You should have been in this town before 1995 or so.

 

NOTHING was open on sundays...You were lucky to find a "insert certain middle/far eastern ethnic groups" run gas station or convenience store.

 

I think a lot of this is a hold over from a bygone (but not completely) era.....Sunday was church and Sunday dinner with the family/or family visiting.

 

Restaurants weren't open because there was no business AND the people owning/running the restaurants were also home for church/Sunday dinner with family.

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing was open on Sunday in Cleveland?  You might want to edit, fix that or clarify that a bit. 

 

I dont know what part of Cleveland you lived in or grew up in but things in the Shaker Square nabe things were open and operating.  Things were open on Coventry, Van Aken & Lee, Cedar Center and Warrensville/Van Aken.

maybe he meant Cleveland, Tennessee

I grew up on the west side.

 

lakewood, North Olmsted, Rocky river.

 

Up until about 1995 NOTHING was open on sundays.  No restaurants, no grocery stores, there was 1 gas station run by a Pakistani family on Lorain and W 220 th...that was it.

 

well and the movie theater.

 

Great your reality differed....probably because you were over in the area where a good portion of the population observed the sabbath on Sat instead of Sun.

 

over on the west side....nada, if you weren't catholic, you were protestant and going to church eating dinner with your family.

I meant Cleveland Ohio, where I have lived my whole life...where I have run out of gas on Sunday because the first 3 gas stations weren't open.

 

 

1995 was about 15 years ago you know.  I noticed more things open on sundays after I had been home from college for a bit (1990)

 

 

 

 

You should have been in this town before 1995 or so.

 

NOTHING was open on sundays...You were lucky to find a "insert certain middle/far eastern ethnic groups" run gas station or convenience store.

 

I think a lot of this is a hold over from a bygone (but not completely) era.....Sunday was church and Sunday dinner with the family/or family visiting.

 

Restaurants weren't open because there was no business AND the people owning/running the restaurants were also home for church/Sunday dinner with family.

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing was open on Sunday in Cleveland?  You might want to edit, fix that or clarify that a bit. 

 

I dont know what part of Cleveland you lived in or grew up in but things in the Shaker Square nabe things were open and operating.  Things were open on Coventry, Van Aken & Lee, Cedar Center and Warrensville/Van Aken.

maybe he meant Cleveland, Tennessee

 

He has to be........... 

You should have been in this town (including the suburbs)  before 1995 or so. 

 

NOTHING was open on sundays...You were lucky to find a "insert certain middle/far eastern ethnic groups" run gas station or convenience store.

 

I think a lot of this is a hold over from a bygone (but not completely) era.....Sunday was church and Sunday dinner with the family/or family visiting.

 

Restaurants weren't open because there was no business AND the people owning/running the restaurants were also home for church/Sunday dinner with family.

 

Edited to include the 'burbs in the first sentence....hard to find anything open in Cuyahoga county (except maybe beachwood/jewish neighborhoods)

 

I was. I arrived in December 1991 :)

 

To get back on topic, I have seen a lot of ridiculous/unfounded complaints about the casino, but some of them are or at least SEEM legit when taken separately and in comparison to other casinos (which, whether you like it or not, is going to happen). My concern is that too many of the legit concerns, placed together in one basket, will be to the detriment of the future of the business.

 

For example - the parking issue. Much-complained about anyway by people coming to downtown who live here and are familiar with it, but even more of a slap in the face for people who are used to going to casinos all over the country with ample free parking. I have seen a fair amount of broken window car glass in my new parking lot, and was a little worried about leaving my car there sunday while I went to dinner - if this is happening regularly to people who park downtown, AND they have to pay for the parking, this is really going to discourage people from coming here.

 

The alcohol issue is a problem, with no free drinks and a time limit on when you can order them. I know it's a state issue, and I'm not blaming the casino in any way. But all most regular casino players are going to think is "that's stupid, I'll just go to XXX casino instead, where there are NONE of these restrictions."

