Little is known about this motel. It apparently was built in the mid-1950s and called Desert Villa. A few years later the name was changed to Empey's Desert Villa.
Empey's Desert Villa contained 72 rooms. It boasted a phone, air-conditioning, combination tub and shower, hi-fi music, and a TV in each room. The Villa contained a 24 hour switchboard, reservations arranged for resort shows, and a large swimming pool. It also offered baby sitters. Phil Empey was listed as Managing Owner.
In March of 1979, Michael Gaughan, the oldest of two sons of El Cortez owner Jackie Gaughan, had a dream, and with Dad's help, took a chance on the Desert Villa located on the famous "Four Corners" of Las Vegas Boulevard with the Flamingo Hilton next door, MGM Grand Hotel and Caesars Palace across the street, and Dunes sitting diagonally.
Even though Jackie owned part of the resort, his son bought him out stating "I told him to stay off the Strip and I would stay out of downtown."
The Barbary Coast had 150 rooms and suites. With its lavish display of exquisite stained glass, magnificent chandeliers and plush decor, it successfully competed with the larger resorts surrounding it.
Gaughan and his partners had many challenges including the opposition of neighbors Dunes, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, and Flamingo which were not particularly interested in having a pip-squeak casino under their noses and on such a valuable corner. Gaughan's success was due to a simple statement: Give people a good gamble and quality food at a god location and its hard to go wrong. Gaughan stated all costs up to the 1979 opening totaled $11.3 million.
Over a year and half later, on November 21, 1980, the Barbary Coast experienced a small electrical fire which was quickly extinguished due to the new resort being built with recent code specifications. A short time later Gaughan heard a commotion outside and as he gazed across the street, he saw flames coming from the MGM Grand Hotel. Knowing this was a tragedy forming right before his eyes, and knowing that the closest resorts to the MGM were Dunes and his own, Gaughan did something that all casino owners would never want to do, he stopped all gambling. He then ushered the patrons out and ordered his employees to move all gaming tables aside to prepare his casino to be a first aid station just in case his resort was needed. His quick thinking assisted the injured and traumatized to be comforted almost immediately.
The following day Gaughan made his Mark Twain Room available for the press conference and the Barbary employees had to call the police when they spotted a man wearing a soot-stained MGM Grand security-guard uniform playing their slot machines with blackened coins.
From 1978 to 1981, Barbary had a role in various episodes of the TV show Vegas starring Robert Urich.
In 1982, Barbary showcased the Royal Dixie Jazz Band.
In 1984, Barbary added "Garden of Earthly Delights", a 30'x5' stained glass mural on the casino's west wall, depicting a Victorian era fantasy. This work of art involved ten artists working more than 10,000 hours to complete.
In 1985, the Lounge showcased Sam Butera & the Wildest, and Ben Crocker.
During this year the casino contained five poker tables with Frank Toti as Manager, and sport and racing with Jerry Ludt and Robert Muniz as Managers.
In 1987, Barbary had a role in the movie Jocks.
In 1988, the Lounge showcased the Irish Showband.
In 1995, Gaughan announced that he was adding approximately 200 more rooms, a rooftop swimming pool and other amenities to be contained in a four-story addition. He stated that between the opening and 1995, Barbary spent another $10 million or so to keep up the proper level of appearances for a resort at such a prestigious corner.
In 1996, Hilton Hotel Corporation attempted to purchase the Barbary Coast but from what I can tell, they were unsuccessful and gave up.
In 1997, Coast Resorts was involved in the State Gaming Control Board when one his employees, Zacharie Franzi, circumvented the laws by providing funds for various runners. Mr. Franzi quit the Barbary Coast during this year. Coast Resorts was fined $100,000 (out of $900,000 possible fines) for shoddy internal control procedures in that Franzi was working independently, without the knowledge of Gaughan or Coast Resorts.
Barbary Coast has essentially remained the same since its opening with having just three expansions over the years which included adding 50 rooms, increasing the size of the casino, and expanded the service facilities.
Barbary Coast features a 9-story tower with 200 rooms and suites, 30,000 square-foot casino with over 550 slots and separate Race and Sports Books, and 500 space covered parking garage and valet service.
One of the restaurants contained in the resort is Michael's, which was given an "extraordinary" rating in the 1998 Zagat Survey and has been directed by Maitre d' Richard Assalone for 16 years. This intimate 50-seat Victorian-style gourmet room is furnished in plush red velvet and deep mahogany. Michael's features a 40-panel stained-glass domed ceiling, an elaborate crystal chandelier and imported Italian marble flooring. Michael's has over-sized wing-backed chairs, etched glass mirrors and Victorian-lace tablecloths complete the stunning decor and provide the ideal setting for the culinary experience of a lifetime. Head Chef Fred Bielak, who has also been at Michael's for 16 years, offers Coquille St. Jacques, Baked Escargot, Sauteed fresh Mushrooms ala Creme, and Shrimp or Australian Lobster Cocktails all served around ice sculptures.
A recent change that Barbary Coast has made was to close down the McDonald's restaurant and open Drai's On The Strip which is accessible only by a private, marble-laden elevator. Drai's is a contemporary, upscale gourmet restaurant featuring dishes from southern France with noticeable influence from lighter, healthier California cuisine. Some of Drai's entrees include sashimi of ahi tuna layered with enoke mushrooms; fresh Dover sole; Chilean sea bass glazed with soy sauce, garlic and fresh ginger; lobster-filled ravioli in its own sauce; delicious meat and poultry choices, and a dessert menu which includes gourmet cookies to creme brulee.
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