Mermaids Casino is Demolished in Downtown Las Vegas

By Scott Roeben, on August 05 2017

2 min read 24 comments

Downtown Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Casinos

Mermaids Casino, a seedy but beloved casino on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, has been demolished to make way for a new resort.

Mermaids demolition — Mermaids has gone to Davy Jones’ locker.

The Mermaids site has hosted a number of casinos since it opened as Silver Palace in 1956.

After Silver Palace, it was Carousel Casino, Gambler’s Hall of Fame Casino, Sundance West and Sassy Sally’s.

Mermaids closed at 11:00 p.m. on June 27, 2016, along with another small casino nearby, La Bayou.

Mermaids was a low-roller favorite on Fremont Street, known mainly for its convenient restrooms and deep friend Oreos and Twinkies.

Mermaids demolished — Nothing says “mermaid” like guitars, bongos and congas.

On August 5, 2017, the Mermaids facade came down as part of a blockwide demolition which includes the Glitter Gulch strip club and Las Vegas Club casino.

Here’s an aerial view of Mermaids in all its pulverized glory.

Crews have already begun work on gutting the casino level of the Las Vegas Club. Soon, the casino’s parking structure and hotel towers will be brought down.

Las Vegas Club demolition — Now’s a fine time to bid farewell to the Las Vegas Club casino, too.

Demolition of the block will be completed by the end of 2017, and a new resort, from Derek
and Greg Stevens, owners of The D and Golden Gate, is expected to debut in 2020.

Mermaids casino demolished — That’s going to take some getting used to.

One thing can be said for certain about Mermaids, it had character. The casino, a certified
“grind joint,” was a source of fond memories for many Vegas visitors. And intestinal
distress. But mainly that first thing.

Mermaids casino — In Las Vegas, a light rain is akin to beer goggles.

Farewell, old girl.

Enjoy more exclusive photos from Mermaids’ final moments.

Demolition of Mermaids

Next up

18 Fremont Demolition Update: Time Has Come for Mermaids and Las Vegas Club’s Casino

August 02 2017 — 2 min read — 28 comments

24 Comments

DrDan July 17, 2022

LOVED Mermaids!! IF not for Mermaids, I'd have never had a deep fried twinkie!! Rivaled the Westward Ho's 3/4 pound Mega Dog for junk food indulgence!! At one time Mermaids employed one of the prettiest change girls I ever saw in Las Vegas, and that's saying something!!
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Terry Matern September 1, 2024

Loved the atmosphere. Reminded me so much of the Dunes Oasis. You could watch the crowd walk by as you played the machines. Prettiest and most friendly waitresses in Vegas. I would go every weekend and tip the girls well as they kept 2 margaritas at a time coming. That was in 2008-9. I can still see their lovely smiles. Sad to see it go. So many memories.
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Scooter August 8, 2017

The seediness of Mermaids is definitely what I found so charming about this little place. Every time we were in Vegas we always started our "Freemont evening" off with a visit to Mermaids. This always consisted of plunking some quarters in the Wheel of Fortune machines, priming up on some ridiculously strong and plentiful free drinks, visiting the totally disgusting restrooms, and having some good laughs with the servers. While I understand that progress has to happen, I definitely do miss this little joint and the amazing Vegas memories it helped create.
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Rebecca Kennedy August 8, 2017

We loved it to because it was old school. You had to get a bucket to put your quarters in when they fell out of the machine. They actually made that clanking noise, as opposed to the canned noise the new machines make. And the deep fried oreos were Fantastic while the hot dogs tasted great and were cheap!!!
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Robert Myers August 7, 2017

I love these posts, I can't wait to come back in a few years when this is done. Hopefully the construction goes as smooth as the demolition! Every time I hear 2020 I think thats way in the future, but it's only 2 and a half years away :)
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RustyHammer August 6, 2017

Good to see you are censoring things you don't like.
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Scott Roeben August 6, 2017

Hey, Rusty. I'm not censoring anything. I'm deleting comments that are not related to the posts, specifically those involving your running gag that has run its course in the comments of this blog. Please save me some time by not making those posts, but please continue to comment about the relevant subject matter as you're a valued part of this community.
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Lewmoore August 7, 2017

There is a god, of this blog, thankfully!
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RustyHammer August 7, 2017

Scott wants you to think he's a god, no doubt about that.
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Lewmoore August 7, 2017

It's his blog with which he may do as he pleases...it's not your 1st Amendment right to make the same inane comment on every post.
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RustyHammer August 7, 2017

That's what makes blogs great. And thanks for validating my assessment. We're both winners today. I should celebrate my win with cheese, sausage, sauce and a crust.......
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Manybar Goatfish August 7, 2017

Yeah. A god that hates trees. Let's face it, this all started when you chose a tree face for an avatar.
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Scott Roeben August 7, 2017

Trees are always so full of themselves. "Look at me, I make oxygen or whatever."
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RustyHammer August 7, 2017

I have no idea what this is in reply to.... Blocked comments and all, but it's comedy gold. A lot funnier than starting an opinion as fact.
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RustyHammer August 7, 2017

Ah, hypocrisy. I get it.
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Rocky Sullivan August 6, 2017

My favorite feature of Mermaids was this ad for the joint posted on the side of the building. If you stare at it long enough it tells a subliminal tale of lust, jealousy and larceny. It's quite amazing. Sadly unlike you Scott I am a terrible photographer. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/12378c8eacb8a49d53f2fe1744d56ff22c55f7b20c06f336cd41c220f4e29ba9.jpg
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Rocky Sullivan August 6, 2017

Spoilers for those you who don't have the time and to compensate for the horrible photo here are the highlights of the ad for Mermaids. The guy in the Tux is being trick rolled. His companion is pulling a stack of cash out of his jacket. The lady in red is checking out the black guy who is holding a hot dog at a very unnatural angle applying red ketchup. The woman in blue is about to smack her boyfriend who is checking out the ass of the woman in red while holding his corn dog in a manner that can only be described as 'wishful thinking.' All of these models were dropped into an empty photo. There was no attempt to Photoshop out the incredible amount of grunge on the floor or the chipped Formica on the tables. It's all a very curious way to market a business.
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Manybar Goatfish August 7, 2017

Very amusing! It took me awhile to figure out the woman with three fingers has her hand on backwards. I never would have noticed the grunge, the chipped Formica, or the hot dog. Good eye by you!
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Scott Roeben August 7, 2017

Her hand is backward?!
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Manybar Goatfish August 7, 2017

It's clear that her right arm is mismated with a left hand. Given that she also has only three fingers, I would bet the Photoshop person is a frustrated cartoonist and not overly concerned about anatomy and such.
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Scott Roeben August 7, 2017

That's so great, thanks, Rocky!
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Mike L August 6, 2017

I'm about 99.9% sure that's the only person to ever have worn a tux at Mermaids.
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Scott Roeben August 7, 2017

I wonder if that's true. So many people get married and go downtown, I'd say there were a bunch in formal wear and wedding dresses.
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RustyHammer August 7, 2017

There is that "trash the dress" fad......
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