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| name = Flamingo Las Vegas
| logo = FlamingoLogo.svg
| image = FlamingohotelyayFlamingo Las Vegas at night.jpg
| caption = Flamingo Las Vegas in 20052017, advertising [[Donny Osmond|Donny]] and [[Marie Osmond]]'s show at the resort.
| address = 3555 South [[Las Vegas Boulevard]]
| location = [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.
| pushpin_map = United States Las Vegas Strip#Nevada
| date_opened = {{Start date and age|1946|12|26}}
| theme = [[Art Deco]]<br>[[Miami]]
| rooms = 3,460
| space_gaming = {{Convert|72299|sqft|abbr = on}}
| shows = [[Piff the Magic Dragon]]<br>[[RuPaul's Drag Race Live!]]<br>[[Wayne Newton]]<br>X Burlesque
| attractions = Wildlife habitat
| notable_restaurants = Bugsy & Meyer's Steakhouse<br>Club Cappuccino<br>[[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville]]<br>Nook Express(2003–2024)
| casino_type = Land-based
| owner = [[Eldorado Resorts|Caesars Entertainment]]
| architect =Richard Stadelman (1946)<br>Max Horowitz (1952)<br>[[Martin Stern Jr.]] (1967)<br>Rissman & Rissman (1977)
| architect =
| names_pre = The Fabulous Flamingo (1947–1974)<br>Flamingo [[Hilton Hotels & Resorts|Hilton]] Las Vegas (1974–20001971–2001){{efn|name=Names}}
| renovations = 1953, 1967, 19741978, 19771980, 19821988, 1990, 19931995, 20042001, 20092004, 20142012, 2018
| coordinates = {{Coord|36|6|58|N|115|10|14|W|type:landmark_region:US-NV|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{URL|caesars.com/flamingo-las-vegas}}
}}
 
'''Flamingo Las Vegas''' (formerly '''The Fabulous Flamingo''' andthe '''Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas'''{{efn|name=Names}}) is a [[casino hotel]] on the [[Las Vegas Strip]] in [[Paradise, Nevada]]. It is owned and operated by [[Caesars Entertainment]]. (2020)The Flamingo includes a {{convert|Caesars72299|sqft|abbr=on}} Entertainment]]casino and a 28-story hotel with 3,460 rooms.
 
The resort was originally proposed by [[Billy Wilkerson]], founder of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', who purchased the land in 1945. Early the following year, he partnered with a trio of mobsters to obtain financing. Among his partners was [[Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel]], who proceeded to take over the $1 million project, to Wilkerson's dismay. Construction costs rose under Siegel's management, with a final price of $6 million.
The property includes a {{convert|72,299|sqft|m2|adj=on}} casino along with 3,460&nbsp;hotel rooms. The architectural theme is reminiscent of the [[Art Deco]] and [[Streamline Moderne]] style of [[Miami]] and [[South Beach]]. Staying true to its theme and name, the hotel includes a garden courtyard which serves as a wildlife habitat for [[flamingo]]s. The hotel was the third resort to open on the Strip and remains the oldest resort on the Strip in operation today, and it has been since 2007 with the closure and demolition of [[New Frontier Hotel and Casino|The New Frontier]]. It is also the last remaining casino on the strip that opened before 1950 that is still in operation. The Flamingo has a [[Las Vegas Monorail]] station called the [[Flamingo & Caesars Palace station]] at the rear of the property. After opening in 1946, it has undergone a number of ownership changes.
 
The Flamingo's casino opened on December 26, 1946, followed by a three-story hotel on March 1, 1947. It is the oldest continuously operating resort on the Strip, and was the third to open there. Siegel was killed by an unknown shooter in June 1947, and numerous ownership changes would take place in the years to come.
 
[[Hilton Hotels Corporation]] bought the resort in the early 1970s, and renamed it the Flamingo Hilton, a name it would retain until 2001. The first 28-story addition was completed in 1978, and others would follow over the next two decades, with the final one finished in 1995.
 
The three-story hotel, the last remaining structure from the original Flamingo, was demolished in 1993, helping make way for the final high-rise addition. A portion of this property was also redeveloped as a new {{convert|15|acre|abbr=on|sing=on}} pool area, accompanied by an animal habitat which includes flamingos. The resort has hosted numerous entertainers, including an 11-year residency for musical duo [[Donny Osmond|Donny]] and [[Marie Osmond]] that concluded in 2019.
 
==History==
===Land background and hotel design (19451944–45)===
The Flamingo site occupies {{convert|40|acres|ha|0}}property originally owned by one of Las Vegas's first settlers, [[Charles Pember Squires|Charles "Pops" Squires]]. SquiresIn paid1944, Margaret Folsom bought his {{convert|8.7540|$/acreacres|abbr=on|sing=on}} tract for $7,500.<ref>{{cite news |title=Close to Quarter Million Dollar Realty Sales in Vegas Area Told |url=https:/ha/reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22%20Close%20to%20Quarter%20Million%20Dollar%20Realty%20Sales%20in%20Vegas%20Area%20Told%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Evening Review-Journal |date=November 18, 1944 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite fornews the|last=Evans land|first=K.J. |title=C.P. Squires |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/c-p-squires/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 7, 1999}}</ref> In 19441945, Margaretshe Folsomopened boughtand briefly operated a small motel on part of the tractland, known as Rancho Aloha.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rancho Aloha Open for $7Trade |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22%20Rancho%20Aloha%20Open%20for%20Trade%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 27,500 from1945 Squires|access-date=January 11, and2024 she|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref thenname=Shadow/> laterLater that year, Folsom sold it{{convert|33|acre|ha}} of the land to [[William Wilkerson|Billy Wilkerson]],<ref name=Sheds>{{cite news |last=Przybys |first=John |title=New Mob Museum display sheds light on Flamingo hotel history |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/arts-culture/new-mob-museum-display-sheds-light-on-flamingo-hotel-history-2220556/ Wilkerson|access-date=January was10, the2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Seduced/> ownerfounder of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''. asHe wellalso as someowned verythree popular nightclubs on the [[Sunset Strip]]: [[Trocadero (Los Angeles)|Cafe Trocadero]], [[Ciro's]], and La Rue's (Hollywood)LaRue.<ref>{{cite book |last1last = Lewis |first1first = Jon |title = Hard-Boiled Hollywood: Crime and Punishment in Postwar Los Angeles |date = 2017 |publisher = University of California Press |page = 70 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=76owDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA70 |isbn = 9780520284326 }}</ref>
 
Wilkerson was a heavy gambler and a frequent visitor to Las Vegas.<ref name=Dreaming/> He bought the land from Folsom for $84,000; the high asking price had been the subject of dispute during negotiations.<ref name=Seduced/> Rancho Aloha was demolished to help make way for a new casino resort planned by Wilkerson.<ref name=Shadow/>
In 1945, Wilkerson purchased {{convert|33|acres|ha}} on the east side of [[U.S. Route 91]], or about a half mile south of the [[Hotel Last Frontier]], in preparation for his vision. Wilkerson then hired George Vernon Russell to design a hotel influenced by European style. The [[El Rancho Vegas]] and [[New Frontier Hotel and Casino|The Last Frontier]] were full service hotel casinos, and already open on what would become known as [[The Las Vegas Strip]]. Wilkerson also requested that the new 'Flamingo' hotel be different from the smaller "sawdust joints" on Fremont Street. He planned a hotel with luxurious rooms, a spa, a health club, a showroom, a golf course, a nightclub, an upscale restaurant and a French-style casino. Because of high wartime material costs, Wilkerson ran into financial problems almost at once, finding himself $400,000 short and hunting for new financing.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
 
===Development under Bugsy Siegel ownership (19451946–47)===
[[File:Flamingo1aBugsy Siegel with his attorneys (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|left|[[Bugsy Siegel's original Flamingo Las Vegas]] in 19471944]]
Wilkerson lacked the money to finance the resort project on his own.<ref name=Bernstein/><ref>{{cite news |last=Manning |first=Mary |title=Desert highway turned destination |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/15/desert-highway-turned-destination/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 15, 2008}}</ref> In February 1946, he received a $1 million check from G. Harry Rothberg, in exchange for a two-thirds interest in the project for his mobster partners. They included [[Moe Sedway]], [[Gus Greenbaum]], and another individual Wilkerson would meet in March 1946: [[Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel]]. The trio were already involved in the [[El Cortez (Las Vegas)|El Cortez]] hotel-casino in [[downtown Las Vegas]].<ref name="Shnayerson">{{cite book |last=Shnayerson |first=Michael |author-link= |title=Bugsy Siegel: The Dark Side of the American Dream |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lg0UEAAAQBAJ |date=2021 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |location= |publisher=Yale University Press |pages=116–135 |isbn=978-0-300-22619-5}}</ref>
In late 1945, mobster [[Bugsy Siegel]] and his [[American Mafia|partners]] came to Las Vegas. Vegas reportedly piqued Siegel and his mob's interest because of its legalized gambling and off-track betting. At the time, Siegel held a large interest in Trans America Wire, a racing publication.<ref name="Moe">{{cite book |last = Moe |first = Al W. |title = Nevada's Golden Age of Gambling |publisher = Create Space |year = 2012 |page = 26 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EOGPMQEACAAJ&q=nevada%27s+golden+age+of+gambling |isbn = 9781479352654 }}</ref>
 
Construction on Wilkerson's resort project was underway by March 1946,<ref>{{cite news |title=Million Dollar Resort Underway In Las Vegas |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Million%20Dollar%20Resort%20Underway%20In%20Las%20Vegas%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Evening Review-Journal |date=March 19, 1946 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas Permits Near Million |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149805084/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=March 26, 1946 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> shortly after the end of [[World War II]]. That month, the [[War Production Board|Civilian Production Administration]] issued a freeze order that prohibited new construction without its approval. This was done to conserve construction materials for veteran housing, although Siegel successfully argued that the hotel project had already begun construction prior to the order.<ref>{{cite book |last=Burbank |first=Jeff |title=Las Vegas Babylon: The True Tales of Glitter, Glamour, and Greed |date=2008 |publisher=M. Evans |isbn=978-1-4616-6308-9 |pages=69–71 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IfKkR0eOE5oC&pg=PA70 |access-date=January 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name=Shadow/>
Siegel began in 1941 by purchasing, with partners, shares in the [[El Cortez (Las Vegas)|El Cortez]] on [[Fremont Street]] for $600,000. His expansion plans were hampered by unfriendly city officials aware of his criminal background, so Siegel began looking for a site outside the city limits.<ref name="McCracken">{{cite book |last = McCracken |first = Robert D. |title = Las Vegas: the great American playground |publisher = University of Nevada Press |year = 1997 |page = 60 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vnV2tPNbK6QC |isbn = 9780874173017 }}</ref> Hearing that Wilkerson was seeking extra funding, Siegel and his partners posed as businessmen and directly bought a two-thirds stake in the project.<ref name="McCracken" />
 
A few months after joining the project, Siegel made himself the on-site boss. With approval from mobster [[Meyer Lansky]], an off-the-books financier, Siegel created the Nevada Projects Corporation.<ref name="Shnayerson"/> The company was formalized in July 1946,<ref name=Shadow/> with the intent of building a resort to Siegel's specifications.<ref name="Shnayerson"/> Wilkerson was dismayed by this, and his relationship with Siegel soon deteriorated.<ref name=Gangster/>
Siegel took over the final phases of construction and convinced more of his underworld associates, such as [[Meyer Lansky]], to invest in the project. Siegel reportedly lost patience with the project's rising costs, and he once mentioned to his builder, [[Del Webb]], that he had personally killed 16 men. Reportedly, when Webb appeared scared upon hearing that, Siegel reassured him, "Don't worry—we only kill each other."<ref>The Green Felt Jungle</ref>
 
Originally planned as a $1 million resort, the project costs increased to $6 million due to mismanagement by Siegel.<ref name=Photo/><ref name=Baby/><ref name=Shnayerson/> In addition to Lansky, Siegel would receive loans from other mafia figures such as [[Frank Costello]].<ref name=Baby/><ref>{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Tom |title=Video Vault {{!}} Profile of a mobster and his ties to Las Vegas |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/video-vault-frank-costello-organized-crime-las-vegas |work=KSNV |date=July 11, 2018}}</ref> The resort was built by [[Del Webb Construction]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Del Webb helped establish Vegas while making mark on pro sports |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/mar/16/del-webb-helped-establish-vegas-while-making-mark-/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 16, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hopkins |first=A.D. |title=Del E. Webb |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/del-e-webb/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 7, 1999}}</ref> The company's construction managers had a difficult time getting their pay, which prompted owner [[Del Webb]] to nervously ask Siegel for the money himself at one point. Siegel, in response, said, "You'll get paid, don't worry about it. We (mobsters) only kill each other."<ref>{{cite news |last=Hyman |first=Harold |title=Builder Del E. Webb Dies |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1974/jul/05/builder-del-e-webb-dies/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 5, 1974}}</ref>
Siegel had also built a secret ladder in the "Presidential Suite" to escape if necessary. The ladder led down to an underground garage where a chauffeured limo was always waiting.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/13488 |title = Bugsy Siegel Memorial, Las Vegas, Nevada }}</ref>
 
Siegel was commonly credited as the project's original visionary until the 1990s, when Wilkerson's son set out to correct the record.<ref name=Bernstein>{{cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Sharon |title=Bugsy I : So Vegas Wasn't His Idea and He Was a Bigot to Boot |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-29-ca-366-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 29, 1992}}</ref><ref name=Lore>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Lore |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-17-tr-47968-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 17, 1996}}</ref> Wilkerson's involvement is further chronicled in ''The Man Who Invented Las Vegas'', a biographical book written by his son and published in 2000.<ref name=Dreaming/><ref name=Examines/><ref>{{cite news |last=Deskin |first=Ruthe |title=Book corrects story of Vegas & Bugsy |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/mar/23/columnist-ruthe-deskin-book-corrects-story-of-vega/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 23, 2000}}</ref>
===The Flamingo Hotel & Casino opens (1946)===
[[File:Flamingo matchbook, 1946.jpg|thumb|"The West's Greatest Resort Hotel", matchbook advertising the Flamingo resort, circa 1946]]
Siegel finally opened The Flamingo Hotel & Casino on December 26, 1946, at a total cost of $6 million.<ref name="LVS 2008-05-15">{{Cite news |url = https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/15/evolution-worlds-entertainment-capital/ |title = Showtime: How Sin City evolved into 'The Entertainment Capital of the World' |last1 = Koch |first1 = Ed |last2 = Manning |first2 = Mary |date = May 15, 2008 |newspaper = [[Las Vegas Sun]] |access-date = March 3, 2019 |last3 = Toplikar |first3 = Dave }}</ref> Billed as "The West's Greatest Resort Hotel", the 105-room property—and first luxury hotel on the Strip<ref>{{cite news |first = Corey |last = Levitan |title = Gritty City |url = http://www.lvrj.com/living/16160347.html |work = The Las Vegas Review-Journal |date = September 26, 2008 |access-date = September 8, 2011 }}</ref>—was built {{convert|4|mi}} from [[Downtown Las Vegas]]. During construction, a large sign announced the hotel as a William R. Wilkerson project. The sign also read [[Del Webb Construction]] as the hotel's primary contractor and Richard R. Stadelman (who later made renovations to the [[El Rancho Vegas]]) as the building architect.
 
