O'Sheas Casino

O'Sheas Casino is an Irish-themed casino located within The Linq Promenade, an outdoor entertainment district on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. O'Sheas originally opened on July 1, 1989 and operated in between the Flamingo and Imperial Palace resorts. The original location included a 22,000 sq ft (2,000 m2) casino.

O'Sheas Casino
O'Sheas Casino is located in Las Vegas Strip
O'Sheas Casino
O'Sheas Casino is located in Nevada
O'Sheas Casino
Location Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Address 3555 South Las Vegas Boulevard (original location)[1]
3535 South Las Vegas Boulevard (The Linq)
Opening dateJuly 1, 1989 (1989-07-01) (original location)
December 27, 2013 (2013-12-27) (new location)
ThemeIrish
Total gaming space22,000 sq ft (2,000 m2) (original location)
5,000 sq ft (460 m2) (new location)
Signature attractionsVince Neil Ink
OwnerCaesars Entertainment
ArchitectRissman & Rissman (original location)
Renovated in2007
Coordinates36°07′03.4″N 115°10′16.8″W
Websitecaesars.com/linq/hotel/things-to-do/o-sheas

Owner Caesars Entertainment Corporation announced in 2011 that O'Sheas would close and relocate to become part of the upcoming Linq Promenade. O'Sheas closed on April 30, 2012, and opened in its new 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) location on December 27, 2013. It connects to the casino at The Linq resort, which previously operated as the Imperial Palace. The new O'Sheas, like its original location, is known for its cheap beer and gaming, as well as beer pong.

History

Hilton Nevada Corporation broke ground for the O'Sheas casino on September 7, 1988. The project was built on the Las Vegas Strip, north of the company's Flamingo Hilton hotel-casino.[2] O'Sheas was built on property that was being used as a parking lot for tour buses. Hilton officials were surprised to learn that they owned the land and set forth to build O'Sheas on the site.[3] The five-story building included three floors for parking space.[2]

O'Sheas opened on July 1, 1989,[4] and featured an Irish theme.[1][5] R. Duell & Associates of Los Angeles was the designer, and Rissman & Rissman of Las Vegas was the architect. O'Sheas was designed to resemble an Irish pub, and included hardwood floors, brass, Irish artifacts, and detailed wall designs.[6] The casino also included a food court.[7]

The casino cost $22 million,[8] and its target clientele was middle-income tourists.[6][9] Unlike most of the casinos on the Strip, O'Sheas was not part of a resort and had no hotel. It was operated in conjunction with the Flamingo Hilton.[10] O'Sheas' location between the Flamingo Hilton and Imperial Palace resorts meant that many pedestrians simply bypassed the small casino,[11] which lost around $2 million in its first six months. It laid off approximately 60 employees in January 1990 and announced a deal for the Flamingo Hilton to take over operations,[12] At the end of the year, Hilton announced it would give the casino a makeover and rename it Bugsy's, after Flamingo developer Bugsy Siegel.[13] O'Sheas ultimately retained its original name, and would go on to become successful.[11]

O'Sheas is briefly featured in the 1997 film Vegas Vacation,[14] when character Rusty Griswold wins a car through a slot machine sitting outside the casino.[11]

On February 26, 2000, O'Sheas made the 2001 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records by having 220 patrons contribute to the largest crowd to participate in a nationwide toast. The Great Guinness Toast, as it is called, was tallied nationwide as having 320,470 participants, breaking the previous year's record of 197,846 participants.[15]

A poker room was added in 2007, as part of remodeling work.[16]

Relocation

Owner Caesars Entertainment Corporation announced in August 2011 that O'Sheas would close and be relocated to the upcoming Linq Promenade, an outdoor entertainment district to be built on part of the casino's property.[17] O'Sheas had 285 employees.[18] The 22,000 sq ft (2,000 m2)[19] casino included 453 slot machines and 45 table games.[20]

O'Sheas closed on April 30, 2012.[21][22] The following day, the casino's 7-story rear parking structure was imploded as part of the Linq project.[23] The site of the original O'Sheas has been replaced by the Vortex, a multi-story structure marking the entrance to the Linq Promenade.[24]

