Flamingo Las Vegas Reviewed for 2025

Flamingo is not only an icon on the Las Vegas Strip, it’s also its oldest continually operating casino resort having opened all the way back in 1946.

Immediately recognisable by its bright pink neon exterior that resembles the plumage of a Flamingo, the resort has housed actual real-life flamingos since 1995.

The resort is situated right in the centre of the Strip and owned by Caesars, both of which combine to make Flamingo a popular destination for Las Vegas tourists. As well as the casino, it also has resident shows, a pool known for its party vibe and several dining options too.

It’s true to say that Flamingo is regarded as more of a value resort on the Strip these days and is affectionally known as the ‘dirty bird’ to some locals and regulars. However, it still has a lot to offer, so I went along to see for myself. 

The very history and foundations of Las Vegas as we know it now can be traced back to the site of the Flamingo. 

The land was originally owned by Charles Pember Squires, also known as C.P. Squires or "Pop", and commonly referred to as the "Father of Las Vegas".

Pop Squires was instrumental in the city's early growth, initiating the first electricity, telephone service, and newspaper, as well as pushing through the plan to build the Hoover Dam. 

Squires sold the land in 1944 which ended up in the hands of influential ‘Hollywood Reporter’ founder Billy Wilkerson.

Wilkerson was the brains behind the Flamingo, however his involvement is largely overshadowed by the fact that renowned mobster Bugsy Siegel took over when the resort opened.

Wilkerson couldn’t fund the project himself, so he took investment from mobster partners who eventually ousted him from the project entirely. There is still an ongoing argument today about whether it was Siegel or Wilkerson that came up with the Flamingo name, but Siegel was certainly the face of the property and had an onsite residence.

When the Flamingo opened on 26 December 1946 it was just a casino. The hotel opened a few months later on 1 March 1947. Although there were already two properties open on the Las Vegas Strip at that point, El Rancho Vegas and Last Frontier, Flamingo was first Strip resort to feature a modern design and is sometimes referred to as the first Strip resort.

Just three months after the Flamingo opened, Siegel was shot and killed. Over the next few decades Flamingo went through a series of ownership changes and cosmetic changes too. The original buildings were demolished and replaced with new additional accommodation, and several expansions took place both of the casino and the hotel. 

Hilton owned the property for almost two decades, naming the resort the Flamingo Hilton. They also demolished Siegel’s residence in 1995 and replaced it with the pool area and wildlife habitat.

In 1998, Caesars Entertainment, as it is known now, took over ownership and returned the name to Flamingo Las Vegas.

Location 

Flamingo is situated right in the centre of the Las Vegas Strip, directly opposite Caesars Palace. 

On the east side of the Strip, Flamingo is one of seven Caesars resorts that all neighbour each other in a long line which includes Harrah’s, LINQ, Cromwell, Horseshoe, Paris and Planet Hollywood.

You can walk between all of the resorts in around 25 minutes, just remember to bring comfortable shoes and keep your fingers crossed that the escalators are working.

Situated directly behind Flamingo is the Las Vegas monorail which will take you north to the Sahara hotel or south to MGM Grand. Flamingo has its own stop so it’s very convenient, and you can get single ride tickets from just $6 or day passes that last for one, three or seven days.

Flamingo is conveniently located for the LINQ Promenade which houses the High Roller big observation wheel, a zip line, and lots of bars and restaurants. 

Due to the location of Flamingo, it is pretty easy to walk to any other mid-Strip resort. The Bellagio and its spectacular fountain show is just over the road which is turn is located next door to Cosmopolitan. You’ll find a lot of the resorts are linked either by internal or external bridges and there are a couple of free trams you can access too.

The Aria Express tram for example, goes between Bellagio, Vdara, The Shops at Crystals, Aria and Park MGM so you can use that for convenience.

If you want to explore more of the Strip, rideshare and taxis are readily available. If you don’t mind taking your time, then the Deuce Bus is a cheap alternative that can take you the full length of the Strip and to Downtown Las Vegas too. There’s a stop directly outside of Caesars Palace opposite the Flamingo.

If you are taking a taxi from Harry Reid International Airport then Flamingo is in Zone 3 of the fixed rate taxi fee which, at the time of writing, is a flat fee of $29 plus tip. If you travel by car, then on-site parking ranges from $20 - $25 per night depending on what nights you are visiting. 