Historian [[Frank Wright (historian)|Frank Wright]] of the [[Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas|Nevada State Museum and Historical Society]] said in 1996, "It was Bugsy who took over the building when Wilkerson ran short of funds. Bugsy finished it and opened it, so in a real sense, it was Bugsy Siegel's hotel."<ref name=Lore/> [[Hal Rothman]], a history professor at the [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]], also considered Wilkerson's involvement "more of a footnote," stating in 2000, "He had an idea but he wasn't able to pull it off. The Flamingo he envisioned probably was very different from the one Siegel envisioned."<ref name=Examines/>
Allegedly, Siegel named the resort after his girlfriend, [[Virginia Hill]]. It was reported that Siegel called her this because of her long legs. However, this is an urban myth which is untrue. 'The Flamingo' received its name from Billy Wilkerson, the founding builder.<ref>{{cite web |title = More Las Vegas FAQs |publisher = Travel Channel |url = http://www.lasvegaslogue.com/travel-tips/vegas-tv-shows/travel-channel-to-debut-two-new-vegas-shows.html |date = August 26, 2007 |access-date = October 6, 2007 }}</ref> Organized crime king, [[Lucky Luciano]], wrote in his memoir that Siegel once owned an interest in the [[Hialeah Park Race Track]] and viewed the flamingos who populated nearby as a good omen. The "Flamingo" name is reported to have been given to the project at its inception by Wilkerson.<ref>{{cite web |title = The Fabulous Flamingo Hotel History: The Wilkerson-Siegel Years |publisher = classiclasvegas.squarespace.com |url = http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/a-brief-history-of-the-strip/2007/9/23/the-fabulous-flamingo-hotel-history-the-wilkerson-siegel-yea.html |access-date = July 19, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160111084052/http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/a-brief-history-of-the-strip/2007/9/23/the-fabulous-flamingo-hotel-history-the-wilkerson-siegel-yea.html |archive-date = January 11, 2016 }}</ref>
 
====Flamingo name====
===Post-Siegel ownerships (1947–1960)===
By May 1946, the project had been named the Flamingo,<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Erskine |author-link=Erskine Johnson |title=Hollywood Writer Describes City At Helldorado |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Hollywood%20Writer%20Describes%20City%20At%20Helldorado%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Evening Review-Journal |agency=[[Newspaper Enterprise Association]] |date=May 27, 1946 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription |quote=[[Barbara Hutton]], they say, is sinking a small fortune into the half-completed Flamingo, which will be a gilt casino with hotel attached.}}</ref> although it is disputed as to who came up with the name: Siegel or Wilkerson.<ref name=Levitan/> Mobster [[Lucky Luciano]], in a purported memoir published in 1975 after his death,<ref>{{cite news |last=Gage |first=Nicholas |title=Questions Are Raised On Lucky Luciano Book |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/12/17/archives/questions-are-raised-on-lucky-luciano-book-questions-are-raised-on.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=December 17, 1974}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gage |first=Nicholas |title=F.B.I. Tells Agents Not to Trust Book on Luciano |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/03/14/archives/fbi-tells-agents-not-to-trust-book-on-luciano.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=March 14, 1975}}</ref> credited Siegel with the name. According to the memoir, Siegel had once owned an interest in Florida's [[Hialeah Park Race Track]], which was known for its on-site flock of flamingos. Siegel purportedly viewed the bird as a good-luck charm.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gosch |first1=Martin |last2=Hammer |first2=Richard |title=The Last Testament of Lucky Luciano: The Mafia Story in His Own Words |date=1975 |publisher=Enigma Books |isbn=978-1-936274-58-1 |edition=2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EV6jZzpjBOcC&pg=PT190 |access-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref> Lansky also supported this version of events.<ref name=Shnayerson/><ref>{{cite book |last=Tosches |first=Nick |title=Dino: Living High in the Dirty Business of Dreams |date=1993 |publisher=Random House Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-385-33429-7 |page=200 |edition=1999 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LcGGDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA200 |access-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Judith |title=How mobsters made their move on San Diego |url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/1997/jan/02/cover-who-was-willie-the-rat-and-why-did-he-come-h/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=San Diego Reader |date=January 2, 1997}}</ref> Another story says that Siegel named the Flamingo after his girlfriend, [[Virginia Hill]], for her red hair and long legs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eastman |first=Janet |title=Weekend Escape: Las Vegas : Looking for Luxe : In the right places along the Strip, the glitz and glamour of Bugsy's era can still be found |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-05-tr-65051-story.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 5, 1995 |quote=The hotel was named by Bugsy, legend goes, either after the pink birds at Florida's Hialeah Park or his long-limbed girlfriend.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Prevatt |first=Mike |title=The Flamingo, which ushered in Las Vegas glamour and gangsters, turns 75 |url=https://knpr.org/show/knprs-state-of-nevada/2021-12-10/the-flamingo-which-ushered-in-las-vegas-glamour-and-gangsters-turns-75 |website=KNPR |access-date=January 11, 2024 |date=December 10, 2021 |quote=Siegel named the property after his girlfriend Virginia Hill — whose nickname was 'The Flamingo' because of her red hair and long legs [...]}}</ref> Hill would also [[blushing|blush]] with pinkness while consuming alcohol, further evoking a flamingo.<ref name=Shnayerson/><ref>{{cite news |last=Healy |first=Patrick |title=Cold Case: How a Babe May Have Helped the Mob Rub Out Bugsy |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Cold-Case--How-a-Babe-Helped-the-Mob-Rub-Out-Bugsy-139071119.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=NBC |date=February 10, 2012}}</ref>
Casino management changed the hotel name to '''The Fabulous Flamingo''' on March 1, 1947. Siegel was killed on June 20, 1947, and after his death, [[Moe Sedway]] and [[Gus Greenbaum]], magnates of the nearby [[El Cortez (Las Vegas)|El Cortez Hotel]], took possession of the hotel. Under their partnership, it became a non-exclusive facility affordable to almost anyone. They made the enterprise extremely successful. In the year 1948 alone, it turned a $4 million profit.<ref>{{cite book |last = Wilkerson III |first = W. R. |title = The Man Who Invented Las Vegas |publisher = Ciro's Books |year = 2000 |pages = 111, 115 |title-link = The Man Who Invented Las Vegas }}</ref> The Fabulous Flamingo presented lavish shows and accommodations for its time, becoming well known for comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, gardens, and swimming pools. Often credited for popularizing the "complete experience" as opposed to merely gambling, its staff became known for wearing tuxedos on the job.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} Among the many entertainers who performed there between 1947 and 1953 were [[Martin and Lewis]], [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], [[Danny Thomas]], [[Tony Martin (American singer)|Tony Martin]], [[Marge Champion|Marge]] and [[Gower Champion]], [[Polly Bergen]], [[Lena Horne]], [[The Mills Brothers]], [[Alan King (comedian)|Alan King]], [[Betty Hutton]], [[Billy Eckstine]], [[Sophie Tucker]], [[Pearl Bailey]], and [[Spike Jones]].{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} [[Rose Marie]], who was one of its first entertainers under Siegel's ownership in 1946, remained loyal to the property for the rest of her life, only performing at other casinos with permission from "the boys" at the Fabulous Flamingo, according to her [[last words]].
 
An early name, Hotel Wilkerson, was used prior to Siegel's involvement.<ref name=Gangster/> Wilkerson's son stated that the Flamingo name was thought up by his father: "He had a particular liking for exotic birds and named several of his projects after them. After considering several ideas, all variations on exotic birds, he finally settled on the Flamingo Club. That was the main working title until Siegel entered the picture." Wilkerson's son attributed the claim to his father's attorney, [[Greg Bautzer]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Levitan |first=Corey |title=Vegas Myths We Couldn't Bust in 2023 |url=https://www.casino.org/news/vegas-myths-we-couldnt-bust-in-2023-part-1/ |website=Casino.org |access-date=January 11, 2024 |date=January 1, 2024}}</ref> According to a 2013 biography of Bautzer, Wilkerson was inspired by prominent bars in New York such as the Stork Club and began thinking of birds, leading to the Flamingo name.<ref name=Seduced>{{cite book |last=Gladstone |first=B. James |title=The Man Who Seduced Hollywood: The Life and Loves of Greg Bautzer, Tinseltown's Most Powerful Lawyer |date=2013 |publisher=Chicago Review Press |isbn=978-1-61374-582-3 |pages=83–91 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rrgKXT1GJzcC&pg=PA83 |access-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref> Michael Green, a history professor at the [[College of Southern Nevada]], said "The Flamingo name probably was Billy's, because he was modeling it along the lines of the Miami Beach hotels, and the flamingo idea was prominent down there."<ref name=Levitan>{{cite news |last=Levitan |first=Corey |title=Seven classic Sin City tales fail to stand up to inspection |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/seven-classic-sin-city-tales-fail-to-stand-up-to-inspection/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 15, 2009}}</ref>
In 1953, the hotel's management spent $1 million in renovations and remodeling. The original entrance and signage was destroyed. A new entrance with an upswept roof was built and a pink neon sign was designed by Bill Clark of Ad-Art. A neon-bubbled "Champagne Tower" sign with pink flamingos rimming the top was also installed in front of the hotel.<ref name="historyoftheflamingo">{{cite web |url = http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/a-brief-history-of-the-strip/?currentPage=7 |title = The Fabulous Flamingo Hotel History in the 1950s |access-date = April 5, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150412010923/http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/a-brief-history-of-the-strip/?currentPage=7 |archive-date = April 12, 2015 }}</ref> From 1955 to 1960, the property was operated by Albert Parvin of the Parvin-Dohrmann Corporation.<ref name="Heller"/> Parvin owned 30% of the stock while businessman Harry Goldman owned 7.5%; other investors included singer [[Tony Martin (American singer)|Tony Martin]] and actor [[George Raft]].<ref name="fundshellercame">{{cite news|last1=Heller|first1=Jean|title=Funds For Parvin Foundation Came From Flamingo Hotel Sale|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50329539/?terms=%22Harvey%2BSilbert%22|access-date=August 29, 2016|work=The Evening Sun|location=Hanover, Pennsylvania|date=October 30, 1969|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-access=registration |quote=Harry Goldman, Parvin's partner in Parvin-Dohrmann—a multimillion-a-year hotel supply business in Los Angeles—held 7{{citefrac|7|1|2}} percent. Other stockholders included singer Tony Martin and actor George Raft.}}</ref>
 
====Opening====
===Recent years (1960–present)===
Siegel debuted the Flamingo's casino on December 26, 1946.<ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Wally |title=Flamingo Resort Hotel Jammed at Opening |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Flamingo%20Resort%20Hotel%20Jammed%20at%20Opening%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Evening Review-Journal |date=December 27, 1946 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Opening ceremonies took place over several days, with various celebrities in attendance.<ref name=Gragg/><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Opens With Loud Fanfare |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Flamingo%20Opens%20With%20Loud%20Fanfare%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508B063451853FE |work=Las Vegas Age |date=December 29, 1946 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Odd Combine Runs Flamingo At Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/550927970/ |work=The Gazette |date=January 1, 1947 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Approximately 200 VIPs to the opening each received a hand-painted ceramic flamingo statue, gifted to them by Siegel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lane |first=Taylor |title=Mobsters' artifacts to be sold at auction |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/celebrity/mobsters-artifacts-to-be-sold-at-auction-photos-2592176/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 14, 2022}}</ref>
In 1960, it was sold for $10.5 million to a group including Morris Lansburgh and Daniel Lifter, Miami residents with reputed ties to organized crime.<ref name="Heller">{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rVdQAAAAIBAJ&dq=flamingo%20vegas&pg=7347%2C5071723 |title = Mobster key man in hotel sale |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = St. Petersburg Independent |date = October 22, 1969 }}</ref><ref name="beyondthemafia">{{cite book |last = Balboni |first = Alan |title = Beyond the Mafia: Italian Americans and the development of Las Vegas |year = 2006 |publisher = University of Nevada Press |page = 62 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VokLkL4NbnYC |isbn = 9780874176810 }}</ref> Lansky allegedly served as middleman for the deal, receiving $200,000.<ref name="Heller" /><ref name="fundshellercame"/>
[[File:new-orleans-riverboat-1997-06-15.jpg|thumb|The Flamingo name has been applied to gambling operations elsewhere, such as this New Orleans riverboat, circa 1997]]
[[Kirk Kerkorian]] acquired the property in 1967,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://gaming.unlv.edu/abstract/fin_mgm.html |title = Nevada Gaming Abstract - MGM MIRAGE Company Profile |access-date = March 26, 2007 }}</ref> making it part of Kerkorian's International Leisure Company, but the [[Hilton Hotels Corporation|Hilton Corporation]] bought the resort in 1972, renaming it the '''Flamingo Hilton''' in 1974. The last of the original Flamingo Hotel structure was torn down on December 14, 1993, and the hotel's garden was built on-site.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} The Flamingo's four hotel towers were built (or expanded) in 1977, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1990, and 1993. A 200-unit [[Hilton Grand Vacations]] [[timeshare]] tower was opened in 1993.<ref>{{cite news |last = Heller |first = Jean |url = http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Feb-06-Fri-2004/business/23159126.html |title = Hilton adds third Las Vegas time share |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = Las Vegas Review-Journal |date = February 6, 2004 }}</ref>
 
