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Golden Gate Hotel & Casino
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Arts & Entertainment Casinos Hotels, Casinos [Edit]
1 Fremont StLas Vegas, NV 89101
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(702) 385-1906
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
120 reviews for Golden Gate Hotel & Casino
Review Highlights
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"The shrimp cocktail is great too-$3." In 47 reviews -
"the atmosphere is nostalgic with old school decor." In 12 reviews -
"The rooms are small, but if you prefer an older aesthetic..." In 7 reviews
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120 reviews in English
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Review from Michelangelo S.
Seattle, WA
Wow! A Casino that is Eco-Friendly & Environmentally Responsible!
SITREP
There have been a lot of things I've enjoyed about "Downtown Vegas" (aka Old School Vegas) over "The Strip", and that's the real down-to-earth gritty fun that Vegas still inspires here that is not QUITE as touristy (relatively speaking of course!)
SETUP
Downtown Vegas has the charm of what Vegas used to be, and if there is ANY Hotel & Casino complex that evidences better than any, it is The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. Right in the middle of the Fremont Street Experience, the Golden Gate is awesomely positioned to bring you in and make your theirs.
YELP CONNECTION
Now to be honest, I probably would not have found my way to The Golden Gate if it had not been the Yelp-Connection this past weekend with our Yelp Convention. But since Golden Gate was a featured sponsor, this allowed me to come to their establishment and receive some pretty sweet V.I.P. treatment!
CASINO
What an amazing Casino set-up too! What bumps this ground floor up right away is the "Rockin" environment with Go-Go girls dancing interspersed on boxes between the players tables. It really makes for a "high energy" and exciting environment, even just for gawkers like me!
TOUR
But I want to give a special shout-out especially to Golden Gate's stalwart gracious hosts - Steven and Barbara - who treated our Sacramento and Seattle peeps to an amazing time. From the drink specials that we started off first with to the private tour of their upgraded facilities - an incredible set-up taking advantage of geothermal and ecofriendly construction.
This was amazing and I added pictures to this business album so you could see what one of their standard rooms looks like.
THE LOWDOWN
And on that note, I look forward spending my NEXT stay at the Golden Gate when I come visit Las Vegas again!Listed in: Chillin or Burnin It Up -…
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Review from Christy D.
Las Vegas, NV
5/19/2012
I've been going to the Golden Gate for years now for their amazing shrimp cocktails. It's been some time since my last visit and in that time they've renovated and added a whole new bank of rooms. Last night we were on Fremont for the Yelp Night of the Living Neon party and part of our passport was that if we took a tour of the new rooms we would receive a $25 match play. We entered the casino and our group was congregated around a slot machine that a friend of ours was playing. A casino host walked up and I figured for sure he was going to ask us to disperse. Boy was I wrong! He came up got us set up with players card and free shrimp cocktails in the new restaurant. For those of you that don't know there used to be a deli at the back of the casino that has now been removed and replaced by Du-Pars. Even beyond that he gave us each his card and said that when we return in the future to give him a call personally and that he can get us set up with whatever we need and want. Denise the gal that set us up with our players cards was extremely patient and amazing!
Du-Pars was awesome our server was great, the shrimp cocktails are still the same great "all killer no filler" versions and I enjoyed the most amazing piece of strawberry cream cheese pie. Talk about OM NOM NOM's!
Now on to the tour, we walk down to the new hotel check in (which was gorgeous by the way) and wait to be set up. As we're waiting Mr. Steven (the awesome host) came and gave us our match play tokens and waited with us before the tour. To our surprise we were given our tour by the President of Golden Gate hotel. NEVER in my years of visiting/living in vegas have i EVER met someone of that caliber. It was awesome! He gave us a 5 star tour and answered every question we had. He even went so far as to ask us our opinions and received them graciously.
The new rooms are gorgeous and totally worth the money, I will be keeping Golden Gate in mind for future stays on Fremont. The new renovations and decor is on point and the hotel/casino still has that vintage Vegas feel which i'm completely in love with. Great job Golden Gate for bringing your property into the modern day while not losing your roots! -
Review from Sarah B.
4/23/2012
I don't gamble, and I don't really know what I'm doing so my dad took me here to teach me blackjack at a $5 table. The dealers are all go-go dancers in bikinis, and they were generally really helpful and patient with us. Drink service was pretty good too. Unfortunately our girl Victoria was relieved by another dealer who was not at all friendly so we left.
