ENTERTAINMENT LAS VEGAS 21

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By H. Wadowski

Thanks to a new Margaritaville-themed casino at flamingo Las Vegas, it’s now easier than ever to find yourself “wastin’ away in Margaritaville.”

WAstiN’ AWAY iN MARGARitAViLLe

The 15,000-square-foot Margaritaville Casino opened last October, offering guests a unique atmosphere to play their favorite slot machines and table games in. Previously a hallway that housed Steakhouse 46, the area adjoining the popular Margaritaville restaurant has been transformed into a laid-back gaming destination that includes 22 table games, 220 slot machines and the centerpiece 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, featuring dynamic flair bartenders creating exotic Margaritaville concoctions 24 hours a day.

“We believe the Margaritaville brand is an outstanding one that exudes fun as a state of mind,” said Rick Mazer, president of the Flamingo, Harrah’s, Imperial Palace and Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon. “It translates perfectly to a casino environment.”

The Flamingo worked closely with the Margaritaville design team to ensure it captured the beloved brand correctly. It took about a year to renovate the area, which features lime-shaped lights in certain locations so guests are literally playing under the “limelight.” The casino also has its own soundtrack, complete with Jimmy Buffett songs and other carefree, island-vibe music. Staff members are clad in beach attire, and table games are themed with custom layouts. The slot sign package is also unique to Margaritaville, and all Parrotheads are sure to recognize them.

While Mazer said that the response from the public has been great (“People love the space and environment,” he stated. “It has infused even more fun into gaming.”), the real seal of approval came from Buffett himself, who not only visited the Margaritaville Casino during its grand opening celebration on Oct. 14, but also poured the first drinks from Lucky Rita: a 31-foot-tall margarita that broke the Guinness

World Record for the largest margarita ever made by 873 gallons. Measuring 8,500 gallons, it took more than 300 hours to mix the concoction, which included 2,125 gallons of Margaritaville Tequila Gold, 708 gallons of Margaritaville Triple Sec, 5,667 gallons of margarita mix and 22,267 lime wedges.

Although gaming operations may be in full swing, construction on the Margaritaville Casino still isn’t complete. Mazer said the Flamingo will be redoing the sidewalk outside of the hotel to create a seamless entry into the casino, and extending a section off the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar so that people can enjoy themselves outside. For more information on the Margaritaville Casino, visit flamingolasvegas.com.

the 5 O’clock somewhere Bar inside Margaritaville casino

Jimmy Buffett at the grand opening of Margaritaville casino Oct. 14, 2011

The entrance to Margaritaville Casino

May-June 2012 Sunseeker_HiResƒ.indd 21 5/24/12 7:46 PM