Okay I guess not all ATM's have that feature.

 

I was just thinking how cool that is to be able to go gamble on your lunch hour!

To be fair, it MAY have asked for the PIN to do a subsequent, but I didn't test it out to see! Maybe I don't use that feature on my card.

 

I am in no way an experienced gambler, but in my limited experience, comparing it to my experience today, it usually takes a bit longer to lose your money than what I experienced - to keep you in the casino longer, they usually let you win a little back, then you lose some, then you win a little, then you lose some, and gradually and eventually all your money is gone. With this, I played 3 different machines and it was consistently like lose, lose, lose, lose, win a teeny amount not worth counting, lose, lose and you're done. Rinse and repeat.

Ok then......

 

 

We are at 3005 posts on this thread. Perhaps its time to move this to complete? Yes.... no? Is Phase I still considered to be under construction?

 

Just trying to keep it fair with all the other selective "editing" that occurs when things go astray (unlike in real world conversation).

 

>:D

 

Not sure if anyone else experienced downtown last night, but when the Indians game let out the town went WILD. People everywhere. Flooded east fourth street. Prospect was shoulder to shoulder and bumper to bumper. Great to see.

^ i was going to ask what the first weekend night at the casino was like.  I assume it must have been pretty busy throughout the night

The attendance at the Indians game last night was just about 30,000.  Combine the people from the game with people out at the casino and those just out enjoying an 80 degree Cleveland evening and I can only imagine what it was like last night!!!  :clap: :clap:

Too bad the Indians couldnt win for their second largest crowd of the year.

^^Nothing compared to what it's going to be tonight

Not sure if anyone else experienced downtown last night, but when the Indians game let out the town went WILD. People everywhere. Flooded east fourth street. Prospect was shoulder to shoulder and bumper to bumper. Great to see.

 

Yes, it was off the hook down there.  There was a carnival/fun atmosphere that I haven't seen in Cleveland absent St. Paddy's day.  More important, everyone both inside the (packed) casino and on the streets were happy/having fun.  I do attribute a lot of the boost to the Indians game.  By the time we arrived downtown (via the Green Line Rapid), the fireworks at the Game had just ended, but, perhaps some of the Indians 30,000 left earlier because we lost the game. Nevertheless, both Euclid and (esp) Prospect were total gridlock with cars, and the sidewalks were jammed with people.  We didn't gamble, but decided just to take in the whole casino scene...

 

The place was swamped with people.  Everything was 1st class inside; the gaming areas, the food court, the buffet and the bar/lounge... Flat screen TVs were everywhere and we really enjoyed food at old fave Corky & Lenny's, while looking down on Prospect (towards the Landmark Office towers) from the 2nd floor window.  We made the fatal mistake of leaving the Horseshoe expecting to get back in (when we went, we just walked in).  But by the time we left, lines were everywhere, and given our limited time downtown (thanks to RTA's rigid early-to-bed Rapid schedule, which left gamblers scrambling to rush out for their last train), we just decided to do-the-do downtown, and hit a couple outdoor bars on E. 4th, and Hodges, at 668.

The whole experience was simply amazing:  Public Sq., in front of Tower City, was jammed with cabbies, limos and the like, and people were swarming in and out of TC in waves.  The newly redone plaza in front TC's famed portico is excellent (though, I'm a tad steamed that it took a casino next door for city officials to fix the spooky-dark lighting leading to TC and that Rapid -- guess we mere regular Rapid riders and commuters simply weren't good enough; jeez).  Jakes, the tiny NY-style deli on Ontario/Euclid was swamped, as was nearly every bar and restaurant within blocks.... It was Cleveland like you never see it.... We walked around to the Renaissance Hotel side of the Square and noted that the wall of humanity kept coming and going as far as the eye could see toward the WHD.

 

I think the Horseshoe is a downtown game changer.  Even though throngs will die down somewhat, I think those new to downtown/haven't been for years crowd will return to the casino, and other stuff, just because they saw how fun Cleveland can be.  That's the hope, anyway.

 

 

Pics?!

I just got home at 1:30am and there is still a line wrapped around the casino. E4th was packed as well as all the places along Euclid.  Week one is definitely a hit!

I drove through downtown last night on my way home from work at approximately 11:00 pm. The few (good) things I noticed:

 

(1) The local taxi companies seem to have stepped up their games; I would estimate there were 30% more cabs on the road last night.

(2) Horseshoe hasn't sucked the life out East Fourth or the Warehouse Distririct.

(3) People were actually WALKING between East Fourth/Gateway - Tower City/Horseshoe - Warehouse District in numbers I have never seen.

 

Holy 24-7 city Batman!

 

^Cabbies are clearly having a field day.  Seeing them line up in front of Terminal Tower reminds me of old 1940s photos... It certainly seems that the Horseshoe 'throw-off' is boosting both E. 4th & the WHD. 

