Ellis Island Casino & Brewery

Ellis Island began as a bar and restaurant known as the Village Pub, opened by Frank Ellis in 1968.{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Dave |title=Ellis Island steak special still packs 'em in |url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/coin-bucket/2008/mar/29/ellis-island-steak-special-still-packs-em/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=29 March 2008}} He operated it as part of his new Village Square shopping center,{{cite web |title=Frank Ellis Jr. obituary |url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/las-vegas-nv/frank-ellis-6777063 |website=Dignity Memorial |access-date=25 October 2024 |quote=Additionally, in 1968, he developed and operated the Village Square Shopping Center, including the original Village Pub, on Koval Lane.}} both located along Koval Lane, one block east of the Las Vegas Strip.{{cite news |last=Wagner |first=Kyle |url=http://www.denverpost.com/travel/ci_8536434 |title=Las Vegas: For Him |access-date=25 October 2024 |work= Denver Post |date=11 March 2008}}

The Village Pub was renamed Ellis Island in 1985.{{cite news |title=The Village Pub will soon undergo a name change |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22The%20Village%20Pub%20will%20soon%20undergo%20a%20name%20change%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=1 November 1985 |access-date=25 October 2024 |url-access=subscription}} An unaffiliated Super 8 motel opened just south of Ellis Island in early 1989, and eventually became part of the latter. With 300 rooms, it ranked as the largest Super 8 in the world at the time of its opening.{{cite news |last=Caruso |first=Monica |title=Largest Super 8 Motel to open in LV |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Largest%20Super%208%20Motel%20to%20Open%20in%20LV%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=15 December 1988 |access-date=25 October 2024 |url-access=subscription}}

Ellis Island opened a casino on October 1, 1989.{{cite news |title=Gaming notes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Ellis+Island+Restaurant%22+%22Village+Pub%22+%22Oct.+1.%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=26 December 1989 |access-date=25 October 2024 |url-access=subscription |quote=While Ellis Island Restaurant (formerly The Village Pub) has been in Las Vegas for over 21 years, the casino portion has only been operational since Oct. 1.}} Gary Ellis, son of Frank, took over the casino operations a year later.{{cite news |title=Board recommends Ellis gaming license |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152097836/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=11 October 1990 |access-date=25 October 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} Various family members have since taken on roles at the property, which remains a family business in contrast to most Las Vegas casinos.{{cite news |last=Horwath |first=Bryan |title=Vintage Vegas: Ellis Island's 90-year-old pit boss has seen it all |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/gaming/2019/jun/03/ellis-island-pit-boss-has-seen-it-all-in-las-vegas/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=VegasInc |date=3 June 2019}}{{cite news |last=Moon Reed |first=C. |title=Ellis Island GM Christina Ellis on the challenges and joys of growing up in a restaurant family |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2021/sep/30/ellis-island-gm-christina-ellis-on-the-challenges/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=30 September 2021}} The Village Pub brand was revived in the 1990s, when the family began opening a chain of restaurant bars around the Las Vegas Valley under the name.{{cite news |last=White |first=Ken |title=Ellis Island features inexpensive food and original family recipes |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Mar-03-Wed-2004/living/23314338.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 3, 2004 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050117023053/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Mar-03-Wed-2004/living/23314338.html |archive-date=January 17, 2005}}{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Mark |title=Ellis Island's Village Pub empire hits that friendly neighborhood-bar sweet spot |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2015/oct/08/village-pub-ellis-island-neighborhood-bar-history/ |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=8 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085328/https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2015/oct/08/village-pub-ellis-island-neighborhood-bar-history/ |archive-date=4 October 2017}}

On September 19, 1997, Ellis Island opened a large portion of a $12 million renovation and expansion, which doubled its slot machine count to 410 and introduced table games by adding six blackjack tables.{{cite web|url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Sep-22-Mon-1997/business/6092853.html|title=Ellis Island doubles slots, adds blackjack|last=Berns|first=Dave|date=22 September 1997|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991109195242/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Sep-22-Mon-1997/business/6092853.html|archive-date=9 November 1999}} The expansion also added a parking garage and additional dining space.{{cite news |title=Ellis Island casino expands |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/sep/19/ellis-island-casino-expands/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=19 September 1997}}

