Four Queens

History

The Four Queens was developed by Ben Goffstein, the former president of the Riviera hotel-casino. Joe Wells, the father of actress Dawn Wells, was also a partner in the Four Queens. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 16, 1964. The property was expected to open the following year, A drug store and several shops were demolished to make way for the Four Queens. The casino portion opened on June 2, 1966, accompanied by a promotional giveaway with prizes totaling $250,000. The hotel opened on August 12, 1966.

The property is named in reference to Goffstein's four daughters, each considered a variation of the Queen playing card: Faith (the Queen of Hearts), Hope (the Queen of Diamonds), Benita (the Queen of Clubs), and Michele (the Queen of Spades). According to Michele, "My parents were much more excited about it than we were. My father printed business cards for all of us. I was the Queen of Spades because I was the oldest. My mother had cards that said 'Joker' because there were only four queens." Tommy Callahan, initially an executive vice president, became president and general manager upon Goffstein's death. Callahan priced rooms at $10 a night, a practice that remained in effect for at least the next six years.

From 1973 to 2003, the Four Queens was owned by Elsinore Corporation,

Jeanne Hood became the property's president in 1977, following the death of her husband David, who had held the position until that point. At the time, the only other woman in Las Vegas to oversee a gaming property was Claudine Williams at the Holiday Casino. Hood retained her position until 1993. Both women later died in 2009, and are among few who have served as gaming chiefs in Las Vegas.

Multiple unions, representing thousands of resort workers in Las Vegas, went on a year-long strike beginning in 1984. Employees at the Four Queens had been represented by the Culinary Workers Union until 1985, when they voted to decertify the union. It was the last resort still being picketed by striking workers. The Four Queens operated without union representation for the next decade, eventually signing a new contract with Culinary in 1998.

A $5 million renovation was completed in 1995. This coincided with the debut of the Fremont Street Experience, a portion of which runs along the front of the resort. Elsinore filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy later in 1995, and an investment firm – known as Morgens, Waterfall, Vintiadis & Company – obtained 99 percent ownership of the company. A subsidiary of Riviera Holdings took over management of gaming operations, through a contract that expired at the end of 1999. Businessman Allen Paulson was among those who considered a purchase.

In 2002, local businessman Terry Caudill reached an agreement to purchase the Four Queens from Elsinore. The deal was terminated later that year, due to the prospect of an upcoming workers strike. However, union negotiations soon resulted in a new contract. Caudill and Elsinore reopened talks, and the property was sold in 2003, for $20 million. It is owned and operated through Caudill's company, TLC Casino Enterprises. Caudill owned a series of local slot bars, including the Magoo's chain. He said his experience in the locals gaming market would help to revitalize the Four Queens. He soon launched a $20 million, multiyear renovation which concluded in 2007.

The Four Queens was among filming locations for the 2023 television series Obliterated.

Property overview

Hotel and casino

The Four Queens occupies 3.2 acre, mostly leased from various owners. The hotel originally opened with 115 rooms in an eight-story structure. The hotel was designed to easily allow the addition of new rooms at a later point. Construction on a 10-story addition began in 1968, and concluded the following year, bringing the room count to 325. A $26 million renovation and expansion was completed in 1981. It included a second 18-story tower, bringing the room count to 716. The 2007 renovation covered all hotel rooms, a total of 690 at that time.

The Four Queens Arcade, a casino expansion with 105 slot machines and a bar, opened in 1972. Located just east of the existing casino, the expansion opened in what used to be a gift shop known as the 4 Kings Arcade. A $3.5 million expansion was finished in 1976, in time for the property's 10th anniversary. The project enlarged the casino floor and added a new keno lounge.

In 1985, the casino added the world's largest slot machine. Known as the Queen's Machine, it measured 9 feet high, 18 feet long, and 8 feet wide. It supported up to six players simultaneously, and offered a $2 million jackpot. The Nevada Gaming Control Board questioned the odds of anyone ever winning the prize, with board member Guy Hillyer stating, "Statistically, our people felt the chances of hitting the big jackpot were for the next 1,000 years."

In 1996, the casino debuted the world's largest blackjack table. Three years later, it unveiled limited edition chips – featuring newly elected Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman – that soon sold out. Upon coming under Caudill's ownership, the property's 1,040 slot machines were replaced with updated, coinless units. In December 2003, the Four Queens became the first Las Vegas casino to offer Geoff Hall's blackjack variant Blackjack Switch, which later became widely available throughout the area. As of 2017, the casino is 27269 sqft.

File:Four Queens - December 2019 - Sarah Stierch 01.jpg|Casino floor in 2019 File:Four Queens North Tower at night 2022-03-28.jpg|The original northern tower in 2022 File:Four Queens South Tower at night 2022-03-28 192407.jpg|The newer southern tower, also in 2022 File:Four Queens South Tower, SE facade at night 2022-03-28.jpg|The same tower from an alternate angle

Other features

The 1976 renovation included a new restaurant, Hugo's Rotisserie. Later known as Hugo's Cellar, it is a popular gourmet restaurant. Another dining establishment, Chicago Brewing Company, was added with Caudill's $20 million renovation.

