Among my many memories of Fremont Street Experience was the day I was among the first to ride SlotZilla. This was in 2014. I flew, Superman-style, under the Viva Vision canopy, and above performance stages the zip line would help pay for.
I learned then, some 80 feet over the scene, that SlotZilla is more than a slot machine-themed attraction. It is a revenue stream. Much of the entertainment and maintenance along Fremont Street Experience is fueled by this 11-story ride stretching three blocks along the FSE promenade.
Every “Waaaaah!” you hear from above represents a few more bucks in FSE’s coffers.
“Without having the gross numbers, it represents about 50 percent of our overall funding for three months we’ve experienced,”
Fremont Street Experience President Cliff Atkinson says, “I always want to remind people that it’s more than just a fun thing to do. It’s important to everything that happens on Fremont Street.”
For the first time, FSE is offering a SlotZilla discount to Nevada residents. The License to Fly is a 35-percent discount for rides anytime (during operating hours), on the upper Zip Line and lower Zoom Line. We recommend the Zip.
The discount for Nevada residents exclusively, available online and at the SlotZilla box office (go to FremontStreetExperience.com for intel).
The summer discount is an indication SlotZilla can use a lift in ridership. Atkinson says it’s “doing well overall” but is “slightly down trending with the overall visitation numbers.” He emphasizes the attraction’s higher-end packages are ahead of last year and “doing great.”
Over the past decade, SlotZilla has been a dependable entertainment destination. The zip line has averaged 360,000 riders a year. The ride has flown about 4.6 million riders in its 12-year-history.
SlotZilla is instrumental in the entertainment that runs daily and nightly on FSE.
“We’ll have 12 production-level acts going on just on a Friday night,” Atkinson says. “We do that, not always to that level, 365 days a year. SlotZilla helps in part fund that.”
In 2019, SlotZilla money funded $12 million of the $32.8 million Viva Vision LED upgrades.
Money from the ‘Zilla is also used for the FSE’s maintenance and uniformed security officers.
“We’ve increased we’ve increased patrols. We’ve got a Metro and a Marshall substation on our street,” Atkinson says. “I’ll have 130 Metro officers down there tonight.”
Atkinson noted a social-media post where a fight broke out on FSE but was quickly dispersed. “So somebody wrote, ‘We think Fremont Street Experience is the safest street in Vegas because if you mess up, there the cops come out of nowhere.”
The First Friday event is especially challenging for its massive turnout. Atkinson offers the 1st Street Stage to Vegas bands playing all-original music from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday’s Downtown Rocks, headlined by Mayday Parade, can be counted upon to draw between 10,000-15,000 to FSE.
Aside from the scheduled entertainment, the promenade has long been known for some of the greatest people-watching in Las Vegas. Every busking circle is an adventure. Just ask the guy in the Borat”-themed “mankini.”
“It’s special, it really is,” says Atkinson, who took over as FSE president in February after a stint at Virgin Hotels. “I’m reminded of it every day, how crazy it can be. But that’s what makes Fremont, Fremont.”
Give us the boots!
“Boots ’N Beats: A Night of Country & EDM” is once more linking up with “Bell-Air Poolside Concert Series: at Durango Casino Resort.
The DJ-driven hoedown is back Sept. 19. Headliners are to be announced, but regardless of the “who” of it all, tickets start at Tickets for Boots ‘N Beats start at $41.31.
The Clique Hospitality/AEG Presents events project debuted in 2025. The show is a mash of country stylings with bouncy electronic dance sets. VIP cabana packages are on the entertainment menu. Capacity is about 1,600. The pool will close at 4 p.m. on show days. Doors are at 7 p.m., and the shows start at 8 p.m.
Pepper and the Movement with special guest Joe Samba is up next, August. 20, at the “Poolside Concert Series.” The extended schedule: Sevendust and Theory of a Deadman on Sept. 18; Justin Moore on Sept. 26; Lit with special guest Sponge on Oct. 3; Blues Traveler on Oct. 11; and Switchfoot with special guest Anberlin on Oct. 17. Go to belairebackyardlv.com for intel.
Cool Hang Alert
A CHA first, as The Vinyl Room at Mandalay Bay kicks off “Sunset Sessions” with DJ EstoVega at 6 p.m. Monday, returning Wednesday. From the operators: “Funk, jazz, Afro grooves, a hint of Sinatra — curated for conversation, a drink, and a view.” The sunset, and the scene, is no-cover. Try the sushi tots. And go to vinylroomvegas.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.