The Flamingo casino is just over 72,000 square feet which around the same size as Planet Hollywood. 

To put this into perspective the casino floors in Bellagio, Aria, and MGM Grand are more than double this size. However, there is a decent variety of both slots and table games in the Flamingo casino. 

The casino itself doesn’t really have a strong identity or brand, which surprised me. Walking through it, I felt like it was a mixture of vintage Vegas with some enhancements thrown in. It looked like it had gone through many changes over the years which left it a bit disjointed and eclectic.

There is a theme of pink running through the casino though as you might expect. The big impressive pink neon lighting outside is carried on inside with pink lights above Bugsy’s Bar plus dashes of pink in the carpets and seating too.

But, overall, it’s a little dated and is laid out in an unusual C shape, meaning you always feel like you’re in the middle of a walkway no matter where you sit to gamble. 

Table Games Selection

I saw around 50 table games at Flamingo casino with all the usual favourites on offer such as blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette plus a variety of poker pit games too.

I didn’t see any single zero roulette, just double and triple zero, and the only 3:2 blackjack available was in the small high limit salon. The rest of the blackjack games in the main casino paid 6:5. 

Through the daytime I saw some $5 minimums on a small number of poker pit games, but most tables games were a minimum of $10 or $15 plus on the evening. 

The main table game area is at the back of the main casino floor, and it was fairly busy every time I walked past, especially the tables with the lower bet minimums. It’s true to say that Flamingo would not normally attract the real high rollers that you’d find in Caesars Palace, Bellagio or the Wynn for example. That’s fine though as it’s what helps keep table minimums down.

I played some double zero roulette for a short while and the croupier was friendly and chatty, but the condition of the table and chairs wasn’t the cleanest. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was fun and I enjoyed it. I left the table a little up, which always helps! 

Classic table games:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• Baccarat 

Variants:

• Crapless Craps
• Mini Baccarat
• Midi Baccarat
• Three Shot Poker
• Let it Ride
• Three Card Poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker
• Mississippi Stud 
• Face Up Pai Gow Poker
• Crazy 4 Poker

The poker room is no longer open at Flamingo so, if you like to play, then Caesars Palace over the road is your closest option. There are also poker rooms at Horseshoe and the Venetian.

If you enjoy playing electronic table games instead of live dealer games, then there’s a decent selection of individual and multiplayer games in the Flamingo casino too.

Slots

With around 700 slot games, there is good selection to enjoy at Flamingo casino if you love to spin the reels. Most of the games are modern video slots, but there is a small selection of traditional reel games too.

The slots spill out around the full C shape of the casino. You’ll find some in the main casino in front of the bar and table games, and some more around the side and up to the hotel reception area.   

Due to the unusual shape of the casino, some areas were spacious and others felt cramped, so it really depends on where you play. Although there is enough variety of slots to keep you playing for a while, I would say that there are other Strip casinos close by with a larger selection.

Some of the most popular games you can play at Flamingo include:

• Lightning Dollar Link
• Lock It Link
• Huff n More Puff
• Dragon Link
• Dancing Drums
• Wheel of Fortune
• Buffalo
• Mo Mummy
• Quick Hits

I played some Mo Mummy in the Flamingo casino and hit a nice winning streak, which was so much fun. One thing I do love about the Flamingo personally is how close it is to O’Shea’s (on the LINQ promenade) where you can pick up a Frozen Baileys and enjoy it while you spin. Seriously, try it. 

Bar-Top Gaming

Bar-top gaming is available in Bugsy’s Bar, X Bar and in the Caesars Sportsbook Fan Zone area.

Bugsy’s Bar is at the heart of the main casino and is open 24 hours a day and the X Bar is a long bar towards the rear of the casino. At both you can pull up a chair and enjoy playing video poker, blackjack and a select number of slots while you have a drink. 

Meanwhile, the Sportsbook Fan Zone is a relaxed bar area that overlooks the outdoor habitat, and you can play video poker and blackjack on the bar-top games. 

Drinks are complimentary when you’re playing bar-top games, but how many drinks you receive and how regularly depends on the system used by the bar – some have a ticket system and some have a light system.

