El Cortez Hotel & Casino Photos, Tips and Details:
The El Cortez & Hotel Casino is “vintage” Las Vegas in a good way. It opened in 1941 and Bugsy Siegel was part owner before he took over the Flamingo Hotel project. This hotel casino has 364 rooms and suites. The theme of this hotel casino is “Western/Ranch”.
On April 1, 2022 the El Cortez became at 21-and-older-resort. This includes the hotel, casino and restaurants.
This hotel is one block from the Fremont Street Experience and one block from Container Park. It is located in the Fremont East Entertainment District. Several years ago, this area was very “sketchy”. That is no longer the case.
[On May 9, 2024 the El Cortez announced a $20 Million 10,000 square-foot casino expansion, that includes a new restaurant, two new bars, high-limit slot room and more. This expansion should open in early 2025]
The El Cortez features 700 of the latest slot machines, but many older ones that still take coins. Table limits in the 25 table casino pit are some of the lowest in Las Vegas. Games include Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, 3-Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and more. The Race & Sports Book is run by Station Casinos.
They removed live Keno in June 2021. In February 2021 they opened a brand new High Limit room. The very colorful room features a very large photo along a wall of a vintage El Cortez neon sign. Tip: The El Cortez casino has some of the best (if not the best) odds in Las Vegas.
Tip: When gaming in the casino pit you can ask a Pit Boss to get you an ice cold beer. This is the only casino that offers this. They keep the beers on ice in the casino pit. They use the Club Cortez players card. The El Cortez is owned by Kenny Epstein.
The dining options include:
- Beers & Dogs (American)
- Eureka! (American)
- Hot Noods by Chinglish (Asian) [Coming early 2025]
- Siegel’s 1941 (American) Open 24/7 Tip: Great Prime Rib and other specials offered daily.
- Starbucks (American)
- Sushi Ichiban (Japanese)
Three bars/cocktail lounges – the Lobby Bar, the Parlour Bar with live entertainment and Ike’s Bar in the casino to watch sports. Tip: Be sure to look at the displays near the Club Cortez booth to see some Las Vegas history. The casino was remodeled in 2016, 2021 and 2024 and is as “old” Vegas as it gets (in a good way).
Fun Fact: In 1941, the El Cortez was built for $245,000 and was Downtown Las Vegas’ first major resort. Most of the exterior remains in its original 1941 condition. In 2013 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Free valet and self parking for hotel guests and visitors that gamble, dine or shop. See the Club Cortez booth for details. RTC Bus Route: DEUCE
El Cortez Hotel & Casino address: 600 Fremont St, Las Vegas
