Iconic Tropicana Las Vegas Shutters Doors After 67 Years to Clear Path for A’s Stadium
The Tropicana Las Vegas, once a symbol of luxury and frequented by A-list celebrities, closed its doors on Tuesday after 67 years. The iconic hotel and casino, featured in the 1971 James Bond film “Diamonds are Forever” and favored by the legendary Rat Pack, is set to be demolished to pave the way for a new A’s baseball stadium.
The closure marks the end of an era for the Las Vegas Strip’s third-oldest casino. The decision to shut down the Tropicana was announced in January, following approval from all 30 MLB owners in November for the A’s to relocate to Las Vegas.
Robert “Videobob” Moseley, one of the final guests to check out of the Tropicana, lamented the loss of the iconic landmark, expressing sadness at its closure. Charlie Granado, a bartender who has worked at the Tropicana for 38 years, described the moment as bittersweet, acknowledging that it was time for the establishment to come to an end.
The Tropicana’s rich history dates back to its opening in 1951, when it stood as an oasis in the desert landscape of Las Vegas. Over the years, it played host to numerous A-list stars and underwent several renovations to adapt to the evolving cityscape.
Today, only remnants of the original Tropicana structure remain, yet the casino still evokes a sense of vintage Vegas nostalgia for many visitors. Despite its storied past, the Tropicana had ties to organized crime in its early years, with connections to reputed mobster Frank Costello.
However, the hotel-casino also saw decades of success, highlighted by its long-running show “Folies Bergere” and its contribution to Las Vegas entertainment culture. Now, the site will make way for a new chapter in the city’s history, with plans for a state-of-the-art baseball stadium expected to open in 2028.
As Las Vegas continues to evolve and reinvent itself, the closure of the Tropicana serves as a reminder of the city’s ever-changing landscape and its enduring spirit of transformation.
