When the Flamingo opened in 1946, it was a grand, three-day affair with celebrities and elite coming to Las Vegas to enjoy the most lavish casino-resort in the city. If you want to stand on a piece of the town’s great history—one that involved showgirls, mobsters, movies stars and more—then the Flamingo is a must visit. While the hotel and casino has been upgraded since its inception—it’s currently the oldest operating casino-hotel on the Las Vegas Strip—you can still feel the history within its walls. (And, oh, if those walls could talk!) A constant fun destination, the Flamingo offers tons of amenities, so we’ve narrowed it down for you and picked three of our favorite spots to grab a bite, have a cocktail and have some fun when on property.
Werk Room
It’s no secret that RuPaul’s Drag Race has become a powerhouse hit TV show—with everyone from family and friends to boyz and gurls sharing in the joy of watching the competition show. Luckily for Las Vegas visitors, the Flamingo houses the first-ever RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! production show starring many of the show’s favorite drag stars. While the show is a definite hot spot, true fans will want to stop into The Werk Room. It’s a shopping destination absolutely filled with all things Drag Race and RuPaul. Shop show merchandise in addition to Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, apparel with Mama Ru’s most famous sayings from the show, gifts and even RuPaul-branded chocolate bars.
Bugsy & Meyer's Steakhouse
Remember how we mentioned the Flamingo’s mob history? Well, relive it, in a way, with the kitschy entrance to the sophisticated restaurant Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse. While the venue is beautifully designed with various themed rooms for dining, one of the coolest features is how to get into the restaurant. You’ll come across a storefront and, inside, a “fake bakery.” The host will have to guide you through secret doors and pathways to get into the restaurant—all this reminiscent of how the mob once entered establishments. Menu highlights include the gorgeous premium seafood tower, a curated collection of dry- and wet-aged steaks, wagyu braised short ribs and a decadent chocolate banana dessert with layers of banana bread, devil’s food cake and milk chocolate mousse. Don’t miss the restaurant’s speakeasy—The Count Room where period décor pairs with handcrafted cocktails.
Bird Bar
While Flamingo has watering holes aplenty, we suggest stopping by Bird Bar. It’s an awesome spot for people watching, as the spacious outdoor patio sits right on Las Vegas Boulevard South—so plenty of that Sin City foot traffic. It’s also a fun spot for groups that want to get down with some beer pong—multiple tables just beg for a friendly match. Sip on daily specials like buckets of five beers staring at $35. You can also get daiquiris and margaritas for $10 and $12, respectively, and $12 signature cocktails in an upgraded souvenir Flamingo yard cup for $26.
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