O'Sheas reopened on December 27, 2013, as part of the promenade. The new location contains 5,000 sq ft (460 m2),[14][25] and is also connected to the casino floor at The Linq hotel-casino, formerly the Imperial Palace.[26] The new O'Sheas includes three bars.[11][27] Like its predecessor, it is known for its cheap beer and blackjack, as well as beer pong.[28][29] Both locations have also been popular spots for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.[11] Another O'Sheas location opened at Harrah's Philadelphia in 2022, offering a bar and gaming.[30]

Attractions and entertainment

The original O'Sheas offered several attractions as well as live entertainment. In 1994, the casino added the Magic and Movie Hall of Fame to its second floor,[31][32][33] sharing space with a performance theater.[34] Ventriloquist Valentine Vox served as the museum's general manager and artistic director, and also performed in the adjacent Houdini Theatre.[35][36] The Hall of Fame closed shortly after 1999, following a lease dispute with the casino's owner.[33][34] In 2006, Vince Neil, lead singer of the band Mötley Crüe, opened Vince Neil Ink, a tattoo parlor inside of O'Sheas.[37] It featured a room called "The Stage" that was visible from the Las Vegas Strip, so visitors could watch the tattoo artists work from outside.

Hypnotist Justin Tranz began performing in the theater in 1999.[38] As of 2004, it was one of the longest-running hypnosis shows in Las Vegas.[39] Comedian Vinnie Favorito entertained at the casino from 2005 to 2008.[40][41] Freaks, a show featuring an array of unusual performers, opened in 2009. It included glass eaters, sword swallowers, and knife throwers.[42][43][44] Mentalist Luke Jermay also opened a mind-reading show.[45] Magician Dirk Arthur began performing at the casino in 2010.[46] Viper Vixens, a dance show featuring topless women armed with various weapons, ran during 2011.[46][47][48] Local band Imagine Dragons also performed at the original O'Sheas.[49]

A leprechaun, originally known as Paddy,[50] has served as the casino's longtime mascot, dating back to the original location.[51] In 2006, little person Brian Thomas was hired to portray Lucky the Leprechaun and interact with guests, becoming popular among them.[52][53][7] Thomas later returned to portray the character at the new O'Sheas.[54][28][55]

  • The original O'Sheas, seen in 2007
    The original O'Sheas, seen in 2007
  • Aerial view, 2007
    Aerial view, 2007
  • O'Sheas Casino in 2011
    O'Sheas Casino in 2011
  • O'Sheas Casino in 2012
    O'Sheas Casino in 2012
  • The new O'Sheas in 2016
    The new O'Sheas in 2016