Went to the Casino last night. Impressed isn't the word. Took about 45 minutes to get in, but it was worth it. Public Square was packed with crowds of people crossing the streets going to all the different venues. Downtown from East 9th to West 9th had thick crowds of people everywhere. Traffic was gridlocked at times. Only thing missing were maybe some more lights/neon/sign boards on the Public Square and Ontario sides of the casino. Hope this keeps up!

Only thing missing were maybe some more lights/neon/sign boards on the Public Square and Ontario sides of the casino.

 

Really?  I hope that never happens.

Only thing missing were maybe some more lights/neon/sign boards on the Public Square and Ontario sides of the casino.

 

Really?  I hope that never happens.

I second that. Cleveland isn't Las Vegas, and doesn't need to try and look as if it were. Besides, people obviously have had no problem finding the casino. :-)

There is one space though that is perfect for a mural or something by public square. Can anyone guess where?

Behind old stone church?

Ontario is too dark across from the casino, maybe if those vacant buildings are leased or somehow brought to life. you have a wall of light on one side and darkness on the other. Not saying turning it into Times Square or Vegas, but that was one thing that really stands out now that the Higbee building has been brought back to life.

Behind old stone church?

 

Yep, I was looking the other day, and that wall looked extremely large.

 

Ontario is too dark across from the casino, maybe if those vacant buildings are leased or somehow brought to life. you have a wall of light on one side and darkness on the other. Not saying turning it into Times Square or Vegas, but that was one thing that really stands out now that the Higbee building has been brought back to life.

 

That area has been always dark/dead for awhile now, especially before the casino. There were some proposals for apartments over there, so hopefully that, with a few new storefronts will bring that side of ontario to life.

Ontario is too dark across from the casino, maybe if those vacant buildings are leased or somehow brought to life. you have a wall of light on one side and darkness on the other. Not saying turning it into Times Square or Vegas, but that was one thing that really stands out now that the Higbee building has been brought back to life.

 

You raise an interesting point... Consider how, a year or so ago (prior to even the Horseshoe construction), how dead Ontario was, on both sides of the street, from Public Sq. to the stadiums (and beyond if there was not sporting event in either one)... The only respite was Fat Fish Blue... Now flash forward to last week: Prospect-Ontario one of the hottest corners in downtown, with a traffic cop, during busy hours (like last night), thrown in...

 

btw, the visual excitement of Prospect-Ontario along with the prominent vista of the casino at this intersection, has now converted me to one who is mildly against the overhead walkway to being staunchly against it... Gilbert needs to lay his sword down, conceded the battle and move on -- hopefully to Phase II of the casino and, possibly, a new hotel (the crazy occupancy rates now may help a new, substantial hotel materialize).  Gilbert should just settle with golf cart-like shuttles of the elderly and/or disabled to/from the Welcome Center.  Can the friggin' walkway. 

 

My mother had business downtown this morning and now she's stuck in the the "Player Card" line which is apparently really long even though it's before 10AM on a Monday.  She also reports the music is too loud, which is probably because there was so much flesh absorbing sound over the weekend.

Casino opening spinoff: Michael Symon tweeted this morning that Lola had its best week ever last week...

The wifey (server at Lola) confirms Symons tweet.

It will be a good payday in the musky household next week

I just had a very entertaining time at the casino, though frankly I didn't quite understand the machines all that much. Not that it mattered much or I gave much effort to learning the rules - it was just fun and everything looked flashy but not tacky.

 

Unrelated, but good lord is the Galleria quiet. The only thing you can hear is the air, escalators, and construction guys on end. Everyone else is whispering

Unrelated, but good lord is the Galleria quiet. The only thing you can hear is the air, escalators, and construction guys on end. Everyone else is whispering

Isn't it always that way?

 

A couple of ladies from my office stopped by before work this morning and said they didn't like the layout of the interior, but they'll still go again sometime after the crowd thins a bit. The first negatives I've heard.

Unrelated, but good lord is the Galleria quiet. The only thing you can hear is the air, escalators, and construction guys on end. Everyone else is whispering

Isn't it always that way?

 

A couple of ladies from my office stopped by before work this morning and said they didn't like the layout of the interior, but they'll still go again sometime after the crowd thins a bit. The first negatives I've heard.

 

 

Cannot please everyone

 

If you want a real laugh - check out the casino's Facebook page - and you'll see posts from the world's biggest whiners  ---high  parking cost, slots "too tight", no free drinks, no smoking, food court too expensive, buffet too expensive, too few Wheel of Fortune slots (or fill in your favorite...), too-high mins on table games, "good number of 2 cent slots - but not enough 1 cent slots", etc... It's RIDICULOUS....

 

Had a great time on Sunday at the casino, brunch was awesome. I dont like to talk numbers but I spent 300 on gambling and then another 100 on our food and drink. But I won a goodly amount so it was all free and I'll be spending the winnings in urban core places to keep it in the local economy.

