Rockhouse Closed To Make Way For Linq

The bar best known for girls dancing Strip side and shooting water cannons at the crowd 'Rockhouse' has closed to make way for the Linq project. Every week the bar which was located Strip side in the front of the "Imperial Palace" would have a going out of business event and then reopen the next day but this time its closed for good. There have been rumors that the bar would move to a new location such as at the Miracle Mile Shops at "Planet Hollywood" or even the "Venetian" of all places but these seem just rumors. The rumors about 'Rockhouse' moving to "Planet Hollywood" may have started because PBR bar has the same owners and some of 'Rockhouse' employees may end up there. Will the “Rockhouse’ name return as part of Linq or somewhere else, anything is possible but it doesn’t look like it in the near future.

Wacky Weather Hits Las Vegas

A series of microbursts have hit alll over the Las Vegas area today as you can see in the above video which most of the year has good weather but occasionally gets things like thunder storms, high winds and even snow and, today micro bursts.

Station Casinos Make Locals Stars

If you are not familar with Station Casinos they are one of the two big local casino operators with Boyds being the other. The closest property to the Strip is "Palace Station" which is just across the interstate from the Strip and, like many locals properties is a good choice for visitors to Las Vegas that drive in by car and are looking for a inexpensive place to stay. Locals properties generally seem to be more slot or video poker heavy than table games with generous slot clubs and, have ammenities such as movie theaters or bowling alleys which locals enjoy. The Station casinos went through a bankruptcy battle and have since been advertising heavily first with showing their low prices and, more recently with the time honored Las Vegas promotion of giving away cars as well as other prizes. Their latest advertising as can be seen above showcases real visitors to their resorts and makes them the stars and shows how they use their slot points. 

Taylor Hicks Residency Soon

American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is heading to “Bally’s” this summer for an eight week residency starting June 28^th. The season five winner and leader of the Soul Patrol brings his blend of blues and rock to the strip with tickets now on sale by calling (888) 746-7784 or (702) 777-7776 or by buying online or at the “Bally’s” box office starting on May 15^th. This is an interesting choice for “Bally’s” to book and should do well as a brief residency but we cannot see this becoming a long term residency but time will tell.

Imperial Palace Main Entrance to Close

As part of the construction of the new Linq Project between the "Flamingo" and "Imperial Palace" on April 27th at 6am the main "Imperial Palace" front drive and pedestrian entrance will close permanetly. To enter the property after that you will enter via a tunnel adjacent to "Harrahs" which will then lead through a double door between the valet and guest parking area. The Linq project if you are not familar is a shopping , restaurant and entertainment district under construction in the alley space between the "Flamingo" and "Imperial Palace." The new area is similar to projects like Downtown Disney or Universal Citywalk if you are familiar with either of these: At the backside of the project is a huge ferris wheel similar to the London Eye that is going to be built. As part of the change "O Sheas" is due to close this month although a new one is planned inside the new Linq project but we would guess a more upscale one. The current "Imperial Palace" will be remodeled with a new name whch hasn't been announced yet but our money is on it being called the "Horseshoe" but we will have to wait and see on that. With half built properties or closed properties like the "Saraha" and no new big properties likely in the next few years its nice to see money being spent on this project.

Empty Las Vegas Strip

This is a view of the Las Vegas strip that you may never have seen before as Las Vegas Blvd was closed down for police action a couple of weeks ago. The traffic on the strip is usually heavy but because of this you could just walk down the center of the street well at least until the police stop you.

Additional pictures

Faded "Paris" Balloon

The above picture is of the "Paris" balloon taken a week ago and as you can see from the picture the panels are still faded and yet to be replaced. In the past if has been mentioned that the panels were about to be replaced but that was months ago hopefully they get fixed soon.  

Elton John At Caesar’s

If you are visiting Las Vegas before June and Celine Dion’s planned return from her illness and are looking for another option to her show Elton John at Caesar’s could be a good choice. Elton John returns for more shows as part of his “Caesar’s Palace” residency with shows on April 13^th to 19^th and, then he returns again from May 4^th to 27^th. 

Celine Dion To Return In June

The very popular Celine Dion is scheduled at the moment for a June 9^th return to her show at “Caesar’s Palace” after recovering from her vocal cord problems. Celine Dion was sidelined from her show by a virus which affected her vocal cords and she was ordered by her doctor to rest them. Because of her illness she was forced to cancel shows from the end of February as well as March and then April but I’m sure when she does return her fans will be out in force. Here at Las Vegas Inside Out we’re not big Celine fans as we still have the Titanic movie theme running through are heads but Celine does put on a great show and, is good for Las Vegas. 

Interesting New Slot Machine

Slot machine themes change all the time in Las Vegas as they companies are always looking for new ideas to get attention, well this new one with a cougar theme is one of the newest around town. We will have to check this machine out around town and see if cougars play this machine or only guys looking for cougars. This picture was taken at "Circus Circus" we would check it out there except we are scared of the big clown head on the property. This picture was posted to Twitpic by @vegascourtesan on Twitter so thanks to her for posting the picture she is also the Las Vegas Blogger of the year for 2010 by Las Vegas Weekly but as her name suggests the content is not safe for work.