Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Triblend Tee

Description

The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino holds the distinction of being Las Vegas’ very first hotel, opening its doors in 1906 as the modest Hotel Nevada. Located at the corner of Main Street and Fremont, it quickly became the centerpiece of a dusty railroad town that was just beginning to dream big. With only 10 rooms, the hotel offered modern luxuries for its time, including electric lighting and indoor plumbing—a rarity in the desert. In 1931, as Nevada legalized gambling, the property embraced the new era, adding slot machines and table games. By the 1950s, it rebranded as the Golden Gate, paying homage to San Francisco’s iconic bridge while positioning itself as a stylish West Coast-inspired destination in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Its neon signage, shrimp cocktails, and lively casino atmosphere made it a cornerstone of Fremont Street’s “Glitter Gulch.” The Golden Gate became legendary for introducing the city’s first shrimp cocktail in 1959—a 50-cent dish that became a must-try for tourists and locals alike. For decades, it sold millions of the iconic cocktails, cementing the property’s reputation for mixing old-school charm with approachable fun. The casino floor, while smaller than those on the Strip, exuded intimacy and vintage flair, offering guests a chance to experience Las Vegas gaming in its most classic form. Over the years, the Golden Gate has undergone multiple renovations while preserving its historic bones. Modern expansions have added luxury suites and dramatically updated gaming areas, yet, thanks to owners Derek and Greg Stevens, the hotel remains proud of its heritage as the birthplace of Las Vegas hospitality. Visitors today can admire touches of its 1906 past blended seamlessly with 21st-century amenities. As the oldest continuously operating hotel in Las Vegas, the Golden Gate stands not just as a hotel and casino, but as a living time capsule of the city’s evolution—from dusty railroad stop to global entertainment capital. The Golden Gate remains a much-beloved symbol of Fremont Street, offering every guest a taste of authentic, vintage Vegas history wrapped in neon lights, Las Vegas glamor, and timeless spirit.