The Flamingo was built on the [[Las Vegas Strip]], known then as [[U.S. Route 91]]. It is sometimes credited as the first resort to open on the Strip, although it was preceded by two earlier properties: [[El Rancho Vegas]] in 1941, and [[Hotel Last Frontier]] in 1942.<ref>{{cite news |last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |title=City officials' view of historical 'facts' needs fix, as do downtown plaques |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/news-columns/jane-ann-morrison/city-officials-view-of-historical-facts-needs-fix-as-do-downtown-plaques/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 25, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hofstede |first=David |title=Vegas Then and Now |url=https://www.cowboysindians.com/2015/11/vegas-then-and-now/ |website=Cowboys & Indians |access-date=January 8, 2024 |date=December 2012}}</ref> The Flamingo was, however, the first Strip resort to feature an upscale and modern design, in contrast to the western-themed El Rancho and Frontier.<ref name=Baby/> Of the three resorts, the Flamingo was the southernmost property at that time.<ref name=Photo>{{cite news |last=Llewellyn |first=Amanda |title=Photographic exhibit details the man who invented Las Vegas |url=http://www.viewnews.com/2008/VIEW-Apr-08-Tue-2008/CentennialHills/20602279.html |work=View News |date=April 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615194247/http://www.viewnews.com/2008/VIEW-Apr-08-Tue-2008/CentennialHills/20602279.html |archive-date=June 15, 2008}}</ref>
In 1998, Hilton's gambling properties, including the Flamingo, were spun off as [[Park Place Entertainment]] (later renamed to Caesars Entertainment). The deal included a two-year license to use the Hilton name. Park Place opted not to renew that agreement when it expired in late 2000, and the property was renamed '''Flamingo Las Vegas'''.<ref>{{cite news |title = Three Nevada casinos dropping 'Hilton' name |url = http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2000/aug/15/three-nevada-casinos-dropping-hilton-name/ |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = Las Vegas Sun |date = August 15, 2000 }}</ref>
 
The Flamingo originally lacked a hotel, which was still under construction. The casino suffered financially because of this, as gamblers stayed at its two nearby competitors.<ref name=Baby/> The Flamingo's casino closed on February 6, 1947, to better coordinate preparations for the hotel section. The casino reopened on March 1, 1947, coinciding with the hotel's debut.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hotel Plans Gala Opening March 1 |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Flamingo%20Hotel%20Plans%20Gala%20Opening%20March%201%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Evening Review-Journal |date=February 5, 1947 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Resort Hotel Holds Official Opening Saturday |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22official+opening+saturday%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508B063451853FE |work=Las Vegas Age |date=March 2, 1947 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Siegel forced Wilkerson out of the Flamingo less than three weeks after the hotel's opening,<ref name=Sheds/> and Wilkerson rarely spoke of the property after that.<ref name=Dreaming/>
In 2005, [[Harrah's Entertainment]] purchased Caesars Entertainment, Inc. and the property became part of Harrah's Entertainment. The company changed its name to Caesars Entertainment Corporation in 2010.
 
===Early ownership changes (1947–1967)===
On September 9, 2012, [[Port Adelaide Football Club]] AFL footballer [[John McCarthy (Australian rules footballer born 1989)|John McCarthy]] died after falling {{convert|9|m|order=flip}} from a rooftop of the hotel. The incident occurred at the start of a post-season holiday for McCarthy and other Port Adelaide players. They had arrived in Las Vegas only a few hours before the incident.<ref name="pafc-statement">{{cite web |url = http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6038/newsid/147336/default.aspx |title = Statement: John McCarthy |date = September 10, 2012 |publisher = Port Adelaide Football Club |access-date = September 10, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="smh-death">{{cite news |url = http://smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-footballer-john-mccarthy-dies-in-las-vegas-20120910-25nmy.html |title = AFL footballer John McCarthy dies in Las Vegas |date = September 10, 2012 |work = The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date = September 10, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="australian-coroner">{{cite news |url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/no-suspicious-circumstances-in-john-mccarthys-las-vegas-death-says-coroner/story-fnca0u4y-1226471510583 |title = No suspicious circumstances in John McCarthy's Las Vegas death, says coroner |work = The Australian |date = September 11, 2012 |access-date = September 11, 2012 |last = Walsh |first = Courtney }}</ref> After reviewing evidence, police said that McCarthy had attempted to jump off the roof onto a [[palm tree]], but fell to the ground.<ref name="heraldsun-palm">{{cite news |url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/afl-footballer-john-mccarthy-aimed-for-palm-tree-in-roof-jump-as-deeply-shocked-port-adelaide-players-arrive-home-after-teammates-tragic-death-in-las-vegas/story-e6frf7jo-1226470914423 |title = AFL footballer John McCarthy aimed for palm tree in roof jump as 'deeply shocked' Port Adelaide players arrive home after teammate's tragic death in Las Vegas |last = Drill |first = Stephen |last2 = Langmaid |first2 = Adrian |date = September 12, 2012 |work = Herald Sun |access-date = September 12, 2012 }}</ref>
Siegel was killed by an unknown shooter on June 20, 1947.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Ann W. |title=Who Killed Bugsy Siegel? 50 Years Later, Still a Mystery |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-20-me-5334-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 20, 1997}}</ref> Shortly after his death, Sedway, Greenbaum and mobster [[David Berman (mobster)|David Berman]] took possession of the Flamingo.<ref>{{cite book |last = Wilkerson III |first = W. R. |title = The Man Who Invented Las Vegas |publisher = Ciro's Books |year = 2000 |pages = 111, 115}}</ref> Berman ran a [[Skimming (fraud)|skimming]] operation at the resort, on Lansky's behalf.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rake |first=Launce |title=Arrest in Beverly Hills murder has ties to Las Vegas Mob history |url=https://themobmuseum.org/blog/arrest-in-beverly-hills-murder-has-ties-to-las-vegas-mob-history/ |website=The Mob Museum |access-date=January 11, 2024 |date=March 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Gragg |first=Larry D. |title=Becoming America's Playground: Las Vegas in the 1950s |date=2019 |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-6585-1 |page=131 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r36mDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA131 |access-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref>
 
In July 1947, businessman Sanford Adler paid $3 million to purchase the Flamingo, which had been struggling financially.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Sold To Las Vegas Hotel Operator |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147892231/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=July 12, 1947 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Free Plane Rides from L. A. to Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/689334350/ |work=Daily News |date=July 16, 1947 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Adler and other investors soon formed a new ownership company for the resort, Flamingo Club, Inc.,<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Club Is Incorporated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147896672/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=July 16, 1947 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> later known as Flamingo Hotel Corporation. In 1948, real estate developer Morris Rosen stated that he was contractually entitled to shares in the company, accusing Adler of withholding stock ownership.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Corporation Asked to Deliver 7,500 Shares |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/75078951/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=February 28, 1948 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Seeks Control Of Flamingo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148576962/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 3, 1948 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Greenbaum and other stockholders bought out Adler later that year,<ref>{{cite news |title=Adler Offers His Share of Flamingo Club |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148577675/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 16, 1948 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=David G. |title=The Kefauver hearing in Las Vegas |url=https://themobmuseum.org/blog/the-kefauver-hearing-in-las-vegas/ |website=The Mob Museum |access-date=January 15, 2024 |date=November 10, 2020 |quote=After a dispute with Rosen, Adler sold his 49 percent share of Flamingo Hotel (in a transaction brokered by Wiener and Jones) and departed for Northern Nevada.}}</ref> and the case between Adler and Rosen was settled.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hotel Control Settled |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148086090/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=May 28, 1948 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
The hotel underwent a $90-million makeover which was completed in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.cpexecutive.com/post/caesars-launches-90m-makeover-at-flamingo-las-vegas/ |title = Caesars Launches $90M Makeover at Flamingo Las Vegas |website = www.cpexecutive.com |date = May 23, 2017 |access-date = June 3, 2019 }}</ref> The designer, Forrest Perkins, used gold and pink in the 3500&nbsp;upgraded rooms and described them as contemporary retro-chic with a focus on the 70-year history of the hotel.
 
[[File:Flamingo resort in Las Vegas, 1957.jpg|thumb|The Flamingo in 1957]]
==Facilities and attractions==
From 1955 to 1960, the property was operated by Albert Parvin of the Parvin-Dohrmann Corporation.<ref name="Heller"/> Parvin owned 30% of the stock while businessman Harry Goldman owned 7.5%; other investors included singer [[Tony Martin (American singer)|Tony Martin]] and actor [[George Raft]].<ref name="fundshellercame">{{cite news|last=Heller|first=Jean|title=Funds For Parvin Foundation Came From Flamingo Hotel Sale|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50329539/?terms=%22Harvey%2BSilbert%22|access-date=August 29, 2016|work=The Evening Sun|location=Hanover, Pennsylvania|date=October 30, 1969|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-access=registration |quote=Harry Goldman, Parvin's partner in Parvin-Dohrmann—a multimillion-a-year hotel supply business in Los Angeles—held 7{{citefrac|7|1|2}} percent. Other stockholders included singer Tony Martin and actor George Raft.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Deluged By 'Gold Rush' After Removal Of Bugsy Siegel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/117696914/ |work=Arizona Republic |date=January 26, 1955 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
The {{convert|15|acre|ha|adj=on}} site's architectural theme is reminiscent of the [[Art Deco]] and [[Streamline Moderne]] style of [[Miami]] and [[South Beach]], with a garden courtyard housing a wildlife habitat featuring [[flamingos]]. It was the third resort to open on the Strip, and it is the oldest resort on the Strip still in operation today. The Flamingo has a [[Las Vegas Monorail]] station, the [[Flamingo/Caesars Palace (LV Monorail station)|Flamingo/Caesars Palace station]], at the rear of the property.
 
In 1960, the Flamingo was sold for $10.5 million to a group including Morris Lansburgh and Daniel Lifter, Miami residents with reputed ties to organized crime.<ref name="Heller">{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rVdQAAAAIBAJ&dq=flamingo%20vegas&pg=7347%2C5071723 |title = Mobster key man in hotel sale |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = St. Petersburg Independent |date = October 22, 1969 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hotel Sold; 3 Miami Investors Buy Major Interest in Las Vegas Spot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/05/30/archives/flamingo-hotel-sold-3-miami-investors-buy-major-interest-in-las.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=May 30, 1960}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last = Balboni |first = Alan |title = Beyond the Mafia: Italian Americans and the development of Las Vegas |year = 2006 |publisher = University of Nevada Press |page = 62 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XCyVDwAAQBAJ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |isbn = 9780874176810 }}</ref> Lansky allegedly served as middleman for the deal, receiving $200,000.<ref name="Heller" /><ref name="fundshellercame"/> The ownership group held the Flamingo for seven years.<ref name=Indicted/> Lansky, Lansburgh, and others involved in the Flamingo would later be charged with federal tax evasion relating to the resort's income, years after selling the property.<ref name=Indicted>{{cite news |title=Lansky Indicted by Las Vegas Jury |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/10/23/archives/lansky-indicted-by-las-vegas-jury-charged-with-3-with-not-reporting.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=October 23, 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Trial on Profits in Casino Delayed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/02/04/archives/trial-on-profits-in-casino-delayed-covered-5-counts.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=February 4, 1973}}</ref>
[[File:Flamingo hotel (Las Vegas) Front Entrance.JPG|thumb|Flamingo Las Vegas Front Entrance in 2010]]
The garden courtyard houses a wildlife habitat featuring Chilean [[flamingos]], Ringed Teal ducks, and other birds. There are also koi fish and turtles.<ref>{{cite web |title = Las Vegas: The Epic Guide to Drinking, Gambling and Entertainment |url = http://www.backstreetnomad.com/epic-guide-to-las-vegas/ |website = Backstreet Nomad |access-date = July 14, 2017 |date = February 5, 2017 }}</ref> It was the home of [[penguin]]s, but they have since been moved to the [[Dallas Zoo]].<ref name="WoodKoepp2011">{{cite book |first1 = Crystal |last1 = Wood |first2 = Leah |last2 = Koepp |title = Explorer's Guide Las Vegas: A Great Destination |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bg0Rh_P74eAC&pg=PA96 |access-date = July 14, 2017 |date = September 14, 2011 |publisher = Countryman Press |isbn = 978-1-58157-910-9 |pages = 96– }}</ref> Extending the hotel's tropical theme, a [[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville]] restaurant and gift shop was opened in December 2003.<ref>{{cite news |title = Margaritaville opens at Flamingo |url = http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2003/dec/15/margaritaville-opens-at-flamingo/ |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = Las Vegas Sun |date = December 15, 2003 }}</ref> An adjacent Margaritaville "minicasino" opened in October 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title = Margaritaville Casino to hire 250 workers |url = http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/16/jimmy-buffetts-margaritaville-casino-hire-250-work/ |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = Las Vegas Sun |date = August 16, 2011 }}</ref>
 
A Japanese business group, led by millionaire Kenji Osano, agreed to purchase the Flamingo in 1967.<ref>{{cite news |title=Japanese Buy Flamingo In Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/619201050/ |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=January 12, 1967 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Osano Buys Hotel on Las Vegas Strip |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/260450582/ |work=Honolulu Advertiser |date=January 13, 1967 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> However, due to his foreign citizenship, Osano would have faced a protracted investigation period before he could obtain a [[gaming license]]. The sale agreement was soon terminated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Osano faces 'no dice' in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/271027691/ |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=February 11, 1967 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Osano withdraws from Las Vegas hotel deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/270588766/ |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=April 12, 1967 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Headlining acts perform in the Donny and Marie Showroom. The throwback venue was remodeled in 2014 with many technological updates, improving the sound systems and lighting. It seats 780 with floor seating and a balcony. It maintains the style and feel of early Vegas with red and white themed booths and chairs, red velvet curtains as well as red carpets. It provides for close intimate interactions between the performers and audience due to the clam-shell layout. It was officially named the Donny & Marie Showroom at Flamingo Las Vegas after the brother-and-sister duo that headlined for an 11-year span between 2008 and 2019. Starting late November 2019 the Donny & Marie Showroom went back to its original name Flamingo Showroom.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
 
