Scott Klapman Shares Drinks and Pinball in his “Vegas Musts”
Vegas Bright Reader Scott Klapman shares his “Vegas Musts” of Stage Door, Drinks, and Pinball
How do I create a list of my Vegas favorites, when there are so many and even more to discover? My most recent trip to witness the final implosion of the Rivera included a meet up with my nephew. He was in town from Alaska as an Elvis Chapel wedding guest.
Before we get together, I take my morning constitutional. Most people never leave the strip, so they miss an amazing outdoor experience at Wetlands Park or Sunset Park. Lots of desert birds and plants attracted to the streams and ponds. I fantasize how my casual stroll burns off all the calories consumed the prior day.
The nephew and one of his friends meet me at Stage Door Casino, a dive bar behind the Cromwell. Sidenote: I’m still sad that my best hotel fave, Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall, is now part of Vegas history, and the Cromwell lives in its place. Stage Door recently remodeled, however, the little flies in the men’s restroom are a reminder that this place defines dive. We enjoy the friendly and good looking bartenders serving up inexpensive drinks. My $10 Don Julio 1942 is probably the most expensive alcohol in-house. The boys settled in with $1 PBRs.
First stop is the Pinball Hall of Fame. Changed a twenty into quarters for three guys to play for an hour. Always fun to play machines from my youth to modern times. What a great entertainment for a small cost.
Time to wet our whistle at the Double Down. This is another fine establishment that I recommend you only touch yourself if you need to use the restroom. We partake in their signature drink, Ass Juice, and a bacon infused vodka Bloody Mary with Slim Jim garnish. We play a couple of 75 cent games of pool and soak in the ambiance.
Moving on to the Silverton, known for its cowboy clientele, located past Mandalay Bay most people don’t even consider this on the strip. We lucked out that the mermaid show was just getting started. Ya, it’s kitsch, but if I tried holding my breath underwater that long while acrobatic swimming, I would be worm bait. On the other side of the casino is an Airstream trailer outfitted with two bowling lanes at 1/3 scale. At $3 per game, we got our entertainment dollars’ worth.
It was a blast to share some of my Vegas musts.
[Photos: Scott Klapman, Enuffa, Pinball Hall of Fame]
2 thoughts on “Scott Klapman Shares Drinks and Pinball in his “Vegas Musts””
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Count me among those who make a pinball visit a must each trip. It’s the to of any musts on my list.
I walk past the Stage Door on my way to Battista’s Hole in the Wall every trip but never stop in there. I think I will make it a point to stop in next week!