Movies can often colour our perception of what certain places are like in reality. Take Las Vegas, for example. If you’ve never been, you’ll likely have picked up your impression of the place from a smattering of movies, such as Rain Man, The Hangover, Casino, and others. Even more recent movies tend to be beholden to a classic version of Vegas that no longer exists. Yes, you can still catch a glimpse of the old-school Rat-Pack-esque Las Vegas should you look around, but the truth is that the city is changing.
It’s noticeable in the attire of casino patrons. For all intents and purposes, there are no dress codes in the high-end casinos. You may encounter some house rules, such as no tank tops or flip-flops, which is only truly a deterrent for young people wandering in from the daytime pool parties, and there might be specific rules for private tables for high-stakes players. But by and large, you’re much more likely to meet someone dressed in shorts and a t-shirt than someone in a Bond-style tuxedo.
Old-world Vegas still exists
It is, of course, something of a pity. There are certain spots in Vegas that still cling to the old-world charm of the mid-20th century. For instance, Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse near the Golden Nugget is staffed with tuxedoed waiters, often older guys who would not look out of place in a Humphrey Bogart movie. Yet, these spots are becoming few and far between. Talk to the majority of passengers on the plane when heading to Harry Reid International Airport, and they’ll tell you they are going for the pool parties, huge nightclubs, and NFL games.
That said, it’s understandable that Vegas is changing. The casino economy is diversifying and becoming less important overall. In the past, Americans had to travel to Vegas to play games of chance, but the Supreme Court changed that in 2018, with many states choosing to legalise casino and sports betting. The online gaming world is also a challenge. Today, you can play with live dealers online whenever you want. Moreover, many of the world’s most popular slots, such as Muertos Multiplier Megaways , are found in digital platforms, not in rows of machines at the Bellagio or Venetian.
The point, as such, is that Vegas entertainment has evolved to be more Gen-Z-orientated. Logically, it makes financial sense. A casino nightclub can charge several thousand dollars for bottle service at a table, selling a bottle of vodka for several times the price it would fetch in an ordinary bar. The profit made could easily outstrip what is made per head at a casino. Those young adults attending the clubs and pool parties don’t want formal dresses and suits; they want casual wear.
Gen-Z-friendly door policies are common
Indeed, it is suggestive to us that the global tourist spot that Vegas most wants to emulate is Ibiza. It is basically unfashionable to dress up for the superclubs based on the Balearic Island, with patrons mostly wearing something akin to beachwear, and you get a sense that the same culture is taking hold in Las Vegas. As mentioned, some casinos won’t let you in when wearing this kind of get-up, but it is becoming more and more lax.
We would, however, point out that there’s a bit more of a rules culture in the nightclubs, which encourage men to wear something approaching formal – chinos and shirts most often – and openly discourage any sports clothing or beachwear. Yet, we’ve found that this, too, is growing more lax. You’d have to be unlucky for a bouncer to take umbrage with your Nike trainers or Paul Smith t-shirt.
Of course, one of the things that tourists love about Vegas is that anything goes. No, we don’t mean the hedonism of Sin City, but the sense that you can wear what you want and not be judged for it. So, by all means get dressed up for a night at the gaming tables, and don’t be worried about what anyone else is thinking. Despite all the changes in the city, you can still rock that elegant style and feel great about yourself.