Another Las Vegas Icon Closing Its Doors: Say Goodbye To Cleopatra’s Barge
Las Vegas has opened and closed a lot of places, and attractions over the years. And now another iconic attraction, Cleopatra’s Barge, will be gone for good.
Caesars Palace Says Goodbye To The Iconic Cleopatra’s Barge
Cleopatra’s Barge will no longer be a part of Caesars Palace. No more barge surrounded by water with hydraulics moving it. It was a must-see attraction when going to Las Vegas. No implosion. But the space is going to become a more upscale bar.
We all know Las Vegas has made implosions; the kind of productions that are seen in movies. They’re often complete with cameras and crowds. And a few of those studio worthy implosions have been used in movies.
Las Vegas Implosions In Movies
The implosion of The Landmark in Las Vegas was used in Tim Burton’s “Mars Attacks.”
The Sands was used in the Nicolas Cage movie, “Conair.” Producers found out it was going to be demolished, so they used it for the plane crash in the movie. And they made an actual plane crash.
I went to the implosion of The Riviera Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. I worked at the comedy club for many years, and the implosion of The Riviera was an invitation event. Tables set up in a nearby parking lot, complete with bars, food, and favors.
It was sad and beautiful at the same time. Another piece of history gone in seconds.
Say Goodbye To Another Las Vegas Property
The Tropicana in Las Vegas will soon be closing. You can bet its last days will be a spectacle. The property has been around for a long time. There is no word yet on whether there will be an implosion. But it will close to make way for the Oakland Athletics new stadium.
Aside from the written history of Las Vegas, there isn’t a lot of structural history left. Is newer always better? Not in this writer’s opinion. But — all in the name of progress I guess.
Still, I will miss that Cleopatra’s Barge. My father’s band worked on that barge, and so did I. And I hung out there, drank and danced with friends, like so many of you did.
Bon voyage, We will miss you.