The "famous" $1.99 shrimp cocktail counter is now closed but Du-par's sells them for $3. -
Review from eric k.
Long Beach, CA
5/21/2012
OK, the remodel of the gaming floor area is nice, but to close the shrimp bar was a complete slap in the face of history. Dupars is too busy and expensive to make people feel comfortable just going for a shrimp cocktail.
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Review from R Scott L.
Hatboro, PA
4/8/2012 6 photos
Booked a Sunday night stay November 2011 to squeeze in a night downtown. Wow, this place rocks! There is no better place to kick it old school Vegas than in the oldest hotel and at a sub $25/nt rate with no resort fee.
This place is reminiscent of a shore boarding house with small rooms, tight bathrooms and short entrance ways. Was given a room with a queen bed. Room was nicely renovated with new furnishings and bath lovingly restored. I had a widow that opened to the alleyway. It was pretty quiet but I left the window open and was awoke by the trash collection. It sounded like they were filming a Transformers battle scene until the window was closed.
Staff was friendly and check in/out a breeze. Casino is full of nostalgia as well. Go-Go girl dealers are a nice touch. There was construction going on for a major renovation coming in 2013-14? to include additional gaming and rooms. Parking valet was 1/2 block from check-in, passed the renovation site but a quick walk.
Look forward to staying again once the renovations are completed. -
Review from Rem R.
3/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I come to the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino to go to Du-Pars restaurant. I have gambled from time to time here but not that often.
The last time I was walking through the Casino to use the facilities I saw the Golden Gates new addition which are dancers dancing behind some of the blackjack tables. I am not surreally sure how I feel about this. What I dig about Downtown is that it is Old School Las Vegas and with this new little spin on things I am not sure what type of crowd they are trying to attract. The people like myself who have been coming here for years have been coming here to gamble not to hob-knob with local riff raff and with the new addition of dancers I am sorry you are probably going to attract a caliber of folk that I do not even want to look at let alone be around.
I think these Old School Casinos should stick tot heir bread and butter the serious gambler. Anyone with a good head on their shoulder will be staying at the Golden Nugget and gambling throughout the Freemont, so stick to that base market. I guess I am just Old School like that.
I tend to see behind the beaten path. I tend to see when Casino are adding dancers behind tables you are trying to distract the gambler. They might pay the dancer $10 bucks an hour to dance but the casino is making that back ten fold by people at the table playing Blackjack and hitting when they are not supposed to which throws the whole deck off for everyone else sitting at that table.
I think my days of gambling here are done until this Casino realizes who their target audience is and sticks with it. If this Casinos new target audience is people who want to stare at borderline Strippers than I am sorry I will just go somewhere else.
The Dancers/Strippers will not stop me from having meals here but that money is not going to the Casino and that is the only money this property will see me dish out.Listed in: Old School Vegas!!!!
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Review from Kim W.
3/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
For one of the oldest casinos, this establishment is one of the best in service. The housekeeping did a fantastic job during my stay. They even went as far as to put my "balloon hat" under the covers, waiting for me to return, one day.
Room was kept clean. The guest service representatives were very friendly and helpful with any of my requests (reliable cab services, lost room keys, etc). The bartender, Curly, was top notch.
The casino was kept super clean, even with its vintage decor. They were currently undergoing renovations and I can't wait to go back once it is completed to see what they have done with the place. -
Review from Edwin L.
4/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been to a lot of the downtown Las Vegas Casinos and this one is the most fun (after 6 p.m.). Every day after 6 p.m., they bring out go-go dancing Black Jack dealers. The dealers all rotate between dealing cards and go-go dancing on platforms in the pit. The dealers are also very friendly and helpful to players needing advice on basic strategy. From what I have seen, there advice is 100% solid for basic strategy players. The drink service is excellent and even the Pit Bosses are friendly and helpful. This is definitely my favorite place to play Blackjack downtown.
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Review from Carmen L.
