Ellis Island Casino, Hotel & Brewery
Ellis Island Casino, Hotel & Brewery is located on Koval Lane in Las Vegas, one (long) block east of the strip. The venue claims to be “the best kept secret in Las Vegas since 1968.” I agree, as I have been going to Las Vegas since 1982 and never heard of it until 2024. The casino is walking distance from the Horseshoe out the back way down Flamingo Road to Koval Lane, but it is still about 0.5 miles. That half a mile will transport you back in time like Marty McFly.
The Casino
Ellis Island is an absolute blast from the past in Las Vegas. It has low ceilings, but more importantly, low minimums. There are $5 minimum blackjack and craps tables that are filled with Las Vegas locals. We had no trouble getting onto a craps table (and losing) but the blackjack tables looked pretty jammed the night we were there. Total gaming space is 28,500 square feet, about 20% of the larger strip casinos. Ellis Island is reminiscent of the old the Barbary Coast Casino (later Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall and Saloon) which is now The Cromwell.
The staff was friendly and it was a fun place to play (even while losing) at much lower stakes than the typical $15 and up minimums on the strip.
The Restaurants and Brewery
The casino has several options for food, and we opted for The Front Yard, which was built in 2017 and is the newest. It is a two-story indoor/outdoor restaurant in the front with large glass windows with views facing the strip. It also serves beer on tap from the brewery. Food and beer prices are about 20% less than the larger strip hotels and the brisket sandwich I had was very good. I also had the “Little Foot Amber Ale” on tap which hit the spot. The Happy Hour Special brought the cost down to $4 for a pint on tap. There are a variety of specials across the various restaurants, player reward cards and more, including a $9.99 steak special. Like I said, Ellis Island transports you back in time.
The Hotel
We did not stay at the hotel and cannot comment on it. Prices do not appear to be appreciably lower than strip hotels.
Ellis Island Casino, Hotel & Brewery – The Bottom Line
We spent an evening at Ellis Island and had a great time, particularly at the craps table. It was a lot of fun experiencing Las Vegas the way it used to be. I don’t know that we would consider staying there, but we would definitely go there again to have dinner and play at the tables.
See our review of The Linq Promenade in Las Vegas at Linq Promenade.