===Later years and Siegel's legacy (1967–present)===
The theater Bugsy's Cabaret host the show "X Burlesque" which debuted in 2002. In addition the [[Piff the Magic Dragon]] show uses the same stage.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/1-theater-2-shows-3-titles-on-the-las-vegas-strip-1671228/ |title = 1 theater, 2 shows, 3 titles on the Las Vegas Strip |date = May 24, 2019 |website = Las Vegas Review-Journal |language = en-US |access-date = June 3, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1 = Palmer |first1 = Rob |title = The Dragons of CSICon |url = https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-dragons-of-csicon/ |website = Skeptical Inquirer |date = July 23, 2019 |publisher = Center for Inquiry |access-date = April 8, 2021 }}</ref>
[[File:Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas, 1993.jpg|thumb|The Flamingo Hilton in 1993]]
American businessman [[Kirk Kerkorian]] acquired the Flamingo in 1967,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://gaming.unlv.edu/abstract/fin_mgm.html |title = Nevada Gaming Abstract - MGM MIRAGE Company Profile |access-date = March 26, 2007 |archive-date = March 1, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190301152235/https://gaming.unlv.edu/abstract/fin_mgm.html |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hotel Is Obtained in $12.5-Million Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/08/15/archives/news-of-realty-las-vegas-sale-hamingo-hotel-is-obtained-in.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=August 15, 1967}}</ref> making it part of his International Leisure Company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Companies buying Las Vegas casinos |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/7935489/ |work=Arizona Republic |date=November 11, 1968 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1970, [[Hilton Hotels Corporation]] bought a 44-percent interest in Kerkorian's company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerkorian to sell control hotels on the Strip |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149640979/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=July 15, 1970 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton Corp. to acquire casino stock |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150664532/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=March 12, 1971 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The following year, Hilton increased its ownership stake further,<ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton Hotels to buy more casino stock |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148049732/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=June 30, 1971 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton buys million shares from Kerkorian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148024323/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=August 20, 1971 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Merger plan is approved by directors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147992438/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=December 2, 1971 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and renamed the resort as the Flamingo Hilton.<ref>{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Allan |title=A Brief History of the Flamingo Hotel/Casino |url=https://www.ccgtcc-ccn.com/Flamingo.pdf |website=Casino Chip and Token News |access-date=January 15, 2024 |date=2001}}</ref>{{efn|name=Names|Also known as the '''Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas''' after the opening of other properties, such as the [[Flamingo Hilton Laughlin]] in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Giovenco%20said%20the%20opening%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 17, 1990 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |url-access=subscription |quote=Giovenco said the opening of the 2,000-room Flamingo Hilton Laughlin in July and completing of the Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas' new tower in March will help alleviate some problems.}}</ref>}} In 1972, Hilton bought out the remaining shares of International Leisure.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton-Leisure merger approved |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148018309/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=March 3, 1972 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
 
Hilton executive Horst Dziura served as the resort's vice president and managing director, and later became its president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Horst Dziura president of Flamingo Hilton |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/404915991/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 15, 1987 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He oversaw a transformation of the property during a nearly two-decade period,<ref>{{cite news |last=Dretzka |first=Gary |title=The Flamingo: 50 Years After |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-12-22-9612250229-story.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=December 22, 1996}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hilton chief retires |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/jun/30/flamingo-hilton-chief-retires/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 30, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Longtime Flamingo executive Horst Dziura remembered as pioneer, mentor |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/longtime-flamingo-executive-horst-dziura-remembered-as-pioneer-mentor-1999505/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> with [[#Hotel|various high-rise additions]] being made between 1978 and 1995.<ref name=Earnings/><ref name=612rooms/> The original casino structure had been long demolished by 1991.<ref name=Benenson/> The original low-rise hotel structure, including Siegel's on-site residence, was also demolished as part of the 1995 expansion,<ref>{{cite news |last=Harvey |first=Steve |title=Bugs removal |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-20-me-47596-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 20, 1993}}</ref> helping make way for a new pool area and animal habitat. A memorial plaque for Siegel was added to this area,<ref name=Birds/> and an entertainment venue was also named after him.<ref name=Impersonator/>
[[File:Flamingos at Flamingo.JPG|thumb|The flamingo habitat]]
 
{{multiple image
===Current headliners===
| direction = vertical
{{update|section|date=February 2023}}
| align = left
[[Piff the Magic Dragon]]: A unique combination of magic and comedy, Piff the Magic Dragon is an "America’s Got Talent" alum who performs with his sidekick chihuahua, Mr. Piffles, and Las Vegas Showgirl Jade Simone.
| image1 = Bugsy Siegel Memorial Flamingo 20121103.JPG
| caption1 = Siegel memorial plaque in 2012
| image2 = new-orleans-riverboat-1997-06-15.jpg
| caption2 = Flamingo riverboat casino in New Orleans, 1997
}}
The 50th anniversary of Siegel's murder was not commemorated by the Flamingo Hilton, with a spokesman saying, "Although he was a founder of this property, he was certainly not a role model. We're talking about a murderer, thief and rapist -- all the things that society shouldn't aspire to be."<ref>{{cite news |last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |title=The Violent End |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-20-Fri-1997/news/5561866.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 20, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000607150414/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-20-Fri-1997/news/5561866.html |archive-date=June 7, 2000}}</ref> By 2000, the resort's employee dining room had been named Bugsy's Backroom Cafe.<ref>{{cite news |last=Padgett |first=Sonya |title=Hotel employee dining rooms designed to keep workers, customers happy |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Nov-08-Wed-2000/living/14743104.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 8, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010624224509/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Nov-08-Wed-2000/living/14743104.html |archive-date=June 24, 2001}}</ref> A steakhouse bearing his name would open to the public two decades later.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lochhead |first=Colton |title=The Flamingo, one of Strip's most iconic resorts, turns 75 |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/the-flamingo-one-of-strips-most-iconic-resorts-turns-75-2502240/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 25, 2021}}</ref>
 
The Flamingo name has been applied to gambling operations elsewhere in Nevada, including the [[The Montage Reno|Flamingo Hilton Reno]] (1989),<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Comedy Club debuts in Hilton showroom |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149873246/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=June 29, 1989 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hilton plans parade for reopening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149874769/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=June 30, 1989 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hilton Reno gets into the pink of things |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150455081/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=July 4, 1989 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and the [[Flamingo Hilton Laughlin]] (1990).<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hilton to open doors Aug. 1 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/122398329/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=July 22, 1990 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The name has also been used for [[riverboat casino]]s, including one opened in New Orleans (1994),<ref>{{cite news |title=N.O. casino to be revamped |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/218516210/ |work=The Town Talk |date=August 5, 1994 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Louisiana Orleans gambling boats stay docked in political storm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/539919165/ |work=The Daily Advertiser |date=November 24, 1994 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Casino closed, court battle continues |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/10/01/Casino-closed-court-battle-continues/5663875678400/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=UPI |date=October 1, 1997}}</ref> and [[Bally's Kansas City|another one]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]] (1996).<ref>{{cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Jesus |title=Missing the Boat: Controversy Over Hilton's Flamingo Casino Stalls Its Opening |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-17-fi-54579-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 17, 1996}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton replacing president of struggling Flamingo casino |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/may/29/hilton-replacing-president-of-struggling-flamingo-/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 29, 1997}}</ref>
[[Wayne Newton]]: Known as Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton performs classic hits and interacts with the audience, sharing personal career highlights.
 
In 1998, Hilton's gambling properties, including the Flamingo Hilton, were spun off as [[Park Place Entertainment]] (later renamed to Caesars Entertainment, Inc.). The deal included a two-year license to use the Hilton name. Park Place opted not to renew that agreement when it expired in late 2000, and the property was renamed Flamingo Las Vegas the following year.<ref>{{cite news |title = Three Nevada casinos dropping 'Hilton' name |url = http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2000/aug/15/three-nevada-casinos-dropping-hilton-name/ |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = Las Vegas Sun |date = August 15, 2000 }}</ref> In 2005, [[Harrah's Entertainment]] purchased Caesars Entertainment, Inc. and the property became part of Harrah's Entertainment. The company changed its name to Caesars Entertainment Corporation in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=Harrah's Entertainment becomes Caesars Entertainment Corp. |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/harrahs-entertainment-becomes-caesars-entertainment-corp/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 23, 2010}}</ref>
[[RuPaul's Drag Race Live!]] also debuted in January 2020, featuring drag queens that once competed on ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' and ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]'' such as [[Aquaria (drag queen)|Aquaria]], [[Derrick Barry]], and [[Yvie Oddly]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race LIVE! Las Vegas - Flamingo Las Vegas |url=https://www.caesars.com/flamingo-las-vegas/shows/rupauls-drag-race-live |access-date=October 24, 2019 |website=www.caesars.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
Australian footballer [[John McCarthy (Australian rules footballer born 1989)|John McCarthy]], of the [[Port Adelaide Football Club]], died on September 9, 2012, after falling {{convert|9|m|order=flip}} from a rooftop of the hotel. The incident occurred at the start of a post-season holiday for McCarthy and other Port Adelaide players. They had arrived in Las Vegas only a few hours before the incident.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6038/newsid/147336/default.aspx |title = Statement: John McCarthy |date = September 10, 2012 |publisher = Port Adelaide Football Club |access-date = September 10, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-footballer-john-mccarthy-dies-in-las-vegas-20120910-25nmy.html |title = AFL footballer John McCarthy dies in Las Vegas |date = September 10, 2012 |work = The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date = September 10, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/no-suspicious-circumstances-in-john-mccarthys-las-vegas-death-says-coroner/story-fnca0u4y-1226471510583 |title = No suspicious circumstances in John McCarthy's Las Vegas death, says coroner |work = The Australian |date = September 11, 2012 |access-date = September 11, 2012 |last = Walsh |first = Courtney }}</ref> After reviewing evidence, police said that McCarthy had attempted to jump off the roof onto a [[palm tree]], but fell to the ground.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/afl-footballer-john-mccarthy-aimed-for-palm-tree-in-roof-jump-as-deeply-shocked-port-adelaide-players-arrive-home-after-teammates-tragic-death-in-las-vegas/story-e6frf7jo-1226470914423 |title = AFL footballer John McCarthy aimed for palm tree in roof jump as 'deeply shocked' Port Adelaide players arrive home after teammate's tragic death in Las Vegas |last1 = Drill |first1 = Stephen |last2 = Langmaid |first2 = Adrian |date = September 12, 2012 |work = Herald Sun |access-date = September 12, 2012 }}</ref>
X Burlesque: An adult-themed show that brings fantasies to the stage while playfully interacting with the audience.
 
===PastProperty headliners=overview==
[[File:Flamingohotel-night.JPG|thumb|The Flamingo and neighboring [[The Cromwell Las Vegas|Barbary Coast]] in 2006, as seen from Flamingo Road]]
The Flamingo occupies {{convert|19|acre|abbr=on}} at the center of the [[Las Vegas Strip]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Question of the Day |url=https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question/strip-acreage/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Advisor |date=September 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title=Viva Flamingo: While lovely little new things arrive, the oldest Strip spot turns 70 |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/intersection/2016/dec/28/flamingo-turns-70-las-vegas-strip/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=December 28, 2016}}</ref> [[Flamingo Road (Las Vegas)|Flamingo Road]], the nearest cross-street, is named after the resort.<ref>{{cite news |title=Street-smart author digs up interesting facts about names |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/news-columns/road-warrior/street-smart-author-digs-up-interesting-facts-about-names/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 5, 2009}}</ref> Although its original buildings have been demolished, the Flamingo remains as the oldest continuously operating resort on the Strip.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Flamingo turns 75: History of the Vegas Strip's oldest operating casino |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/the-flamingo-turns-75-the-history-of-las-vegas-oldest-operating-casino |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=KTNV |date=December 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Simpson |first=Brian |title=Don't Let Your Vegas Clients Have NV Envy |url=https://www.travelpulse.ca/news/destinations/don-t-let-your-vegas-clients-have-nv-envy |website=Travel Pulse |access-date=January 8, 2024 |date=December 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Heilman |first=Jeff |title=These Nevada Group Venues Have Stood the Test of Time |url=https://www.meetingstoday.com/articles/143079/nevada-group-venues-stood-test-time |website=Meetings Today |access-date=January 8, 2024 |date=December 15, 2021}}</ref> As of 2005, it had more than 4,000 employees.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bilger |first=Burkhard |title=The Egg Men: How breakfast gets served at the Flamingo hotel in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/09/05/the-egg-men |access-date=January 15, 2024 |magazine=The New Yorker |date=August 28, 2005}}</ref>
 
Wilkerson originally hired [[George Vernon Russell]] to design the project,<ref name=Gangster/><ref>{{cite book |last=Wharton |first=Annabel Jane |title=Architectural Agents: The Delusional, Abusive, Addictive Lives of Buildings |date=2015 |publisher=U of Minnesota Press |isbn=978-1-4529-4339-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EzB0DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT160 |access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref> although Siegel was not impressed with him and instead hired Richard Stadelman as architect for the casino, restaurant, and shops.<ref name=Gangster/> The hotel rooms were designed by Tom Douglas.<ref name=Shadow>{{cite book |last=Gragg |first=Larry D. |title=Bugsy's Shadow: Moe Sedway, "Bugsy" Siegel, and the Birth of Organized Crime in Las Vegas |date=2023 |publisher=University of New Mexico Press |page=76 |isbn=978-0-8263-6516-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ghHCEAAAQBAJ |access-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref><ref name=Gangster>{{cite book |last=Gragg |first=Larry D. |title=Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel: The Gangster, the Flamingo, and the Making of Modern Las Vegas |date=2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-1-4408-0186-0 |pages=93, 95 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kOvEEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA95 |access-date=January 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name=Baby>{{cite web |title=Wilkerson's Idea, Bugsy's Baby |url=https://themobmuseum.org/blog/flamingo-las-vegas-wilkerson-bugsy/ |website=The Mob Museum |access-date=January 11, 2024 |date=December 21, 2017}}</ref>
Legendary past performers at The Flamingo include [[Judy Garland]] in 1958, [[Bobby Darin]] in 1963 (for several weeks), [[Fats Domino]] in 1963 (and for several years), [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] in 1963, and [[Ray Charles]] in 1963. [[The Supremes]] in 1966 and 1967, [[James Brown]] in 1967, [[Little Richard]] in 1967, [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] in 1968 (for the album ''[[Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas]]''), [[Wayne Newton]] (longtime Vegas resident) in 1968, and [[Ella Fitzgerald]] in 1970, and [[B.B. King]] in 1971.
 