As long as your putting money into the bar-top games and playing, then the server will know when you’ve qualified for a drink and will offer you one. Don’t forget to tip though. 

Flamingo Sportsbook

The Caesars Sportsbook at Flamingo is less like a traditional sportsbook and more like a slots area where you can watch sports on the TV and place sports bets.

Most sportsbooks in Las Vegas come with a seating area full of comfortable sofas surrounded by large video screens and Flamingo’s used to be the same.

However, in early 2024, all of the seating was removed from the Flamingo sportsbook and they were replaced with slots. What is left is a slots area that has several video screens around it showing sports, a betting desk where you can place bets in person and a handful of betting kiosks too. 

For some, this might appeal in that they can watch sports while playing slots. For others, it just won’t feel like a sportsbook and is another way of the casinos making money.

If you still want to sit back and relax while watching sports, without the pressure of gambling, then there are plenty of other more traditional sportsbooks at neighbouring casinos.

Waitress Service 

As with all Vegas casinos, you can get complimentary drinks service while you’re gambling in the Flamingo casino.

Waitresses will circulate the floor and you can order a range of drinks including beer, spirits and mixers, cocktails and soft drinks. The variety of drinks on offer differs per casino, so just ask for what you want and they’ll let you know if they have it or offer an alternative.

Although the drinks are free and you are eligible no matter what your betting level, always remember to tip your waitress, especially if you want them to return.

Personally, I have found the waitress service to be a little inconsistent at Flamingo, and largely dependent on how busy the casino is. I’ve had visits where I received excellent service and some where I haven’t been offered one drink. That’s definitely not Flamingo-specific, though. In fact, in my experience, I’d say it was pretty much the norm across Las Vegas casinos. 

To improve your chances of getting drinks sit in one of the busy areas or where you can see waitresses circulating and tip well.

High Limit Gaming at Flamingo Casino  

There’s a high limit room at Flamingo offering both high limit slots and high limit table games. The room is positioned to the rear of the casino behind the regular table games and next to the cashier. 

The high limit slots area is quite small, housing around 20 – 25 slots, many of which are more traditional games. The high limit tables games area is about the same size and houses five or six tables. I noticed 3:2 blackjack in there and double zero roulette on my visit. 

The high limit area is decorated exactly the same as the main casino so doesn’t really offer anything unique or special in terms of ambience. It is simply a quieter area with high denomination slots and high table limits. 

Compared to other high limit areas in Las Vegas it doesn’t really give the luxury VIP experience that you might expect but the staff were very welcoming. 

Cash and Payment Options 

If you want to try your luck in the Flamingo casino then you’ll need cash to play. Card payments are not accepted on the casino floor for gambling.

To play on the slots, you insert cash directly into the games. When it pays out, it distributes a voucher that you then exchange for cash at the redemption machines or insert into another slot to continue playing.

At the tables, you exchange cash for chips with the dealer, and then afterwards you exchange your chips for cash at the cashier. 

If you don’t have cash there are ATM’s in the Flamingo casino, just be wary of doing this too often as they charge inflated withdrawal fees each time.  

There are just under 3,500 rooms at Flamingo housed in various towers. There is also an extensive pool complex, showrooms, the wildlife habitat, various bars and restaurants and shops too.

The general theme of the resort is pink, as you might expect being called Flamingo. The hallways are mostly white with gold finishing and there are dashes of pink everywhere on the fabrics and furnishings. 

Flamingo is an extremely popular resort, both due to its location and the fact it is considered a value resort. So, expect it to be busy, especially the check-in lines.

Rooms

There are three standard room types at Flamingo plus a range of studios and suites too. Most visitors will stay in a FAB Room, a GO Room or a Flamingo room, with varying prices for Strip or High Roller views as opposed to no views. 

Out of the three, the Flamingo Rooms are most recently renovated and slightly higher in price but not by much. I stayed in a Go Room with a Strip view, and I was pleasantly surprised by the general standard.

My room was spacious and had floor to ceiling windows with impressive views over the Bellagio fountain show which was a nice surprise. The bed was comfortable and there was also a wardrobe, drawer space, desk area, table with chair, and a personal fridge.

