Neonopolis

Neonopolis is a shopping center in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. Located on Fremont Street at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard, the 250,000 sq ft (23,000 m2) complex features a mix of restaurants, entertainment venues, and shops. In keeping with the complex's name, it contains three miles of neon lights.[1]

The exterior of Neonopolis next to Fremont Street.

History

Plans for Neonopolis were announced in December 1997.[2] It opened on May 3, 2002.[3]

In 2006, Prudential Real Estate sold Neonopolis to a development group led by Rohit Joshi for $25 million.[4] Joshi undertook an abortive rebranding of the center as Fremont Square, but ultimately the Neonopolis name was retained.[5][6][7] After temporarily closing in 2010 for redevelopment, Neonopolis underwent renovations in 2011 and reopened with new tenants.

Current tenants

The interior courtyard of the shopping center.
  • Axehole ― An axe throwing range, opened in 2017.[8]
  • Cat's Meow ― A 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) karaoke club located on the second floor, opened in 2019. It is the second location of a popular, long-established club in New Orleans.[9]
  • Denny's ― A 6,400-square-foot (590 m2) flagship location for the diner chain, featuring a wedding chapel. Opened in 2012.[10][11]
  • Dick's Last Resort — A chain restaurant known for its intentionally obnoxious waitstaff. Opened in 2021 in the former Jillian's space.[12][13]
  • Don't Tell Mama ― A piano bar located on the mall's ground floor. It moved to Neonopolis in 2019 from its previous location on Fremont East.[14]
  • Fat Tuesday ― A frozen daiquiri shop, opened in 2020.[15][16]
  • Gene Woods Racing Experience ― An indoor go-kart track, opened in 2019.[17]
  • Heart Attack Grill ― A hamburger restaurant, known for its medical theme and for offering the world's highest-calorie burger, opened in 2011.[18][19]
  • International Eatery ― A food court with three outlets, opened in 2013 in the ground-floor former Luna Rossa Ristorante space, by HIG Management, a major operator of mall eateries.[20][21]
  • Little Neon Wedding Chapel ― A wedding chapel opened in 2016.[22]
  • The Nerd ― A nightclub and bowling alley themed around comic books and video games, opened in 2017 in the second-floor former Drink & Drag space.[23][24]
  • Notoriety ― An entertainment venue and lounge, with several rooms hosting concerts, comedy nights, and other events.[25][26] Opened in 2019, in the former movie theater space on the third floor.[25]
  • Substance — a warehouse-themed nightclub opening in July 2024.[27]
  • Toy Shack ― A seller of vintage collectible toys. It moved to the shopping center in 2011 to capitalize on visitors familiar with its owner's frequent appearances on the television series Pawn Stars.[28][29]
  • Ultimate Sports Cards & Memorabilia ― A sports memorabilia shop, which moved to Neonopolis in 2012, like the Toy Shack, because of its owner's appearances on Pawn Stars.[30][31]

Previous tenants

  • Banger Brewing ― A 3,000-square-foot (280 m2) pub and microbrewery, opened in 2013 on the ground floor.[32][33] Closed in 2023.[34]
  • Cannabition ― A marijuana-themed museum, opened in 2018.[35] Among the exhibits was Bongzilla,[36] billed as the world's largest bong.[37] Closed in 2019.[38]
  • Del Prado Jewelers ― A jewelry store that moved to the second floor of Neonopolis in 2006.[39][40] Closed in 2021.[41]
  • Drink and Drag ― A bowling alley and drag club, opened in 2012.[42] Closed in 2013 because of legal and financial issues.[43]
  • Evapor8 ― An e-cigarette shop, opened in 2013.[44]
  • Fremont Arcade ― A video arcade, opened in 2016 on the ground floor.[45][46]
  • Galaxy Theatres ― An 11-screen movie theater. Opened in 2002 as Crown Theatres, the center's original anchor tenant, with 14 screens.[3] Later reduced to 11 screens, and then taken over by Galaxy in 2006.[47] Closed in 2009.[48][49]
  • House of Selfies ― An "Instagram museum", opened in 2019.[50][51]
  • Jillian's ― A two-story restaurant, bar, and entertainment complex. Opened in 2002 as one of the complex's anchor tenants.[52] Closed in 2008.[53]
  • Krave Massive ― A gay nightclub, sister property of Drink and Drag, moved to the former Galaxy movie theater space from its previous location on the Las Vegas Strip in June 2013.[54] It was planned to be the largest gay club in the world, but never fully opened.[43][55] Closed after several months because of a tax dispute.[43]
  • Las Vegas Rocks Cafe ― A restaurant and lounge themed around the history of Las Vegas. Opened in 2009 in the former Jillian's space.[56][57] Closed in 2011.[58]
  • Metropolitan Gallery of Las Vegas ― An art museum and gallery. Previously named the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art, it moved to Neonopolis in 2008.[59][60][61] The name was changed in 2017.[62]
  • Millennial Esports ― A 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) venue for competitive video gaming, opened in 2017 on the third floor.[63][64]
  • Poker Dome ― A studio for nationally televised poker events. Opened in 2006 on the third floor, in space previously occupied by three of the movie theaters.[65] Closed in 2007.[66]
  • Southern Nevada Center for the Arts ― An arts center providing studio and gallery space for local artists.[67] Opened in 2009 and closed later that year.[68][69]
  • TelemundoKBLR, the Las Vegas affiliate of the Spanish-language television network, moved its studios to a 17,500-square-foot (1,630 m2) space on the third floor in 2009.[70][71]

References

36°10′12″N 115°8′26″W / 36.17000°N 115.14056°W / 36.17000; -115.14056