Wikipedia

Ellis Island Casino & Brewery

The Ellis Island Casino & Brewery is located near the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It was opened by Frank Ellis in 1968, originally as a bar and restaurant called the Village Pub. It was renamed Ellis Island in 1985, and a casino was added four years later. Gary Ellis took over the property in 1990, and it remains a family business in contrast to most Las Vegas casinos.

Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
Ellis Island exterior in 2016
Location Paradise, Nevada
Address 4178 Koval Lane
Opening date1968; 56 years ago (1968)
No. of rooms301
Total gaming space10,506 sq ft (976.0 m2)
Notable restaurantsVillage Pub & Cafe
Ellis Island BBQ
The Front Yard
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerGary Ellis
Previous namesVillage Pub
Renovated in1997, 2019
Coordinates36°06′46″N 115°09′48″W / 36.1127°N 115.1632°W / 36.1127; -115.1632
Websiteellisislandcasino.com

Ellis Island includes 10,506 sq ft (976.0 m2) of gaming space, as well as several restaurants. It is popular among locals for its cheap food and karaoke bar. In 2014, Ellis Island purchased an adjacent Super 8 hotel, which opened in 1989. The hotel was rebranded under the Ellis Island name, giving the property 301 rooms. A brewery was part of the Ellis Island property from 1998 to 2022, and was demolished for additional casino space.

History

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Ellis Island began as a bar and restaurant known as the Village Pub, opened by Frank Ellis in 1968.[1][2] He operated it as part of his new Village Square shopping center,[3] both located along Koval Lane, one block east of the Las Vegas Strip.[4][5]

The Village Pub was renamed Ellis Island in 1985.[6][7] An unaffiliated Super 8 motel opened just south of Ellis Island in early 1989,[8] and eventually became part of the latter.[4] With 300 rooms, it ranked as the largest Super 8 in the world at the time of its opening.[8]

Ellis Island opened a casino on October 1, 1989.[9] Gary Ellis, son of Frank, took over the casino operations a year later.[10] Various family members have since taken on roles at the property, which remains a family business in contrast to most Las Vegas casinos.[11][12] The Village Pub brand was revived in the 1990s, when the family began opening a chain of restaurant bars around the Las Vegas Valley under the name.[1][13]

On September 19, 1997, Ellis Island opened a large portion of a $12 million renovation and expansion, which doubled its slot machine count to 410 and introduced table games by adding six blackjack tables.[7] The expansion also added a parking garage and additional dining space.[14]

Ellis Island agreed in 2004 to manage and take joint ownership of the nearby Tuscany Suites and Casino, which had struggled to attract customers in its first year.[15] The agreement fell apart when Tuscany officials allegedly backed out.[16] Later that year, Ellis Island signed on to the planned 46-story Aqua Blue condo-hotel project, which would replace the adjacent Super 8 motel. Ellis Island would manage the Aqua Blue casino, and would itself be renovated to match the new tower.[17] However, the Aqua Blue project was cancelled in 2005, due in part to rising construction costs.[18]

In 2014, Ellis Island bought the three-story Super 8 motel, which was rebranded under the casino's name and features 301 rooms. A $20 million hotel renovation was underway in 2017.[4][19][20] That year, work also began on a two-story restaurant and entertainment venue known as the Front Yard, located on the property's northwest corner along Koval Lane. Opened in 2019, it includes a beer garden and capacity for nearly 300 people.[4][21][22] Other restaurants include the main Village Pub & Cafe, as well as Ellis Island BBQ and Metro Pizza.[23][24][25] The casino has 10,506 sq ft (976.0 m2) of gaming space.[26]

Ellis Island is popular among locals,[27] especially people who work on the Las Vegas Strip.[15] The property is known for its cheap food,[1][2][28][29][30] its karaoke bar,[2][31][32][33] and its gaming rewards program.[28] It also offers a popular eggnog, which includes alcohol among its ingredients.[33][34][35] It is made from a family recipe and has been sold to the public since 2002.[36][37] The casino produces 5,000 bottles a year as of 2020.[38]