I think the complaint about no free drinks is valid. All the other complaints are highly highly questionable.

can slots be too tight?  i thought there was a government mandated 88%

 

Had a great time on Sunday at the casino, brunch was awesome. I dont like to talk numbers but I spent 300 on gambling and then another 100 on our food and drink. But I won a goodly amount so it was all free and I'll be spending the winnings in urban core places to keep it in the local economy.

I think the complaint about no free drinks is valid. All the other complaints are highly highly questionable.

 

I do not think the free drinks is a valid complaint. It has nothing to do with the casino it self, its a state law. Casinos where you get free drinks are Vegas, Atlantic city, and Indian reservations. Closest place that offers free drinks is Seneca Casino in NY. Now I did hear beer was around 5  to  6 bucks. That is a little steep. Should be more like 3.

 

Ok, then it is a complaint against state law(s), not the casino.

 

I drank Stoli so i dont know what a beer cost, but maybe that was for a Heiniken (or something?). A Miller lite would be less??

Several posters said as little as $3 for some beers, up to $5. That compares to $5-$8 at most restaurants I go to.. so in my mind $3-$5 is cheap.

 

Several posters said as little as $3 for some beers, up to $5. That compares to $5-$8 at most restaurants I go to.. so in my mind $3-$5 is cheap.

 

 

Sounds to me like the casino alcohol is a bargain... I mean if you are at any relatively nice restaurant cocktails are sometimes between $8 to $12 or more... beer a little less but still, I don't think there's room to complain about ANY prices at the Horseshoe... expect MAYBE the garage but thats very simple: If you're not gambling, don't park there!  This morning on the radio there were some pretty unbelievable calls complaining about everything, including prices of the buffet.  I mean if you've been to Vegas you pay astronomically for the buffets, and yes I know we aren't talking Vegas here but nonetheless I think most aspects of our casino are very reasonably priced.

Got two long islands and a beer: $18

^I am shocked that ANYBODY who calls into a radio show would complain about ANYTHING.  You must have heard wrong.  These types of people have too happy lives to complain since they believe the world is perfect.

Here's an email my brother in Cleveland received.  He hasn't used his Total Reward card since Vegas over 1 year ago, and is certainly not a big enough gambler for anyone to make any money on him if he takes the offer.

 

EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT!

 

Stay in luxury and experience the excitement of the newest member of the Total Rewards family.

 

Enjoy two free nights at one of our Preferred Partner Hotels valid Sunday - Thursday, May 17 - 24, 2012.

 

Call 1-866-578-9031 and mention code XXXXXXXX to make your reservation, or book online to save the $5 service fee.

 

 

 

Oh, look - free hotel nights - something else for the parking whiners to complain about...

I was at the Casino last night after the game, with three other guys. 4 drinks were $18. That's as good as you'll get in a public drinking establishment, outside of happy hour deals. Funny enough, we didn't gamble a single dollar, since we just hung out at the second floor bar area and people watched.

 

I think, gambling aside, this is going to be a great after hours place to go to grab a drink.

 

I will say they may need 1 or 2 more bartenders per bar. The three that were working were hustling about as hard as they could, and barely keeping up. Not a slam on them, just a comment on how busy they were.

"I think, gambling aside, this is going to be a great after hours place to go to grab a drink. "

 

There are no after hour drinks at the casino.

 

They have to abide by the same closing time laws as any other establishment serving booze.

 

 

^after hours?  Can they serve after 2:30?

Wait. WHAT? They cannot serve alcohol continuously? Does this also mean you can't get hard liquor before a certain time on Sunday? This is really going to suck, if so. One of the absurd charms of going to a casino is being able to come downtown in the middle of the night after an early evening nap, have some drinks, and stay up way too late. And yeah, I know the food is closed then, too. Hmm.

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.

^Don't understand why the food won't be 24 hours (other than needing time to do MAJOR cleaning in the kitchen area which is hard to do while serving food).  You would think at least one of the places would be open or they would stay open on a rotating basis to serve those gambling at three in the morning.

 

Do understand that the casino has to follow Ohio liquor laws regarding closing times.  I could see bars and restaruants throughout the state howling if they were given an advantage in this regard (and why favor one type of business over another...and no, you will never see 24 hour drinking in Ohio in all establishments so don't even bother going down that discussion road...just won't happen).

The buffet is open 24 hours, the other restaurants close early (mid night I think)

 

Im almost 100% sure it closes at 10PM.

 

Correct, it closes at 10. There are (currently) no 24 hour dining options.

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.

 

Sunday is a hibernation day for downtown in my experience which is something I've never understood.  I'm hoping that the casino convinces more places to open on Sunday.  Not sure how hopeful I am though.

There have been many issues regarding the closing of the non-buffet food places so early. The eateries have had to resort to having security in place because people want food after the doors have been closed.

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?