Las Vegas’ El Cortez marks 85 years by embracing its storied past, drawing new guests

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An Old Fashioned, some red lipstick and a black dress…sigh, there’s just something undeniable about a good ol’ classic. The beloved Vegas showgirl may be an endangered species these days (insert tear), but “VEGAS! THE SHOW” preserved those feather-clad beauties and the likes of an era when everything was flashier and dripping with sophistication. What’s that you ask? Can a show filled with gorgeous and talented women a la Rat Pack era really exist in the here and now? Oh yes my friend, it sure can and all we have to say is raise that curtain and let the good times roll. With a little song, a lot of dance and that certain sultry allure that only old timey Vegas could pull off, this is a trip down memory lane and, well, it’s pretty legit. The costumes are fun, funky, sexy and so real. Ok, well maybe not the candy-themed costumes but hell, their Sammy Davis Jr. sure had us pining for an autograph. For a city that was built on pure, raw talent and obviously dolla dolla bills, this show celebrates iconic moments from the city's rich entertainment history through the decades that made the Vegas we know and love today. And we’ll tip our top hats to that.

RockSinCity

Published Nov 11, 2026

The El Cortez Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas marked its 85th birthday with a weekend of parties for employees, guests and VIPs, celebrating a property that has outlasted decades of change in a city known for tearing down its past.

The El Cortez is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is drawing new generations of visitors by leaning into its history while updating the experience. Owner, CEO and Chairman Kenny Epstein, who is also 85, tied his own milestone to the property’s longevity.

“Well, I would have started by saying this place was built in 1941, and so was I. So we're both 85,” Epstein said.

MORE: https://news3lv.com/news/local/las-vegas-el-cortez-marks-85-years-by-embracing-its-storied-past-drawing-new-guests
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