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This week Plaza Hotel & Casino revealed plans to transform its iconic Main Street entrance and more. The announcement comes shortly after the downtown Las Vegas property opened a Sand Dollar Downtown.
The changes at the Plaza will take place inside and outside of the existing casino. The casino will also expand with a new smoke-free Brian Christopher Slots area.
Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino, said:
“Main Street is where Las Vegas got its start, and over the last decade, the Plaza has continued to improve and create new experiences at this historic site. Like our neighbors and city leaders, we have been committed to revitalizing downtown Las Vegas into a destination known for great art, dining, culture, hospitality, and entertainment. Today, we unveil plans to further these efforts and transform Main Street into an unforgettable and must-visit place in Las Vegas for food, drinks, and gaming.”
Guests should see all of the updates by the end of the year or early 2023. The changes at the Plaza are a new addition to its Main Street plans.
Previously, the Plaza announced it was planning to redevelop the neighboring Greyhound bus station that closed last year. More information about this will come at a future date.
Changes to The Plaza’s famous lights
The most visually stunning change at the Plaza will be a new bar outside of the entrance on Main Street. Some may remember this location from The Weeknd’s “Heartless” music video.
The former porte-cochère at Plaza will keep the lights that have dazzled many eyes. Cars haven’t been allowed in this space for a while, and that will continue.
This space outside of the casino itself will become the Carousel Bar. The outdoor bar will include life-sized Vegas-themed elements, including carousel horses that will move up and down. The bar will immediately become a splash on Instagram. Carousel Bar will feature spinning martini glasses, an oversized deck of cards along with a rotating ribbon of lights above the bar.
This 2,500 sq. ft. outdoor bar will have seating for nearly 100 guests between bar seating, booths, and its outer rail. There will be an outdoor cooling system which will be important during the summer months.
There will also be eight video poker machines at the outdoor bar. The outer rail will overlook Main Street at the entrance to the Fremont Street Experience.
While the outdoor bar will offer something new for guests, the design of the Carousel Bar will maintain the dome’s iconic vintage Vegas lights you can see in The Weeknd video above.
New smoke-free Brian Christopher slots area
The smoke-free Brian Christopher Slots area on the Plaza casino floor will be moving to a new 2,500-square-foot space that will be added to the property next to the Carousel Bar.
Christopher, a famous slot machine YouTuber, has been a partner with the Plaza since early 2021. His smoke-free section on the main casino floor features some of his favorite slot machines.
Christopher’s favorite slot machines will also be carried in the new space but will be away from the main casino action. The move will allow Plaza to offer a unique gaming space for slot machine fans that love to share their gambling experiences with others on social networks.
This space will become one of the most social media-friendly slot rooms in Las Vegas. The Plaza will make it easier on guests to record video content in this area. Unlike the main casino floor, the Plaza will be able to change the audio playing while guests are recording.
In the new Brian Christopher Slots area, the Plaza can more easily control the music by lowering the volume or turning it entirely. The casino can also play copyright-friendly music. Some social media platforms will punish content providers who use copyrighted music without permission. Loud music on casino floors makes it difficult for content providers to record without fear of receiving a penalty from the various content platforms.
Additionally, the Studio 71 photo space will move from the main casino floor to make way for a new PinkBox Donuts location. This is a photo area with fun backdrops to share on social media.
New donut shop and outdoor seating for Oscar’s Steakhouse
Changes to Plaza’s iconic porte-cochère will keep the historic casino’s environment intact. That can’t be said for the addition of PinkBox Donuts just south of the new outdoor bar.
The new entrance to the popular donut shop will feature a 3D doughnut with sprinkles. The new opening will lead to a 16-foot-long glass doughnut display case that will offer more than 70 flavors of donuts.
Oscar’s Steakhouse sits above the dome that will house the new Carousel Bar. The steakhouse will receive a new outdoor patio with seating for more than 200 guests.
These changes at the Plaza are all connected in some way. The new patio at Oscar’s will be on the roof of the new Brian Christopher Slots area.
The Plaza will continue to change
In late 2020, the Plaza announced it would be redeveloping the Greyhound bus station next to the casino and hotel. There will be an announcement about the development in the future.
Initial discussion for the building on Main Street included adding new dining, entertainment, or retail outlets. There’s no specific information about potential tenants.
The opening of Circa Resort & Casino helped change this part of downtown Las Vegas with amenities not available elsewhere. Expansion plans by the Plaza will keep the area moving forward as Las Vegas visitors are always looking for something new.