Ellis Island agreed in 2004 to manage and take joint ownership of the nearby Tuscany Suites and Casino, which had struggled to attract customers in its first year. The agreement fell apart when Tuscany officials allegedly backed out.{{cite news|last=Benston|first=Liz|title=Ellis Island Plans Condo-Hotel|url=http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article/ellis-island-plans-condo-hotel-144973|access-date=25 February 2012|newspaper=Casino City Times|date=26 August 2004}} Later that year, Ellis Island signed on to the planned 46-story Aqua Blue condo-hotel project, which would replace the adjacent Super 8 motel. Ellis Island would manage the Aqua Blue casino, and would itself be renovated to match the new tower.{{cite news|last=Benston|first=Liz|title=High-Rise Developer Brings Strengths to Vegas|url=http://www.casinocitytimes.com/article/high-rise-developer-brings-strengths-to-vegas-48701|access-date=25 February 2012|newspaper=Casino City Times|date=17 January 2005}} However, the Aqua Blue project was cancelled in 2005, due in part to rising construction costs.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Hubble|title=Plans to build 46-story condominium hotel canceled|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Jun-30-Thu-2005/business/2326976.html|access-date=25 February 2012|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=30 June 2005}}

In 2014, Ellis Island bought the three-story Super 8 motel, which was rebranded under the casino's name and features 301 rooms. A $20 million hotel renovation was underway in 2017.{{cite news |last=Clifford-Cruz |first=Rebecca |title=Working in family business is 'a dream come true' |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/2017/dec/04/working-in-family-business-a-dream-come-true/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=VegasInc |date=4 December 2017}}{{Cite web|title=Ellis Island Hotel, Casino and Brewery Taps Agilysys to Upgrade Its Technology Capabilities {{!}}|url=https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2018/08/ellis-island-hotel-casino-brewery-taps-agilysys-upgrade-technology-capabilities/|date=2018-08-16|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-04}} That year, work also began on a two-story restaurant and entertainment venue known as the Front Yard, located on the property's northwest corner along Koval Lane. Opened in 2019, it includes a beer garden and capacity for nearly 300 people.{{cite news |last=Prince |first=Todd |title=Ellis Island starts work on $10M dining, entertainment venue |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/ellis-island-starts-work-on-10m-dining-entertainment-venue/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=6 July 2017}}{{cite news |last=Knapp Rinella |first=Heidi |title=Ellis Island's Front Yard to serve favorites, highlight beers |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/ellis-islands-front-yard-to-serve-favorites-highlight-beers-1886237/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=5 November 2019}}{{cite news |last=Mancini |first=Al |title=The Front Yard at Ellis Island casino opens its doors |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/the-front-yard-at-ellis-island-casino-opens-its-doors-1905639/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=3 December 2019}} Other restaurants include the main Village Pub & Cafe, as well as Ellis Island BBQ and Metro Pizza.{{cite news |last=Roeben |first=Scott |title=Ellis Island Casino Serves Up Lots of Surprises |url=https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/ellis-island-casino-serves-lots-surprises/ |access-date=27 December 2022 |work=Casino.org |date=1 July 2014}}{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title=Ellis Island gets boost from hockey crowd at Front Yard beer garden |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2020/aug/25/ellis-island-casino-front-yard-hockey-games-beer/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=25 August 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Kachelriess |first1=Rob |last2=Rupersburg |first2=Nicole |title=The Absolute Best Pizza in Las Vegas |url=https://www.thrillist.com/amphtml/eat/las-vegas/best-pizza-las-vegas |website=Thrillist |access-date=25 October 2024 |date=11 October 2021}} The casino has {{convert|10506|sqft|abbr=on}} of gaming space.{{cite web|url=http://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|title=Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)|date=6 March 2018|publisher=Nevada Gaming Control Board |page=4|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232017/https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|url-status=dead}}

