The famous Moroccan marquee will soon go dark click for gallery image
Walking into the Sahara Hotel/Casino on the Las Vegas strip for the first time will always be one of my fondest memories of neon nivarna. Barely of legal age to enter the playground of the lucky rich, I was totally captivated by the grandeur of the Moroccan themed casino, the hushed sounds of the dealers and the intoxicating aromas of rare high dollar perfumes wafting around the high dollar ladies.
The Sahara Hotel and Casino opened in 1952 and quickly became the Las Vegas home of teh Hollywood elite. It was the place to see the rich and famous at play. I saw Jimmy Durante in the parking lot, Frank Sinatra dealing blackjack, Dean Martinwith drink in hand strolling through the casino, Johnny Carson playing baccarat, Buddy Hackett, both Smothers brothers, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and many more. I watched Major Riddle play nose bleed poker in the Sahara's famous poker room. I sat at a table with Howard Cosell playing low limit poker. The first Las Vegas show I saw was in the Sahara's Conga Room.
Little has changed with the property since those golden days many years ago except the limos delivering the stars and their trophy ladies are long gone. Also gone are the crowds of tourist losing handfuls of money while trying to get a glimpse of the famous, and that's the reasons the landmark casino will go dark in May, probably forever. The doors will close on an era of Las Vegas history that was truly magical. A few photos of the once exotic queen of the strip.
Looking into the casino from the ornate lobby
A-list movie stars favored the Sahara's steak house
Casino has remained the same over the years
Dale Earnhardt lives on at the Sahara