Denton, TX
4/3/2012
My husband usually visits the Golden Gate with his guy friends. He convinced me to leave the strip one night and visit GG! We had the best time! I couldn't lose at the blackjack table. I love the dealer/dancers...they make the whole experience super fun. These girls are smart, beautiful and fun. The pitbosses were also friendly and helpful. The bar service is top notch...I always had a full drink. I'll be back to try the shrimp cocktail!! This place was so much fun...I'd consider staying here next time I come to LV. Kudos to the management of the GG...you have truly created a fun-filled atmosphere!!
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Review from M L.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/27/2012
This is for the famous shrimp cocktail...
Have been going to the GG for shrimp cocktail for years and years. It's always the same... great. The shrimps aren't huge, but this is by far the best cocktail sauce. The perfect combination of cold shrimp, cold sauce, a squeeze of lemon, and some crackers for the dippin'. At $1.99... this is a no brainer. You can't go downtown without going for the Golden Gate shrimp cocktail. And their homemade potato chips are pretty damn good too. Play a little in the pit and the pit bosses will happily give you coupons for the shrimp. ENJOY! -
Review from R P.
Las Vegas, NV
2/11/2012 1 photo
A lot of people are shocked when they find out about my past. Today, I make a lot of money(not trying to brag)and I live my life with integrity and honor. So, it really shocks people when they find out that a few years ago I was a street-urchin who made a dishonest living and lived full-time at the "Golden Gate Hotel". Back in my darker days, the Golden Gate was the best place to live if you were trying to hide your tracks, keep a low profile, yet stay in a safe environment. It used to only cost $17 a night to stay here. The rooms were very clean and comfortable, and there was 24 hour security. I lived in room 412 for weeks at a time before they would force me to check out. This hotel had a policy that you could not spend more than 2 weeks in one room. Usually, I would check out for a day and then recheck in. The front desk staff was always scratching my back on account of me being such a big tipper. They would always put me right back into room 412 where I would have a perfect view of Main Street. Even though my life back then was very difficult and stressful, in my dearest memories I will always remember the hotel as being my first home in Las Vegas.
These days when I return, everything has changed.
I used to go down to the "Bay City Diner" every morning for coffee and breakfast. The bill would usually come out to under $6.00, but now the place is gone and they replaced it with those generic "DuPars" places that you find all over San Diego. Now, the price of coffee is like $100(not literally but you get the idea).
The Shrimp Bar is gone as well. There are no more 99cent Shrimp cocktails anymore. Now they raised the price to $2.00 and you still get the same bad service as you did back when it was 99cents. If they were gonna raise prices, they could have at least made the service better.
The dancing dealers are not hot anymore. I liked it back in the days when they used to only have 5 dancing dealers, but they were all hot. Now, they got like 50, but none of them are much to speak of.
They got this psycho female security guard who talks sh!t on you for every little thing you do. If you are playing blackjack and having fun, whatever you do, don't scream or yell in excitement if you win a big hand because she might come over to you and say: "Tell me I didn't just catch you trying to have a good time? You can't do that here!!" then she might beat you with her nightstick.
I really hate how things change so quickly in Vegas. -
Review from Googleone G.
Pearl City, HI
2/22/2012
Small casino and game floor. But they got dancing dealers and they are sexy. Crap table is always crowded. For spring break before you hit the strip just walk around downtown check out the casino play a few games. However this little casino is the closet you can get to strip casino environment. Lots of noise,and young sexy women dancing, compared to the other downtown casinos. Best thing about this casino is its right on a main road. Gamble if you win/lose, buy a tall mixed 1 littler drink in one of plastic glasses. Then hop in cab with your friends and go to the strip.
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Review from Jade R.
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pressed my luck here. I ended up playing a slot machine which I really don't care for. I was waiting for the fiancé as he was playing on the craps table so I thought...what the heck.
As I was playing the wheel of fortune machine (it had 4 games in one machine...therefore per button press and playing max...you play 12 credits).... I guess I got lucky... I ended up signing up for a players card there as there was a lady walking around to sign you up. She even gives you and extra 5 dollar on your card...and heck why not...you also get a free shrimp cocktail... Lol.
Oh I forgot to add...I ended up losing the money I won and started with...so I pressed my luck on the roulette table that ate me into pieces. :/.
It was fun while it lasted. Lol
Staff there were cool and the cocktail waitresses were often at your table asking if you wanted cocktails....so you would never go thirsty. -
Review from Sasha S.