 

The food issue is also another legit problem. No 24 hour food in a casino and no alcohol means very little business overnight. How long until they start just closing completely from, say, 11p-9a because there's nobody there gambling. It's not like there's anything else to do - you can't go to a bar there, you can't go to a restaurant, you can't shop.

 

All 3 of these taken together seem like a big problem to me. Anyone else?

 

I have to imagine that eventually the food options and hours will expand so I am not very concerned about that.  Alcohol...ain't never going to happen.

 

As far as comparing us to other casinos...don't see it as a big issue.  There are things which givethe Cleveland casino an advantage over others and things which give those stuck in the middle of no where or in other urban areas an advantage.  I would imagine that over a full demographic they would tend to balance out.  Certain people will prefer XYZ casino because of this or that and others will prefer Cleveland for other reasons.  Bottom line you have to give great service or you won't be able to compete against anybody.

You should have been in this town (including the suburbs)  before 1995 or so. 

 

NOTHING was open on sundays...You were lucky to find a "insert certain middle/far eastern ethnic groups" run gas station or convenience store.

 

I think a lot of this is a hold over from a bygone (but not completely) era.....Sunday was church and Sunday dinner with the family/or family visiting.

 

Restaurants weren't open because there was no business AND the people owning/running the restaurants were also home for church/Sunday dinner with family.

 

Edited to include the 'burbs in the first sentence....hard to find anything open in Cuyahoga county (except maybe beachwood/jewish neighborhoods)

 

 

All 3 of these taken together seem like a big problem to me. Anyone else?

 

Yea, that's a problem for me to. If you can't eat at 3am after say a night out and you don't want to gamble, then why go? Could become a problem, but also a case for why Tower City should allow its food court to open later/24 hrs, if that rumor from another thread has any validity.

Wasn't/isn't there a place at the arcade that serves food till 3 or 4?

I'm guessing we'll see a larger percentage of young-middle aged peeps frequenting the casino because of its location.  That range of people are more in tune with the urban experience and could care less about parking.  They may be more likely to take the rapid or bus, or they already live downtown.  The ones that are complaining (conjecture on my part) are the people in the upper age groups (retirees) who are used to spending time in the "middle of nowhere" casino with free parking and free drinks.

I'm kind of bummed now, in that I had forgotten about the state blue laws restricting liquor sales. That said, I don't thik the food/ liquor issues are going to present a problem in the short term, while the casino is new, and the experience is novel. As Htsguy mentioned, I'll hope that the food issue gets resolved.

 

but for me, personally, a big plus of the Casino just evaporated. But then, I'm not really the target demographic, as I'm not a big gambler.

 

Still was nice to see all the foot traffic on Prospect btwn the casino and E 4th last night though. That area used to be D-E-A-D.

^I thought it was same last call times as other 2am licenses, but when you had said that I was hoping I was wrong.  Oh well.

Wasn't/isn't there a place at the arcade that serves food till 3 or 4?

 

You're thinking of 1890 at the Hyatt. They did a late night menu til 4 AM on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. I don't believe they are doing it anymore but I could be wrong. It might be a seasonal thing. Corky & Lenny's is just screaming to be open 24 hours. It puzzles me as to why it isn't, as a deli isn't exactly staff intensive.

 

I think rockandroller makes some good points, but short term, Horseshoe has nothing to worry about it. They don't have any local competition. Its a different story once racinos start opening up shop in the region. I'd imagine many older players will flock there just because of the easier access.

"Sugar...nobody is shouting you down"

 

Excuse me ma'am. 

 

I don't know you.  Referring to someone you do not know, and do not have their permission, using a familiar diminutive is yet another form of bullying.

 

You can disagree with me without being so disagreeable.

 

 

Oh by the way, I took an out of state friend to Greenhouse Tavern on Sunday for dinner, and they said they were slammed all week the week prior, very busy week.

 

I tried to show her some more cool bars downtown, but almost everything was closed :(  Lola - closed. Chinato and Flannery's - closed. Walked down to Hodge's. NO ONE inside at all. A few people on the patio. Ended up back at Zocalo, which, being one of the few places open, advised us when we sat down that they were "out of a lot of food." We had already eaten, so that was fine, but there is clearly a new demand for places to be open a little more often, I hope they respond.