In terms of décor, the room might not suit everyone’s taste but it was colourful. The walls had stripy coloured wallpaper and the carpets were beige. However, to offset the colour, all of the furniture and furnishings were white or cream including big white headboards which dominated the wall space. There was also a flamingo shaped lamp on the bedside table. You can also expect dashes of pink in the room generally too.

The bathroom was quite small in size, but did include a single shower, a small bath and a single sink and mirror. Again, decorated mostly in white, there was one bright pink feature wall to bring in that Flamingo theme.

The room had all the regular amenities of hairdryer, iron/ironing board, TV, bathroom toiletries and a safe. 

A couple of negatives about the room was that the bathroom door was clouded glass and a sliding door. It didn’t really give that feeling of privacy and the door was quite noisy to open and close. Secondly, the furniture in the room had seen better days. It was a little beaten up around the edges.

Other than that, the room was actually a good standard for a value property and the view was well worth paying more for. 

Bars 

There are five bars at the Flamingo, most of which are very casual. 

The most well-known is Bugsy’s Bar, named after the notorious former owner Bugsy Seigel. The bar is in the centre of the main casino and features a replica of the famous Flamingo neon feather plumage from the front of the property. It is a hive of activity and you can soak up the casino atmosphere and play bar-top games.

The other bars are:

• X Bar – long casino bar with bar-top gaming and a fun atmosphere 
• Sportsbook Fan Zone area – chilled bar overlooking the wildlife habitat
• Count Room – intimate 20’s themed speakeasy bar with live jazz music and craft cocktails
• Splash Fresco Bar – casual bar serving Mexican themed fruit soft drinks & cocktails

Just outside of Flamingo is the LINQ Promenade which is full of bars including Yard House, The Titled Kilt and O’Shea’s.

Buffets and Restaurants 

Bugsy and Meyer’s Steakhouse is the most high-end dining option at Flamingo. The vintage steakhouse offers a sophisticated steak menu in classy surroundings. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to eat there, but I know it has a great reputation.

Other dining options are Flamingo are more casual at the moment but at the time of writing, some new restaurants are in development. These include a new Gordon Ramsey Burger restaurant (similar to that in Planet Hollywood) and Pinky’s by Vanderpump.

On my visit though, the choices were Mexican restaurant Carlos ‘n Charlie’s, The Beach Club Bar and Grill outdoors, Starbucks, or the Flamingo Food Hall. The food hall is a decent size and includes Nathans Famous Hotdogs, Johnny Rockets, Bonanno’s Pizza, Auntie Anne’s and Wingzone.

I ate at Carlos ‘n Charlies, but wasn’t that impressed to be honest. I enjoyed my late-night trip to the food hall better. But maybe it was just an off day.

Again, the LINQ Promenade just outside of Flamingo has a string of food options including Gordon Ramsey Fish n Chips, On the Strip, Maxie’s, IN-N-OUT Burger, and Virgil’s Real Barbecue to name a few. 

There is no buffet at Flamingo. The closest ones are The Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and the Buffet at Bellagio which are both opposite. 

Shows and Entertainment 

The Flamingo has always had a reputation for hosting big-name shows and its primary venue is the 780 seated theatre, The Flamingo Showroom.

The most famous residency was that of Donny and Marie Osmond which ran for 11 years with 1,730 performances ending in 2019. Previous residencies have included Olivia Newton John, Toni Braxton, Paula Abdul, and Gladys Knight and the Pips.

It is currently home to two shows: Ru Paul’s Drag Race Live and Piff the Magic Dragon.

A Flamingo treasure is performer Wayne Newton, otherwise known as Mr Las Vegas himself. Newton had his first residency in the Flamingo back in 1963 and still performs there today. The other on-going show at the time of writing is X Burlesque.

Of course, one of the most popular attractions at Flamingo is the wildlife habitat. This four-acre haven is free to the public and you can see live Chilean flamingos, some unique bird species and exotic fish all amongst lush greenery, wood bridges and water fountains. 

It really does offer a bit of tranquillity and peace amongst the hustle and bustle of Sin City, and you can take a book out there and relax for a while. I just suggest you go at off-peak times such as early morning or in the evening to avoid the crowds. 

Just outside of Flamingo is the High Roller big wheel, which is a must-do in Vegas. I recommend the happy half hour which comes with unlimited drinks. Believe me, you get your money’s worth!

