Grilled Chee Sandwiches, A Lovely New/Old Assistant and No hats

Review: The Peppermill

The Vegas Strip on a Thursday night is the calm before the storm. With Friday night looming the local’s head out to the mega-clubs, enjoying industry nights, cheap drinks and the occasional hand job.
This night was a strange one; I had a new “Assistant” tonight, someone equally adept at maneuvering these dangerous waters. The night however started innocently enough, several drinks at a local Fremont street establishment while we bided our time with shots of Whiskey and Guinness. A mediocre “Irish” band played U2 songs to tourists; we tuned them out and planned our night. The Peppermill has been a Vegas mainstay for more than 20 years. Nestled across from the aging Stardust the Peppermill is a neon beacon for any weary drunkard with just enough money for a warm grilled chee sandwich. We walked in a little after 11:00 pm. I had heard that Peppermill was a dark environment ideal for lovers, cheating wives and drunks. Naturally we were intrigued enough to check this place out for ourselves.
HOW DOES MY HAIR LOOK??
A good question to ask your assistant when asked to remove your hat upon entering a restaurant/bar; we were confused. The Peppermill boasts an impressive diner with standard diner fare. The whole place looks cluttered with assortments of plants and neon lights; imagine a jungle setting, now imagine that jungle setting in the middle of the Tron movie set! It’s confusing, scary and a little cheesy.
The bar located at the back of the diner was decent; this is where I was asked to remove my hat, for the good of the public. The fire pit was the centerpiece of Peppermill, with young couples getting cozy, sipping on mai-tais and hoping for a potential sleepover that would include the precursory tickle fight. I could relate I needed a tickle the kind that my drink wasn’t providing. My assistant was enjoying herself “Jackie Ohh” was getting tipsy and our conversation was getting interesting. The bartenders (old school variety) could sense this and they were all too eager to continue pouring the drinks.

COSA NOSTRA ACTORS & THE ROCKETMAN COMETH!
According to one of the head bartenders Robert DeNiro would come in and have a couple drinks while filming “Casino” I believe they might have filmed a scene right where I was sitting. Unusually tightlipped it took some prying by “Jackie” to get our man to give up the goods on some of the more salacious behavior he’s witnessed here at Peppermill. Alas dear reader he did open up but only after I compromised an “off the record”.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Peppermill is a fine place for a bullpen session or an after hours nightcap. The no hats put me off a bit. The wait staff was friendly and the bartenders were pro’s; I couldn’t imagine trying to get a bartending job here, the positions are hereditary. This is a good temporary escape from the current Disneyland inspired scene. If you want old Vegas with lots of neon then Peppermill is your spot. Jackie Ohh certainly enjoyed herself and the company was a nice change. After we finished our drinks we bid the crew adieu and headed to Art-bar, little did I know that night would become much weirder than ever before.