The [[Sands Hotel and Casino|Sands]] resort opened on the Strip in 1952, and was considered more luxurious than the Flamingo, which began a remodeling and expansion project in response.<ref name=Greetings/><ref name=Bright/> Work concluded in 1953, increasing the casino, bar and restaurant space. The project architect was Max Horowitz, of the firm [[Pereira & Luckman]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Dice Still Roll in Casino |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dice%20Still%20Roll%20in%20Casino%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 22, 1953 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Later headliners included [[Kenny Rogers]] in 1997, [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]] in 2000, [[Vinnie Favorito]] in 2003, [[The Beach Boys]] in 2003, [[Jimmy Buffett]] in 2004. [[Sly & the Family Stone]] (from San Francisco) played the Flamingo in 2007, [[Old Dominion (band)|Old Dominion]] in 2017, [[Aaron Carter]] in 2017, [[Everclear (band)|Everclear]] in 2017, [[Lit (band)|Lit]] and [[Alien Ant Farm]] (both from L.A.) in 2017, [[Richard Marx]] in 2017, [[Smash Mouth]] (from San Jose) in 2017, [[Rita Ora]] in 2018, and [[Gin Blossoms]] (from Phoenix) in 2018.
 
A $2.5 million renovation was launched in 1967, under Kerkorian's ownership. The project included more gaming space,<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hofei Gets $2 1/2 Million Face Lift |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/580653813/ |work=Valley Times |date=November 8, 1967 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> extending the resort to the sidewalk along the Strip.<ref name=Swanston/> The casino floor was remodeled in 1992 to feature a wider array of colors, better complementing the resort's exterior. According to the project's interior designer Zoltan Kovacs, "The casino had none of the vibrancy or brightness of what we promised on the outside."<ref>{{cite news |last=Gorman |first=Tom |title=With Castles and Casinos, Pirates and Pyramids, The New Las Vegas is Betting On High-Stakes Style |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-12-tm-1258-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 12, 1993}}</ref> A $130 million expansion took place from 1994 to 1995, enlarging the casino further.<ref name=Birds/><ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas' Flamingo 'a real class joint' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/169137671/ |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=November 5, 1995 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> As of 2017, the Flamingo includes {{convert|72299|sqft|abbr=on}} of gaming space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|title=Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)|date=March 6, 2018|publisher=[[Nevada Gaming Control Board]]|access-date=January 12, 2024|page=4|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232017/https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Long running shows included [[Gladys Knight]] with her Pips who played the Flamingo in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/nov/28/knight-in-vegas/ |title = Knight in Vegas - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper |last = Patterson |first = Spencer |date = November 28, 2003 |website = lasvegassun.com |language = en |access-date = June 3, 2019 }}</ref> [[Toni Braxton]]'s show ran from August 2006 to April 2008 and closed due to Braxton's health problems.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2008/05/breaking-news-t.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080602004526/http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2008/05/breaking-news-t.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 2, 2008 |title = Toni Braxton Show canceled |work = The Los Angeles Times |date = May 29, 2008 }}</ref> Singer [[Olivia Newton-John]] maintained a long term residency at the Flamingo from April 2014 through December 2016.
 
===Hotel===
[[Paula Abdul]] had a residency on August 13, 2019, with her Forever Your Girl production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdul |first=Paula |date=May 1, 2019 |title=Caesars announces Paula Abdul residency at Flamingo |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/caesars-announces-paula-abdul-residency-at-flamingo/article_10924ab8-6c1c-11e9-8f4d-a723b6518e1f.html |access-date=June 3, 2019 |website=WVVU-TV FOX 5 Las Vegas |language=en-US}}</ref>
The Flamingo opened with 105 rooms.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gardner |first=Chuck |title=Local View: 'What mob?' |url=http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2002/MERC-Feb-14-Thu-2002/18050993.html |work=Las Vegas Mercury |date=February 14, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020616023456/http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2002/MERC-Feb-14-Thu-2002/18050993.html |archive-date=June 16, 2002}}</ref> It was originally a three-story hotel,<ref name=Gangster/><ref>{{cite book |last=Moreno |first=Richard |title=Mysteries and Legends of Nevada: True Stories of the Unsolved and Unexplained |date=2010 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4617-4727-7 |page=138 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KrC5CAAAQBAJ&dq=%22flamingo%22+%22vegas%22+%22three-story%22+%22siegel%22&pg=PA138 |access-date=January 14, 2024}}</ref> but included a fourth-story penthouse for Siegel,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ainlay |first1=Thomas |last2=Gabaldon |first2=Judy Dixon |title=Las Vegas: The Fabulous First Century |date=2003 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0-7385-2416-0 |page=100 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zeIbm3iEXhQC&dq=%22flamingo%22+%22vegas%22+%22three-story%22+%22siegel%22&pg=PA100 |access-date=January 14, 2024}}</ref> who oversaw construction of the on-site residence.<ref name=Builds/> Because he feared for his life, the suite included four-inch-thick concrete walls.<ref>{{cite news |last=Macy |first=Robert |title=Hotel That Bugsy Built Celebrates Its 50th |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-12-me-17912-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 12, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Weissenstein |first=Michael |title='Bugsy' Siegel's home or aging bungalow? |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Feb-05-Mon-2001/news/15366192.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 5, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020108042116/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Feb-05-Mon-2001/news/15366192.html |archive-date=January 8, 2002 |quote=The famously paranoid mobster's completed Flamingo living quarters had 4-inch-thick concrete walls.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Harasim |first=Paul |title=Demolition concerns history buffs |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Feb-04-Sun-2007/news/12367410.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211222115/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Feb-04-Sun-2007/news/12367410.html |archive-date=February 11, 2007 |quote=What helped drive up the cost was Siegel's obsession with security. Four-inch-thick concrete walls were reinforced by steel brought in from military shipyards, presumably to stop bullets from machine-gun toting rivals.}}</ref> He also had secret tunnels built into the residence, in the event that he needed to make an emergency getaway.<ref name=Builds/> After his death, the penthouse would be rented out to the public,<ref>{{cite news |title='Bugsy' Siegel's Flamingo a High Flier in Hotel Circles |url=https://www.mcall.com/1992/01/19/bugsy-siegels-flamingo-a-high-flier-in-hotel-circles/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=The Morning Call |date=January 19, 1992}}</ref> and the original hotel structure would become known as the Oregon wing.<ref name=Brown/>
 
The first hotel addition came in 1958, with two buildings at the rear of the property. Designed by Douglas Honnold, they both were two stories and added 92 new rooms in total.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hess |first=Alan |title=Googie Redux: Ultramodern Roadside Architecture |date=2004 |publisher=Chronicle Books |isbn=978-0-8118-4272-3 |page=165 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uYiGA6QNE8sC&pg=PA165 |access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Opens 92 New Rooms |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Flamingo%20Opens%2092%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 31, 1958 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Expands |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149803850/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=August 30, 1958 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1961, the Flamingo added 200 additional rooms in a four-story structure. The following year, construction began on another building with an equal height and the same number of units.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo To Dedicate Addition |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Flamingo+To+Dedicate+Addition%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 10, 1962 |access-date=January 8, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Also from 2008 through November 2019 the headlining show at the Flamingo featured brother-sister musical duo [[Donny Osmond|Donny]] and [[Marie Osmond]]. Their show premiered in September 2008, and was extended through November 2019 for an eleven-year run.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.vegasnews.com/142449/donny-marie-extend-residency-at-flamingo-las-vegas.html |title = Donny and Marie Extend Residency in Las Vegas until November 2016! |date = November 9, 2015 }}</ref> The show was rated in The Best of Las Vegas online contest. Donny and Marie Osmond were voted "Best Performers of Las Vegas" in 2012, 2013 and 2014.<ref name="donny-and-marie">{{cite news |url = http://www.flamingolasvegas.com/shows/donny-and-marie.html/ |title = Donny & Marie Live at Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino }}</ref> The final show was on November 16, 2019<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2019/03/21/Donny-Marie-Osmond-to-end-Las-Vegas-show-after-11-years/3481553178216/ |title = Donny, Marie Osmond to end Las Vegas show after 11 years |website = UPI |language = en |access-date = June 3, 2019 }}</ref> and holds the record for the longest-running musical act in Vegas history with 1730 performances with more than 9 million tickets sold during the production.
 
[[File:View from the High Roller Ferris wheel - Las Vegas 14.jpg|thumb|Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare tower, located behind the Flamingo]]
The first high-rise addition, rising 28 stories and built parallel with the Strip, was completed in 1978.<ref name=Earnings>{{cite news |title=Hilton Hotel Corp. In Highest Earnings |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/85041643/ |work=Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph |date=April 16, 1978 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=June15/> An northward extension was finished two years later.<ref name=June15>{{cite news |title=Flamingo addition to be completed by June 15 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/387087408/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 1, 1980 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> By 1983, a third addition of equal height had been completed, giving the Flamingo Hilton a total of 2,250 rooms. This made it among [[List of largest hotels|the world's largest hotels]].<ref>{{cite news |title=About Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/799026175/ |work=Naples Daily News |date=February 6, 1983 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A Changing Las Vegas: The Strip |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/607403068/ |work=News-Pilot |date=May 10, 1986 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Two more additions, also 28 stories, were completed in 1988 and 1990;<ref name=Golden/><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hilton finishes tower with 728 rooms |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/175985358/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 27, 1990 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hilton offers 'Pull for a Million' deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/748699863/ |work=The Desert Sun |date=June 10, 1989 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> some of the property's older low-rise hotel structures were demolished to make way for the latter addition.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hotels cater to all ranges of high rollers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/264604865/ |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=May 14, 1989 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
 
The final hotel expansion project required the demolition of the original Oregon wing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Expansion Update |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Expansion+Update%22+%22Flamingo%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 9, 1993 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It closed on October 17, 1993,<ref name=Brown>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Patricia |title=Las Vegas History Falls To Demolition, Sparking Preservation Debate |url=https://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-10-31/business/9310310372_1_flamingo-hilton-demolition-dunes-hotel |work=Chicago Tribune |date=October 31, 1993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518183236/https://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-10-31/business/9310310372_1_flamingo-hilton-demolition-dunes-hotel |archive-date=May 18, 2015}}</ref> and was demolished two months later.<ref>{{cite news |last=Robertson |first=Alonza |title=Progress razes Siegel's 'fortress' |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%20%22Progress%20razes%20Siegel%27s%20%27fortress%27%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 15, 1993 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Builds>{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Tom |title=Video Vault {{!}} Bugsy Siegel builds the Flamingo in Las Vegas |url=https://news3lv.com/features/video-vault/video-vault-bugsy-siegel-builds-the-flamingo-in-las-vegas |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=KSNV |date=July 10, 2019}}</ref> The final high-rise building, with 612 rooms, was completed in January 1995.<ref name=612rooms>{{cite news |title=Vegas Flamingo adds 612 rooms |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/153715917/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=October 15, 1994 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The high-rise additions were designed by architect Homer Rissman.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manning |first1=Mary |last2=Koch |first2=Ed |title=Rissman, architect of Strip hotels, dies of cancer at 74 |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/oct/04/rissman-architect-of-strip-hotels-dies-of-cancer-a/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 4, 2001}}</ref> A [[timeshare]] property, part of [[Hilton Grand Vacations]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Hubble |title=Hilton adds third Las Vegas time share |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Feb-06-Fri-2004/business/23159126.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 6, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040401164020/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Feb-06-Fri-2004/business/23159126.html |archive-date=April 1, 2004}}</ref> was also built on the Flamingo's rear acreage during the 1994-95 expansion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton bets on Vegas time-shares |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Hilton+bets+on+Vegas+time-shares%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=February 2, 1993 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Timeshare plan breaks new ground |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Timeshare%20plan%20breaks%20new%20ground%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 27, 1994 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hyman Construction Wins Contract to Expand Flamingo in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/159189015/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 26, 1994 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It includes a 17-story tower and two 8-story towers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Flamingo South Tower |url=https://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=43302 |website=SkyscraperPage.com |access-date=January 22, 2024}}</ref>
 
The Flamingo hotel includes 3,460 rooms.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flamingo property overview |url=https://www.caesarsforum.com/properties/flamingo/Flamingo_V9.pdf |website=Caesars Entertainment |access-date=January 15, 2024 |page=7 |quote=Flamingo Las Vegas offers 3,460 guestrooms and suites.}}</ref> A 1,000-room renovation took place from 2000 to 2001, and 2,400 others were renovated in 2004.<ref name=Creighton/> Another renovation of 2,300 rooms was completed in 2012, at a cost of $10 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=Flamingo begins remodeling most of its 3,500 rooms |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/flamingo-begins-remodeling-most-of-its-3500-rooms/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 21, 2011}}</ref> Further room renovations took place from 2017 to 2018. The designer, Forrest Perkins, used gold and pink in the upgraded rooms and described them as contemporary retro-chic with a focus on the 70-year history of the Flamingo.<ref>{{cite news |last=Prince |first=Todd |title=Caesars plans $90M upgrade for Flamingo Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/caesars-plans-90m-upgrade-for-flamingo-las-vegas/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schulz |first=Bailey |title=Bunk bed rooms coming to Las Vegas Strip hotel |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/bunk-bed-rooms-coming-to-las-vegas-strip-hotel-1548797/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 11, 2018}}</ref>
 
