A Moroccan Fantasy on the Strip
The Sahara Hotel opened on October 7, 1952, the sixth resort on what would become the Las Vegas Strip. Developer Milton Prell spent $5.5 million building a desert oasis wrapped in an exotic Moroccan theme — arched doorways, mosaic tiles, ornate lanterns, and a camel out front for photo ops. The Sahara's location at the north end of the Strip made it the first major casino visitors encountered driving in from Los Angeles.
At the heart of the Sahara was the Casbar Lounge, a dimly lit cocktail room that became one of the hippest venues in Las Vegas. Unlike the formal showrooms at other hotels, the Casbar had an intimate, anything-goes atmosphere. The Rat Pack — Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. — frequented the Casbar between their Copa Room sets at the Sands, dropping in unannounced to drink, joke, and sometimes jump on stage. Marlene Dietrich performed here, her glamour perfectly matched to the room's smoky mystique.
The Beatles, Buddy Hackett & the End of an Era
On August 20, 1964, the Beatles played two shows at the Sahara Convention Center during their first American tour. It was one of only two performances the band ever gave in Las Vegas. The 7,000-seat venue was packed, but the crowd — heavy with older, supper-club-trained Vegas regulars — was more reserved than the screaming teenagers the Fab Four encountered everywhere else. The Beatles never returned to Las Vegas.
The Sahara's comedy legacy was equally formidable. Buddy Hackett, Don Rickles, and Jerry Lewis were fixtures at the Casbar Lounge, their brash, no-holds-barred styles perfectly suited to a room where the audience sat close enough to be part of the act. For decades, the Sahara remained a beloved fixture on the Strip, even as megaresorts rose around it. But by the 2000s, the aging property could no longer compete. The original Sahara closed its doors on May 16, 2011, after 59 years of continuous operation. After a major renovation, it reopened in 2014 as The SAHARA Las Vegas — a sleek, modernized resort that bears little resemblance to the Moroccan fantasy that once defined it.
Key Facts
The Beatles in Vegas
The Beatles played two shows at the Sahara Convention Center on August 20, 1964. It remains one of only two Las Vegas performances the band ever gave. Tickets were $4.
The Casbar Lounge
One of the most legendary cocktail venues in Las Vegas history. The intimate Moroccan-themed room hosted surprise Rat Pack appearances, Marlene Dietrich sets, and decades of world-class comedy.
Comedy Legends
Buddy Hackett, Don Rickles, and Jerry Lewis were regulars at the Casbar. Rickles famously insulted audience members from the stage — and they loved every minute of it.
59 Years on the Strip
The Sahara operated continuously from 1952 to 2011, making it one of the longest-running original Strip casinos. It survived the mob era, the corporate era, and the megaresort boom before finally closing.
What's There Now
Visiting the Sahara Site
Address: 2535 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV (now The SAHARA Las Vegas)
Status: The original Sahara closed in 2011. The property was renovated and reopened in 2014 as The SAHARA Las Vegas, a modernized resort. The building still stands, but the Moroccan theming and the Casbar Lounge are gone.
Getting There: Located at the north end of the Strip, directly connected to the Las Vegas Monorail. The SAHARA station makes it one of the most accessible casinos on the boulevard.
Nearby: The SLS Las Vegas (now Sahara) sits near the Stratosphere and the gateway to downtown Fremont Street.
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