Las Vegas: Say goodbye to mermaids, deep-fried Twinkies on Fremont Street
LA BAYOU, A SMALL CASINO ALONG FREMONT STREET, HOLDS NEVADA’S FIRST GAMING LICENSE, ISSUED 85 YEARS AGO. IT STILL FEATURES SLOT MACHINES THAT DISPENSE COINS TO WINNERS. (GRANITE GAMING GROUP)
Jay Jones
Three long-standing attractions in downtown Las Vegas — Glitter Gulch, La Bayou and Mermaids — are calling it quits. The down-market venues along the Fremont Street Experience are set to close June 27.
The properties have been sold to downtown developers Derek and Greg Stevens, who plan to build a new hotel-casino on the block.
The gentlemen’s club Glitter Gulch closes June 27 to make way for a new hotel-casino. (Granite Gaming Group)
Even visitors who have never ventured inside Glitter Gulch will probably remember Vegas Vickie, the neon cowgirl that adorns the exterior. Inside, the so-called Girls of Glitter Gulch are strippers who wear less clothing than the brightly-colored cowgirl-sign outside.
Specifics for the new development have yet to be announced. The Stevens brothers already operate two downtown resorts, the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.
A deep-fried Twinkie topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles at Mermaids. (Granite Gaming Group)
Mermaids, one of the free-standing, small casinos along Fremont Street, is better known for its fried foods than its slot machines. The place indulges sweet tooth cravings by battering Oreos and Twinkies and then deep-frying them.
READ MORE: http://www.latimes.com/la-tr-las-vegas-mermaids-downtown-closing-20160527-snap-story.html