The Las Vegas Riviera Casino Hotel Closes

The Las Vegas Riviera Hotel and Casino, after 60 years on the Strip is to finally close its doors with the 26 acre site having been sold to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority who have plans to build the $2.3 billion Las Vegas Global Business District on the site. The Riviera will officially close its doors on May 4th leaving just the photographs and the memories of what was a classic Vegas casino. Known in town as ‘The Riv’ it was opened on April 20th 1955 and Liberace was the main attraction, as he was for many years to come, however such acts as Barry Manilow, Neil Sedaka, Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and so many more all played their part in the history of this great casino. The Riviera,due to its location and history also featured in many movies with many Hollywood blockbusters being filmed there, including Casino, Ocean’s Eleven, Austin Powers and The Hangover all having scenes filmed at the Riviera. In fact the filming of Scorsese's Casino brought a whole lot of business to the Riviera, and although it was by no means the biggest casino on the Strip it held its own. Things changed up a little during the 1980’s as the Riviera began catering, as did many Vegas casinos, for the average Vegas visitor but it was still regarded as one of the best by many, and there’s no doubt that this iconic casino will be well and truly missed. The famous Crazy Girls statue will of course be placed somewhere else and photos of the many acts that have graced the Riviera will be given a new home in the Las Vegas Global Business District.