This is the time and the place for Maureen Dimalanta to live it up. “I’m coming out of my shell, branching out, getting everything out of my system before I settle down,” she said.
Las Vegas has welcomed Dimalanta with open arms, more specifically the Palms hotel and casino. For nearly four years she worked as a dancer at the property’s now-closed nightclub Moon. Wanting to “stick with the Palms family,” Dimalanta now works as a cocktail server at Palms Pool & Dayclub.
“As a cocktail server, this is giving my guests the best experience, pouring their drinks, making sure they’re having a good time,” she said. “I interact with them, I have fun with them. I dance and goof around.”
Before she entered the hospitality industry, Dimalanta lived and worked in Seattle. “I needed something new, I needed to experience life, to party,” she said. Born and raised in the Philippines, Dimalanta says her family was very strict; working wasn’t necessarily the path her parents wanted her to take. They wanted her to marry. “I couldn’t do it, though,” she explained. “I wanted to make my own money.”
Don Coco
“Long term, I might one day go to cosmetology school,” Dimalanta said about her plans for the future. But for now her path is working hard and having fun. “I want people to come see me. If they want to have an amazing good time, come see me. If you want a spicy fireball, come see me!” she laughed.
Don Coco
Hints of the tropics will hit you poolside at Palms when you order up one of the popular specialty cocktails, the Don Coco. Every sip is tasty, refreshing and addictive. The Don Coco is a pleasant mix of Don Julio blanco tequila, a splash of piña colada mix, mint and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Guests can order it up in individual-sized cups or splurge for the pitcher-sized option.
