When Tim Kuykendall, operations manager of OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, gives a walking tour, employees at all levels greet him by name as they pass, or take the initiative to reach out their hands for a brief shake. The perception that they’re genuinely happy to be there is as palpable as the berry-scented air. It’s only been six months since OYO took over the Tropicana Avenue property formerly known as Hooters Hotel Casino, but whatever the ultimate vision is, OYO has established an atmosphere in which staff find it easy to be friendly and smiles are authentic.
Hooters
“We’re still where Hooters lies,” says Kuykendall as we pass The Underground Lounge, where karaoke is king and capacity crowds come to view sports events. Kuykendall describes a Big Game attendance that filled out every available venue, from the gorgeously designed Hooters restaurant to OYO’s spacious Steak ’n Shake, a Midwest favorite. It didn’t hurt that the property boasts free parking and $5 minimums at the craps tables, not to mention $1 blackjack.
OYO is an exponentially growing international hospitality brand with a mission that’s symbiotic with industry veteran Kuykendall’s personal intent for OYO Hotel & Casino to be a clean, friendly, fun and safe destination. OYO’s partnered with Highgate Hotels for the Vegas project. “OYO owns the asset, and Highgate is the management component,” he says. “Vegas is an attractive market, and it’s a destination city. When you have a brand and you want to build that brand, you also want to have a spot in one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world.”
The Hooters restaurant was left unchanged. As of late, the restaurant famous for spicy wings and stretchy shorts played host to Fox Sports Radio’s The Vegas Golden Knights Insider Show before weekday home games. Kuykendall says ticket-holding OYO regulars have become accustomed to walking to T-Mobile Arena after the pregame broadcast.
We interrupt the Boom Booms rehearsing as we enter the Night Owl Showroom. Kuykendall says 7 p.m. resident tribute show Motown Extreme has fans that have returned six or seven times. Upstairs, the Attic Showroom features magician Tommy Wind, paranormalist Alain Nu and The World Famous Ink Spots.
Cherry Boom Boom
At 9 on most evenings the Night Owl belongs to 70-minute stand-up show The Hilarious 7, but Thursday through Saturday at 11 p.m., Cherry Boom Boom takes over. A passion project of former Pussycat Doll troupe member Lindsley Allen, the Boom Booms are more Fox Force Five than a variation on burlesque. Like a sexy supergroup, they perform around the room, over the heads of the audiences and in a few laps as they bring Lindsley’s vision of dance and commedia dell’arte to life.
The show is a slice of L.A. that’s become the jewel in the crown of OYO’s entertainment offerings. “It’s a good match for Cherry Boom Boom,” says Allen, who successfully petitioned for a retrofitting of the venue to capture “the essence” of her production. “We’ve made the room more immersive. … We’ve been hearing from people in Vegas that we’re the female version of Magic Mike, which is awesome!”
OYO Hotel & Casino, 702.739.9000
