Holy Cow Casino Cafe Brewery, Las Vegas, Triblend Tee

Venue History

The Holy Cow! Casino Cafe Brewery was a distinctive Las Vegas landmark that blended gaming, dining, and brewing innovation. Located on the northeast corner of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, it became a symbol of local charm and pioneering spirit. Its origins date to 1955, when it opened as Foxy’s Deli, the Strip’s first integrated restaurant, where entertainers like Liberace, Wayne Newton, and Shecky Greene were regulars. In 1976 it became Foxy’s Firehouse Casino, operating until 1988. In 1992, Tom “Big Dog” Wiesner acquired and rebranded the venue as Holy Cow!, launching it as a casino and cafe. In 1993, Wiesner made history by convincing Nevada lawmakers to allow breweries in Las Vegas city limits, opening the first brewpub in the state. A 14-foot fiberglass Holstein cow wearing sunglasses—nicknamed “Alphie”—became its whimsical mascot. The brewery quickly gained acclaim: its English pale ale won a gold medal in 1993, followed by bronzes for its red ale and stout in later years. By the late 1990s, it had brewed over 800 batches and regularly featured at beer festivals. Patrons fondly remember a cozy, relaxed atmosphere—away from the typical Strip glitz—where the distant jingle of slot machines mingled with freshly brewed beer. The spot was even visited by Cubs announcer Harry Caray, who autographed a wall under one of his signature “Holy cow!” calls. Unfortunately, after the September 11 attacks, tourism declined sharply. The Holy Cow closed on March 22, 2002; its brewery operations gradually moved elsewhere. The building stood vacant and was demolished in 2012. Today, the iconic Alphie resides outside the Longstreet Inn & Casino in Amargosa Valley, preserving the spirit of this one-of-a-kind establishment. The Holy Cow! Casino Cafe Brewery stands out for its pioneering brewpub concept, inclusive origins, and playful character—a true slice of Las Vegas history. Today the property is occupied by a Walgreens.