Las Vegas, NV
2/23/2012
Went here to try one of their shrimp cocktails, last I read it was $1.99 but I guess the price just increased and it is now $2.99. Still a great deal for what you get. Shrimp were fresh, sauce was good and a little spicy. I'm sure they get people all day long who just want the shrimp cocktail so the service was speedy and good. For $2.99 it's worth a stop.
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Review from Norm K.
9/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here today to have breakfast at Du-Pars. It has been years since I've been in this small joint (fondly stated)! There is so much history on the walls with the photographs of San Francisco. But, what I really liked were the local mementos--a replica of an original 1907 Kellogg telephone that was in the Golden Gate when it was the Hotel Nevada and had the telephone number of 1. Near the replica phone is an original guest book for the hotel dated 1906-1908. What a wonderful piece of history! There are some photos also of more modern interest. Check the south wall as you head toward Du-Pars from the table games area and see the photo of Marg Helgenberger when she was on Fremont Street filming CSI.
I have to go back and take some more time to see the photos and enjoy the history of the place. I also need to try their shrimp cocktail just because! -
Review from Bob P.
Clovis, CA
2/11/2012
One of our MUST stop on every trip to Vegas!! Great historical spot. Gambling is more fun here than any spot downtown. Even my 90 year old parents got a kick out of the dancers.
Best shrimp cocktails and bar in town!!
We chose not to stay here. The rooms are turn of the century....and show the wear, so, we stay at the Nugget and party at the GG!! -
Review from T.C. J.
7/18/2011
I just love the Golden Gate. This place is for all of us who think the Strip is a bit too flashy. Its a hole in the wall casino with a couple craps tables, ten or so blackjack tables, and a small section of slots.
At night it gets to be a lot of fun with the cheap limits on the tables and go-go girls. I was here with three friends and we definitely let ourselves get drawn into their game (you know the one where they fake flirt with the customers in order to get you to stick around and drop more money gambling), but didn't mind cause we were having drinks on the house and its Vegas so you should enjoy the cheesy things in life like faux-flirting go-go girls!
The Pit bosses were also very nice and would come around and ask if everything was alright and made sure we were having a good time. -
Review from Arlene A.
1/25/2012 1 photo
This review is not for the hotel but for their famous shrimp cocktails! My fellow yelper Tannille P. introduced this place to me a few years ago while staying in Downtown, Las Vegas. It is the perfect anytime snack or meal. For about $2, you get a glass full of chilled bay shrimp (or big shrimp for $3 if you want) and the most awesome cocktail sauce. It used to only be 99 cents but $2 is still a pretty darn good deal. I remember there used to be an area in the back, kinda like a lunch line, where you could order it. Now, you have to order them at their restaurant Du-Pars. The hotel itself isn't the prettiest, and even looks a bit sketchy, don't let that deter you. Trust me, you won't regret it!
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Review from Derek D.
Stamford, CT
11/28/2011
Awesome location at the beginning of Fremont Street Experience.
I checked in at 5:30pm on a Friday and was given a smoking room instead of the non-smoking room I requested. Not a big deal, but thankfully, the room itself didn't smell all that smoky.
I had room 249 on the second floor...it was literally five steps from the elevator. The room was indeed small, BUT nicely renovated with goodies such as a flat-screen HDTV, comfortable pillow top bedding, and a Keurig coffee maker (they sell the actual K-Cups from the honor basket for about a $1.50 each, not bad!). The room faced Main Street and the Plaza.
I love the hotel key...it's one of the most unique keys I've ever seen...it looks more like a USB drive.
The joint itself is pretty small anyway, so it's pretty easy to get to where you need to be.
Tried the Shrimp Cocktail...not too shabby. Had a couple of them while playing nickel slots with the free play I got by joining the Player's Club.
Oh, and did I mention CHEAP table games? $5 BlackJack that pays 3:2! -
Review from Randy B.
Bargersville, IN
11/14/2011
Very nice room, easy to find, free valet, they extended checkout to 1:00 at no charge.
EXTREMELY LOUD, but when all you need is a place to crash, who cares?! -
Review from Jennifer L.
Havertown, PA
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
NOT A HOTEL REVIEW
The bar is awesome! The drinks are super duper cheap and tasty and the bartenders are on it!
They have awesome go go dancers, ok well some were awesome...not all. So if you don't like to gamble it gives you something to watch and the ones that aren't good dancers are even more entertaining!
