I'm planning a trip in mid January with my gf. We have a kitschy aesthetic. We love Elvis, old school jazz and big band. She's 35 and I'm 43. We love new stuff too but we really dig the old school rat pack vibe. Downtown seems to have a good amount of that kind of thing. We're planning to visit Peppermill, Franks Tiki, and Mob museum among others. We're staying at Venetian (4 nights) but it really looks like downtown is more in line with our vibe than the strip. We're from NYC. I've been to Vegas once; it'll be her first time. My last visit was a solo trip mostly played poker and ate buffets and Peppermill about 5 years ago. Any recs with that in mind?

Pampelmousse Restaurant on Sahara near the Stratosphere.

Golden Steer Steakhouse (also on Sahara).

My first dinners at both were in the 1970's.

Old school indeed, they have not changed.

Too bad the Rosewood Grill is closed, I would have suggested that too.

Hugo's Cellar at Four Queens.

My guess is you would much prefer downtown. By that I mean just east of Fremont Experience. Lots of cool bars in that area as well as the Container Park. You also should check out the Arts district when you are in town. Some cool bars in that area. As far as old school restaurants, no idea regarding that but a quick google search should be helpful.

IMO there really isnt much of old Vegas left. It died when the mob left. So it's kinda like asking for an early 80's LES experience.

Get beat up by three goons behind Caesars Palace for accidentally bumping into some made guy's girlfriend.

you might like the neon museum. they have the old signs and some other LV relics from the past there. it's not too far from the mob museum so you could make a day of that.

https://www.neonmuseum.org/

Or just go behind Flamingo at 3AM and get beat up.

Gotta go see The Rat Pack Is Back. I think it's at the Tuscany now. One of the very best Vegas shows I've ever seen.

El Cortez is obviously a must.

Thunderbird Lounge south of Charleston on LVB. I could totally see the Rat Pack hanging out here after a show, back in the day.

Of course, it's been 10+ years since I've been in it, so it might be different, now.

The bad thing about downtown is the freak show. There was never a freak show in the old days.

No, it was when the Stardust was blown up. And to a lesser degree, the Riviera.

There wasn't a Crystal Meth epidemic in the old days either.

Golden Steer is a good choice.

You might try The Bootlegger, which is south on the Strip. Not saying it is gourmet quality, but it is Old School and Las Vegas.

The Bonanza Gift Shop @ Sahara & the Strip is a must, a monument to Kitschy Las Vegas. (You already know the Peppermill.)

Gamblers General Store 800 So. Main.

I haven't been to Piero's on Convention Center Dr in a long time, but that's Old School.

Little Chapel of the West ?

El Sombrero, 807 South Main.

Downtown Henderson casinos, pick Eldorado for a kitschy breakfast buffet

(I've had business or lived here since 1971; a lot of Old School is gone, "Pappa Gar's, Binions Steakhouse, the Stardust, the Las Vegas Club, the Silver Slipper, Jubilation", but overall the quality of restaurants in greatly improved.)

RIP Stardust

Wayne Newton is appearing at Ballys these days

Forgot about Piero's.

Definitely old Las Vegas.

"Second Story" is gone, too - the best souffle in town.

And "The Flame". The site is now part of a flood control channel, I think.

Oooh! Oooh! Oooh! This is definitely on my list!

Any good Elvis tribute acts?

I will check out that Rat Pack Show! And neon museum! And shooting dice at the El Cortez!

Good recs! Thanks folks!

You may as well throw in Carrot Top, at the Luxor.

Not as Old School as Rip Taylor, whose act he basically copied, but he also has been onstage for a long time.

The Plaza, check out the old wooden train cars, Main Street Station, California (Redwood Grill is good food at a good price), Golden Gate (built in 1903) Binion's. El Cortez is true old Vegas vibe.

2nd this

Kitschy old school Vegas is what this is show is all about

Going there Monday night. Looks like the kind of place my parents would have liked. I'm old.

MM MD

+1 for Piero's.

Yes, but you must also mix in Main Street casino!

Some of my best "back in the day" memories are at the Golden Nugget.

Unlike the Desert Inn, Stardust, Frontier, etc. It is still standing.

Main Street Station isn't really kitschy, but I do really love it. I usually stay there. It's view is more Gilded Era than lounge.