A new first for me: writing a review on a place that is permanently closed. At least the boarded up doors lead me to believe this. As a huge fan of unique establishments and dive bars in particular, I ventured to this part of Las Vegas for the first time ever in hopes of admiring the amazing mid century sign and seeing a great, historically significant drinking establishment. Thankfully the sign is still up but the building is all boarded up. I read an online article dated November of 2014 which talked about the history and the cultural significance of this area. It also talked about how efforts are underway to reopen this place but so far this activity isn’t visible from the outside. I gave 5 stars because I really feel I would’ve enjoyed this it here and I believe that if/when it reopens, I won’t be disappointed. Time will tell.
Adryan F.
Place rating: 3 Las Vegas, NV
I finally made it here. Out of my element doesn’t begin to describe it. Yeah, the two white people do stick out like a greased up naked guy wrestling an imaginary unicorn when wandering into this bar. I read the review by Philippe C. a long time ago and have been intrigued ever since. The lady behind the bar was really cool and tactfully pointed out the obvious by asking«What brought you two in here?» We stayed for a couple drinks, b.s.‘d with the bartender, watched a homeless guy dance to the music playing inside, and checked out the building since this was likely the only time I’ll see this aspect of Las Vegas history. I went to see history and was glad I did. In actuality, the bar is mediocre. But I went on a Sunday after the swap meet, so I what can you expect? As Philippe C mentioned, it would be tragic to lose this part of our history. So if you are compelled to do so, I recommend stopping by. There’s no real reason not to. Side note: there are some really cool church’s around that even I can appreciate and am compelled to go back to.
Philippe C.
Place rating: 5 Las Vegas, NV
From what I’ve heard, many, many years ago there was an area on the Historic Westside(which to most of us nowadays is either known as the wrong side of the tracks or just Northtown) called the«Chocolate Strip.» It was an area on Jackson Ave. inbetween H St. and F St. that consisted of casinos, small hotels, clubs and bars which replicated Fremont and The Strip as blacks were barred from entering any of those hotels/casinos up until the 60’s.(Nevada is called The Mississippi of the West for a reason.) After The Strip and Downtown were desegregated, all of these places lost a large amount of business. My aunt(who has lived here since 1980) told me that several of them were still open when she came down here as they used to be her main hangouts up until the 90’s when they all closed down, all except the New Town Tavern.(Allegedly, several of these old places were converted to… churches. Don’t ask me.) I really hope something can be done to save this place. I personally had never been, but as a black person myself, black history is very important to me. I have had enough of the persistent neglect of the Westside. It’s right outside of the Downtown area. Instead of closing off streets and walling off the neighborhood so it can’t be easily seen or found from the vicinity of Fremont, how about including this area in the downtown redevelopment projects?(And I’m saying this as a huge fan of the downtown revitalization projects) Now while this is the only place left that existed during the heyday of the almost entirely-forgotten Chocolate Strip, I definitely think the former location of the Chocolate Strip(Jackson St. as already stated above) would be the perfect place to centralize any redevelopment of this area. It could become a bustling nightlife, shopping and dining district with historical markers throughout that signify the street’s original significance. And at the center of it all will be the New Town Tavern. As far as I’m concerned it should be added to the National Register of Historic Places. I’m wishing Tarra Jackson the best of luck in this. If she is able to resolve the current issues with the building as well as carry out her renovation plans, then I’m sure that community(both the neighborhood and the people) will finally receive the boost of new life they really need. The Westide; it’s part of Downtown Las Vegas too you know.