Several shops were replaced in 1985, when the Four Queens opened a Ripley's Believe It or Not! attraction, featuring various items of an unusual nature. It closed in 1993, and was converted into convention and meeting space. The space was then transformed into a nightclub, which marked completion of the 2007 renovation. The 10000 sqft Canyon Club was built in partnership with Lance Sterling, who previously launched the House of Blues in Las Vegas. The Canyon Club was added to help reverse a decade-long trend of decreased gaming revenue at downtown casinos, which were losing customers to newer properties on the nearby Las Vegas Strip.

Live entertainment

Monday Night Jazz, a weekly show featuring nationally known jazz performers, was launched at the Four Queens in 1982. It was also broadcast nationally on public radio stations. The show ran for 14 years, eventually ending as a result of Elsinore's bankruptcy. A comedy club, the Fun House, opened in 1997. At the time, it was one of only a few live entertainment venues in the downtown area. La Cage, a drag queen show, had played at the Riviera until 2009. It reopened at the Four Queens in 2011, though without the involvement of its original star Frank Marino. It closed within a year.

Four Queens hosts live performances including Mike Hammer Comedy Magic and Kevin Lepine's Hypnosis Unleashed.

References

References

1. (June 4, 1964). "Ben Goffstein Proposes Downtown Hotel-Casino". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
2. Morrison, Jane Ann. (February 9, 2013). "Woman's royal heritage omitted". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
3. (September 25, 1964). "Wells Will Shift to Downtown". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
4. Wells, Dawn. (February 26, 2014). "Another Daddy Project".
5. (November 19, 1964). "Groundbreaking". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
6. Roske, Ralph J.. (1986). "Las Vegas: A Desert Paradise". Grand Lake Media. LLC.
7. (June 24, 1965). "Lights of Las Vegas". Valley Times.
8. (June 5, 1964). "Hotel-casino Planned in Downtown 'Vegas". Reno Evening Gazette.
9. (May 25, 1966). "'Dream Home' Prize In Four Queens Bow". Citizen News.
10. (June 1, 1966). "The Four Queens: Newest Hotel Open". Citizen News.
11. (June 3, 1966). "Early Birds Jam New Vegas Gaming Spot". San Francisco Examiner.
12. (August 12, 1966). "Four Queens: Vegas Hotel Opens Unit New Rooms". Citizen News.
13. Stutz, Howard. (July 21, 2005). "Four Queens 'designer' Dottie Goffstein dies". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
14. (July 20, 2005). "Philanthropist Goffstein dies at 81". Las Vegas Sun.
15. (August 16, 1967). "B. Goffstein, Hotel Man, Gambler, Dies". Los Angeles Times.
16. (August 17, 1967). "Ben Goffstein, 59, Nevada Hotel Man". The New York Times.
17. Brann, Jim. (August 30, 1972). "Downtown hotel sale wins approval". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
18. (December 15, 1972). "Hyatt Corporation delays Nevada casino purchase". Reno Evening Gazette.
19. (January 10, 1973). "Hyatt to renew effort to get gaming license". Reno Evening Gazette.
20. (December 16, 1978). "Hyatt Corp. stock shift approved". Reno Evening Gazette.
21. (October 11, 1979). "Casino expansion offer clears hurdle". Reno Evening Gazette.
22. (March 3, 1998). "Pioneer casino boss Stump dies". Las Vegas Sun.
23. Knightly, Arnold M.. (August 4, 2009). "Gaming pioneer Jeanne Hood dies". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
24. Smith, John L.. (August 3, 2009). "Female casino 'pioneer' Jeanne Hood dies". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
25. (April 1, 1985). "A year later, Las Vegas strike still isn't over". Record Searchlight.
26. (June 27, 1985). "Hotel workers to take union vote". Reno Gazette-Journal.
27. (July 3, 1985). "Union vote slated at Vegas casino". Reno Gazette-Journal.
28. (July 10, 1985). "Vegas strike ends". The Sacramento Bee.
29. Bach, Lisa Kim. (April 18, 1997). "Culinary union wins Four Queens fight". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
30. (August 13, 1997). "Culinary wins at Four Queens". Las Vegas Sun.
31. Smith, Hubble. (July 21, 1998). "Workers at Four Queens, Riviera ratify contracts". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
32. Noble, Kenneth B.. (April 23, 1995). "Las Vegas Upgrading Dowdy Fremont Street". The New York Times.
33. (November 3, 1995). "Elsinore's creditors want Four Queens". Reno Gazette-Journal.
34. (November 4, 1995). "Fremont bankruptcy". Elko Daily Free Press.
35. "History of Elsinore Corporation".
36. (June 3, 1998). "Morgens denies it had an agreement with Jefferies". The Signal.
37. Simpson, Jeff. (March 11, 2000). "PDS Financial has $30 million deal to acquire Four Queens". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
38. Simpson, Jeff. (April 27, 2000). "Deal off for Four Queens". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