 

You must have been a few steps ahead or behind us.  Yeah, Lola and a lot of places close on Sunday and it kinda bugs me; makes us seem Podunk-ish.  Zocalo's told us they were out of stuff, as well -- they weren't anticipating the rush and the girl serving us attributed it to the casino... Obviously, it was a lot slower than Fri or Sat night, but for a Sunday, we were impressed.  Let's face it, Sundays are the absolute deadest days/nights in downtown Cleveland (and elsewhere in our urbanized areas, save Coventry, Lil Italy and a few others)... That there was more than a pulse Sunday night, says something...

Oh by the way, I took an out of state friend to Greenhouse Tavern on Sunday for dinner, and they said they were slammed all week the week prior, very busy week.

 

 

 

You must have been a few steps ahead or behind us.  Yeah, Lola and a lot of places close on Sunday and it kinda bugs me; makes us seem Podunk-ish.

 

Quite frankly, sometimes in New York on a Sunday evening I have had to make a bit of an effort to find an open restaurant in certain neighborhoods, and I can recall some difficulty in that regard in Paris on a Sunday as well.  Not comparing Cleveland to those cities but I guess my point is that some places just want a day off...especially non-corporate restaurants that don't have a host of mangers.

I saw a snippet on local news that the county executive was holding hearings on how to spend the casino revenue. FitzGerald was pushing a downtown spending agenda. Does anyone have any more detailed information as to what was discussed at that meeting?

Posts that had nothing to do with the casino were deleted

 

Carry on, and let's keep it respectful

Mark July 1st on the calendar. That's when the quarterly profit sharing begins. I know all 88 counties get something but I'm not sure how the split between city and county works. Cities with the casinos, I mean.

Wasn't/isn't there a place at the arcade that serves food till 3 or 4?

 

Sorry to sound like a pimp for Jake's lately, but they are open 24 hours now. They are on Public Square, across Ontario Street from the casino. Can't get much more convenient than that.

ohhh, I didn't know that, that must be a new change.

Mark July 1st on the calendar. That's when the quarterly profit sharing begins. I know all 88 counties get something but I'm not sure how the split between city and county works. Cities with the casinos, I mean.

 

Aside from the increased number of people in the downtown area, the tax revenue is the 2nd best thing about this casino. Even ifthe tax projections aren't 100% correct, that's a constant source of extra money that the city/county/state can do so much with.

Mark July 1st on the calendar. That's when the quarterly profit sharing begins. I know all 88 counties get something but I'm not sure how the split between city and county works. Cities with the casinos, I mean.

 

This was on cleveland.com last week-

 

http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2012/05/how_the_casino_tax_money_will.html

 

Wasn't/isn't there a place at the arcade that serves food till 3 or 4?

 

Sorry to sound like a pimp for Jake's lately, but they are open 24 hours now. They are on Public Square, across Ontario Street from the casino. Can't get much more convenient than that.

 

Yeah that;s awesome.

 

We walked over to the casino yesterday evening..mostly to eat at B-Spot and have a cannoli at Rosie and Rocco's.

I asked someone at the counter at B-Spot their hours...she said midnite during the week and 2 AM on the weekends. I asked the same at Rosie and Rocco's...he said 1 AM during the week and 3 AM on weekends. Or until the last pizza is gone for each night.

I dont know if those are in synch with posted hours, but that's what I was told.

In regards to the Alcohol service, there is no casino i a neighboring state that offers 24 hour service.  Most are required to stop serving between 2-4am.  However, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virgina are allowed to comp drinks.  Which could be an issue for some players.  But again that would mean driving at least 2 hours just for free drinks.  Not worth it to me.

 

OTH I could see this law being changed more by creating a separate license that is prohibitive for most if not all bars to apply for it. 

^Or the state could just get rid of the law limiting drinking times altogether, and acknowledge that adults should be able to purchase any kind of drink whenever they want, presuming someone is willing to sell it to them.

