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JOHN-O's Las Vegas (& Honolulu pg 8) Thread |
JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2488
From: Dogtown, USA
|  Posted: 2012-03-21 6:08 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2012-03-20 01:44, Tiki Trav wrote:
We met with the owner (estate) in dec 2011/jan 2012 and would have purchased the Atomic but we just could not raise the funds.. was actually pretty cheap, will post more inside pics soon
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Wow that would have been super cool for a Tikiphile to own the place.
It may have been for the best however, that stretch of Fremont has become even more of a ghost town with the recent closure of the next door Western Casino a few months ago...
http://www.lvrj.com/business/western-in-downtown-las-vegas-will-close-in-january-133908478.html
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Tiki Trav
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 25, 2006
Posts: 631
From: NSW Central Coast, Australia
| Posted: 2012-03-21 9:48 pm Permalink
lots of the old guys in the Western (all day & night) used to drink at the Atomic until it ceased trading, I spoke with lots of former regulars (they were all drinking at the western) & they were practically begging for someone to reopen it so they had a place to go after the closure of the Western.
The locals miss it & it has patronage from the second you open the door & turn on the neons.
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ThreeTikis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jun 24, 2006
Posts: 56
From: Las Vegas, Nv
| Posted: 2012-06-20 3:05 pm Permalink
*** Update ***
The owners are planning to re-open the Atomic Liquor/Bar!!!
See link below:
http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/18835953/historic-vegas-bar-plans-re-opening
[ This Message was edited by: ThreeTikis 2012-06-20 15:06 ]
[ This Message was edited by: ThreeTikis 2012-06-20 15:07 ]
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2488
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2012-06-20 3:23 pm Permalink
That's fantastic news !!! 
Although I was going to try to talk Queen Kamehameha into buying the place with me.
You snooze, you lose I guess...
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2012-06-21 08:05 am Permalink
Excellent news.
"Renovation highlights include; Larger bathrooms and back-bar upgrades. An outdoor sitting area and beer garden which will start the Las Vegas History Walk up Fremont street. The creation of Rat Pack Corner, Smothers Brothers Alley, Barbara's Seat, Bugsy's Bar and Hangover Hideout. The Garage will host live events and bands in the nearby 3000 sq ft mechanic's garage which is attached to the Atomic, and The Atomic Drive-in, in the parking lot - will screen movies and commercials from the era, and of course Nevada's own Test Site Atomic Blast Footage!"
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Bora Boris
Mr. Unreasonable
Joined: Mar 25, 2005
Posts: 2416
From: Boogie Wonderland
| Posted: 2012-06-21 2:38 pm Permalink
The Rat Pack Corner? Is that where they waited for the limo to take them back to the strip where they belonged? 
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2488
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2012-06-22 11:18 am Permalink
The comments that christiki posted above are alarming, it looks like the new owners plan to turn the place into a Disneyland of irony.
While it's great the Atomic will continue on, I'm sure it will be targeting a different customer base than the former Bukowskian regulars who enjoyed the $1 cans of beer.
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mrsmiley
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 3154
From: Las Vegas, NV
| Posted: 2012-06-22 12:01 pm Permalink
I hope they don't make it fancy! Yes, the poor folks might not be able to afford a drink at the New Atomic--that is my feeling.
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AceExplorer
Grand Member (2 years) 
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 327
From: Deep in the Jacksonville Florida jungle.
| Posted: 2012-06-22 12:26 pm Permalink
That's a very good point - some of my all-time favorite places to relax with drinks featured (yes, past tense...) both unpretentious and affordable atmospheres. Everyone enjoys relaxing at "hole in the wall" type of bars, even more so if there's a tiki vibe. But the owner must make a certain profit to keep the doors open. Not even Bill Gates would throw his cash at a money-losing operation for very long. So here's hoping the new place meets and exceeds expectations!
Now this makes me wonder if there is any sort of "official christening ceremony" for a new tiki bar?
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2012-06-22 6:05 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2012-06-22 11:18, JOHN-O wrote:
The comments that christiki posted above are alarming, it looks like the new owners plan to turn the place into a Disneyland of irony.
While it's great the Atomic will continue on, I'm sure it will be targeting a different customer base than the former Bukowskian regulars who enjoyed the $1 cans of beer.
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Possibly, although while that area is gentrifying, suffice it to say it is far from being all the way back. Indeed, the Bukowski types most likely are staying at the Blue Angel, just a few blocks down and will have a new hangout.
Another interpretation is that the Atomic continues to pay homage to Vegas' past.
It also is expanding Vegas' future, with the Garage apparently featuring live music, and a drive-in. Frankly, that area needs a critical mass to draw the tourists out from the Freemont Street nest. Maybe this multi-tiered experience will do the trick.
[ This Message was edited by: christiki295 2012-06-22 18:09 ]
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tikigreg
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 1091
From: ClubTiki
| Posted: 2012-06-22 6:46 pm Permalink
From the linked article above:
"A historic downtown Las Vegas liquor store that closed in 2011 after 60 years in business started renovations for a grand re-opening as a bar."
Too funny! I stopped by there yesterday morning, and the only thing inside evident of renovations was a ladder lying on the floor.
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ThreeTikis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jun 24, 2006
Posts: 56
From: Las Vegas, Nv
| Posted: 2012-06-25 06:05 am Permalink
Another Atomic Update:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/lounge-rising-from-ashes-of-east-fremont-street-s-blight-160212415.html
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Limbo Lizard
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 24, 2006
Posts: 605
From: Aboard the 'Leaky Tiki', Dallas
| Posted: 2012-06-25 10:08 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2012-06-22 18:46, tikigreg wrote:
Too funny! I stopped by there yesterday morning, and the only thing inside evident of renovations was a ladder lying on the floor.
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Watch this News 3 spot, from a few days ago. I think that ladder was used, so they could film part of the interview, sitting on the edge of the roof. 
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2012-06-26 12:02 am Permalink
This is the reality:
In later years, the neighborhood deteriorated with the Sobchiks' health, and the bar became known as a rough dive surrounded by drug deals and prostitution.
"That is why they put the buzzer on that door," Savarro said, nodding to the front entrance. "I knew every crackhead on that street. I wouldn't let them in."
They're less than enthusiastic about the return of the cheap-beer-and-a-shot crowd who occupy low-rent apartments and tiny, rundown homes in the immediate area.
"We are going after the professionals downtown; we are going after the hipsters downtown," Lance Johns said. "We are keeping the old style here, but we don't want the old clientele."
I hope the new investors make back their money and the Atomic enjoys a rebirth.
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2488
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2012-10-27 4:01 pm Permalink
The "new" Atomic looks to usher in 2013...
http://lasvegascitylife.com/blog/town/atomic-liquors-new-open-date-new-years-eve.html
So far I don't like what I'm hearing but I guess a hipster bar with the vintage neon sign is better than the place being completely bulldozed.
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