Memories of the Glitter Gulch

Michael James shares his favorite memory of when he didn’t enter The Girls of Glitter Gulch…

With this week’s report that Derek Stevens has purchased The Girls of Glitter Gulch club (along with Mermaids and La Bayou) and will close the properties soon, my heart sank just a bit. I have never set foot in The Girls of Glitter Gulch, but that doesn’t make it any less than a set of my all-time favorite Vegas memories.

The Girls of Glitter Gulch had always been a running joke with our poker crew, as we always stayed downtown and were always kinda intrigued… more by the gorgeous sign than the strip club itself. At least once a trip when we walked passed it, we’d joke amongst ourselves that one of us could only go inside after we’d receive a penicillin shot first, and if one (or more) does go in, we should let one of the others hold the bankroll so the vacation doesn’t end suddenly (better to give me your $1000 to, um, hold than to take it in the club and spend or lose it without any recall).  We’d always get a good laugh and we’d keep on walking.

A few years ago on one of our autumn Poker Trips, we made our annual trek to Rum Runners on Tropicana to watch the Packers game. We had gotten there just before kickoff and there was no seating so we kind of hugged one wall between the corner of the bar and the restroom.  Unfortunately, the two that were closest to the bar – Marco and Romeo – were the two guys of our group who enjoy the potent potable side of Las Vegas.

Luckily for one of the two, a young lady was at the corner of the bar and the three of them entertained themselves (and let the rest of us watch the game). This young lady took quite a liking to Romeo and they did the Mating Dance for a few hours.  Then the game ended, and Romeo realized that not only did he not get her name, he had no idea where she was staying and didn’t get a number.

The five of us piled into the minivan and mercilessly heckled Romeo. But it was clear that Marco and Romeo had way too many Irish Car Bombs and Liquid Cocaine (at least they said it was liquid).  Instead of our original plan to head to Red Rock to play poker, it was suggested that we keep the car near our downtown hotel in case these guys got into trouble.

Three of us (including me) went to the Golden Nugget to play cards, leaving the two amateur drunks on their own. From here, the story is second hand, but it is so good that it has to be shared.  They first go to Heart Attack Grill for some drunk food, but they each have a shake with alcohol, too.  Then, somehow, despite the comments about penicillin shots and others holding bankroll, they wandered into The Girls of Glitter Gulch.

Apparently, everything was fine for, like, a minute. Then Romeo went to go to the bathroom, however Marco didn’t really notice until he had been gone awhile.  When Marco went to look for him, let’s just say that Romeo didn’t quite get to the stall before that shake took its vengeance (if you know what I mean) and he was trying to clean it up with toilet paper.

Marco gathered Romeo, walked him out, and that evening their Vegas day ended around 8:00 PM. Some guys just can’t handle Vegas.

My personal interest in attending strip clubs ended when normally $2 beers became $5 in the clubs, so I won’t miss that part of The Girls of Glitter Gulch. But I will miss the fodder that it offered.  Thank goodness early reports are that Derek Stevens will integrate the sign into his new property.

The business may be closing, but as Metallica sings, “The Memory Remains”.

[Images: Sharon James, Vital Vegas, Greg C]