The Flamingo pool complex has a reputation as a party pool, but it is also a big hit with families too due to the playful surroundings.

Pool 

The family pool at Flamingo features waterfalls, a lagoon, and a water slide, and is surrounded by palm trees and tropical plants.

It has a really pleasant, lively atmosphere and is hugely popular with hotel guests so you have to go out early if you want to secure a good space. Free loungers are available, and you can also hire a daybed or a cabana for an upgraded pool experience.

The GO Pool is an adults pool (21 years plus) that attracts a young crowd. If you like loud music and a club-like atmosphere around the pool then this is the place to be. They serve a great range of cocktails and have live DJ sets too. 

Pool snacks and drinks are available around the Flamingo pool, just order and your chosen items will be brought to you on the pool side. 

The pool complex is only open during pool season which is usually March to October. If you visit outside of these dates, the pool is likely to be closed. 

Spa

The Spa at Flamingo offers a relaxation room and hot tubs as well as a full range of treatments to help you relax and rejuvenate for another day in Vegas.

Treatments include massages, facials, body treatments, waxing and they also offer spa packages and couples sessions too. The fitness center is also available 24/7 and is a good size, with a wide range of cardio and resistance equipment.  

If you want to pamper yourself even more, then Flamingo's Uno Salon offers a complete range of hair, nail and makeup services too.

Flamingo is part of the Caesars Rewards program which runs across all of the Caesars resorts, not just in Vegas but across North America. 

Just in Las Vegas alone the Caesars properties are Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Horseshoe, Cromwell, LINQ, and Harrah’s. That means you can still explore all of these resorts and earn points while you spend money in them too. 

To join Caesars Rewards just head to the rewards desk in any of the resorts and sign up here. Just remember to take some photographic ID with you.  

Once registered, present your Caesars Rewards card every time you spend money in a Caesars resort to collect points. That includes paying for hotel stays, restaurants, bars, shopping or attractions and of course gambling. 

If playing slots, just insert the card into the machine or hand it to your dealer when playing at the tables. 

For every $1 spent on hotel stays, shopping, dining, and amenities such as spa treatments you’ll earn one Reward Credit.

With gambling you earn one Reward Credit for every $5 you play on a slot machine and every $10 played on video poker. If you’re a live keno player, then you earn one Reward Credit for every $3 wagered. 

Table games points are less specific, but the pit manager will assess points based on the game you play, your average bet and how long you play for.

Points can also be earned by placing sports bets at a Caesars sportsbook or online. As a general rule, you get ten Rewards Credits for every $100 you bet, but it can differ per bet.

As well as receiving Reward Credits which can be redeemed against resort costs you’ll also get Tier Credits which help you climb the Caesars Rewards status tiers as below:

• Gold (0 – 4,000 Tier credits) – Free or discounted hotel stays, turn Rewards Credits into slot freeplay
• Platinum (5,000 – 14,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus complimentary valet parking, and a monthly $10 Caesars bonus bet
• Diamond (15,000 – 24,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus $100 celebration dinner and waived resort fees
• Diamond Plus (25,000 – 74,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus guaranteed rooms with 72 hours’ notice and access to VIP lounge 
• Diamond Elite (75,000 – 149,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus airfare credit of up to $600
• Seven Stars (150,000 + Tier credits) – VIP host, complimentary annual retreat including airfare

Don’t get too worried about climbing the status tiers though, just use your Caesars card every time you spend money and the rewards will follow, even on the lower tiers. 

Flamingo is a beacon of Las Vegas history and the fact it is still going strong today is a testament to its popularity.

Ideally located on centre Strip it offers spacious, convenient accommodation at a reasonable price. Yes, it’s a little run down and dated in parts, and it doesn’t really offer the best of anything, but from my point of view it’s a great all-rounder.

The casino is a good size with decent variety, it has a fair selection of food and drink options, a great pool complex, shows and attractions and a nice atmosphere. It is also ideally located next to the LINQ Promenade which supplements the Flamingo’s amenities well.

If you’re looking for a top quality, exclusive property in Las Vegas, then Flamingo is not the one. However, if you want a base to explore the Strip, that is fun, affordable, well-located and friendly, then you can’t really go wrong with Flamingo.