Neonopolis Explained

Neonopolis is a shopping center in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. Located on Fremont Street at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard, the 250000square feet complex features a mix of restaurants, entertainment venues, and shops. In keeping with the complex's name, it contains three miles of neon lights.^[1]

History

Plans for Neonopolis were announced in December 1997.^[2] It opened on May 3, 2002.^[3]

In 2006, Prudential Real Estate sold Neonopolis to a development group led by Rohit Joshi for $25 million.^[4] Joshi undertook an abortive rebranding of the center as Fremont Square, but ultimately the Neonopolis name was retained.^{[5] [6] [7]} After temporarily closing in 2010 for redevelopment, Neonopolis underwent renovations in 2011 and reopened with new tenants.

Current tenants

• Axehole ― An axe throwing range, opened in 2017.^[8]
• Cat's Meow ― A 10000square feet karaoke club located on the second floor, opened in 2019. It is the second location of a popular, long-established club in New Orleans.^[9]
• Denny's ― A 6400square feet flagship location for the diner chain, featuring a wedding chapel. Opened in 2012.^{[10] [11]}
• Dick's Last Resort — A chain restaurant known for its intentionally obnoxious waitstaff. Opened in 2021 in the former Jillian's space.^{[12] [13]}
• Don't Tell Mama ― A piano bar located on the mall's ground floor. It moved to Neonopolis in 2019 from its previous location on Fremont East.^[14]
• Fat Tuesday ― A frozen daiquiri shop, opened in 2020.^{[15] [16]}
• Gene Woods Racing Experience ― An indoor go-kart track, opened in 2019.^[17]
• Heart Attack Grill ― A hamburger restaurant, known for its medical theme and for offering the world's highest-calorie burger, opened in 2011.^{[18] [19]}
• International Eatery ― A food court with three outlets, opened in 2013 in the ground-floor former Luna Rossa Ristorante space, by HIG Management, a major operator of mall eateries.^{[20] [21]}
• Little Neon Wedding Chapel ― A wedding chapel opened in 2016.^[22]
• The Nerd ― A nightclub and bowling alley themed around comic books and video games, opened in 2017 in the second-floor former Drink & Drag space.^{[23] [24]}
• Notoriety ― An entertainment venue and lounge, with several rooms hosting concerts, comedy nights, and other events.^{[25] [26]} Opened in 2019, in the former movie theater space on the third floor.
• Substance — a warehouse-themed nightclub opening in July 2024.^[27]
• Toy Shack ― A seller of vintage collectible toys. It moved to the shopping center in 2011 to capitalize on visitors familiar with its owner's frequent appearances on the television series Pawn Stars.^{[28] [29]}
• Ultimate Sports Cards & Memorabilia ― A sports memorabilia shop, which moved to Neonopolis in 2012, like the Toy Shack, because of its owner's appearances on Pawn Stars.^{[30] [31]}

