“For guys like me, Las Vegas washes away your sins. It’s like a morality car wash.”
If you immediately recognized that quote, you’re likely well versed in the hit movie, “Casino,” that turned Las Vegas into one of Hollywood’s most iconic characters.
Did you know that “Casino” was filmed all around the city of Las Vegas? There were multiple real Vegas properties used to create the fictional Vegas empire depicted in the movie.
From famous Strip landmarks to locations around the valley that helped bring the film’s vision of Sin City to life, The Blast has compiled a few well-known locations seen in the movie that you can still visit today.
This story is part of our weekly series, The Vegas Files. Be sure to head over to The Blast’s social media pages to see a reel that highlights some of the locations in this story.
Anyone who’s ever watched “Casino” can easily recognize the spot the opening car explosion scene was filmed. “Casino” turned Main Street Station into the backdrop for an explosive mob hit and one of the most memorable moments in the movie. The California Hotel & Casino can be spotted in the background.
In the scene, a car is rigged to explode, sending a shocking blast through Downtown Las Vegas. It perfectly captures the movie’s depiction of organized crime in Sin City.
This filming location is still very much recognizable today. While there are slight changes to the doors of the casino, the outside still looks very much the same, so this is a great spot to re-enact the scene (without blowing anything up, of course) for an Instagram-worthy shot.
Neon Lights, Late Nights, ‘Casino’ Vibes: The Peppermill
Another well-known location that you can still visit is the Peppermill.
This is where Ace and Ginger have one of their iconic restaurant scenes. It’s one of the best locations for a modern “Casino” visit because the Peppermill is still open for business and remains looking as it did in the film.
Located on the north end of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, Peppermill is open 24 hours Thursday to Sunday, and from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday.
According to their website, “Our Fireside Lounge isn’t just where you sip a 64-ounce Scorpion cocktail (although that’s a rite of passage). It’s also where ‘Casino’ filmed it’s famous flame-lit scenes with De Niro and Sharon Stone.”
They have also had cameos in “Showgirls,” “CSI Las Vegas,” “The Cotton Club,” and many others.
Jean Dry Lake Is Another Recognizable Location In ‘Casino’
“At night, you couldn’t see the desert that surrounds Las Vegas. But it’s in the desert where lots of the town’s problems are solved.”
Just outside of Vegas, about 30 minutes from the Strip, lies Jean Dry Lake. This desert location away from the hustle and bustle of Sin City has been seen in many films over time.
Jean Dry Lake gives “Casino” one of its most cinematic Vegas backdrops. The desert landscape was used for scenes that needed to feel isolated and far removed from the neon lights of the Strip.
Other movies Jean Dry Lake makes a cameo include “The Hangover,” “Vegas Vacation,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” and many others.
Atomic Liquors: Where Nicky Got Brutal
Atomic Liquors, located in Downtown Las Vegas, is still standing and a place any “Casino” fan can still visit.
This location was used for scenes involving Nicky, played by Joe Pesci. In one infamous scene, Nicky uses a pen to stab a man in the neck and then beats him up inside Atomic Liquors. A nearby garage was also used in the film.
According to the bar’s website, Atomic Liquors is the city’s “first freestanding bar.” It opened in the 1950s and remains a Fremont Street institution. It’s also been featured in other films, such as “The Hangover.”
The Neon Museum Is Another Must Visit Spot On A ‘Casino’ Tour
Another must visit Vegas location on any “Casino” tour is The Neon Museum, also located downtown. Long before it became one of the city’s most photo-worthy hotspots, the collection at The Neon Museum was part of the city’s incredible visual history.
The movie features iconic signs and neon relics of ‘70s and ‘80s Las Vegas. Today, you can see these glowing pieces of Sin City’s history up close and personal, making The Neon Museum a must stop on a “Casino” locations tour.
Also worth noting, a scene in the movie was filmed at the La Concha Motel, whose distinctive lobby was later preserved and relocated to become The Neon Museum’s Visitor Center. The lobby was used in the film for Ace and Ginger’s romantic scene.