A portion of Koval Lane, including Ellis Island, is featured as part of the track for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, an annual racing event.[39] After the inaugural 2023 race, the property filed a lawsuit alleging monetary damage. The suit claimed that the race, as well as the months-long setup period, impeded access to Ellis Island. In addition to Grand Prix, the property also named Clark County and the state of Nevada as defendants, seeking more than $50,000 in damages.[40][41][42]

A $35 million expansion of the casino floor began in 2024. The project will include rooftop event space, as well as renovations to the Village Pub restaurant and the karaoke lounge.[43][44]

Brewery

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Ellis Island brewery
 
OpenedAugust 1998
Closed2022
Annual production volume3,345 US beer barrels (3,925 hL) (as of 2009)
Inactive beers
Name Type
Premium Lager Lager
Premium Light Low-alcohol Lager
Pale Ale Lager
Blonde Lager
Draught Lager
Lager (Blue) Lager
Bitter (Red) Bitter Lager
Stout Stout
Bright Lager
First Harvest Special Ale

In August 1998,[45] Ellis Island established a brewery on the premise and tasked brewmaster Joe Pickett with brewing a variety of beers for the casino's restaurants.[46] Regular brews include Lager, Light Lager, Amber Ale, India Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, Stout and Root Beer, as well as seasonal specials.[47]

With 3345 barrels produced in 2009, Ellis Island was the largest brewpub in the Mountain West region (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming).[48] In 2018, the brewhouse capacity was doubled[49] and two new brewmasters, Eddie Leal and Michael Key, were hired to run the brewing business.[50]