Although I didn't get it or try it they have a huge sundae bowl of shrimp cocktail for $3.99. I guess the price varies? I've read $1.99 and $2.99 but I was there on a really busy weekend so that may be the case. I heard it was good though and probably one of the cheapest things you'll buy in Vegas so if you like shrimp go get it!
It is one of the first hotels in Vegas so there's a lot of history there if you are a history buff like I am!
If you are going to Freemont check this place out! -
Review from Jill T.
5/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a huge fan. From my very first trip to Freemont street I've made a point of visiting Golden Gate every time.
Here are few reason:
1.) $5 Blackjack tables with lovely ladies dancing and dealing
2.) The dealers are all VERY friendly (which is sadly not always the case and when they're not nice I typically lose money- call me superstitious but that's how it's always worked out for me).
3.) The music is good!
4.) The beers are CHEAP
5.) The staff is surprisingly consistent.
Allow me to elaborate on #5- I take quick trips to Vegas a few times a year. Each trip I've made in the past 2 years- since discovering Golden Gate- the same people have been working. What's even better- they remembered my fiance and I every time we've gone back. It gives Golden Gate that extra something that most places in Vegas lack- familiarity. They made us feel extremely welcome, and for that we keep coming back! Also- we've been pretty lucky here, that may have a lot to do with our visits!
Don't expect the glitz and glamor you see on the strip. This place is far from that, but that's what makes it so charming. It's old school Vegas at its finest, and I absolutely love this place!Listed in: Best Happy Hour, My Favorite Gambling…
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Review from Alby P.
Los Angeles, CA
9/22/2011
We love the Golden Gate.
If you're looking for high energy Vegas,, not for you.
Rooms are dated and shopworn but very clean and nice "old 'Vegas,, we love them.
The Dupars is excellent with great staff and food.
The property is old Vegas with a nice vibe.
Employees always super.
Property is going through a small expansion to give needed space to the check-in area, and a few suites but it shouldn't hurt the cool feeling ya get when ya hang out.
The piano player is no more, and missed by all.
It really gave this place some fine character and a unique energy and the management just doesn't want to hear that. -
Review from Marquette N.
San Diego, CA
7/19/2011
5 + Stars for the Golden Gate. By far, my favorite casino to gamble at downtown.
This is an intermate casino offering less than twenty tables.
It is on the older side and you just know it belongs to old school Las Vegas.
I spent 5 hours here playing blackjack. I started at 3PM and finished around 8. The dealers change over around 6 to dancer/dealers in very little clothing. I will say aside from the clothing they were all friendly, helpful and down to make sure all had a good time.
The cocktail waitresses make the rounds oftened enough that your never wanting a drink (although I suggest you order bottled beer as I know the liquor is water down like no one's business).
They also have a great little deli in back with 99 shrimp cocktail and really great sandwiches.
Love you golden gate!!! -
Review from John B.
7/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
We chose to stay here for one night on a Tuesday because we got a midweek deal of $20. We were only going to be in town for about 12 hours before heading out to the Grand Canyon and didn't really care about the condition of our hotel.
That said, this hotel really surprised me! In a good way!
It is located at one end of the huge video screen above Fremont Street. If you are wanting to stay in the heart of old downtown, you can't beat it. And I recommend one night on Fremont Street to anyone visiting Vegas.
Negatives:
1. This is a pretty decent bus/cab trip away from the strip. Do not stay here is you expect to spend most of your time there.
2. General atmosphere of the hotel is that it is a little aged, but in a cool way... kind of like your 90 year old uncle that still tells dirty jokes and ogles the waitress.
3. If you get a room overlooking Fremont Street, you will get a great view of the video screen and anything going on below. BUT, remember this is Vegas and there will be noisy partying going on outside of your window until 3am.
Positives:
1. The rooms have been recently remodeled with brand-new furnishings and are huge! The bathrooms are only ok. But overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the room.
2. Location on Fremont Street. No more than 5 minute walk to any of the decadence of Vegas.
3. Parking- Must valet, but it is free as long as you are staying in the hotel.
4. Du-Par's Diner- There is the snack bar (where the cheap shrimp are) and the diner inside the casino. Diner is 24-hour and has fantastic food!Listed in: Fill 3 Days In Vegas Without…
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Review from Sam D.
