Las Vegas is a lawless city, filled with all sorts of people, You have the mutants that move here for whatever reason and then you have everyone else. If you don’t pay attention you will find yourself broke and unable to do much of anything, let alone enjoy yourself. A strange night, one that started innocently enough, The World Baseball classic was on TV and I wasn’t in the mood to really watch. My only obsession the game of baseball. After 5 beers and other unmentionables I ventured out to find a review and possibly some fun.
No matter how lawless Vegas appears there is always someone watching Cops are everywhere. Maybe my paranoia was in overdrive. The perverts on the strip are just waiting to check into their luxury suites. Smelling like booze and cigarettes they saunter out and let the predatory instincts take hold. You can see it in their eyes, the cold confidence of a lazy drunk. Smiling at themselves no doubt remembering some former glory, and what better way to celebrate than here in Las Vegas. I don’t hate the strip I've been here before, in fact the noisy superficiality of the place reminds me of Disneyland, except Mickey is pimping Minny in some swank club, hammered to the gills and Walt is the gangland leader in charge of the whole thang. I like it already.
I'm tired and lazy this review is taking too much time. The leads I had for the evening were proving fruitless. I was trying to find a good Latin joint. One where the rum flowed freely and hits kept on coming. What I found were great places to take a piss if and when the need became immediate and you’re driving. The local rag had advertised a "New York Stile" Latin night. The establishment I was looking for had neither name nor reference to safely guide an outsider. I was buzzed and ready to go. After 20 mins of driving around the same area, specifically South Decatur I found a Colombian restaurant whose address matched, I sauntered in and of course no one was in there, just a few locals trying to get the night started. It was 12:00am. If it wasn't happening it wasn't going to happen. The bouncer assured me the place would pick up; I assured him I would be back.
Since I arrived here in Sin City my Saturday's have had a distinctive and recurring theme. I get drunk at my place then I go out and try to review clubs/bars, for this flashy website. I end up driving around getting twisted and ending up at a local casino pissed in every sense of the word. Little did I know that this Saturday would be different?
The Stardust Hotel/Casino is one of the older hotels here in Vegas, that is evident in the décor. I followed an attractive hooker into the casino in search of the Starlight Lounge. I found it. The lounge wasn't packed but the band was enthusiastic, I wanted nothing more than to get blasted and have a good review. I walked out after almost an entire minute. My approval ratings like George W's were dropping faster then my hooker friend's prospects for the evening. Nothing but working class married couples with NASCAR on the brain. Good for them, this place wasn't good for me at least not right now. Dino's Bar was just up the street nothing but cheap beer and toothless hotties. Another Saturday night.
A 3.00 Jack and Coke would put me at ease. Karoke night at Dino's
is not for the weak tourist. Only the strong survive here. I lasted 15mins. I'll try the Flamingo there's gotta be something there for me to sink these fangs into. Maybe a lost tourist looking to have a little fun perhaps? No not in the least. It's nearly 2:00 am and I'm seriously considering going home. Those thoughts are gone the minute I have them. In a town as serious as this one I cannot imagine for one second that someone out there is having more fun than me.
Heading down East Tropicana, my mind nearly straight, I find my final option Casa De Amore. The place looks like a restaurant but they advertised Blues until 5: am, I'll give it a go. I open the door and the vibe hits you at once.
This history of this place seems apparent, yet not even Doug the bartender knew when the place was established. I looked at a picture of Jerry Lewis when he was still skinny, posing near one of the tables. I assumed it had been here a while. This is a Rat Pack inspired theme complete with framed pictures with autographs and a decent jukebox. The bar is cozy with regulars of all ages. The dining area is slightly sectioned off. All the seating gives a good view of the stage, and the kitchen is always open. Everyone knows each other here, the dapper gangsters, the bartender and the hot lesbians making out in the booth. A male friend of theirs pretends not to watch. The band was good their singer is a shy girl, no worries we are all shy. Her body language and the way her hair covered her face were in complete contrast to her stage presence. After an hour and 3 Rum and Cokes I was already mixing it up with the regs. The bartender Doug was introducing me to the older gents, not even in California dear readers do they do that, unless you have drugs and it's obvious. The only thing that was obvious about me other than my willingness to get drunk, was that I was new here.
The restaurant/ bar kitchen is open 24hrs a day. "We never close" seems to be the motto here in Las Vegas. Lawless. Casa de Amore is a fun place I haven't had the chance to eat there but I will eventually. I recommend this place to anyone tourist and local alike. Turns out this will be my hideout after 200am. Make it yours, and ask for Doug the bartender, he will set you straight.
2850 E Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89121
