is what will happen to the restaurants and club -- and the nightlife properties the new operators already have.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Share This