Los Angeles, CA
5/16/2011
This review and rating pertains only to DuPar's Deli in the rear of the casino. Apparently DuPar's now operates all the food service at the Golden Gate Casino. The snack bar had long been famous for its 99¢ shrimp cocktails. A couple years ago the price went to $1.99. It's a decent size shrimp cocktail served in a glass sundae cup with a tangy seafood cocktail sauce. The shrimps are small and bland to the point of being almost tasteless. But then, how can you complain much when you're paying only two bucks?
The shrimp cocktail is certainly the big draw here but the snack bar, now Dupar's Deli, does have more to offer including a small selection of sandwiches. So I wander in after midnight when most of the decent eateries are closed and order a coned beef sandwich on rye. I see the deli guy at the counter take a clump of cold, pre -sliced corned beef and drop it into a small vat of heated water. Now everyone knows that if you put any cured meat into hot water, the flavor is leached away and diluted into the water. I should have just walked away but I was hungry and didn't want to search for another place to eat. Then I see the deli guy slabbing some mustard on the rye bread and I tell him to go lightly. That doesn't stop him from inundating the bread with more mustard.
Finally, he asks me what I want to drink. I tell him '"water, just a glass of plain tap water". He then tells me that local health department rules prevent them from serving tap water to customers because of contamination and pollution issues. That's why they can only offer bottled water. I respond by telling him that nearly every other restaurant in the city serves plain tap water to their customers upon request. And besides, I'm sure if the local water supply was contaminated, they wouldn't be permitted to use it for cooking, dishwashing or any other culinary purpose. He shrugged his shoulders and told me, "I'm just an employee here. That's what they tell me to say."
For $8 the sandwich was crap, Just like the line of crap from the deli clerk. It's really my own fault for not walking away when I saw the amateurish way they prepared the sandwich. But there is no excuse for a business that instructs its employees to lie to the customers.
I've stayed here, dined and gambled here in the past. But this time, Golden Gate, you really left a sour taste in my mouth. -
Review from Lance T.
Monterey Park, CA
1/26/2011
New image, new attitude = success!
Believe it. The oldest hotel in Downtown LV is also the most happening! I have not seen or stayed the rooms, so this is based on the casino alone.
Go-go dancers shaking their money makers on poles in the casino. Check.
$2 shrimp cocktail - voted one of the Best Values in LV. check.
Management dressing like prohibition gangsters with hats. check.
Cheap drinks and low limit tables. check.
If you want to gamble and drink in Downtown Las Vegas, this is the place to be at. -
Review from tim b.
Cedar Park, TX
6/27/2011
This is a review of the casino only - i didnt stay at the hotel.
Crew and pitboss were very friendly and accomodating. I came here specifically for the inexpensive cost of entry for many of the table games and then got on one of the hottest rolls I have had in Vegas.
You will need to enjoy old school vegas to appreciate the charm.
I will definately come back the next time I am in town. -
Review from Derek B.
12/5/2011
I absolutely fucking loved this place. Didn't stay at the hotel but visited the Casino on a few of our trips down to Fremont street. Awesome, laid-back, casual vibe (as has been stated before, serious gamblers should probably look elsewhere). Loved the cheaper tables, the dealers were extremely friends (as well as easy on the eyes), probably my favorite casino visited on the entire trip (rating adjusted appropriately for amount of alcohol in my system at time of visit).
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Review from ANTHONY R.
Crestline, CA
3/22/2011
If you like paper thin walls, then this is your place! If you like nasty breakfasts that can't even do eggs and hashbrowns right, then dive on in! (Their restaurant used to be AWESOME until they leased it out to DuPar's. DuPar's is a slip shod tourist-trap slop house prevalent in Los Angeles, and they brought their crappy recipes across the Cal-Nev border. It's too bad because the coffee shop in the Golden Gate used to be one of those "where the locals go to eat")
Really pay attention to this warning about the paper thin walls, because the hotel is directly adjacent to the FREMONT EXPERIENCE, which has live bands playing good music out in the street throughout the night ('til 2 a.m. on Saturday!) Well guess what? You're going to basically be in the front row for every concert if you choose to stay there. I exaggerate not, you can CLEARLY hear the music in the hallways; let alone the room.
