Hooter Bowl 3: The History of the Worst Hotel in Las Vegas feat. Alexander Poncio
"Fine" Dining5 Feb 2025

Hooter Bowl 3: The History of the Worst Hotel in Las Vegas feat. Alexander Poncio

Hooters Casino Hotel was meant to be a game-changer—bringing its busty brand of mediocrity to the Las Vegas Strip. Instead, it became one of the biggest disasters in Vegas history. A casino so bad, it made Circus Circus look classy. So... what went wrong?

For my third annual Hooter Bowl Spectacular, I had to go big. So I spent 19 hours trapped inside the Hooters Casino Hotel (now OYO), enduring its busted elevators, depressing ambiance, and suspiciously sticky carpets—all for the sake of history.

Along the way, my guest Alexander Poncio and I uncover the shocking history of this cursed Las Vegas casino—including its mob ties, multiple bankruptcy scandals, and an abandoned attempt in the 1980s to become Vegas' first LGBTQ-friendly resort.

"Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to WATCH this episode!

💬 What's the WORST hotel you've ever stayed at? Drop it in the Discord!

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🍔 Bonus episodes – including deep dives into underrated chains like the most recent monthly exclusive: Dan's Hamburgers (Austin, TX)
📢 Extended Yelp from Strangers segments – with even wilder reviews
🎶 Download exclusive music – including all 7 tracks from our Olive Garden musical!

👉 Join us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast
👉 Hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4
👉 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast

🎵 Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music)
🎶 Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe)
🎙 Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose

Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas

Follow Alex on Instagram @ponciosa

⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you enjoy deep dives into the weirdest chain restaurant history!

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