Overview
The Riviera was a historic hotel and casino located on the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip. It operated from 1955 to 2015 and was one of the earliest major resorts on the Strip. Known for classic Las Vegas entertainment and a long roster of headline performers, it remained a recognizable property through multiple decades of industry change.
Technical Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 2901 Las Vegas Blvd South |
| Opened | April 20, 1955 |
| Closed | May 4, 2015 |
| Demolition | June and August 2016 |
| Owner (final) | Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority |
| Rooms | ~2,100 |
| Casino Size | ~100,000 sq ft |
| Towers | Monaco Tower, San Remo Tower |
Physical Description
The Riviera developed in phases, resulting in multiple towers and expansions rather than a single unified structure. The casino floor followed a traditional layout with table games, slot machines, and sportsbook areas. The property included showrooms, dining venues, and convention facilities. Its appearance reflected mid-century origins with later additions that gave it a mixed architectural style compared to newer resorts.
History
- 1955 – Riviera opens as one of the first high-rise resorts on the Strip
- 1960s – Establishes itself as a premier entertainment venue; hosts major performers including the Rat Pack era acts
- 1970s – Continues as a major showroom destination; featured in film and television
- 1983 – Files for bankruptcy amid financial struggles
- 1985–1990s – Ownership changes; property undergoes renovations and expansion (including additional towers)
- 1995 – Celebrates 40th anniversary; attempts modernization to compete with mega-resorts
- 2000s – Decline in competitiveness as newer Strip properties dominate
- 2010 – Files for bankruptcy again
- 2015 – Purchased by LVCVA; closes on May 4
- 2016 – Main tower imploded in June; remaining structures demolished in August
The Riviera played a significant role in shaping early Las Vegas Strip development. It hosted legendary entertainers, appeared in numerous films, and operated through multiple eras of casino evolution before ultimately being removed to make way for expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Memorabila
Riviera Las Vegas $1 Blue Chip (1955)
This vintage $1 casino chip was first produced in 1955 and used extensively in live table play through the 1990s. Serving as a primary gaming workhorse for decades, it remains an authentic and classic piece of vintage Las Vegas casino history.
Riviera Las Vegas $1 Slot Gaming Token (1979)
This vintage $1 metal gaming token was produced in 1979 for active use in slot machines at the Riviera Hotel & Casino. Struck for player-only redemption, it features the iconic crowned Riviera crest on the obverse and the classic hotel tower facade with the 1979 issue date on the reverse, representing an authentic piece of vintage Las Vegas coin-op casino history.
Riviera Las Vegas $5 Crazy Girls Chip (1999, 1 of 5000)
This commemorative $5 casino chip was produced in the late 1990s as part of a limited edition of 5,000 to promote the long-running topless revue Crazy Girls. The chip was used in active table play and distributed at the casino cage through the early 2000s, functioning as both playable gaming currency and a limited-edition collector’s keepsake.
Riviera Las Vegas $5 La Cage Chip (1999, 1 of 5000)
This commemorative $5 casino chip was produced in 1999 as part of a limited edition of 5,000 to promote the iconic female impersonator revue La Cage. The chip was used in active table play and distributed at the casino cage from 1999 through the early 2000s, functioning as both playable gaming currency and a limited-edition collector’s keepsake.