 

I know...I KNOW...it isn't going to happen.

Why not have certain hours be BYOB?

^Or the state could just get rid of the law limiting drinking times altogether, and acknowledge that adults should be able to purchase any kind of drink whenever they want, presuming someone is willing to sell it to them.

 

I know...I KNOW...it isn't going to happen.

 

Why would it not ever happen?

I've always thought it is something that COULD be changed. Arguably constitutionally protected.

Wasn't/isn't there a place at the arcade that serves food till 3 or 4?

 

Sorry to sound like a pimp for Jake's lately, but they are open 24 hours now. They are on Public Square, across Ontario Street from the casino. Can't get much more convenient than that.

 

Cool.  Jakes has a kinda junky, New York feel about it that I find appealing... It was jammed for the Horeshoe's 1st weekend last week.  Glad at least one business cash in on spin-off from the casino's 24-hour presence (hint, hint, RTA, others...)

Why not have certain hours be BYOB?

 

Are you serious?  If this is proposed, bars/restaurants would do the same thing?  This is a state liquor issue.

Last night I finally got to see the Casino, and I think it came out beautifully.  More than that though, having never been in Higbees, it was overwhelming to finally be inside that building and see how much space there is!  It is easy to get lost, especially since it was PACKED.  I waited in line but only for about 5-10 minutes, really nothing.  There were some angry people who were turned away but that is because they didn't have their IDs.  :-o REALLY...?  People are unbelievable.  All in all I think it will be a positive influence simply because there were SO many people there, but also outside walking around.  I overheard a group of people probably late 20's early 30's say how they rarely go downtown but when they are, they wonder why they don't come down more because they love the city feel. 

After I left it was about 11:45 and I thought everything would be closed, but we ventured to the Renaissance Hotel to see if the Lobby Court bar was open.  To my surprise it was not only open, but PACKED.  They even had tables out in the lobby.  It was nice to see

 

Great pictures! Really. Thanks for sharing

Let me agree with the posters that are saying that some changes need to be made to the alcohol rules.  In my younger years I would visit St. Louis once or twice a year and the "eastside" (aka across the river in Illinois) was a popular late-night destination because the bars were open until 4 am.  The bars at Cleveland's casino should be open just as late.  The demand would be there, and really there's no great reason why bars need to close at 2 am instead of 4 am, but this is Ohio and the rules of our lives tend to be dictated by the backwards edicts of the downstate folks so I'm sure this good idea will never see the light of day.

There is a $25 bet minimum at all tables? That seems a bit high

Clifton-That is the best photo tour of the casino I have seen yet. Nice work. And where were you standing for the last shot, very cool.

Clifton-That is the best photo tour of the casino I have seen yet. Nice work. And where were you standing for the last shot, very cool.

Thanks!  If you stand in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel and look at the 55 Public Square building, you see the perfect reflection of Terminal Tower.

I was using my iPhone because the lighting in there makes picture taking tricky but here are a few more with my camera:

LOVED this inner portico off Public Square coming into the Higbee Building

This was cool, its in the basement level near the Buffet:

Thanks for the pictures.  Gives one who has never been inside a good idea of the layout.

 

I know it is still early and it is summer and all (and a Friday on a holiday weekend) but viewing the crowds it seems that the Phase 2 building may very well be needed sooner rather than later.

 

Also, seeing the longer view of the main room (I think picture three), I wonder what happen to the beautiful chandeliers that use to line the store from the PS entrace to Prospect?

There is a $25 bet minimum at all tables? That seems a bit high

 

this is starting to be less and less true. Sure at peak times they might take the minimum up to  $25, but last night there were 2 $15 black jack tables and 3 $15 craps tables at 9:30 when I left. The 2 - $15 tables were full with people waiting to pay, but the $25 tables had maybe 1-3 seats open.

^Thanks for the excellent photos, Mr.Clifton.  You're lucky you got some inside-the-Horeshoe shots.  When I pulled out my digital camera last weekend, 2 cops scowled the 'don't even think about photos' look at me, and I quickly put the camera away.

