On August 25, 2017, the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino re-opened its doors after a renovation that lasted a little over 100 hours. The new casino floor has been expanded by double its size. Walking through it on the evening of August 25th, you could feel the excitement of the people who were there. The tables were full of patrons and everyone was having a good time.
What is unique about the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino is that it has a very long history in the city. It is the oldest hotel and the smallest one in Downtown Las Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience. The hotel has 122 rooms and now has over 100 new slot machines for tourists and locals to enjoy besides other gaming.
In 1906, the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino was then named the Hotel Nevada. It opened as a two story building under owner John F Miller and became the first hotel in the city's history. People could occupy the hotel rooms for $1 a day. The destination became so popular, that expansion soon followed after its opening.
Another piece of history also occurred at Hotel Nevada. The business occupied the first telephone in Las Vegas history in 1907. The line had the number one. In 1909 the casino gambling had to cease to exist. That would not last forever. In 1931, the city of Las Vegas would legalize gambling and the casino would re-open after more than two decades of not existing.
In the 1950s, the casino floor would be renamed to Golden Gate after San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. In the mid-1970s, the property was renamed to the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino as we know it to be today.
When it comes to food, the signature item Golden Gate has sold is the shrimp cocktail for 50 cents back at the end of the 1950s. The last price of the item today was $3.99. The plans are to keep offering the selection at the hotel.
Today, the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino is owned by Derek and Greg Stevens. Also owners of the The D Las Vegas, the family has big plans to expand the experience of Downtown Las Vegas.
Millions come to Las Vegas every year. However, they may not know that the beginning of Las Vegas hotels and casino gambling started with the Hotel Nevada that today is known as the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.