===Pool and animal habitat===
{{multiple image
| align = left
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Circle Dance Flamingo Hotel Pool.jpg
| caption1 = The pool area in 2022
| image2 = Flamingos at Flamingo.JPG
| caption2 = Flamingo habitat
}}
Upon opening, the Flamingo included a pool area surrounded by tropical landscaping.<ref name=Bright/> A new tropical pool area, covering {{convert|15|acre|abbr=on}}, was added in the 1995 expansion; it includes a free animal habitat attraction.<ref name=Birds/><ref>{{cite news |title=Penguins at the Flamingo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/259004931/ |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=March 24, 1996 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Making a Splash: Cool Pools |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Jul-02-Sun-2006/living/7739381.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 2, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060704200331/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Jul-02-Sun-2006/living/7739381.html |archive-date=July 4, 2006}}</ref> Known as the Wildlife Habitat, it covers {{convert|4|acres|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Credico |first=Mark |title=Lions, sharks and flamingos, oh my! 6 spots to see wildlife in the valley |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/lions-sharks-and-flamingos-oh-my-6-spots-to-see-wildlife-in-the-valley-2869442/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 10, 2023}}</ref>
 
The Wildlife Habitat has featured numerous exotic birds throughout its history, such as [[Chilean flamingo]]s, [[black-necked swan]]s,<ref>{{cite news |last=Baude |first=Dawn-Michelle |title=Where to find an oasis of serenity away from the bright lights of Las Vegas |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-d-vegas-venues-20151025-story.html |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 24, 2015}}</ref> and pelicans.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shoro |first=Mike |title=Flamingo's Wildlife Habitat offers a break from the Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/flamingos-wildlife-habitat-offers-a-break-from-the-strip-1850306/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 17, 2019}}</ref><ref name=Touch/> It was also once the home of [[African penguin]]s,<ref name=Birds/><ref>{{cite news |last=McGee |first=Kimberley |title=Love on the rocks: Penguin paramours populate Flamingo Las Vegas' habitat |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/apr/16/love-on-the-rocks-penguin-paramours-populate-flami/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 16, 2002}}</ref> but they had been moved to the [[Dallas Zoo]] by 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title=Question of the Day |url=https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question/2006-10-06/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Advisor |date=October 6, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first1 = Crystal |last1 = Wood |first2 = Leah |last2 = Koepp |title = Explorer's Guide Las Vegas: A Great Destination |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bg0Rh_P74eAC&pg=PA96 |access-date = July 14, 2017 |date = September 14, 2011 |publisher = Countryman Press |isbn = 978-1-58157-910-9 |pages = 96– }}</ref> The Wildlife Habitat has also featured water turtles and various fish,<ref name=Touch/><ref>{{cite news |title=The Flamingo Hilton's Habitat is Habit Forming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/462165747/ |work=San Francisco Examiner |date=July 20, 1997 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Komenda |first=Ed |title=Flamingos live on the Las Vegas Strip. Here's a peek inside their habitat. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/07/31/inside-flamingos-las-vegas-strip-habitat/1830994001/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Reno Gazette Journal |date=July 31, 2019}}</ref> including catfish, [[grass carp]], [[koi]], and [[white sturgeon]].<ref name=Touch>{{cite news |last=Przybys |first=John |title=Flamingo Wildlife Habitat brings touch of nature to the Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/flamingo-wildlife-habitat-brings-touch-of-nature-to-the-strip/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 29, 2018}}</ref> The habitat's animals are chosen based on their ability to adapt to the [[Southern Nevada]] climate.<ref name=Birds>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hilton goes to birds with a new tropical oasis |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/155563552/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 10, 1995 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
 
The resort's pool area became one of the most popular in Las Vegas following a renovation in 1999.<ref name=Creighton>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Rod |title=Nevadan at Work: Lorenzo Creighton; President, Flamingo Las Vegas |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Oct-24-Sun-2004/business/24992161.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 24, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041030142814/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Oct-24-Sun-2004/business/24992161.html |archive-date=October 30, 2004}}</ref> It has four pools,<ref>{{cite news |last=Gould |first=Lark Ellen |title=Suit up: Last one in's a boiled egg |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-05-tr-vegas5-story.html |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 5, 2007}}</ref> and offers a popular dayclub, known as Go Pool, which includes DJ music.<ref>{{cite news |last=Przybys |first=John |title=Flamingo Las Vegas' Go Pool has contests, other events to boost fun factor |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/nightlife/flamingo-las-vegas-go-pool-has-contests-other-events-to-boost-fun-factor/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 1, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas' 11 best hotel pools |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/las-vegas-11-best-hotel-pools/story?id=56383169 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=ABC News |date=July 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Miyasato |first=Kiko |title=Jump into fun at GO Pool |url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2019/aug/30/go-pool-flamingo-dayclub/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Magazine |date=August 30, 2019}}</ref> The club launched in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Busting Out |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/busting-out/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 29, 2007}}</ref>
{{clear}}
===Neon signage===
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Las Vegas. Facciata del Flamingo Hotel.jpg
| image2 = Las Vegas, Nevada 1989 51.jpg
| footer = Neon flamingos and plumage in the late 1980s
}}
The 1953 renovation project included the addition of a "champagne tower" along the Strip, featuring neon lights depicting bubbles.<ref name=Greetings>{{cite book |last=Moruzzi |first=Peter |title=Greetings from Las Vegas |date=2019 |publisher=Gibbs Smith |isbn=978-1-4236-5177-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z9agDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT119 |access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mammouth New Flamingo Sign |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22New%20Flamingo%20Sign%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 24, 1953 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Turn>{{cite news |title=Tower Turn'er On'er |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22flamingo%22+%22jack+benny%2C+star+of+stage%22&date_from=1953&date_to=&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 12, 1953 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It rose more than 50 feet,<ref name=Turn/><ref>{{cite book |last=Lu |first=Duanfang |title=The Routledge Companion to Contemporary Architectural History |date=2023 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-317-37925-6 |page=381 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BifKEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA381 |access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref> and would remain as the tallest free-standing structure on the Strip into the next decade, eventually being eclipsed by a new sign installed at the [[Dunes (hotel and casino)|Dunes]] resort in 1964.<ref>{{cite news |last=Crosby |first=Gregory |title=Tales of Vegas Past: Signs of the times |url=http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2002/MERC-Nov-14-Thu-2002/20051130.html |work=Las Vegas Mercury |date=November 14, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021210045235/http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2002/MERC-Nov-14-Thu-2002/20051130.html |archive-date=December 10, 2002}}</ref>
 
The champagne tower was demolished in 1968, when a new roadside sign was added along the Strip.<ref>{{cite news |title=The New and the Old |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22The%20Old%22%20%22The%20Flamingo%20Hotel%20sports%22&date_from=1968&date_to=&content_added=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 8, 1968 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was designed by Bill Clarke of Ad-Art.<ref name=Survey>{{cite web |title=Neon Survey: Sunset to Sahara |url=https://gaming.unlv.edu/v_museum/neon_survey/surveys/Flamingo.html |website=University of Nevada, Las Vegas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617232708/https://gaming.unlv.edu/v_museum/neon_survey/surveys/Flamingo.html |archive-date=June 17, 2021}}</ref> The 120-foot-high sign was torn down in 1989, to help make way for Hilton's new [[O'Sheas Casino]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Coming Down |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Coming+Down%22+%22120-foot-high+sign%22&date_from=1989&date_to=&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 18, 1989 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=News |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22flamingo%22+%22sign%22+%22o%27sheas%22&date_from=1989&date_to=&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 22, 1989 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> A smaller version of this sign, added during the 1980s, was present along Flamingo Road until 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flamingo, Las Vegas, 1984 |url=https://vintagelasvegas.com/post/47034282801/1984 |website=Vintage Las Vegas |access-date=January 15, 2024 |date=April 3, 2013}}</ref>
 
In 1976, Heath and Company was hired to revamp the facade with new neon signage, at a cost of $1.5 million. The project was overseen by Raul Rodriguez, a designer at Heath.<ref>{{cite news |title=Heath, Hilton contract on Flamingo lighting |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Heath%2C%20Hilton%20contract%20on%20Flamingo%20Lighting%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 24, 1976 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mai-Duc |first=Christine |title=Raul Rodriguez, designer of Rose Parade floats, dies at 71 |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-raul-rodriguez-dies-rose-parade-floats-20150218-story.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 19, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Designs Decoded: Technical Drawings from Federal Heath |url=https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/blog/designs-decoded-technical-drawings-from-federal-heath |website=Neon Museum |access-date=January 10, 2024 |date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> Rodriguez initially struggled for creative inspiration, as the Flamingo lacked a theme other than its namesake bird, on which he would ultimately base his design.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Flamingo Finds Its Feathers: How Raul Rodriguez Created One of Las Vegas' Most Enduring Symbols |url=https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/blog/the-flamingo-finds-its-feathers |website=Neon Museum |access-date=January 14, 2024 |date=April 6, 2020}}</ref> The project was completed in 1977.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Strip Landmark |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?date_from=1977&date_to=&text=%22New+Strip+Landmark%22+%22Flamingo%22&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 27, 1977 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It included prominent neon signs depicting flamingo plumage, in addition to neon flamingos against a mirrored backdrop.<ref name=Survey/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Chase |first1=John |last2=Montag |first2=Warren |title=Glitter Stucco & Dumpster Diving: Reflections on Building Production in the Vernacular City |date=2000 |publisher=Verso |isbn=978-1-85984-807-4 |page=127 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XyAi6kgFuVYC&pg=PA127 |access-date=January 10, 2024}}</ref>
 
===Other features===
[[File:20130814-175007 - IMG 3482.jpg|thumb|left|Margaritaville in 2013]]
For teenage visitors, the Flamingo added its 7-11 Club in 1960, named for its hours of operation during the evening.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Plans Teenage Club |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?date_from=1960&date_to=&text=%22Flamingo%22+%22Teenage+Club%22&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 26, 1960 |access-date=January 8, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> A convention hall was added the following year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flying Fashions |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?date_from=1961&date_to=&text=%22Flying%20Fashions%22&content_added=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 29, 1961 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The present-day Flamingo includes {{convert|73000|sqft|abbr=on}} of meeting space, which underwent a $6.5 million renovation in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Thomas |title=Flamingo completes $6.5 million renovation of meeting center |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/aug/03/flamingo-completes-65-million-renovation-of-meetin/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>
 
By 1988, the Flamingo had six restaurants, including a buffet.<ref name=Golden/> The 167-seat Burger Joint opened in 2010,<ref>{{cite news |title=Hamburger celebrated in many ways at Flamingo |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/hamburger-celebrated-in-many-ways-at-flamingo/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 11, 2010}}</ref> and was replaced two years later by Center Cut Steakhouse.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sylvester |first=Ron |title=New steakhouse, Carlos'n Charlie's franchise coming to Flamingo |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/mar/01/steakhouse-carlosn-charlies-franchise-coming-flami/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 1, 2012}}</ref> The latter closed in 2019,<ref name=Hiller>{{cite news |last=Hiller |first=Michael |title=Flamingo Las Vegas to launch new steakhouse that channels its gangster past |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2019-12-20/flamingo-las-vegas-bugsy-meyer-steakhouse |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> and opened a year later as Bugsy & Meyer's Steakhouse,<ref name=Finally/> named after Siegel and Lansky.<ref name=Hiller/><ref name=Finally>{{cite news |last=Knapp Rinella |first=Heidi |title=New Las Vegas steakhouse Bugsy & Meyer's to finally open |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/new-las-vegas-steakhouse-bugsy-meyers-to-finally-open-2056504/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Durano |first=Genevie |title=Bugsy & Meyer's Steakhouse at the Flamingo pays homage to Las Vegas' past |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/dining/2020/aug/06/bugsy-meyers-steakhouse-at-the-flamingo-pays-homag/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=August 6, 2020}}</ref> It includes a hidden [[speakeasy]]-style bar.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title=Meet the Secret Speakeasy Dubbed the Count Room Live Inside Bugsy & Meyer's Steakhouse |url=https://vegas.eater.com/2022/2/10/22927367/the-count-room-inside-bugsy-meyers-steakhouse-entertainment-music-cocktail-cart |website=Eater |access-date=January 8, 2024 |date=February 10, 2022}}</ref> Television personality [[Lisa Vanderpump]] is scheduled to open Pinky's in mid-2024, marking her third restaurant on the Strip.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Johnathan L. |title=Lisa Vanderpump thinks pink with her newest Strip restaurant |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/lisa-vanderpump-thinks-pink-with-her-newest-strip-restaurant-2933198/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 3, 2023}}</ref> Chef [[Gordon Ramsay]] will also open his seventh Strip restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Burger, around the same time.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Johnathan L. |title=Gordon Ramsay's new restaurant announces name, opening date |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/gordon-ramsays-new-restaurant-announces-name-opening-date-2941253/ |access-date=June 20, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 20, 2023}}</ref>
 
In December 2003, the resort added a [[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville]] restaurant and gift shop, located along the Strip.<ref>{{cite news |title = Margaritaville opens at Flamingo |url = http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2003/dec/15/margaritaville-opens-at-flamingo/ |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = Las Vegas Sun |date = December 15, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Spencer |title=Buffett treats devotees to party at Flamingo |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/jan/23/buffett-treats-devotees-to-party-at-flamingo/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=January 23, 2004}}</ref> Its construction required the removal of two prior restaurants.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stevens |first=Muriel |title=Flamingo's newest diverse and delicious |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/nov/07/columnist-muriel-stevens-flamingos-newest-diverse-/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 7, 2003}}</ref> An adjacent Margaritaville "minicasino", with {{convert|15000|sqft|abbr=on}} of gaming space, was opened in October 2011, replacing Steakhouse 46.<ref>{{cite news |title = Margaritaville Casino to hire 250 workers |url = http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/16/jimmy-buffetts-margaritaville-casino-hire-250-work/ |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = Las Vegas Sun |date = August 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sieroty |first=Chris |title=Margaritaville-themed gaming area planned for Flamingo |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/margaritaville-themed-gaming-area-planned-for-flamingo/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 26, 2011}}</ref> The addition cost $10 million, and featured 220 slot machines and 22 table games.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=No more wasting away: Margaritaville casino expansion serves two purposes |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/no-more-wasting-away-margaritaville-casino-expansion-serves-two-purposes/ |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 29, 2011}}</ref> The Margaritaville casino operated until 2018,<ref>{{cite web |title=Margaritaville Casino at Flamingo to be rebranded |url=https://vegaschanges.com/2018/05/14/margaritaville-casino-at-flamingo-to-be-rebranded/ |website=VegasChanges |access-date=March 22, 2024 |date=September 1, 2018}}</ref> and the restaurant closed, as planned,<ref>{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Johnathan L. |title=Margaritaville closing after more than 20 years on Las Vegas Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/margaritaville-closing-after-more-than-20-years-on-las-vegas-strip-3019131/ |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 20, 2024}}</ref> on May 30, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Margaritaville Closes, Country Venue is Moving In Next |url=https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/margaritaville-closes-country-venue-is-moving-in-next/ |website=casino.org |publisher=Vital Vegas |access-date=2 June 2024}}</ref>
 