Previous tenants

• Banger Brewing ― A 3000square feet pub and microbrewery, opened in 2013 on the ground floor.^{[32] [33]} Closed in 2023.^[34]
• Cannabition ― A marijuana-themed museum, opened in 2018.^[35] Among the exhibits was Bongzilla,^[36] billed as the world's largest bong.^[37] Closed in 2019.^[38]
• Del Prado Jewelers ― A jewelry store that moved to the second floor of Neonopolis in 2006.^{[39] [40]} Closed in 2021.^[41]
• Drink and Drag ― A bowling alley and drag club, opened in 2012.^[42] Closed in 2013 because of legal and financial issues.^[43]
• Evapor8 ― An e-cigarette shop, opened in 2013.^[44]
• Fremont Arcade ― A video arcade, opened in 2016 on the ground floor.^{[45] [46]}
• Galaxy Theatres ― An 11-screen movie theater. Opened in 2002 as Crown Theatres, the center's original anchor tenant, with 14 screens. Later reduced to 11 screens, and then taken over by Galaxy in 2006.^[47] Closed in 2009.^{[48] [49]}
• House of Selfies ― An "Instagram museum", opened in 2019.^{[50] [51]}
• Jillian's ― A two-story restaurant, bar, and entertainment complex. Opened in 2002 as one of the complex's anchor tenants.^[52] Closed in 2008.^[53]
• Krave Massive ― A gay nightclub, sister property of Drink and Drag, moved to the former Galaxy movie theater space from its previous location on the Las Vegas Strip in June 2013.^[54] It was planned to be the largest gay club in the world, but never fully opened.^[55] Closed after several months because of a tax dispute.
• Las Vegas Rocks Cafe ― A restaurant and lounge themed around the history of Las Vegas. Opened in 2009 in the former Jillian's space.^{[56] [57]} Closed in 2011.^[58]
• Metropolitan Gallery of Las Vegas ― An art museum and gallery. Previously named the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art, it moved to Neonopolis in 2008.^{[59] [60] [61]} The name was changed in 2017.^[62]
• Millennial Esports ― A 15000square feet venue for competitive video gaming, opened in 2017 on the third floor.^{[63] [64]}
• Poker Dome ― A studio for nationally televised poker events. Opened in 2006 on the third floor, in space previously occupied by three of the movie theaters.^[65] Closed in 2007.^[66]
• Southern Nevada Center for the Arts ― An arts center providing studio and gallery space for local artists.^[67] Opened in 2009 and closed later that year.^{[68] [69]}
• Telemundo ― KBLR, the Las Vegas affiliate of the Spanish-language television network, moved its studios to a 17500square feet space on the third floor in 2009.^{[70] [71]}

