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Top 10 things I’ll miss about The Mirage in Las Vegas

22 July 2024

LAS VEGAS – On its final night of existence, The Mirage in Las Vegas was a whirlwind of energy and emotion.

Gamblers crowded around the tables, collecting chips as souvenirs. There was over an hour wait to sit down at one of the few remaining slot machines that were functional as jackpot seekers went after the $1.6 million in unclaimed progressive jackpots. The air buzzed with excitement and nostalgia.

Outside, the iconic volcano stopped people in their tracks as they pulled out their phones to get a video of the fire mesmerizing the Las Vegas skyline one last time.

The scene last Wednesday night both inside and outside the 65-acre property located on the center of the Las Vegas Strip, sandwiched between Treasure Island and Caesars Palace, was reminiscent of what occurred on its opening night back on 22 November 1989.

That’s when Steve Wynn’s bold creation – a $630 million marvel that, at the time, was the most expensive in the world – changed the face of the Las Vegas Strip forever.

The final chapter for The Mirage was bittersweet for many. The resort’s new owners – Hard Rock International and Florida-based Seminole Tribe – are preparing to embark on a three-year transformation. The 3,000-room property is being reimagined as Hard Rock Las Vegas, boasting a 700-foot-tall guitar-shaped hotel tower that will undoubtedly earn epic Las Vegas status.

While the prospect of a new Hard Rock experience is exciting, The Mirage, with its lush tropical theme, holds a soft spot in the hearts of many Las Vegas loyalists, including yours truly, who was fortunate enough to be there for its final curtain call.

So, before the bulldozer actually begins dismantling this historic property with volumes of memories for so many, here are 10 things I will miss most about The Mirage.

10. The history
If you’re a Las Vegas history buff like me, you must read “Winner Takes All” by Christina Binkley, a 2008 book that details “the race to own Las Vegas” by Wynn, Kirk Kerkorian and Gary Loveman.

In the book, Binkley details the dramatic effect The Mirage had on the city when it became the first casino-resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip in more than 15 years, noting, “In 1989, the cement caliche soil at 3400 South Las Vegas Boulevard heaved up the Mirage Hotel and Casino Resort. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that Las Vegas was never the same.”

Wynn came up with the brilliant idea to make his new casino more about gambling. The goal of the exploding volcano was to draw people from the nearby Sands Hotel and Casino (the property which is now home to The Venetian Las Vegas) and Caesars Palace.

And it worked.

Today, the Las Vegas Strip is a spectacle of dancing fountains, thrilling roller coasters, and corny pirate ships. It was The Mirage that paved the way for these attractions, sparking a trend of themed mega resorts that transformed the city's landscape.

9. The ambiance
Every mega-resort in Las Vegas has its own distinct ambiance, and The Mirage was no exception. The Mirage’s Polynesian theme was always a welcome sensation after walking off the hectic Strip.

Your entrance was greeted by an oasis of palm trees and shrubs, instantly transporting you to a balmy paradise. The opulence of the nine-story domed atrium and the sprawling indoor rain forest immediately created an immersive jungle atmosphere.

For those who like to visit Las Vegas to “escape,” The Mirage most certainly gave you that feeling.

8. The sportsbook
Wynn was a brilliant businessman in many respects, despite the allegations in recent years that have tarnished his reputation.

One of his many smart moves was hiring the right people to run The Mirage. According to legend, Wynn hired professional poker player Bobby Baldwin, who regularly was taking his money on the felt, as his chief of design and construction. For the sportsbook, Wynn brought in Jimmy Vaccaro, who is now plying his trade at South Point Hotel Casino and Spa and is one of the most renowned figures in the history of the sports betting industry.

For years, The Mirage sportsbook set the golden standard. The entire setup was Vaccaro's vision, and in the 34-year history of the property, the book never underwent any kind of redesign because it didn’t need to. It was perfect.

The Mirage sportsbook was also where Vaccaro famously set the odds for the Buster Douglas-Mike Tyson boxing match, just three months after its opening, opening Iron Mike as the 27-to-1 favorite. With money pouring in on the popular Tyson, Vaccaro raised the odds up to 42-to-1 before Douglas pulled off one of the biggest upsets in sports history.

The Mirage profited handsomely from the fight, not just at the window but with the publicity generated, solidifying the resort's reputation. Vaccaro's role in this historic event was immortalized in the ESPN "30 for 30" documentary "42 to 1."

7. The "glow"
The Mirage’s exterior marquee and sign, with its dynamic colors and enticing font, was often the first thing you would see when you glanced at the Las Vegas Strip skyline, depending on the vantage point.

Adding to the resort's allure was its distinctive golden “glow.” The Mirage's windows were infused with 18-karats-worth of gold dust and shimmered in the sunlight. This feature became synonymous with the resort's luxurious ambiance, and while this kind of extravagance it now commonplace across Las Vegas, it was unique to The Mirage upon its opening.

6. The pools
The Mirage's sprawling pool complex was a haven for relaxation with multiple pools surrounded by lavish greenery, waterfalls, and inviting lounge areas.

The main pool, with its tropical landscaping and expansive sun deck, provided ample space while for those seeking a more adult-oriented experience, The Mirage offered the Bare Pool Lounge, a popular topless pool known for its lively atmosphere and DJ music.

This attracted locals and tourists alike, providing a unique way to experience the Las Vegas sunshine and nightlife.

