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Las Vegas Highlights of Mid-Century Modern Architecture, Rat Pack History, New and Historic Neon Signs, and Vintage Vacation Kitsch

Mondo Las Vegas:

Circus Circus

702-734-0410
http://www.circuscircus.com
2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109
(On the Strip) Between Desert Inn and Sahara on the west side of the Strip

More about Circus Circus:

Designed and built by Homer J. Rissman of Rissman and Rissman Associates with 1968 towers by Veldon Simpson 2880 Las Vegas Blvd South

Circus Circus was conceived and built by the builder of Caesars Palace, Jay Sarno. Originally, there were flying aerialists that performed above the gambling areas (you can them in action in the James Bond movie Diamonds are Forever), but this was too distracting to the gamblers (and probably made them gamble less), so a 2nd floor arcade area was built where today you can still watch regular performing circus acts. The best place to view them of course is from the famous Horsearound bar.

See the bar in full action in the movie" Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Hunter S. Thompson wrote about the casino, "What the whole hep world would be doing on Saturday night if the Nazis had won the war." It is also featured prominently in the James Bond movie "Diamonds Are Forever" shot shortly after it opened and you can see exactly how the circus acts used to be above the casino floor (they are not now).

The Lucky the Clown pylon sign was designed by Dan Edwards, YESCO in 1976. The porte cochere was added in 1983 by Rudy Crisostomo/Lee Linton.

Don't miss a turn on the Horse-Around Bar.

Listed under:

Special Ratings: See it Sometimes | For Out-of-Towners
Special Hours: Open 24 Hours
Era: 1960s
Categories: Casino | Neon Sign | Backlit Plastic

Circus Circus in Las Vegas Movies:

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Diamonds Are Forever

Images:

Image (c) STRATTON Collection Postcard featuring the original front fountains at Circus Circus Las Vegas	Image (c) M-M Stratton Beautiful ornate chandelier in the porte cochere at Circus Circus Las Vegas	Image (c) STRATTON Collection Postcard featuring front of Circus Circus Las Vegas
Image (c) STRATTON Collection Postcard featuring the original front fountains at Circus Circus Las Vegas	Image (c) M-M Stratton Circus Circus Las Vegas Street side sign with neon clown	Image (c) STRATTON Collection Circus Circus Las Vegas moulded pink swizzle stick
Image (c) STRATTON Collection Matchbook from Circus Circus Las Vegas	Image (c) STRATTON Collection Matchbook from Circus Circus Las Vegas	Image (c) M-M Stratton Ornate gilded Entrance sign to Circus Circus Las Vegas
Image (c) STRATTON Collection Postcard featuring the facade of Circus Circus in RENO, NV