Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Bella Ladies V-Neck Tee

Description

The Barbary Coast Hotel & Casino opened its doors on March 2, 1979, introducing a stylish alternative to mega-resorts of the era. Developed by Michael Gaughan—son of legendary downtown casino magnate Jackie Gaughan—the property was built on the former Desert Villa/Times Square Motel site at the bustling “Four Corners” of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road. Despite fierce opposition from larger neighbors concerned about congestion and zoning, the new casino moved forward smoothly, even navigating around power lines with savvy design choices. Elegant yet intimate, the hotel debuted with 150 rooms and suites, set apart by opulent touches: stained-glass accents, chandeliers, and a vivid Tiffany-style mural, The Garden of Earthly Delights. As early as the mid-1980s, 50 more rooms were added by reconfiguring part of the parking structure. The Barbary Coast became known not only for its upscale ambiance but also for its grace under pressure. In November 1980, a nearby miracle occurred: when the MGM Grand caught fire, Michael Gaughan ordered a swift evacuation and turned his casino into an impromptu triage center for victims—an act of leadership that resonated across Las Vegas. Michael’s Steakhouse, the property’s signature dining room, long earned admiration—and preceded Las Vegas’s later fine-dining boom. In 1997, the former McDonald’s space was transformed into Drai’s After Hours, a nightclub that would become one of the Strip’s most enduring late-night destinations. In 2004, Boyd Gaming acquired the Barbary Coast, then traded it to Harrah’s Entertainment in 2006. On February 27, 2007, after nearly 28 years, the Barbary Coast closed and briefly reopened as Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon—a tribute to company founder Bill Harrah—before ultimately becoming The Cromwell in 2014.