==Live entertainment==
[[Jimmy Durante]] and [[Rose Marie]] performed on opening night, and the latter became a frequent entertainer there in the years to follow.<ref name=Golden>{{cite news |title=Hotel took root in desert |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/836216079/ |work=Golden Rain News |date=September 1, 1988 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Knightly |first=Marcy |title=Rose Marie, who performed at the Flamingo opening in 1946, remembers it well |url=https://themobmuseum.org/blog/rose-marie/ |website=The Mob Museum |access-date=January 13, 2024 |date=November 3, 2017}}</ref> Other notable early performers included [[Tony Martin (American singer)|Tony Martin]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |title=Singer Tony Martin, 'the ultimate crooner,' dies |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/singer-tony-martin-the-ultimate-crooner-dies/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=July 31, 2012}}</ref> [[Lena Horne]], [[Louis Armstrong]],<ref name=Swanston>{{cite news |last=Swanston |first=Brenna |title=History of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas |url=https://traveltips.usatoday.com/history-flamingo-hotel-las-vegas-21590.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=March 15, 2018}}</ref> and [[Della Reese]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Della is Irked at Hamp, Darin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/60165938/ |work=The Bridgeport Post |date=August 24, 1962 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Wayne Newton]] became a headliner at the Flamingo in 1963,<ref>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title='I would have to get a real job': Wayne Newton extends Flamingo residency |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/i-would-have-to-get-a-real-job-wayne-newton-extends-flamingo-residency-2895574/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> and had a residency there during 2006.<ref name=Wallace>{{cite news |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title=Newton, Wallace have little in common aside from the same showroom |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-03-Fri-2006/weekly/5652439.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 3, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901133906/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-03-Fri-2006/weekly/5652439.html |archive-date=September 1, 2006}}</ref> He began another residency in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title=Wayne Newton is back to guide audiences through his legendary career in Las Vegas |url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2022/jan/28/wayne-newton-flamingo-las-vegas-strip-music/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Magazine |date=January 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title='Mr. Las Vegas' Wayne Newton extends Flamingo production |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/mr-las-vegas-wayne-newton-extends-flamingo-production-2778044/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=della Cava |first=Marco |title=You can see Wayne Newton perform in Las Vegas into 2024, but never at a karaoke bar |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/08/29/wayne-newton-mr-las-vegas-extends-residency-at-the-flamingo/70708040007/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> Comedian [[George Wallace (American comedian)|George Wallace]] also entertained at the Flamingo during the 2000s.<ref name=Wallace/>
 
In 1963, [[Bobby Darin]] recorded his [[live album]] ''The Curtain Falls: Live at the Flamingo'', which went un-released until 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bobby Darin - The Curtain Falls: Live at the Flamingo |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-curtain-falls-live-at-the-flamingo-mw0000000765 |website=AllMusic |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> [[Bill Cosby]] recorded his third [[comedy album]], titled ''[[Why Is There Air?]]'', at the resort in 1965.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Is There Air? |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/why-is-there-air--mw0000598380 |website=AllMusic |access-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref> Singer [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] also recorded a live album there, titled ''[[Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas]]'' and released in 1969.<ref>{{cite book |last=McKay |first=Janis L. |title=Played Out on the Strip: The Rise and Fall of Las Vegas Casino Bands |date=2016 |publisher=University of Nevada Press |isbn=978-1-943859-03-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6CuVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT54 |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Zoglin |first=Richard |title=Elvis in Vegas: How the King Reinvented the Las Vegas Show |date=2020 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-5011-5120-0 |page=164 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wbYCEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA164 |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>
 
In June 1965, [[Fats Domino]] recorded his live album ''[[Fats Domino '65]]'' at the Flamingo.
 
===Flamingo Showroom===
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Flamingo (2597820752).jpg
| image2 = Flamingo Hotel.jpg
| footer = Advertisements on the front of the hotel for [[Toni Braxton]], and [[Donny Osmond|Donny]] and [[Marie Osmond]], both in 2008.
}}
The primary entertainment venue is the 780-seat Flamingo Showroom.<ref name="t699">{{cite web | last=Shulman | first=Michael | title=How Vegas Residencies Became a Billion-Dollar Business | website=Business Traveler USA | date=August 4, 2023 | url=https://businesstravelerusa.com/business/how-vegas-residencies-became-a-billion-dollar-business/ | access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> ''City Lites'', an ice-skating show, opened there in 1981.<ref>{{cite news |title=Showmen who created 'Razzle Dazzle' team up to produce 'City-Lites' at the Flamingo Hilton |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/388998992/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 8, 1981 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='City Lites' Sparkles On Stage At The Flamingo Hilton |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/121457785/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=May 30, 1982 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The initial budget was approximately $1 million. The show proved to be popular,<ref>{{cite news |title=Veteran Strip show producer Arnold dies |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/dec/30/veteran-strip-show-producer-arnold-dies/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 30, 1997}}</ref> running until 1995.<ref name=Hoof/> It was replaced by ''The Great Radio City Spectacular'', a dance show starring [[the Rockettes]] and [[Susan Anton]], which ran for five years.<ref name=Hoof>{{cite news |title=Rockettes hoof their way to Las Vegas for indefinite run |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/169214393/ |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=January 29, 1995 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Delaney |first=Joe |title=Tireless Taylor gives life to 'Radio City' at Flamingo |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/feb/11/tireless-taylor-gives-life-to-radio-city-at-flamin/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 11, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rockettes perform final show |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/jul/31/rockettes-perform-final-show/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 31, 2000}}</ref> ''Bottoms Up'', a long-running local show featuring topless dancers, debuted at the Flamingo Showroom in 2000, and ran for four years.<ref>Retrieved January 14, 2024:
*{{cite news |last=Maddox |first=Kate |title=Flamingo to bare 'Bottoms Up' |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/jul/02/columnist-kate-maddox-flamingo-to-bare-bottoms-up/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 2, 2000}}
*{{cite news |last=Delaney |first=Joe |title='Bottoms Up' is in top form at Flamingo Las Vegas |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/aug/18/bottoms-up-is-in-top-form-at-flamingo-las-vegas/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 18, 2000}}
*{{cite news |last=Maddox |first=Kate |title='Bottoms Up' lifting Flamingo |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/feb/24/columnist-kate-maddox-bottoms-up-lifting-flamingo/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 24, 2001}}
*{{cite news |title='Bottoms Up' to say goodbye to Flamingo |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/sep/29/bottoms-up-to-say-goodbye-to-flamingo/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=September 29, 2004}}</ref>
 
A show by songwriter [[Rita Abrams]], based on the book ''[[Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus]]'', had a 10-month run in the showroom, ending in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title=Flamingo in no hurry to fill vacant showroom, official says |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Jul-31-Tue-2001/living/16664155.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 31, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011225140824/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Jul-31-Tue-2001/living/16664155.html |archive-date=December 25, 2001}}</ref> [[Gladys Knight & the Pips]] played the venue from 2002 to 2005,<ref>Retrieved January 13, 2024:
*{{Cite web |url = https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/nov/28/knight-in-vegas/ |title = Knight in Vegas |last = Patterson |first = Spencer |date = November 28, 2003 |website = Las Vegas Sun}}
*{{cite news |last=Delaney |first=Joe |title=Knight gives it her all in Flamingo show |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/feb/15/knight-gives-it-her-all-in-flamingo-show/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 15, 2002}}
*{{cite news |last=Fink |first=Jerry |title=At Flamingo, the sun never sets on Knight |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/feb/21/at-flamingo-the-sun-never-sets-on-knight/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 21, 2003}}
*{{cite news |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title=Gladys Knight settling in at Trop |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/entertainment-gladys-knight-settling-in-at-trop/ |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> and singer [[Toni Braxton]] had a show there from 2006 to 2008 titled ''[[Toni Braxton: Revealed]]'', the show eventually closed due to Braxton's health problems.<ref>{{cite news |title=Braxton not in sync |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2006/aug/29/braxton-not-in-sync/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 29, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2008/05/breaking-news-t.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080602004526/http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2008/05/breaking-news-t.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 2, 2008 |title = Toni Braxton Show canceled |work = Los Angeles Times |date = May 29, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title='Dancing' deja vu for Flamingo |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/mike-weatherford/dancing-deja-vu-for-flamingo/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 28, 2008}}</ref>
 
Brother-sister musical duo [[Donny Osmond|Donny]] and [[Marie Osmond]] opened in the showroom in September 2008,<ref>{{cite news |title=Donny & Marie set at Flamingo through 2013 -- and likely longer |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/kats-report/2013/jan/08/donny-marie-set-flamingo-through-2013----and-likel/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=lasvegasweekly.com |date=January 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name=USA/> helping the Flamingo stay profitable amid the [[Great Recession]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=In tough times, Flamingo's feathers unruffled |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/kats-report/2009/feb/13/tough-times-flamingos-feathers-unruffled/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=February 13, 2009}}</ref> The show was originally intended for a six-week run, but was continually extended due to its popularity.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title=Donny and Marie Osmond to call it quits on Las Vegas show |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/la-tr-las-vegas-donny-marie-cancel-show-20181024-story.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 24, 2018}}</ref><ref name=USA>{{cite news |title=Donny and Marie Osmond's Las Vegas show will end after 11 years |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2019/03/21/donny-and-marie-osmonds-las-vegas-show-end-after-11-years/3235796002/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=March 21, 2019}}</ref> After five years, the venue was renamed the Donny & Marie Showroom.<ref>{{cite news |last=Means |first=Sean P. |title=Donny & Marie get their Vegas showroom named after them |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=56968995&itype=CMSID |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=October 7, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Forgione>{{cite news |last=Forgione |first=Mary |title=Donny and Marie close their 11-year run in Las Vegas |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2019-11-11/donny-and-marie-osmond-flamingo-las-vegas |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> They ended their residency in November 2019,<ref name=Forgione/><ref>{{cite news |last=Przybys |first=John |title=Donny and Marie: A look back at their Las Vegas residency |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/donny-and-marie-a-look-back-at-their-las-vegas-residency-1890821/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 12, 2019}}</ref> after 1,730 performances.<ref>{{cite news |last=Trepany |first=Charles |title='Goodnight, everybody': Marie and Donny Osmond close Las Vegas live show after 11 years |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/11/18/marie-donny-osmond-fight-tears-during-last-las-vegas-show/4233723002/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=November 18, 2019}}</ref>
 
Following the Osmonds' departure, the venue name was changed back to the Flamingo Showroom. ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race Live!]]'' debuted there in January 2020, featuring drag queens who once competed on ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' and ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]'', including [[Aquaria (drag queen)|Aquaria]], [[Derrick Barry]], and [[Yvie Oddly]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title='Ru Paul's Drag Race Live!' opening at Flamingo Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/ru-pauls-drag-race-live-opening-at-flamingo-las-vegas-1843206/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title='RuPaul's Drag Race Live' brings its fabulousness to the Flamingo |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2020/jan/23/rupauls-drag-race-live-brings-its-fabulousness/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> The show surpassed 700 performances in 2024.<ref>{{citation |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Live! cast celebrates epic 700th performance in Las Vegas |url=https://www.news3lv.com/news/local/rupauls-drag-race-live-cast-celebrates-epic-700th-performance-in-las-vegas |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=News 3 Las Vegas |date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>
 
Other residencies in the showroom have included singer [[Olivia Newton-John]], whose show ''[[Summer Nights (concert residency)|Summer Nights]]'' ran from April 2014 through December 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title=Las Vegas: Olivia Newton-John to perform at the Flamingo |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-las-vegas-olivia-newton-john-flamingo-20140212-story.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title='Grease' stars Olivia Newton-John and Didi Conn reunite in Las Vegas |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/lasvegasnow/la-tr-lvn-las-vegas-celebrities-olivia-newtonjohn-didi-conn-20150105-story.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Flamingo series highlighted Newton-John's Las Vegas history |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/flamingo-series-highlighted-newton-johns-las-vegas-history-2619905/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 8, 2022}}</ref> [[Keith Sweat]] began a residency in 2017, titled ''Keith Sweat: Last Forever''.<ref name="Radke 2017 q186">{{cite web | last=Radke | first=Brock | title=Get ready for an intimate musical residency with Keith Sweat | website=Las Vegas Weekly | date=January 12, 2017 | url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/nightlife/industry-weekly/2017/jan/12/forecast-keith-sweat-flamingo-residency-/ | access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref> [[Paula Abdul]] had a residency from 2019 to 2020, with her [[Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl|Forever Your Girl]] production.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2019 |title=Caesars announces Paula Abdul residency at Flamingo |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/caesars-announces-paula-abdul-residency-at-flamingo/article_10924ab8-6c1c-11e9-8f4d-a723b6518e1f.html |website=KVVU |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731192806/https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/caesars-announces-paula-abdul-residency-at-flamingo/article_10924ab8-6c1c-11e9-8f4d-a723b6518e1f.html |archive-date=July 31, 2020}}</ref>
 