The people were very friendly, the rooms were clean and re-done pretty well; and that, along with no major health violations is what saved this place from being a 1-star.
If you're like me and cheap as hell, then just go two blocks down, and there's 4-5 hotels with the same price, and much better rooms.
Remember that the Golden Gate is in downtown Las Vegas, and not the strip. I don't mind the fact that downtown is a bit seedy; as opposed to the glamour and glitzy lights down at the strip. I just want rooms that can block out the noise. Lucky for me no one was "doing the do" in the rooms next door, or I might have had to pay a cover charge for the audio show! I did hear numerous conversations though, and they were clear as a bell.
There's "quaint", there's "rustic", there's "character", but the Golden Gate hotel hasn't any of these qualities....It's just old and outdated with wafer thin walls. Avoid this. There are TONS of other hotels nearby with the same price, and better walls. -
Review from Shelby N.
Huntington Beach, CA
3/25/2011
I have recently become a fan of staying in Down town las vegas.
I'ts cheaper and now im 30ish something I don't need the strip so much any more.
But this place I love! The $1.99 cent shrimp cocktail cant be beat! It's supper yummy, and I got the bowl of split pea and that was great too!
The line moves fast and prices are cheap. The casino part is kinda run down, some of the people are scary here, and they don't have my game pai gow poker, but what ever I still like it and love the history of it being the first casino. -
Review from Ken M.
Las Vegas, NV
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of the older, vintage casinos at the Northwest end of the Fremont Street Experience. The interior design is subdued, with a consistent San Francisco theme. Eating in the coffee shop indeed reminded me of one in San Francisco. There are plenty of black and white photos of the Golden Gate Bridge in its earliest days. There are a couple of go-go dancers with little skirts dancing behind the gaming tables, but not the top notch talent you would find on The Strip. The entrance to the casino, facing Fremont Street, has a new daiquiri bar.
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Review from Daniel F.
Tulsa, OK
8/16/2011
I was there from August 6th to 9th.
Good points - Nice antique atmosphere, the hotel still looks vintage 1905, but with a few modern amenities.
Located right on Fremont street, the Experience is right out the front door.
The room was clean, with plenty of towels and toiletries.
Everyone was praising the shrimp cocktail that was being offered for $1.99
Bad points - The walls are very thin, so one can hear every note, and intonation that is happening down at the Experience.
Every morning, my room would fill with cigarette smoke from my neighbors.
The room was very small, and only had a full sized bed. Noting that I am 6'4", my feet hung over the end of the bed.
There was no desk available in the room. I was supposed to right some reports, after work, and there was nothing to put my laptop on.
The TV only had about 10 channels, and some of those are Spanish speaking only.
The water pressure in the shower was horrible, barely more than a trickle, with both valves full open.
The water temperature in the shower varied widely quickly, any time anyone in the whole hotel flushed their toilet, the shower temperature went really hot, and then quickly really cold.
The curtains did not close well, and left a noticeable gap, that would let in a lot of sunshine. Note, I was working third shift (11 PM to about 3 AM), so I was trying to sleep during the day.
The A.C. in the room was way underpowered, the room was very warm during the afternoon (early August), room only comfortable in early mornings.
There is a charge to use Wireless internet in the rooms. -
Review from Tom R.
Whittier, CA
10/25/2011
If you have simple tastes and aren't all about the material lifestyle then look no further than the Golden Gate. Now this is a personal favorite of mine if staying in downtown. I've stayed here many times when I had Tuesday and Wednesday nights off. The prices are under 30 bucks a night and the rooms have been remodeled. The beds are easily the best in downtown and they even have a flat screen in every room.
If you like good food 24hrs a day they have a deli that makes great sandwiches, nachos, shrimp cocktails, etc.
The casino is super small but in a good way. Everyone is very friendly, the tables are cheap, and the bar is the highlight of the casino. It has a couple very large TVs that are great for watching the game. I think the addition of the dancers for the late night scene seems kind of overboard for a place like this. All in all I love the Golden Gate but I still am very reluctant to recommend this place because not everyone has my same taste.
**Warning**- The room and bathroom are nice but are super small!!!
Example- The bathroom door can't close if you are already on the toilet..LOL...Don't ask!!Listed in: Hotels
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Review from Dania R.
Rosamond, CA
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best tail in town. $1.99 shrimp cocktail. Do it.
