Legendary off-the-Las Vegas Strip casino makes surprise comeback | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

Las Vegas has had a rough go of it this year, with tourism down about 8 percent compared to 2024, according to the most recent report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

Restaurants have been hit hard, and dozens of neighborhood diners and upscale celebrity restaurants alike have closed their doors, most of them permanently.

When a classic restaurant like Battista’s Hole in Wall — which opened in 1970 — closes, visitors and locals alike miss it.

People who whine about “old Las Vegas” being mostly gone were devastated when Battista’s closed in June, and the Stage Door Casino right next door closed in July, leaving locals to wonder what was going on. Technically, the Stage Door is a dive bar with a few video poker setups and is known and loved for serving the cheapest drinks in town.

I mean, where else can you get a beer for $1 in Las Vegas?

A beer at a typical bar on the Las Vegas Strip costs more than $10.

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Beloved Italian restaurant and the dive bar next door reopen

Turns out the venues were due for some maintenance that ended up being more extensive than the owner expected.

Battista’s Hole in the Wall and the Stage Door Casino, both on Flamingo Road, reopened this week following what owner Greg Markin described as a full overhaul of the aging 60-year-old buildings. Battista’s resumed service on Wednesday, November 19, while Stage Door followed on Friday, November 21.

The pair of venues — known for their old-Vegas atmosphere and late-night crowds —shut down over the summer. But what began as a few weeks of repairs turned into months of renovation as crews tackled roof leaks, outdated wiring, and a failing HVAC system.

“We basically had to replace the bones,” Markin told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “New roof, new plumbing, new electrical — everything.” The updates included six new 15-ton air-conditioning units to address longstanding cooling issues in the desert heat.

At Stage Door, workers also replaced flooring and refreshed equipment across the connected liquor and convenience store; loyal fans will be happy to know it retains every ounce of its dive-y-ness and the drinks are still cheap.

Markin said the reopening has been an emotional moment for longtime employees who are all back to work. “It’s good to walk in here and smell the cooking again,” he said, noting that many of his staff greeted the return with hugs and tears.

Both properties are now fully operational, marking the latest in a series of classic Strip-adjacent institutions investing in major renovations to stay competitive with newer hotel and dining developments on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Key historical moments for Battista’s Hole in the Wall

1970: Battista’s Hole in the Wall is founded by Battista Locatelli.
1978: The Locatelli family purchased the entire shopping center as the restaurant grows. Source: Ciao Vino
2005: The founding Locatellis sell the restaurant to Caesars Entertainment. Source: Oldest.org
June 1, 2025: Battista’s closes unexpectedly for “remodeling,” citing major repairs including roof and HVAC issues. Source: Casino.org
June 6, 2025: Owner Greg Markin is publicly seen and confirms the start of a top-to-bottom renovation. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Neon
Mid-November 2025: Stage Door Casino (the adjoining dive bar) reopens after its closure. Source: Casino.org
November 19, 2025 — Battista’s officially reopens after a six-month renovation, with major structural work done (new roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC), and the original décor (photos, memorabilia) carefully restored. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Neon

Las vegas restaurants and clubs that will reopen after long closures

Holsteins Shakes and Buns, known for its burgers and shakes, reopened in the Arts District in May 2025 after closing its longtime location at The Cosmopolitan.
The original Lotus of Siam restaurant, previously closed due to a roof collapse in 2017, is set to reopen at its historic Commercial Center location.
Forty Deuce, the iconic dance club and burlesque venue, closed in 2009 and will reopen on New Year’s Eve in the Mandalay Bay hotel.

Longtime Las Vegas businesses that closed in 2025:

Mr. Chow at Caesars Palace, an iconic fine-dining destination known for lavish Chinese cuisine and celebrity guests, closed in May after ten years of operation.
Eat, the popular breakfast and lunch spot credited with helping revitalize downtown dining, shut its doors in March after more than a dozen years in business.
Blue Martini, a nightlife staple in Town Square for nearly two decades, ended operations in July, though there are plans to reopen on the Strip in 2026.
Farm Basket, a classic Vegas institution famed for its fried chicken and turkey sandwiches, closed two of its locations in April and May; only the original location remains open.
Coyotes Cafe & Cantina, a Henderson neighborhood favorite for over thirty years, closed suddenly in March, marking the end of a longstanding era for regulars.

As for the future of Battista’s and Stage Door, Markin expressed confidence that the upgrades will allow both Battista’s and Stage Door to continue to thrive for many years to come.

Batistta’s fans are ecstatic

As for Batistta’s, on Facebook, hundreds of the restaurant’s fans expressed excitement about the reopening:

“Ate there Wednesday night. Same atmosphere, same menu. Loved it.”

“My favorite Italian restaurant never miss it when I’m in Vegas.”

“Great place! Old school Vegas at its best!”

“I’ve been coming here since the ‘90s, and I can’t tell you how much I missed the place. Vegas wouldn’t be the same without Battista’s. So happy it’s back!” wrote another fan on Yelp.

Las Vegas tourism has slowed

While the Covid pandemic led many Las Vegas businesses to shut down, there was a boom period after the city fully reopened. That period has ended, and business has slowed down.

For the sixth consecutive month this year, Las Vegas experienced a decline in the number of visitors year-over-year — with June seeing nearly 400,000 fewer visitors, or an 11.3% drop, compared to the same time last year, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported in August.

Numbers have not improved since then.

“The dip in tourism also comes amid growing concerns over the impact of President Trump’s global trade war and immigration policies on international travel to the U.S. Meanwhile, rising prices and tariffs appear to be changing how American consumers are spending their money,” OPB.org reported.

The slowdown could actually be good for Battista’s Hole in the Wall, as it’s generally cheaper than Strip-based options.

“We know that there’s been a lot of pushback against resort fees in the last few years and we continue to charge those. Parking fees are also something that can sometimes be a hot-button issue for guests. I think we’re really feeling a little bit of that price sensitivity that we didn’t see right after COVID because people had that pent-up demand,” Dr. Amanda Belarmino of UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality told FOX5.

Somer experts think the downturn is more based on events and that 2026 will be an improvement.

“Commentary seems to be improving with a more positive outlook on (the fourth quarter) and into 2026, led by a strong event calendar. Everyone we spoke with expected record group business in the full year 2026,” Barry Jonas, an analyst at Truist Securities, wrote in a recent investor’s note. “While many operators believe Vegas (public relations) concerns may be overblown, there is an operator increasing focus on the importance of delivering more value at all price points paid for experiences.”

A quick look at Las Vegas tourism

Las Vegas tourism trends: Historical visitation stats, 1970–2024 (LVCVA)
Economic impact of Vegas tourism: How tourism supports local businesses (LVCVA)
Las Vegas dining and nightlife trends – Analysis of restaurant and casino traffic patterns (LVCVA)