References
  1. "Neon Survey: Sunset to Sahara". University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021.
  2. "Hilton breaks ground for Las Vegas casino". Reno Gazette-Journal. September 8, 1988. Retrieved March 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Stutz, Howard (September 11, 1988). "Hilton to pour money into several Nevada projects". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  4. "Now there's a Pot of Gold in the Heart o' the Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 2, 1989. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  5. "Las Vegas is on a building spree". New York Daily News. May 7, 1989. Retrieved March 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Ground broken for casino with an Irish accent". Los Angeles Times. September 18, 1988. Retrieved March 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Katsilometes, John (April 29, 2012). "Of beer pong, Lucky and 'Freaks': O'Sheas performs its last jig". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  8. "Engelbert Humperdinck changes image – again". The Arizona Republic. March 26, 1989. Retrieved March 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Hilton builds Irish casino". The Daily Spectrum. September 29, 1988. Retrieved March 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Sandler, Corey (2007). Econoguide Las Vegas: Also Includes Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Laughlin (5th ed.). Guilford, Conn.: Globe Pequot Press. p. 143. ISBN 9780762741687. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  11. Hawley, Tom (May 12, 2021). "O'Sheas Casino finds foothold on the Las Vegas Strip". KSNV. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  12. Stutz, Howard (January 16, 1990). "Hilton's O'Shea's casino lays off about 60 employees". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  13. "Hilton looks to infamous Strip roots". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 4, 1990. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  14. Cullen, Natalie (December 27, 2013). "O'Sheas Casino Reopens on Las Vegas Strip". KLAS-TV. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  15. "Nevada Travel Roundup April 2000". Archived from the original on 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2007-01-27.
  16. "Review of O'Sheas". Archived from the original on 2007-05-15. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
  17. Ryan, Erin (August 24, 2011). "In defense of O'Sheas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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  19. "One last blast at O'Sheas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 30, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  20. Stutz, Howard (April 28, 2012). "O'Sheas to raise final toast to current home on Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  21. Valley, Jackie (April 30, 2012). "It's not easy being green as O'Sheas on the Strip closes to make room for Linq project". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
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  23. Sylvester, Ron (May 1, 2012). "Implosion makes way for new casino to replace O'Sheas, Imperial Palace". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  24. Venables, Michael (August 21, 2013). "Las Vegas Is Building The World's Largest Observation Wheel On The Las Vegas Strip". Forbes. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  25. Carroll, Laura (December 27, 2013). "O'Shea's 2.0 opens with Lucky, beer pong and plenty of customers". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  26. "O'Sheas". Caesars Entertainment. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  27. Miyasato, Kiko (August 27, 2021). "O'Sheas at The Linq is a go-to nightlife haven in Vegas". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  28. Adams, Mark (March 12, 2014). "Weekly Q&A: For O'Sheas leprechaun Brian Thomas, life is one lucky adventure". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  29. Sylvester, Ron (April 24, 2012). "Final celebration scheduled at O'Sheas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  30. Degrassa, Peg (June 6, 2022). "O'Sheas opens first east coast location at Harrah's Philadelphia". Delco Times. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  31. Weatherford, Mike (June 1, 1994). "O'Shea's Hall of Fame museum combines displays with live shows". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  32. White, Ken (April 3, 1998). "Sights and Sounds". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  33. "Brief: Resort sued by Hall of Fame over eviction". Las Vegas Sun. January 7, 1999. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  34. Weatherford, Mike (May 6, 2012). "Upstairs at O'Sheas, a place for beginnings". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  35. White, Ken (May 29, 1997). "Ventriloquists speak out about their art". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 12, 1999.
  36. Paskevich, Michael (March 19, 1999). "'Funniest Females' justify billing during O'Shea's performance". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 9, 2000.
  37. "In the Ink". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 9, 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  38. Weatherford, Mike (June 23, 2000). "Hypnotist takes a back seat to his subjects". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on February 15, 2001.
  39. "Hyp Replacement: Seemingly without warning, hypnotists take over Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. January 23, 2004. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  40. "'Love' will try not to be a pain". Las Vegas Sun. December 14, 2005. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  41. Fink, Jerry (August 18, 2008). "Comic takes raunchy act to bigger digs at the Flamingo". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  42. Fink, Jerry (March 11, 2009). "'Freaks' comes to O'Sheas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  43. Brown, Joe (April 6, 2009). "Review: 'Freaks' carnie show on Strip an overdose of gross". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  44. Fink, Jerry (March 19, 2009). "'Freaks' tests physical limits of performers, squeamishness of audience". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  45. Brown, Joe (September 28, 2009). "'Mental' at O'Sheas may not amaze, but will at least amuse you". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  46. "Final curtain falls for Viper Vixens show at O'Sheas". Las Vegas Business Press. August 22, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  47. "Weaponized nudity". Thrillist. June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  48. Weatherford, Mike (June 10, 2011). "Wacky premises unite 'Viper Vixens,' Harmik's variety show". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  49. Katsilometes, John (September 26, 2017). "Return to Beauty Bar, O'Sheas is OK with Imagine Dragons". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  50. "Irishman names mascot". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 5, 1990. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  51. "Las Vegas launches another remake, but what about the leprechaun?". Los Angeles Times. August 18, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  52. Ryan, Erin (April 27, 2012). "Lucky the Leprechaun looks back as O'Sheas pours its last green shot". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  53. Buhler, Brendan (March 17, 2009). "No shortage of fun in this act". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  54. Ahmed, Aida (March 17, 2012). "O'Sheas, block party will live on, in some form or another". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  55. De La Cruz, Kimberly (March 15, 2016). "What life is like as a leprechaun on the Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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