In December 2018, Ellis Island established Silver Reef Brewing Company in St. George, Utah, adding annual capacity of up to 10,000 barrels to the brewing business.[51] In 2022, the on-site brewery in Las Vegas was dismantled,[52] and the structure was demolished two years later for the casino's expansion.[43] Micro-brew production continues at the Silver Reef facility, which provides supply to Ellis Island.[52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c White, Ken (March 3, 2004). "Ellis Island features inexpensive food and original family recipes". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 17, 2005.
  2. ^ a b c Wilson, Dave (29 March 2008). "Ellis Island steak special still packs 'em in". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Frank Ellis Jr. obituary". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 25 October 2024. Additionally, in 1968, he developed and operated the Village Square Shopping Center, including the original Village Pub, on Koval Lane.
  4. ^ a b c d Prince, Todd (6 July 2017). "Ellis Island starts work on $10M dining, entertainment venue". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  5. ^ Wagner, Kyle (11 March 2008). "Las Vegas: For Him". Denver Post. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  6. ^ "The Village Pub will soon undergo a name change". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 1 November 1985. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b Berns, Dave (22 September 1997). "Ellis Island doubles slots, adds blackjack". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 9 November 1999.
  8. ^ a b Caruso, Monica (15 December 1988). "Largest Super 8 Motel to open in LV". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Gaming notes". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 26 December 1989. Retrieved 25 October 2024. While Ellis Island Restaurant (formerly The Village Pub) has been in Las Vegas for over 21 years, the casino portion has only been operational since Oct. 1.
  10. ^ "Board recommends Ellis gaming license". Reno Gazette-Journal. 11 October 1990. Retrieved 25 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Horwath, Bryan (3 June 2019). "Vintage Vegas: Ellis Island's 90-year-old pit boss has seen it all". VegasInc. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  12. ^ Moon Reed, C. (30 September 2021). "Ellis Island GM Christina Ellis on the challenges and joys of growing up in a restaurant family". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  13. ^ Adams, Mark (8 October 2015). "Ellis Island's Village Pub empire hits that friendly neighborhood-bar sweet spot". Las Vegas Weekly. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Ellis Island casino expands". Las Vegas Sun. 19 September 1997. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Ellis Island, Tuscany in deal". Las Vegas Sun. 12 April 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  16. ^ Benston, Liz (26 August 2004). "Ellis Island Plans Condo-Hotel". Casino City Times. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  17. ^ Benston, Liz (17 January 2005). "High-Rise Developer Brings Strengths to Vegas". Casino City Times. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  18. ^ Smith, Hubble (30 June 2005). "Plans to build 46-story condominium hotel canceled". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  19. ^ Clifford-Cruz, Rebecca (4 December 2017). "Working in family business is 'a dream come true'". VegasInc. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Ellis Island Hotel, Casino and Brewery Taps Agilysys to Upgrade Its Technology Capabilities |". 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  21. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (5 November 2019). "Ellis Island's Front Yard to serve favorites, highlight beers". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  22. ^ Mancini, Al (3 December 2019). "The Front Yard at Ellis Island casino opens its doors". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  23. ^ Roeben, Scott (1 July 2014). "Ellis Island Casino Serves Up Lots of Surprises". Casino.org. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  24. ^ Radke, Brock (25 August 2020). "Ellis Island gets boost from hockey crowd at Front Yard beer garden". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  25. ^ Kachelriess, Rob; Rupersburg, Nicole (11 October 2021). "The Absolute Best Pizza in Las Vegas". Thrillist. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  26. ^ "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)". Nevada Gaming Control Board. 6 March 2018. p. 4. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018.
  27. ^ Gilbertson, Dawn (9 March 2017). "Best of the West: Las Vegas and southern Nevada". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  28. ^ a b Peterson, Lucas (17 February 2016). "Vegas on the Cheap? Get Off the Strip". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Uncover Dining Secrets In Vegas At Mr. Lucky's Or Ellis Island". The Tampa Tribune. July 27, 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Meeks, Terrisa (13 June 2022). "Restaurants with the Best Value in Las Vegas". USA Today. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  31. ^ Przybys, John (15 August 2000). "Bursting Into Song". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 20 June 2001.
  32. ^ Ross, McKenna (August 24, 2023). "Competitive karaoke? Barroom belters step up entertainment at Vegas contest". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  33. ^ a b Feldberg, Sarah (20 December 2011). "At Ellis Island, the eggnog recipe runs in the family". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  34. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (29 November 2017). "Ellis Island brews strong Holiday Nog for 15th year". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Eggnog variations across America". USA Today. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  36. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (15 December 2004). "Taste of the Town: Time again for Ellis Island eggnog". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 8 March 2005.
  37. ^ "Ellis Island's Holiday Nog celebrates 20 years in Las Vegas". KSNV. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  38. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (19 November 2020). "Brandy, rum and bourbon, oh my; it's Ellis Island's Holiday Nog". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  39. ^ Brewer, Ray (3 September 2023). "Off-Strip casino Ellis Island finds itself in the middle of the Las Vegas Grand Prix". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  40. ^ Akers, Mick (20 May 2024). "Ellis Island targets Las Vegas Grand Prix in lawsuit". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  41. ^ Akers, Mick (21 May 2024). "Las Vegas Grand Prix damages in 'millions,' Ellis Island attorney claims". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  42. ^ Ross, McKenna (5 September 2024). "Court hears Las Vegas casino's case seeking damages against F1". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  43. ^ a b Ross, McKenna (9 April 2024). "Off-Strip hotel-casino launches expansion". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  44. ^ Danzis, David (18 October 2024). "Off-Strip casino getting $35M expansion, renovation as it sues F1". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  45. ^ Smith, Hubble (24 August 1998). "Eclectic lagers and entertainment help microbreweries thrive". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 15 September 2000.
  46. ^ "Joe Pickett, Brewmaster at Ellis Island Casino and Brewery Las Vegas » Vegas Mavens". vegasmavens.com. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  47. ^ Evans, Pat (2018-12-10). Nevada Beer: An Intoxicating History. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4396-6596-1.
  48. ^ Hieronymus, Stan (May 2010). "Brewpubs: Bucking the Trend" (PDF). Brewers Association. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  49. ^ "Nevada Beer Nuggets – The Latest News In Nevada Brews". Celebrator Beer News. 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  50. ^ "The Ladder: Ellis Island brewing up new plans". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  51. ^ DeForest, J. J. "From grain to glass: new brewery brings craft beer to St. George". The Spectrum & Daily News. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  52. ^ a b Roeben, Scott. "Ellis Island Closes Brewery, More Changes in the Works". Casino.org. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
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