External links

• • Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2007-05-10 . Neonopolis by any other name still has smell of disaster . 2024-06-21 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . en-US.
2. News: Downtown retail complex in works, officials say. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Mike. Zapler. December 18, 1997. NewsBank.
3. News: Long-awaited Neonopolis opens in downtown Vegas. Las Vegas Sun. Diana. Sahagun. May 3, 2002. 2018-06-14.
4. News: Downtown project still in bad shape. Las Vegas Sun. December 14, 2006. 2018-06-15.
5. News: Old woes but a new moniker. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Benjamin. Spillman. May 3, 2007. NewsBank.
6. News: TV studio, nightclub considered for mall. Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 9, 2008. NewsBank.
7. News: Neonopolis in waiting. Downtown View. Las Vegas. Kristi. Jourdan. March 22, 2011. NewsBank.
8. News: Ax-throwing attraction opens at Neonoplis in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Wade Tyler. Millward. September 29, 2017. 2018-08-02.
9. News: Cat's Meow aims to hit all the right notes in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Jason. Bracelin. July 18, 2019. 2019-07-20.
10. News: Marriage on Denny's menu. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Chris. Sieroty. November 30, 2012. NewsBank.
11. News: One-of-a-kind Denny's to call Neonopolis home. Las Vegas Sun. Conor. Shine. August 4, 2012. 2018-06-14.
12. News: Once a last resort, Neonopolis buoyed by new business. Las Vegas Review-Journal. John Katsilometes. January 19, 2021. 2023-05-27.
13. News: Dick's Last Resort grand opening in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Sun. May 13, 2021. 2023-05-27.
14. News: Earth Wind & Fire fired up for Las Vegas Strip series. Las Vegas Review-Journal. John. Katsilometes. March 20, 2019. 2019-03-21.
15. News: Fat Tuesday's Grand Opening at Neonopolis. Las Vegas Sun. March 11, 2020. 2020-08-26.
16. News: Fat Tuesday frozen daiquiri chain opens at Neonopolis. KLAS-TV. Eric. Jungblut. March 9, 2020. 2020-08-26.
17. News: Indoor go-kart racing opens at Neonopolis in downtown Las Vegas. KSNV-TV. Cody. Miller. August 14, 2019. 2020-08-26.
18. News: Downtown Joe: Death knocking at door of Heart Attack Grill's unofficial spokesman. Las Vegas Sun. Joe. Schoenmann. February 8, 2013. 2018-06-14.
19. News: Heart Attack Grill put to test as patron suffers heart attack. Las Vegas Sun. Jackie. Valley. February 15, 2012. 2018-06-14.
20. News: Food court giant snaps up space next to SlotZilla. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Alan. Snel. May 5, 2014. 2018-06-14.
21. News: Joe Downtown: Food court's success raising hopes for Neonopolis' owner. Vegas Inc.. Joe. Schoenmann. January 23, 2014. 2018-06-14.
22. News: Neon Chapel opens at Neonopolis in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 5, 2016. 2018-06-13.
23. News: Downtown Las Vegas nightclub, The Nerd, aims for 'anti-club atmosphere'. Las Vegas Review-Journal. F. Andrew. Taylor. April 11, 2017. 2018-06-13.
24. News: Downtown's Nerd nightclub beckons geeks (and everyone else). Las Vegas Weekly. Mike. Prevatt. April 6, 2017. 2018-06-13.
25. News: With bar closures, entertainment again stops at Notoriety in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Sun. Brock. Radke. July 11, 2020. 2020-08-26.
26. News: Downtown Las Vegas venue puts toe in the livestream. Las Vegas Review-Journal. John. Katsilometes. May 3, 2020. 2020-08-26.
27. Bain . Katie . 2024-06-06 . New Las Vegas Nightclub, Substance, Set To Open Next Month . 2024-06-21 . Billboard . en-US.
28. News: Downtown Las Vegas toy store shoots for the stars. Vegas Inc.. Aida. Ahmed. September 26, 2011. 2018-06-13.
29. News: At Toy Shack in Neonopolis, every day's a playdate. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Joanna. Haugen. July 15, 2012. 2018-06-13.
30. News: Businesses scramble for share of 'Pawn Stars' fame. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Caitlin. McGarry. August 22, 2012. 2018-06-13.
31. News: Action News at 6PM. KTNV-TV. December 4, 2012. NewsBank.
32. News: Banger Brewing, downtown beer boys. Las Vegas Weekly. Mark. Adams. January 9, 2014. 2018-06-13.
33. News: Longtime friends team up to open brewery in Neonopolis. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Nolan. Lister. May 20, 2013. 2018-06-13.
34. News: Banger Brewing to close its doors in downtown Las Vegas. KVVU-TV. Caitlin Lilly. March 29, 2023. 2023-05-27.
35. News: Cannabition: World's first interactive marijuana museum opens in Las Vegas. The Independent. London. Helen. Coffey. September 21, 2018. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cannabis-museum-cannabition-las-vegas-marijuana-drugs-bong-attraction-a8548671.html . 2022-06-18 . subscription . live. 2018-09-22.