5. Rhumbar
I’ve hit my share of cocktail bars along the Las Vegas Strip over the years and Rhumbar at The Mirage has long been one of my favorite spots, so much so that I was downright dejected last week upon realizing that it had already closed, robbing me the chance for one last drink.

That’s also how I felt back in June 2021 when Rhumbar, which was located just inside the property’s entrance, just off the Strip, shut its doors in favor of what was supposed to be a "new ultra lounge concept." But The Mirage basically just reimagined the indoor/outdoor space and reopened it as Rhumbar Tropical Ultra Lounge.

Rhumbar was the ideal spot to sit down on an outdoor patio to light a cigar, order a cool-looking cocktail or bourbon, sit on comfortable couches, and take in some live music and the surroundings. The renovated space offered an eye-catching and soothing design, with a vibrant color palette of yellow, pink, and mint that creates a cheerful and inviting atmosphere.

4. The restaurants
While Rhumbar was a staple on the Strip for cocktails, inside The Mirage there was always a fine selection of restaurants.

Before its closing in 2017, Portofino, an Italian restaurant from chef Michael LaPlaca, was known for its $100 lasagna, topped with 23-karat gold flakes and white diamond truffles. While it epitomized The Mirage's penchant for over-the-top luxury, it was never in my Casino City budget, so I typically frequented other establishments such as The Still, an 8,000 square-foot sports bar with an amazing selection of craft beers, and Osteria Costa, another fine Italian venue.

One of my favorites at The Mirage was always Carnegie Deli, which, of course, has a long history in New York City and had a great menu for a quick and fulfilling sandwich. It also had a takeout window that was very convenient to the poker room and sportsbook, two areas where I spent most of my time at The Mirage.

3. Siegfried & Roy
For 14 years, The Mirage was the home of the legendary magic duo, Siegfried & Roy.

Their show, a dazzling spectacle of illusions, exotic animals, and showmanship, became a Las Vegas institution. It was a testament to the resort's commitment to providing top-tier entertainment and captivating audiences with its non-gaming amenities, before taking an unexpected turn in 2003 when Roy Horn tragically suffered critical injuries during a performance after being attacked by a tiger.

The white tiger habitat closed in 2007, but the legacy of these white tigers is often the first thing people think of when The Mirage is mentioned.

2. The sea life
Within the Mirage's 10-acre oasis, the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat offered visitors a unique blend of entertainment and education. The attraction cost $14 million to build, but drew approximately 500,000 annual visitors at its peak in 2017.

Upon check-in at the front desk, visitors were greeted by a 200,000-gallon aquarium. The colorful underwater world spanned 53 feet long, eight feet high, and six feet from front to back. The acrylic used in the aquarium was four inches thick and it was home to approximately 450 fish representing 80 diverse species from rainforest regions across the globe.

According to “Winner Takes All,” Wynn’s ultimate goal in building the aquarium was to appeal to women, “proving himself the first Las Vegas casino operator to recognize that women were customers worth catering to in a big way.”

1. The volcano
All of the above items were unique in their own way and each played a hand in making The Mirage a memorable Las Vegas destination. But it was the volcano that was undoubtedly the most famous.

The erupting volcano captivated crowds with its dramatic displays of fire, real heat, and water. As the sun set on the Strip, anticipation would build as visitors gathered around the 4.5-acre lagoon, eagerly awaiting the next show, highlighted by rumbling pyrotechnics and spewing flames.

Choreographed to music by Mickey Hart and Zakir Hussain, the volcano erupted, with 120 flamethrowers shooting flames into the air. Water jets propelled 12 feet high, cascading down like lava.

If you ever doubted the appeal and magnetism of the volcano, look no further than last week when the Strip came to a complete stop with every eruption.

For sure, somewhere Steve Wynn was smiling. Because more than three decades after he made the audacious gamble to put such a spectacle in front of a casino resort it was still drawing “oohs and aahs” during its very final act.
Top 10 things I’ll miss about The Mirage in Las Vegas is republished from Online.CasinoCity.com.
Gary Trask

Gary serves as Casino City's Editor in Chief and has more than 25 years of experience as a writer and editor. He also manages new business ventures for Casino City.

A member of the inaugural Poker Hall of Fame Media Committee, Gary enjoys playing poker and blackjack, but spends most of his time sitting in the comfy confines of the sportsbook when in Las Vegas.

The Boston native is also a former PR pro in the golf-casino-resort industry and a fanatical golfer, allowing his two favorite hobbies - gambling and golf - to collide quite naturally.

Contact Gary at gary@casinocity.com and follow him on Twitter at @CasinoCityGT.

Gary Trask Websites:

twitter.com/#!/casinocityGT
Gary Trask
Gary serves as Casino City's Editor in Chief and has more than 25 years of experience as a writer and editor. He also manages new business ventures for Casino City.

A member of the inaugural Poker Hall of Fame Media Committee, Gary enjoys playing poker and blackjack, but spends most of his time sitting in the comfy confines of the sportsbook when in Las Vegas.

The Boston native is also a former PR pro in the golf-casino-resort industry and a fanatical golfer, allowing his two favorite hobbies - gambling and golf - to collide quite naturally.

Contact Gary at gary@casinocity.com and follow him on Twitter at @CasinoCityGT.

Gary Trask Websites:

twitter.com/#!/casinocityGT