===Bugsy's Cabaret===
A 230-seat venue, Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre, was added as part of an expansion in 1992. It is named after Siegel,<ref name=Impersonator>{{cite news |title=Impersonator show to open at Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/177423785/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 25, 1992 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Recognition comes late |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152784570/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=October 29, 1992 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flamingo Hilton remembers Bugsy Siegel during 50th anniversary |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Flamingo+Hilton+remembers+Bugsy+Siegel+during+50th+anniversary%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 16, 1997 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and was later renamed Bugsy's Cabaret.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fink |first=Jerry |title=Comic takes raunchy act to bigger digs at the Flamingo |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/aug/18/comic-takes-raunchy-act-bigger-digs-flamingo/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 18, 2008}}</ref> A musical, ''Forever Plaid'', ended its six-year run at the theater in 2001, after more than 3,500 performances.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top 5 Shows: In Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/266706278/ |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=June 18, 1995 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Forever Plaid' left to ponder life after Flamingo |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/dec/15/forever-plaid-left-to-ponder-life-after-flamingo/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 15, 2000}}</ref> It was replaced by [[The Second City]], an [[improvisational comedy]] group with a rotating cast of performers. The Second City debuted in 2001,<ref>{{cite news |last=Maddox |first=Kate |title=Flamingo lining up for Seconds |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/jan/09/columnist-kate-maddox-flamingo-lining-up-for-secon/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=January 9, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Delaney |first=Joe |title='Second City' settles in nicely at Flamingo Las Vegas' showroom |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/mar/16/second-city-settles-in-nicely-at-flamingo-las-vega/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 16, 2001}}</ref> and ran for several years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Second to none: 'The Second City' chugs along at Flamingo Las Vegas |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/aug/29/second-to-none-the-second-city-chugs-along-at-flam/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 29, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Split-second timing crucial for 'City' comedy troupe at Flamingo |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/jan/14/split-second-timing-crucial-for-city-comedy-troupe/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=January 14, 2005}}</ref>
 
''X Burlesque'', featuring female dancers, opened at the theater in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title=X Burlesque |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?date_from=2007&date_to=&text=%22x+burlesque%22+%22flamingo%22&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 2, 2007 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Steeped in Vegas history, 'X Burlesque' hits No. 20 at Flamingo |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/steeped-in-vegas-history-x-burlesque-hits-no-20-at-flamingo-2564122/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 20, 2022}}</ref> [[Piff the Magic Dragon]], a comedic entertainer, has performed at the Flamingo since 2015,<ref>{{cite news |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title='X Comedy Uncensored Fun' brings a magic dragon, impersonator and more |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/lasvegasnow/la-tr-lvn-las-vegas-shows-x-comedy-uncensored-fun-20150617-story.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 18, 2015}}</ref> initially using the same stage as ''X Burlesque''. The venue was renamed after Piff in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/1-theater-2-shows-3-titles-on-the-las-vegas-strip-1671228/ |title = 1 theater, 2 shows, 3 titles on the Las Vegas Strip |date = May 24, 2019 |website = Las Vegas Review-Journal |language = en-US |access-date = June 3, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1 = Palmer |first1 = Rob |title = The Dragons of CSICon |url = https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-dragons-of-csicon/ |website = Skeptical Inquirer |date = July 23, 2019 |publisher = Center for Inquiry |access-date = April 8, 2021 }}</ref> until he moved to the main showroom a year later.<ref name=Rolls>{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title=Piff the Magic Dragon rolls into three more years at Flamingo Las Vegas |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/dec/06/piff-the-magic-dragon-rolls-into-three-more-years/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name=Breathing/> Piff's sidekicks include showgirl and spouse Jade Simone, and a chihuahua named Mr. Piffles.<ref>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Piff ready to fire it up once more at Flamingo |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/piff-ready-to-fire-it-up-once-more-at-flamingo-2262327/ |access-date=January 3, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name=Breathing>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Piff still breathing fire with three-year Flamingo extension |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/piff-still-breathing-fire-with-three-year-flamingo-extension-2467353/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 27, 2021}}</ref>
 
==In popular culture==
===Film===
The Flamingo made numerous film appearances in its early years, including ''[[The Invisible Wall (1947 film)|The Invisible Wall]]'' (1947),<ref name=Bright/><ref>{{cite web |last=Stoldal |first=Bob |title=Vegas goes dark |url=https://knpr.org/magazine-desert-companion/2015-08-27/vegas-goes-dark |website=Nevada Public Radio |access-date=January 14, 2024 |date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> ''[[The Lady Gambles]]'' (1949),<ref name=Bright/> ''[[My Friend Irma Goes West]]'' (1950),<ref name=Epting>{{cite news |last=Epting |first=Chris |title=Reel Las Vegas |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3840263 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505211932/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3840263 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=December 30, 2003}}</ref> ''[[The Las Vegas Story (film)|The Las Vegas Story]]'' (1952),<ref name=Bright/><ref>{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Tom |title=Video Vault {{!}} 'Las Vegas Story' sought to be U.S. version of 'Casablanca' |url=https://news3lv.com/features/video-vault/video-vault-las-vegas-story-sought-to-be-us-version-of-casablanca |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=KSNV |date=July 6, 2016}}</ref> and ''[[The Girl Rush]]'' (1955).<ref name=Bright>{{cite book |last=Gragg |first=Larry |title=Bright Light City: Las Vegas in Popular Culture |date=2013 |publisher=University Press of Kansas |isbn=978-0-7006-1903-0 |pages=86–87 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dR6pEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA186 |access-date=January 12, 2024}}</ref>
The 1964 film ''[[Viva Las Vegas]]'' and the 1960 version of ''[[Ocean's 11 (1960 film)|Ocean's 11]]'' were filmed at the hotel,<ref>{{Cite news |last = Taylor |first = F. Andrew |date = May 15, 2014 |title = Many 'Viva Las Vegas' filming sites remain unchanged |language = en-US |work = Las Vegas Review-Journal |url = https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/movies/many-viva-las-vegas-filming-sites-remain-unchanged/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 }}</ref> as was a flashback sequence from the [[Ocean's Eleven (2001 film)|2001 version of the latter film]].<ref>{{Cite web |date = June 8, 2016 |title = Scene In Nevada: Ocean's Eleven |url = https://nevadafilm.com/scene-in-nevada-oceans-eleven/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 |website = Nevada Film Office |language = en-US }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1 = Abramovitch |first1 = Seth |date = May 31, 2018 |title = Hollywood Flashback: How Sinatra and the Men of 'Ocean's 11' Made Vegas "Pop" in 1960 |language = en-US |work = Hollywood Reporter |url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-frank-sinatra-men-ocean-s-11-made-vegas-pop-1114894/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 }}</ref> In the 1960 version, the Flamingo was one of the five Las Vegas casinos robbed by characters played by [[Dean Martin]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Peter Lawford]], [[Sammy Davis Jr.]] and others.
 
In ''[[Ocean's 11]]'' (1960), the Flamingo is one of five Las Vegas casinos to be robbed by the main characters.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Abramovitch |first = Seth |date = May 31, 2018 |title = Hollywood Flashback: How Sinatra and the Men of 'Ocean's 11' Made Vegas 'Pop' in 1960 |language = en-US |work = Hollywood Reporter |url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-frank-sinatra-men-ocean-s-11-made-vegas-pop-1114894/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 }}</ref> The resort also appears in a flashback sequence in [[Ocean's Eleven|the 2001 remake]].<ref>{{Cite web |date = June 8, 2016 |title = Scene In Nevada: Ocean's Eleven |url = https://nevadafilm.com/scene-in-nevada-oceans-eleven/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 |website = Nevada Film Office |language = en-US }}</ref> ''[[Viva Las Vegas]]'' (1964) includes prominent footage of the Flamingo's pool area.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Taylor |first = F. Andrew |date = May 15, 2014 |title = Many 'Viva Las Vegas' filming sites remain unchanged |language = en-US |work = Las Vegas Review-Journal |url = https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/movies/many-viva-las-vegas-filming-sites-remain-unchanged/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 }}</ref> The resort later appeared in ''[[Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (film)|Elvira: Mistress of the Dark]]'' (1988).<ref>{{cite news |title=Video Vault: Horror Hostess 'Elvira' started career as Vegas' youngest showgirl |url=https://news3lv.com/features/video-vault/video-vault--horror-hostess-elvira-started-career-as-vegas-youngest-showgirl |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=KSNV |date=September 24, 2015}}</ref>
The 1991 film ''[[Bugsy]]'' starring [[Warren Beatty]] depicted [[Bugsy Siegel]]'s involvement in the construction of the Flamingo, though many of the details were altered for dramatic effect. For instance, in the film, Siegel originates the idea of the Flamingo, instead of buying ownership from Billy Wilkerson, and is killed after the first opening on December 26, 1946, rather than the second opening of the Flamingo in 1947.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Gragg |first = Larry |date = December 22, 2021 |title = Separating fact from fiction on the Flamingo Hotel's 75th anniversary |url = https://themobmuseum.org/blog/separating-fact-from-fiction-on-the-flamingo-hotels-75th-anniversary/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 |website = The Mob Museum |language = en-US }}</ref>
 
The 1991 film ''[[Bugsy]]'', starring [[Warren Beatty]], depicted Siegel's involvement in the construction of the Flamingo, though many of the details were altered for dramatic effect. For instance, in the film, Siegel originates the idea of the Flamingo, instead of buying ownership from Wilkerson, and is killed after the first opening in 1946, rather than the second opening in 1947.<ref name=Gragg>{{Cite web |last = Gragg |first = Larry |date = December 22, 2021 |title = Separating fact from fiction on the Flamingo Hotel's 75th anniversary |url = https://themobmuseum.org/blog/separating-fact-from-fiction-on-the-flamingo-hotels-75th-anniversary/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 |website = The Mob Museum |language = en-US }}</ref> The film helped popularize the myth of Siegel as the Flamingo's true visionary.<ref name=Dreaming>{{cite news |last=Whitely |first=Joan |title=New book credits Hollywood Reporter publisher with dreaming up modern Las Vegas |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Feb-10-Thu-2000/lifestyles/12901701.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 10, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010820231353/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Feb-10-Thu-2000/lifestyles/12901701.html |archive-date=August 20, 2001}}</ref><ref name=Examines>{{cite news |last=Fink |first=Jerry |title=Book examines 'The Man Who Invented Las Vegas' |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/feb/15/book-examines-the-man-who-invented-las-vegas/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 15, 2000}}</ref> The original Flamingo was recreated for the film through sets, based on research such as historic photographs.<ref name=Benenson>{{cite news |last=Benenson |first=Laurie Halpern |title='Bugsy' Taps a Mobster's Lavish Dream |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/01/archives/film-bugsy-taps-a-mobsters-lavish-dream.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=September 1, 1991}}</ref>
===Television===
The Netflix original series ''[[Lilyhammer]]'' featuring E-Street Band guitarist and singer [[Steven Van Zandt]] features a nightclub in [[Lillehammer, Norway]], named the Flamingo. During its construction, Van Zandt's character, Giovanni Henriksen (aka Frank "The Fixer" Tagliano), referenced the hotel and casino, as well as Benjamin Siegel, as his inspiration for the nightclub.<ref>{{Cite web |date = December 31, 2014 |title = Blogging Season 1 of Lilyhammer by Netflix |url = https://criticsrant.com/blogging-season-1-of-lilyhammer-by-netflix/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 |website = Critics Rant |language = en-US }}</ref>
 
===Television===
In the television series ''[[Vegas (1978 TV series)|Vega$]]'' (1978–1981), starring [[Robert Urich]], and filmed entirely in Las Vegas, the Flamingo Hilton is featured prominently in the opening montage.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz76342wQTg |title=Vega$ TV intro (1978)}}</ref>
The Flamingo Hilton is featured prominently in the opening montage of the television series ''[[Vegas (1978 TV series)|Vega$]]'' (1978–1981).<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz76342wQTg |title=Vega$ TV intro (1978)}}</ref> The series ''[[Lilyhammer]]'' (2012–2014) also features a nightclub in [[Lillehammer, Norway]], named the Flamingo. During its construction, character Frank Tagliano references Siegel and the hotel-casino as his inspiration for the nightclub.<ref>{{Cite web |date = December 31, 2014 |title = Blogging Season 1 of Lilyhammer by Netflix |url = https://criticsrant.com/blogging-season-1-of-lilyhammer-by-netflix/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 |website = Critics Rant |language = en-US }}</ref>
 
===Literature===
[[Hunter S. Thompson]] and [[Oscar Zeta Acosta]] stayed at the Flamingo while attending a seminar by the National Conference of District Attorneys on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs held at the [[Dunes (hotel and casino)|Dunes Hotel]] across the street. Several of their experiences in their room are depicted in Thompson's 1971 novel ''[[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal |jstor = 23352511 |title = What Happens in Vegas: Hunter S. Thompson's Political Philosophy |first = Jason |last = Vredenburg |journal = Journal of American Studies |volume = 47 |issue = 1 |date = February 2013 |page = 154 |doi = 10.1017/S0021875812001314 |s2cid = 143197858 }}</ref>
 
The Flamingo figures prominently in the [[Tim Powers]]1992 novel ''[[Last Call (novel)|Last Call]]'' by [[Tim Powers]]. In the novel, the Flamingo is supposedly founded on Siegel's mythical/mystical paranoia of being pursued and killed for his archetypal position as the "King of the West", known mythologically as "[[Fisher King]]". Supposedly the Flamingo itself was meant to be a real-life personification of "[[The Tower (Tarot card)|The Tower]]" card of the tarot deck.<ref>{{Cite web |date = April 20, 1992 |title = Last Call |url = https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tim-powers/last-call-2/ |access-date = December 24, 2021 |website = Kirkus Reviews |language = en }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Baude |first=Dawn-Michelle |title=Look beyond The Strip: Las Vegas has reinvented itself as a literary destination |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-d-vegas-main-20151025-story.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
 
==See also==
Line 125 ⟶ 217:
* [[List of casinos in Nevada]]
* [[List of hotels in the United States]]
* [[List of largest hotels]]
* [[The Don CeSar]]
 
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
 
==References==
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{{Las Vegas casinos}}
{{Las Vegas hotels}}
{{Las Vegas skyscrapers}}
{{Las Vegas Strip}}
{{Caesars Entertainment}}
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:Flamingo Las Vegas|*]]
[[Category:1946 establishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1946]]
[[Category:Caesars Entertainment]]
[[Category:Casino hotels]]
[[Category:Casinos in theParadise, Las Vegas ValleyNevada]]
[[Category:Hotels established in 1946]]
[[Category:Las Vegas Strip]]
[[Category:Resorts in the Las Vegas Valley]]
[[Category:Skyscraper hotels in Paradise, Nevada]]
[[Category:Streamline Moderne architecture in Nevada]]
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