^Thanks for the excellent photos, Mr.Clifton.  You're lucky you got some inside-the-Horeshoe shots.  When I pulled out my digital camera last weekend, 2 cops scowled the 'don't even think about photos' look at me, and I quickly put the camera away.

 

Really?  I asked the guard who checked my ID and he said no problem taking pictures, just respect people's privacy and don't take pictures of the table games.

Excellent photos!  I love the murals of the Cleveland athletes and entertainers.  Looks like they did a nice job with that stuff.

^Thanks for the excellent photos, Mr.Clifton.  You're lucky you got some inside-the-Horeshoe shots.  When I pulled out my digital camera last weekend, 2 cops scowled the 'don't even think about photos' look at me, and I quickly put the camera away.

 

Really?  I asked the guard who checked my ID and he said no problem taking pictures, just respect people's privacy and don't take pictures of the table games.

 

I guess that rule applies in most public places when photographing strangers... but this is good to know.  I'll try it again sometimes, letting security know I'd only be shooting wide/landscape type shots; and shots of non-gambling areas, not close up of individuals.

 

 

Saw it in person last night.  Very nicely done...except for that line to get in! LOL!

^Thanks for the excellent photos, Mr.Clifton.  You're lucky you got some inside-the-Horeshoe shots.  When I pulled out my digital camera last weekend, 2 cops scowled the 'don't even think about photos' look at me, and I quickly put the camera away.

 

Really?  I asked the guard who checked my ID and he said no problem taking pictures, just respect people's privacy and don't take pictures of the table games.

 

Great pictures.

I got the vibe that it was un-welcome too. Glad somebody took some.

Took a co-worker to the casino today. I've been twice before and each time, entered at the lower level of Tower City. There were throngs of people attempting to enter this way at lunchtime when we went...and every one of them was turned away. This is apparently now the entrance only for big spenders in the Total Rewards category - diamond or what have you. We had to go back up and outside of Tower city and come in just east of the main entrance to tower city to get in. Silly, if you ask me.

 

The first place we wanted to go was the Total Rewards desk so my friend could get a card. The first floor desk was closed and said to go to 2nd floor. When we got up there, we decided to eat first. Long line at b-spot, almost no line at Rosie & Rocco's (why is this place not doing better? Who doesn't like pizza or a meatball sub?) and settled on Corky & Lenny's so my friend could get a turkey sandwich. I got a reuben. I was under the impression there was a discount on food if you are a rewards member, but apparently not. Or that's just for the buffet or something. Not clear. Not the cashier's fault, so we paid our $32 for 2 sandwiches and 2 drinks and ate. Food court was busy, we got the only free table.

 

Went to the Rewards desk and there was a long line but the guy said it was moving quick and only about a 10 minute wait. My card is already not working right - the swipe strip only works if you insert it like 15 times, so we were both waiting in line and then after we had been there for 10 minutes, the guy announced the whole system was down and they had to shut down the computers and do a reboot and it was going to take "at least an hour" until they were back online. Everyone groaned and looked disgusted and left the line.

 

My friend and I spent $20 each gambling and it took much longer (yay) to lose the money than the last 2 times I was there, when my money literally did not last more than about 1 minute each time. It may have just been appearances, but it seemed more people I passed by were winning more on the machines than I had seen previously. Friend not interested in table games. We decided to come back later this month to see if she can get a card then and maybe try the pizza place.

When you sit down at a gaming table they'll ask you for your rewards card.  If you don't have one yet you can give your license to the pit boss.  They'll have someone go and get it for you.  Happened to me last night...

That's interesting. So you can't gamble at a table unless you are a rewards member? Or it was an option for them to get one for you.

^ You can gamble anywhere without your card. But you should always play with a card to get future comps, offers, etc. And casinos like when you use your card since they can track your spending habits. Clefan98 has it correct that pit bosses will go get you a card if you're playing the tables. They will then rate your play at the table which is how you earn points there. Of course, in your particular case, it wouldn't have worked since the systems went down and there was no way to create new cards.

