A photographic essay of the people that kept the historic resort operating in its final days...
Riviera Hotel and Casino shuttered forever exactly nine years ago on May 4th, 2015. This writer checked in and stayed at the historic resort during its final night, which you can read about by clicking here. During those nineteen hours, I patronized the restaurants, businesses, Starlite Showroom, and casino area, speaking to people who worked there in the hotel's final years. Let's meet a few from that memorable event.
Marina and Greg Welch ran the Riviera Royale Wedding Chapel & Florist Shoppe. As I recall, they had already hosted their final ceremonies before speaking with me and were sadly packing up shop. They eventually reopened at downtown's PLAZA HOTEL at Fremont and Main St.
One genial lady manned the Riviera box office, selling tickets to the final performances on May 3rd. To one side of her counter was an information sheet on the upcoming liquidation of furniture, fixtures, and supplies.
Mary Sanchez was processing departing guests on the final morning. I identified myself as a writer doing an article on Riviera's closure. We chatted during my checkout, and she offered to stay in touch. Since that morning (May 4th, 2015) Mary and I have remained friends and she's invited me to reunions of former Riviera Hotel employees.
Employees at Banana Leaf Cafe showed up with a smile for their final breakfast shift.
Casino workers and bartenders were smiling, also.
Security staff was present throughout the property during its final hours, maintaining safety and assuring that over-zealous visitors didn't help themselves to Riviera keepsakes.
Many of Riviera's bellmen and valets had worked on the property for several years, assisting countless guests with their cars and belongings. A few would retire after today, while others would seek similar positions in other Las Vegas resorts.
After the last pieces of luggage were taken away, Riviera Hotel team members vacated their posts, headed to the employee areas, and clocked out for the final time. Friendships and relationships would continue long after the doors were locked.
Riviera Hotel and Casino staffers remain in touch through a Facebook group entitled Riviera Hotel and Casino Refugees. The most recent reunion was held in November of 2023. A few photos from the event are shown below.
Reunion photos via Riviera Hotel & Casino Refugees group
In the next edition of this series, I'll take you through the final moments of Riviera's sixty years, along with the lock-up and removal of its iconic CRAZY GIRLS bronze artwork.
All photos by VEGAS 411 unless otherwise noted
Riviera Hotel and Casino shuttered forever exactly nine years ago on May 4th, 2015. This writer checked in and stayed at the historic resort during its final night, which you can read about by clicking here. During those nineteen hours, I patronized the restaurants, businesses, Starlite Showroom, and casino area, speaking to people who worked there in the hotel's final years. Let's meet a few from that memorable event.
Marina and Greg Welch ran the Riviera Royale Wedding Chapel & Florist Shoppe. As I recall, they had already hosted their final ceremonies before speaking with me and were sadly packing up shop. They eventually reopened at downtown's PLAZA HOTEL at Fremont and Main St.
One genial lady manned the Riviera box office, selling tickets to the final performances on May 3rd. To one side of her counter was an information sheet on the upcoming liquidation of furniture, fixtures, and supplies.
Mary Sanchez was processing departing guests on the final morning. I identified myself as a writer doing an article on Riviera's closure. We chatted during my checkout, and she offered to stay in touch. Since that morning (May 4th, 2015) Mary and I have remained friends and she's invited me to reunions of former Riviera Hotel employees.
Employees at Banana Leaf Cafe showed up with a smile for their final breakfast shift.
Casino workers and bartenders were smiling, also.
Security staff was present throughout the property during its final hours, maintaining safety and assuring that over-zealous visitors didn't help themselves to Riviera keepsakes.
Many of Riviera's bellmen and valets had worked on the property for several years, assisting countless guests with their cars and belongings. A few would retire after today, while others would seek similar positions in other Las Vegas resorts.
After the last pieces of luggage were taken away, Riviera Hotel team members vacated their posts, headed to the employee areas, and clocked out for the final time. Friendships and relationships would continue long after the doors were locked.
Riviera Hotel and Casino staffers remain in touch through a Facebook group entitled Riviera Hotel and Casino Refugees. The most recent reunion was held in November of 2023. A few photos from the event are shown below.
Reunion photos via Riviera Hotel & Casino Refugees group
In the next edition of this series, I'll take you through the final moments of Riviera's sixty years, along with the lock-up and removal of its iconic CRAZY GIRLS bronze artwork.
All photos by VEGAS 411 unless otherwise noted
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