Ellis Island is popular among locals,{{cite news |last=Gilbertson |first=Dawn |title=Best of the West: Las Vegas and southern Nevada |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/las-vegas/2017/03/09/best-west-las-vegas-southern-nevada/96771768/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Arizona Republic |date=9 March 2017}} especially people who work on the Las Vegas Strip.{{cite news|title=Ellis Island, Tuscany in deal|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2004/apr/12/ellis-island-tuscany-in-deal/|access-date=25 February 2012|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=12 April 2004}} The property is known for its cheap food,{{cite news |title=Uncover Dining Secrets In Vegas At Mr. Lucky's Or Ellis Island |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/342500392/ |work=The Tampa Tribune |date=July 27, 2008 |access-date=25 October 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |last=Meeks |first=Terrisa |title=Restaurants with the Best Value in Las Vegas |url=https://10best.usatoday.com/destinations/nevada/las-vegas/restaurants/best-value/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=USA Today |date=13 June 2022}} its karaoke bar,{{cite news |last=Przybys |first=John |title=Bursting Into Song |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Aug-15-Tue-2000/lifestyles/14151067.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=15 August 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010620181029/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Aug-15-Tue-2000/lifestyles/14151067.html |archive-date=20 June 2001}}{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=Competitive karaoke? Barroom belters step up entertainment at Vegas contest |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/music/competitive-karaoke-barroom-belters-step-up-entertainment-at-vegas-contest-2893316/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 24, 2023}} and its gaming rewards program.{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Lucas |title=Vegas on the Cheap? Get Off the Strip |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/travel/las-vegas-budget-travel.html |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=17 February 2016}} It also offers a popular eggnog, which includes alcohol among its ingredients.{{cite news |last=Feldberg |first=Sarah |title=At Ellis Island, the eggnog recipe runs in the family |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/dec/20/ellis-island-eggnog-recipe-runs-family/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=20 December 2011}}{{cite news |last=Knapp Rinella |first=Heidi |title=Ellis Island brews strong Holiday Nog for 15th year |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/ellis-island-brews-strong-holiday-nog-for-15th-year/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=29 November 2017}}{{cite news |title=Eggnog variations across America |url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/experience/food-and-wine/2017/12/07/eggnog-variations-across-america/108396880/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=USA Today |date=14 December 2017}} It is made from a family recipe and has been sold to the public since 2002.{{cite news |last=Knapp Rinella |first=Heidi |title=Taste of the Town: Time again for Ellis Island eggnog |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Dec-15-Wed-2004/living/25457508.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=15 December 2004 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050308103643/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Dec-15-Wed-2004/living/25457508.html |archive-date=8 March 2005}}{{cite news |title=Ellis Island's Holiday Nog celebrates 20 years in Las Vegas |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/ellis-islands-holiday-nog-celebrates-20-years-in-las-vegas |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=KSNV |date=17 November 2022}} The casino produces 5,000 bottles a year as of 2020.{{cite news |last=Knapp Rinella |first=Heidi |title=Brandy, rum and bourbon, oh my; it’s Ellis Island’s Holiday Nog |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/brandy-rum-and-bourbon-oh-my-its-ellis-islands-holiday-nog-2186929/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=19 November 2020}}

A portion of Koval Lane, including Ellis Island, is featured as part of the track for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, an annual racing event.{{cite news |last=Brewer |first=Ray |title=Off-Strip casino Ellis Island finds itself in the middle of the Las Vegas Grand Prix |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/sep/03/off-strip-casino-ellis-island-finds-itself-in-the/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=3 September 2023}} After the inaugural 2023 race, the property filed a lawsuit alleging monetary damage. The suit claimed that the race, as well as the months-long setup period, impeded access to Ellis Island. In addition to Grand Prix, the property also named Clark County and the state of Nevada as defendants, seeking more than $50,000 in damages.{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Ellis Island targets Las Vegas Grand Prix in lawsuit |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/motor-sports/formula-1/ellis-island-targets-las-vegas-grand-prix-in-lawsuit-3052898/ |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Las Vegas Grand Prix damages in 'millions,' Ellis Island attorney claims |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/motor-sports/formula-1/las-vegas-grand-prix-damages-in-millions-ellis-island-attorney-claims-3054774/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=21 May 2024}}{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=Court hears Las Vegas casino's case seeking damages against F1 |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/court-hears-ellis-islands-case-seeking-damages-against-f1-3163853/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=5 September 2024}}

A $35 million expansion of the casino floor began in 2024. The project will include rooftop event space, as well as renovations to the Village Pub restaurant and the karaoke lounge.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=Off-Strip hotel-casino launches expansion |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/off-strip-hotel-casino-launches-expansion-3031159/ |date=9 April 2024 |access-date=2 June 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}{{cite news |last=Danzis |first=David |title=Off-Strip casino getting $35M expansion, renovation as it sues F1 |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/off-strip-casino-getting-35m-expansion-renovation-as-it-sues-f1-3192175/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=18 October 2024}}