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Review from Adri S.
Chicago, IL
1/8/2011
This hotel is amazing for the price- $19.65! You can't beat that deal! It's clean and cozy. The rooms are kinda small but definitely worth $19.65. Highly recommend this hotel- it has no bells and whistles meaning a gym or pool but if you ate looking for a great cheap clean room- Definitely check this place out!
The shrimp cocktail is great too-$3!
There are dancers that ate dealers that look like strippers...cheesy but entertaining! -
Review from B. C.
Birmingham, AL
11/24/2011
Very fun place to play blackjack. The (nighttime) dealers are gorgeous young women. They wear go-go outfits, which amount to not much, and take turns dancing on platforms behind the tables.
Word of warning: If you're a serious gambler, go elsewhere. These women are not hired for their math skills.
Did not stay there, so I can't speak for the hotel. -
Review from Ryan C.
5/4/2010
The air is thick in this hotel. I'm not talking about smoke.
You walk in and the warm, rich wood everywhere make you feel comfortable right away, but there is a feeling in the air.
It is a familiar feeling, even though you may have never been here before.
It's the feeling of nostalgia.
It's the feeling of class.
It's the feeling of old Vegas.
...and it's really my style of place.
The building has been here since before just about anything else in Vegas -- 1906, so the strange familiarity and comfort start a creative soul to fantasize of sordid misadventures held here in a past life, perhaps a roaring 20's soiree or a post-WWII survival celebration.
The rooms themselves, although remodeled with modern conveniences like LG LCD tv and iPod doc alarm clock, are still thick enough with that ether-substance of the psyche of more than a century of guests that one can forget about the present time and get swank with the ghosts in the room. (Sadly, I never saw any real ghosts)
Crank open the lock on the windows and actually open them up to let the 'fresh' downtonwn air into your room!
Check out the hand-tiled bathroom and instantly transport yourself to your gramma's tourqoise powder room to draw yourself a bath from separate hot and cold cross-handled faucet turns.
As long as you're coming alone or as a couple, and not trying to share a room with 3-4+ people, the only real drawback I can see is that if you're a person of large mass or width, there may be a tight squeeze in that bathtub or even on the toilet, with your arm pressing up against the wall.
There was a bit of the Freemont Music coming in the room, but that doesn't go forever, and wasn't an issue at all. A request for a room on the opposite side of the building helps a lot.
For a ton of class, nostalgia, convenience, and value, Golden Gate in downtown Vegas is going to be tough to beat, and I'm surely going back again. Maybe someday if I'm ever a homeless ghost, this would be my ideal place to squat. I could make sure no one else was disappointed by not seeing ghosts here! -
Review from Augusta S.
Costa Mesa, CA
3/24/2009
Shrimp Cocktail anyone?
The oldest casino on Freemont St. is my go to place when I wanna play some chips and last weekend was no exception.
What I love most about the downtown casinos, and the Gate in particular, is that nostalgia is abundant as you walk the floors... it's easy to envision Vegas Past... it was the early heyday of these casinos when mobsters were runnin' the glitz and glam show... and it was just that back in the day... glitzy and full of glamour...
The downtown casinos offer more bang for your gambling buck...as most have low limit tables... I must've played roulette on the same $10 bill for at least an hour... and equally so (if not longer) at the blackjack table... I gamble for fun, not for sport... so this suits me perfectly...
And of course, when at the Golden Gate... ya gotta have the shrimp cocktail. For $2 (or free if you make nice with the pit boss) you get a dessert dish filled to the brim with scrimps and just a dollop of cocktail sauce. It hits the spot when the drinks are flowing and has been a Vegas tradition for 50 yrs.Listed in: traveling...traveling, Sin City
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Review from Brad B.
Hayward, CA
6/5/2008
Barbary Coast had more of a SF pier area feel to it. They renovated Golden Gate a few years ago and about all that they now have in common with The City is they're name. And $1.99 shrimp cocktail.
No Bridge ....NO FUCKING BRIDGE!!!. Can they do that? Isn't their some law against calling yourself the "Golden Gate" when you don't have a stinking bridge. It's like the center of the Fremont street universe. And the blackjack dealer with the weird goiter on his neck owes me $400.00 for being such a gross distraction. Here's the deal with Fremont St. The interior of every casino is just like the next one.
