🤔 Hoover Dam has a toll booth now?

Tomorrow is the final day of the Progressive Cash Giveaway at the Mirage. City Cast Las Vegas co-host Dayvid Figler gave an easy-to-follow explanation during last week’s Friday news roundup on why it’s happening, what it’s all about, and how you can cash in 💰 [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

• It's been a frenzied weekend ahead of the Mirage's closure, which officially takes place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. [KSNV]

💥 Tropicana Implosion Moves Forward

Clark County is reviewing an official application by Bally’s Corp to implode the two Tropicana towers, which are both 22 stories tall in a “single explosives event” — which makes it sound like a hot new show on the Strip. [KSNV]

🚧 New Toll Booth at Hoover Dam

There’s a toll plaza at the Hoover Dam now, but don’t panic. At least not yet. It’s inactive for general visitors, although driving tour operators are charged a fee. Visiting the Hoover Dam remains free, but, as always, you can pay for a guided tour. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]

Let’s revisit our guide to the Scotch 80s, courtesy of former Hey Las Vegas editor Scott Dickensheets.

Located in the southeastern crook of Charleston and Rancho, Scotch 80s is in many ways a prototypical old Vegas nabe — palmy and well-heeled, tinged with Sin City celebrity (residents have included P Moss, Oscar Goodman, and Jerry Lewis), and built well before local developers fixated on cookie-cutter residential construction. Lotta character lining those streets.

In true Las Vegas style, the origin of the name Scotch 80s seems somewhat unresolved, but if historian Lynn Zook goes with this version, involving the town’s first mayor and an abortive Scottish investment, I’ll lean that way, too.

Back in 2003, a resident said Scotch 80s is “10 minutes from everywhere,” and while that’s less true in 2024 minutes — the valley has added a lot of “everywhere” since that quote — this residential area is close to some funky, authentic spots.

Eat & Drink

Not far beyond the boundaries of Scotch 80s are two longtime favorites. The Original Omelet House is one of those diner-style joints where you sense that the people at the next table are hatching a project or mad scheme; the omelets are great, too. Nearby is one of my favorite pizza spots, Broadway Pizzeria — I’m cuckoo for their Sicilian-style pies. Meanwhile, on the other side of I-15, the Hard Hat Lounge now boasts Stay Tuned Burgers to complement its boozy offerings.

Just Drink

Frankie’s Tiki Room is a classic Vegas drinkery — it’s got its own book of tiki concoctions — with atmosphere so thick you might need swimming lessons.

Do Stuff

Again just beyond the freeway, the newish Punk Rock Museum, with its full panoply of offerings, from musical memorabilia to events at the attached Triple Down bar, operated by P Moss, also the mad genius behind Frankie’s. Or you can skip all of that and spend an afternoon lolling around the pleasant greensward of Bob Baskin Park.

So, Elvis is holding a hot dog. Marilyn has a stick of corn 🤔 Where can you find this mural in Las Vegas?

Is this piece of art …

A. Behind ReBar in the Downtown Arts District?

B. Outside Dirt Dog on the Fremont Street Experience?

C. Next to the food court at Broadacres Marketplace in North Las Vegas?

D. On a random corner in Boulder City’s downtown historic district?

Scroll down for the correct answer!

How Vegas Became the Wedding Capital of the World

Quickie weddings are as synonymous with Las Vegas as slot machines and shrimp cocktails. City Cast Las Vegas co-host Sarah Lohman talks to local writer Eric Duran-Valle about the legacy of instant marriages in Vegas and the wildest places to get hitched.