Djannsen – Memories Of The Riviera

Reader “Djannsen” Shares Memories His First Vegas Stay…At Riviera Hotel

Riviera was the hotel we stayed at on our first trip to Vegas. I believe the year was 1989, and we traveled there with two other couples. My wife and I would have been in our late 20’’s. My parents had made several trips to Vegas when I was young, but this was my first time there.

I had heard many stories from my father of playing blackjack in Vegas, so I was really looking forward to playing it myself. I sat down at a $5-minimum blackjack table inside the Riviera, which seemed like a lot back then. I think I bought in for $40 and lost it all in about 10 minutes.  

It was shocking how fast the game was dealt and how quickly I lost that much money (now I get annoyed by blackjack dealers who are too slow). 

We went Downtown later and ended up playing blackjack again…and winning money…at Binions. So that restored my confidence a little, and I ended up playing a lot of blackjack on the trip. Most of it was across the street at the Stardust, though, because we could get on $3 tables there.

We saw the variety show, Splash at the Riv, and also a stand-up comedy show there. Splash had a long run at the Riviera and was a good traditional Vegas show: comedy, acrobatics and some topless showgirls. I can also remember eating at the coffee shop /diner there. I can’’t remember the name, though. (Editor’s note: Kady’s Poolside Cafe was the name until it closed in 2011).

Kady’s Coffee Shop, post-closure

I have been back to Vegas over 25 times since then, but we never stayed at the Riviera again. I only went back inside the casino once…very briefly. Even though I never really returned there, I do have fond memories of my first Vegas experience….at the Riviera.

[Photos: Sammasseur]

sammasseur

A fitness buff and Vegas fan. Sam enjoys shows, bargains, and cheap healthy eats.