A Father's Tribute on Fremont Street
When Ben Goffstein opened his casino on Fremont Street in 1966, he chose a name that had nothing to do with playing cards. The Four Queens was named after his four daughters — a personal tribute that gave the property a warmth and family connection unusual for a Las Vegas casino. The name worked on two levels, of course, and Goffstein knew it. But the sentiment was genuine, and that sincerity became part of the casino's identity.
From the beginning, the Four Queens carved out a niche as the approachable, unpretentious alternative to the flashier casinos on both Fremont Street and the Strip. While competitors chased high rollers and celebrity headliners, the Four Queens focused on treating every guest like a regular. It earned the nickname "The Jewel of Fremont Street" — not for opulence, but for the genuine hospitality that kept people coming back decade after decade.
The Last of the Independents
As Las Vegas transformed through the 1990s and 2000s, casino after casino was absorbed into massive corporate empires. MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts swallowed up properties across the city. The Four Queens refused to sell. It remains one of the few independently owned casinos in Las Vegas — a distinction that matters more than most people realize. Independent ownership means the Four Queens can keep its classic Vegas character without a corporate boardroom dictating that it needs a nightclub, a celebrity chef restaurant, or a pool party.
Walk into the Four Queens today and you feel it immediately. The carpet has that classic casino pattern. The dealers know the regulars by name. The cocktail waitresses actually stop and talk to you. It is a time capsule of how Las Vegas used to feel before everything became a brand experience designed by consultants. For locals and repeat visitors, that authenticity is worth more than any marble lobby.
Key Facts
Hugo's Cellar
The basement restaurant has been a downtown institution for decades. Every woman who enters receives a long-stemmed red rose. Tableside Caesar salads and classic Continental cuisine make it one of the most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas.
Named for Four Daughters
Owner Ben Goffstein named the casino after his four daughters. The personal touch gave the Four Queens a warmth and family identity that set it apart from the corporate casinos around it.
The Canyon Club
The Canyon Club music venue inside the Four Queens hosts live rock, blues, and country acts. It has become one of downtown's most popular live music spots, drawing locals and tourists alike with an intimate concert atmosphere.
Independently Owned
In an era when corporate conglomerates own nearly every casino in Las Vegas, the Four Queens remains independently owned. It is one of the last holdouts against the consolidation that has reshaped the industry.
Visiting Today
Four Queens Hotel & Casino
Address: 202 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Status: Still open and independently operated since 1966.
What to See: Make a reservation at Hugo's Cellar for a classic fine-dining experience you cannot find anywhere else in Las Vegas. Check the Canyon Club schedule for live music. The casino floor itself is a throwback to old-school Vegas.
Nearby: The Golden Gate Hotel, Golden Nugget, Fremont Hotel, and Binion's Horseshoe are all steps away under the Fremont Street Experience canopy.
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