36. Web site: Vegas' salute to the cannabis culture: A 24-foot-long, fully functional bong. . 31 August 2018.
37. News: Cannabis museum in Las Vegas gives sneak peek, will open in September. Las Vegas Sun. Mick. Akers. August 30, 2018. 2018-09-22.
38. cannabition. B0brTuZhbQ8. Cannabition 1.0 is now closed.. July 27, 2019.
39. News: John Katsilometes checks on an old pal at Neonopolis before saying farewell. Las Vegas Sun. John. Katsilometes. May 10, 2007. 2018-06-14.
40. News: The Neverending Story. Las Vegas Weekly. John. Katsilometes. July 3, 2007. 2018-06-14.
41. News: Family jewelry store, a fixture at Neonopolis, makes shift to online sales. Las Vegas Sun. Arleigh Rodgers. January 1, 2022. 2022-01-02.
42. News: Drink and Drag offers bowling, drag queens on Fremont Street. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Caitlin. McGarry. May 4, 2012. 2018-06-13.
43. News: Troubled Las Vegas nightclubs denied licenses. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Benjamin. Spillman. October 2, 2013. 2018-06-13.
44. News: Joe Downtown: Businesses breathing life into Neonopolis. Las Vegas Sun. Joe. Schoenmann. August 8, 2013. 2018-06-13.
45. News: Entrepreneurs turn arcade nostalgia into growing business in Las Vegas Valley. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Alexander S.. Corey. October 15, 2016. 2018-06-13.
46. News: Owner sees brighter days ahead for Neonopolis in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Blake. Apgar. July 30, 2016. 2018-06-13.
47. News: Neonopolis looks to Galaxy Theaters for new energy. Las Vegas Business Press. Arnold M.. Knightly. October 23, 2006. NewsBank.
48. News: Neonopolis theaters to go dark Thursday night. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Carol. Cling. May 6, 2009. 2018-06-14.
49. News: A grand slam. Las Vegas CityLife. Amy. Kingsley. June 30, 2011. NewsBank.
50. News: A new way to experience all Las Vegas has to offer in a selfie. KSNV-TV. Heather. Mills. June 21, 2019. 2020-08-26.
51. News: Why do Instagram playgrounds keep calling themselves museums?. Bloomberg CityLab. Karen. Loew. October 16, 2019. 2020-08-26.
52. News: Observers hopeful about new downtown attraction. Las Vegas Sun. Erica D.. Johnson. October 15, 2002. NewsBank.
53. News: Two versions of Jillian's demise, from man, wife . Las Vegas Sun. Sam. Skolnik. December 9, 2008. 2018-06-14.
54. News: State closes troubled Krave Massive. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Benjamin. Spillman. August 31, 2013. 2018-06-13.
55. News: Krave to reopen at former Utopia site on Strip. Las Vegas Weekly. Mike. Prevatt. October 18, 2013. 2018-06-13.
56. News: Las Vegas Rocks. Downtown View. Amanda. Llewellyn. December 29, 2009. NewsBank.
57. News: Venues take on new look. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Mike. Weatherford. January 28, 2010. NewsBank.
58. News: Las Vegas Rocks Cafe closes at Neonopolis, and we're surprised ... why, exactly?. Las Vegas Sun. John. Katsilometes. February 15, 2011. 2018-08-20.
59. Web site: About Us. Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art. 2018-06-13.
60. News: Under one roof. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Sonya. Padgett. February 26, 2009. NewsBank.
61. News: Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art. Las Vegas CityLife. Jarret. Keene. October 27, 2008. NewsBank.
62. News: The Metropolitan Gallery of Las Vegas Art Museum. Las Vegas Woman. August 23, 2017. 2018-06-13.
63. News: Esports arena debuts on Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Brooke. Wanser. March 3, 2017. 2018-06-13.
64. News: E-sports enthusiasts get boost with Neonopolis arena. Las Vegas Sun. Mick. Akers. February 22, 2017. 2018-06-13.
65. News: At this Vegas dome, it's 'poker on steroids'. Daily News of Los Angeles. Tom. Hoffarth. July 30, 2006. NewsBank.
66. News: Neonopolis takes another hit as Poker Dome opts to fold. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Benjamin. Spillman. June 16, 2007. NewsBank.
67. News: Studio brings artists together in an unlikely place: Neonopolis. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Sonya Padgett. February 26, 2009. 2022-01-02.
68. News: Southern Nevada arts center moves downtown. Las Vegas Sun. Mary Manning. January 26, 2009. 2022-01-02.
69. News: Neonopolis Art Center: Gone, but maybe not forever. Las Vegas Weekly. June 11, 2009. Danielle Kelly. 2022-01-02.
70. News: Star Trek and Telemundo make for strange bedfellows. Las Vegas Sun. Mark. Hansel. February 6, 2009. 2018-06-13.
71. News: Nowhere Man. Vegas Seven. Sean. DeFrank. October 6, 2011. 2018-06-13.