39. (July 3, 2002). "Deal to sell Four Queens terminated". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
40. Wilen, John. (March 24, 1998). "Riviera, Four Queens mum on failed merger". Las Vegas Sun.
41. Strow, David. (March 15, 2002). "Four Queens owner to sell downtown LV property". Las Vegas Sun.
42. Benston, Liz. (July 2, 2002). "Purchase agreement for Four Queens collapses". Las Vegas Sun.
43. (July 25, 2003). "Four Queens sale set to close". Las Vegas Sun.
44. (April 19, 2002). "New Four Queens owner hopes to boost downtown". Las Vegas Sun.
45. Benston, Liz. (May 1, 2003). "Magoo's owner strikes deal for Four Queens". Las Vegas Sun.
46. Green, Steve. (May 5, 2009). "Four Queens files lawsuit against landlord". Las Vegas Sun.
47. Simpson, Jeff. (May 1, 2003). "Magoo's owner offers to buy Four Queens for $20.5 million". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
48. Lawrence, Christopher. (November 27, 2023). "'It was absolutely the gun violence': Netflix series finds trouble filming in LV". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
49. (May 29, 1966). "At Last! The Four Queens Makes It". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
50. (June 25, 1964). "Lights of Las Vegas". Valley Times.
51. (March 23, 1969). "10-Story Four Queens Hotel Addition Half Done". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
52. (May 14, 1972). "Vegas: Zip, Zap, Swing!". The Kansas City Star.
53. (June 21, 1981). "Construction booming at LV casinos". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
54. Hemmersmeier, Sean. (July 15, 2024). "'Gut it and make it fresh': Downtown Las Vegas hotel announces $24M renovation". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
55. (December 28, 1972). "Four Queens Opens New Slot Arcade". Las Vegas Sun.
56. "3rd & Fremont, Las Vegas, May 1967".
57. (September 20, 1985). "Gamers question slot's odds". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
58. (July 20, 1989). "Gaming". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
59. (August 25, 1989). "Four Queens slot machine pays off big". [[Daily Press (California).
60. (November 12, 1995). "Las Vegas Gambles on Its Future By Tearing Down Glitter Gulch". The Salt Lake Tribune.
61. (October 18, 1996). "Blackjack buffet". The Press-Enterprise.
62. Patterson, Joan. (September 5, 1999). "Four Queens gambles, wins with Goodman chip". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
63. Simpson, Jeff. (July 3, 2003). "Control Board OKs Four Queens deal". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
64. (March 25, 2007). "Flashier, fresher look for Four Queens". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
65. ThePOGG. (27 November 2012). "ThePOGG Interviews – Geoff Hall – The creator of Blackjack Switch".
66. (March 6, 2018). "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)". [[Nevada Gaming Control Board]].
67. (June 13, 1976). "4-Queens expansion completed". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
68. Knapp Rinella, Heidi. (February 13, 2009). "Hugo's Cellar". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
69. (February 27, 2019). "Hugo's Cellar". USA Today.
70. Morrison, Jane Ann. (February 1, 1985). "Ripley's comes to LV, believe it or not". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
71. Condon, Susan. (September 27, 1985). "Four Queens mixes odds and oddities". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
72. (October 2, 1985). "Ripley's Believe It Or Not exhibit stumps governor". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
73. (January 17, 1993). "Four Queens converts museum". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
74. Weatherford, Mike. (May 10, 2007). "Venues offer locals more options". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
75. Renzi, David. (August 30, 1996). "Four Queens ends popular jazz series". Las Vegas Sun.
76. (September 12, 2002). "KNPR Donates Jazz Library to UNLV".
77. Delaney, Joe. (September 6, 1996). "Jazz renaissance due to Grant". Las Vegas Sun.
78. (February 23, 1997). "Comedy finds newest home at Four Queens". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
79. (July 25, 1997). "Comedy club provides another reason to venture downtown". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
80. Paskevich, Michael. (June 22, 1997). "Downtown entertainment scene brightens". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
81. Goldberg, Delen. (July 13, 2011). "'An Evening at La Cage' begins again". Las Vegas Sun.
82. Weatherford, Mike. (September 16, 2011). "Old formula gives Four Queens' revived 'La Cage' a classic feel". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
83. Weatherford, Mike. (June 10, 2012). "It's 'Who knew?' deja vu for 'La Cage'". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
84. https://neon.reviewjournal.com/goguide/event-details/kevin-lepine-hypnosis-unleashed--5075/?date=2026-01-30_21-00-00