{{Infobox brewery

| name = Ellis Island brewery

| opened = August 1998

|closed = 2022

| production = {{convert|3345|usbeerbbl|hL|lk=on}} (as of 2009)

| active_beers =

| inactive_beers={{brewbox beer|name=Premium Lager|style=Lager}}

{{brewbox beer|name=Premium Light|style=Low-alcohol Lager}}

{{brewbox beer|name=Pale Ale|style=Lager}}

{{brewbox beer|name=Blonde|style=Lager}}

{{brewbox beer|name=Draught|style=Lager}}

{{brewbox beer|name=Lager (Blue)|style=Lager}}

{{brewbox beer|name=Bitter (Red)|style=Bitter Lager}}

{{brewbox beer|name=Stout|style=Stout}}

{{brewbox beer|name=Bright|style=Lager}}

{{brewbox beer|name=First Harvest|style=Special Ale}}

}}

In August 1998,{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Hubble |title=Eclectic lagers and entertainment help microbreweries thrive |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Aug-24-Mon-1998/business/8054391.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=24 August 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000915222747/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Aug-24-Mon-1998/business/8054391.html |archive-date=15 September 2000}} Ellis Island established a brewery on the premise and tasked brewmaster Joe Pickett with brewing a variety of beers for the casino's restaurants.{{Cite web|title=Joe Pickett, Brewmaster at Ellis Island Casino and Brewery Las Vegas » Vegas Mavens|url=http://vegasmavens.com/2011/joe-pickett-brewmaster-at-ellis-island-casino-and-brewery-las-vegas/|website=vegasmavens.com|access-date=2020-05-04}} Regular brews include Lager, Light Lager, Amber Ale, India Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, Stout and Root Beer, as well as seasonal specials.{{Cite book|last=Evans|first=Pat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mit2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA102|title=Nevada Beer: An Intoxicating History|date=2018-12-10|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-1-4396-6596-1|language=en}}

With 3345 barrels produced in 2009, Ellis Island was the largest brewpub in the Mountain West region (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming).{{Cite news|last=Hieronymus|first=Stan|date=May 2010|title=Brewpubs: Bucking the Trend|work=Brewers Association|url=https://www.brewersassociation.org/attachments/0000/7873/29-34_MJnb10_Brewpubs.pdf|access-date=2020-05-04}} In 2018, the brewhouse capacity was doubled{{Cite web|title=Nevada Beer Nuggets – The Latest News In Nevada Brews|url=https://www.celebrator.com/2018-12-nevada-beer-nuggets-the-latest-news-in-nevada-brews/|date=2018-12-17|website=Celebrator Beer News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-04}} and two new brewmasters, Eddie Leal and Michael Key, were hired to run the brewing business.{{cite news |title=The Ladder: Ellis Island brewing up new plans |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/the-ladder-ellis-island-brewing-up-new-plans-1517366/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=2 November 2018}}

In December 2018, Ellis Island established Silver Reef Brewing Company in St. George, Utah, adding annual capacity of up to 10,000 barrels to the brewing business.{{Cite web|title=From grain to glass: new brewery brings craft beer to St. George|url=https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2019/03/08/new-brewery-st-george/3103960002/|last=DeForest|first=J. J.|website=The Spectrum & Daily News|language=en|access-date=2020-05-04}} In 2022, the on-site brewery in Las Vegas was dismantled, and the structure was demolished two years later for the casino's expansion. Micro-brew production continues at the Silver Reef facility, which provides supply to Ellis Island.{{Cite web|title=Ellis Island Closes Brewery, More Changes in the Works|url=https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/ellis-island-closes-brewery-more-changes-in-the-works/|last=Roeben|first=Scott|website=Casino.org|language=en|access-date=2022-12-26}}

{{clear}}

• Beer in the United States

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.ellisislandcasino.com/ Official website]

{{Las Vegas casinos}}

{{Las Vegas hotels}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellis Island Casino and Brewery}}

Category:1968 establishments in Nevada

Category:Casinos completed in 1989

Category:Casinos in the Las Vegas Valley

Category:Beer brewing companies based in Nevada

Category:Buildings and structures in Paradise, Nevada

Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1989

Category:Casino hotels in the Las Vegas Valley