 

I too have noticed that the TC entrance is now only for high rollers (I believe its diamond, platinum and silver stars only and maybe this is only during certain hours) and I am completely confused by that. Its a bit of a hassle to gamble, go walk into TC to eat, etc, and then have to walk back outside if you want to play some more even though there are entrances sitting there, barely being used.

That's interesting. So you can't gamble at a table unless you are a rewards member? Or it was an option for them to get one for you.

 

Yea it was just an option...It worked out nice because I didn't feel like waiting in line. 

^ You can gamble anywhere without your card. But you should always play with a card to get future comps, offers, etc. And casinos like when you use your card since they can track your spending habits. Clefan98 has it correct that pit bosses will go get you a card if you're playing the tables. They will then rate your play at the table which is how you earn points there. Of course, in your particular case, it wouldn't have worked since the systems went down and there was no way to create new cards.

 

I too have noticed that the TC entrance is now only for high rollers (I believe its diamond, platinum and silver stars only and maybe this is only during certain hours) and I am completely confused by that. Its a bit of a hassle to gamble, go walk into TC to eat, etc, and then have to walk back outside if you want to play some more even though there are entrances sitting there, barely being used.

 

Completely agree/understand about using the card, I was just worried for a minute they were requiring you to get one. I have one (even though it doesnt' work that well) so not really an issue, just wanted to know how it works. I completely agree that it's a big hassle to have to go outside and around the front to come in, it just seems silly.

Seems like they would have the Public Square level entrance for High rollers if they just have to give them an exclusive entrance. Then keep the basement entrance open for general admission. By having to go outside to come back in it defeats part of the advantage of being connected to Tower City.

Seems like they would have the Public Square level entrance for High rollers if they just have to give them an exclusive entrance. Then keep the basement entrance open for general admission. By having to go outside to come back in it defeats part of the advantage of being connected to Tower City.

Took a co-worker to the casino today. I've been twice before and each time, entered at the lower level of Tower City. There were throngs of people attempting to enter this way at lunchtime when we went...and every one of them was turned away. This is apparently now the entrance only for big spenders in the Total Rewards category - diamond or what have you. We had to go back up and outside of Tower city and come in just east of the main entrance to tower city to get in. Silly, if you ask me.

 

The first place we wanted to go was the Total Rewards desk so my friend could get a card. The first floor desk was closed and said to go to 2nd floor. When we got up there, we decided to eat first. Long line at b-spot, almost no line at Rosie & Rocco's (why is this place not doing better? Who doesn't like pizza or a meatball sub?) and settled on Corky & Lenny's so my friend could get a turkey sandwich. I got a reuben. I was under the impression there was a discount on food if you are a rewards member, but apparently not. Or that's just for the buffet or something. Not clear. Not the cashier's fault, so we paid our $32 for 2 sandwiches and 2 drinks and ate. Food court was busy, we got the only free table.

 

Went to the Rewards desk and there was a long line but the guy said it was moving quick and only about a 10 minute wait. My card is already not working right - the swipe strip only works if you insert it like 15 times, so we were both waiting in line and then after we had been there for 10 minutes, the guy announced the whole system was down and they had to shut down the computers and do a reboot and it was going to take "at least an hour" until they were back online. Everyone groaned and looked disgusted and left the line.

 

My friend and I spent $20 each gambling and it took much longer (yay) to lose the money than the last 2 times I was there, when my money literally did not last more than about 1 minute each time. It may have just been appearances, but it seemed more people I passed by were winning more on the machines than I had seen previously. Friend not interested in table games. We decided to come back later this month to see if she can get a card then and maybe try the pizza place.

 

Now that ceasars is here, pull out that rewards card every place you go.  At a restaurant, at a bar, at a hotel, EVERYWHERE.  Use it like you use your CVS card. 

 

You can be platinum in not time.

 

I go to Vegas 4 times a year and NoLa 3.  Using that card while on Casino property (I'm a huge craps and BJ player) and participating partners pushed me to Diamond.  Just use the card, the points will pile up.