Caesars Palace
A Roman colosseum of glamour where the Chairman held court.
Caesars Palace anchors the golden age of Las Vegas entertainment, directly reflecting the lifestyle Frank Sinatra defined. Sinatra began performing at Caesars Palace in 1967, after a fallout with Howard Hughes and Carl Cohen at The Sands, signing a three-year contract. The Roman-themed palace served as a central stage for his shows and parties from the late 1960s onward. The venue mirrors the transition from small clubs to massive hotel resorts that marked his later career.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
- Address
- 3570 South Las Vegas Boulevard
- Theme
- Roman Empire
- Rooms
- 3,960
- Date opened
- 5 August 1966
- Gaming space
- 124,181 sq ft / 0.012 km²
- Shows
- Absinthe
- Attractions
- Replica ancient Roman, Greek and Renaissance art
- The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
- The Forum Shops at Caesars
Lore & Background
Within this setting, business deals were often made in backrooms while music played on stage. It was a place where the line between performer and patron blurred, allowing Sinatra to move seamlessly from the spotlight to the high-limit tables. In the early morning hours of September 6, 1970, Sinatra was playing high stakes baccarat at the casino, where he was performing at the time. Normal limits for the game are US$2,000 per hand; Sinatra had been playing for US$8,000 and wanted the stakes to be raised to US$16,000. When Sinatra began shouting after his request was denied, hotel executive Sanford Waterman came to talk with him. Witnesses said the two men both made threats, with Waterman producing a gun and pointing it at Sinatra. Sinatra walked out of the casino and returned to his Palm Springs home without fulfilling the rest of his three-week engagement there. Despite swearing to never perform at Caesars again, Sinatra returned after his retirement in January 1974, and became a frequent performer at Caesars Palace throughout the decade. He was performing at Caesars when his mother Dolly died in a plane crash in January 1977, and in 1979 he was awarded the Grammy Trustees Award in a party at the hotel, while celebrating 40 years in show business and his 64th birthday. When Sinatra was given back his gaming license by the Nevada Gaming Commission in 1981, he became an entertainment-public relations consultant at the casino for $20,000 a week.
Reader's Guide
Caesars Palace serves as a critical backdrop within the narrative of Frank Sinatra’s later career years. While his most famous Rat Pack nights occurred at other venues, this establishment represents the evolution of Las Vegas into the mega-resort destination he helped popularize. Its Roman theme mirrored the imperial status Sinatra commanded in the music industry during the 1960s and 70s. For fans exploring his legacy, understanding Caesars is key to visualizing the environment where he performed residencies and socialized with Hollywood elites. The hotel was not merely a lodging but a theater of excess that matched the energy of his live recordings from this period. It highlights how Sinatra transitioned from nightclub singer to headliner capable of commanding massive stages. This location matters because it anchors the 'Vegas Era' of his biography, symbolizing glamour, high stakes, and enduring fame. Visiting in spirit allows fans to appreciate the scale of his influence on hospitality and nightlife culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Caesars Palace in the context of Frank Sinatra's career?
Caesars Palace is an iconic Roman-themed hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip that served as a central stage for Sinatra's performances from the late 1960s onward. It represents the shift from intimate clubs to massive resort venues, anchoring the golden age of his later entertainment era.
When did Caesars Palace become significant for Frank Sinatra?
Sinatra began utilizing Caesars Palace as a primary location for his shows and parties starting in the late 1960s. While he performed at other legendary venues earlier, this palace became synonymous with his status during that specific period.
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