Drai's and Rainbow Bar Closed: Diablo's Cantina to Open in September

Drai's Restaurant closed last Saturday (April 28, 2007). Drai's was an upscale French restaurant located in the basement of the Barbary Coast Casino. The Barbary Coast had been bought by Harrah's a few months back and renamed Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon. (The after-hours club part will remain open.) The same thing happened to the Commanders Palace restaurant at the Aladdin. The restaurant closed a few months ago after Planet Hollywood took over the property. No word on whether Drai's will find a new location; Commanders' Palace was reported to be looking for a stand-alone location.

The Rainbow Bar & Grill on Paradise and Harmon has also closed. The Rainbow was an outpost of the famous Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip. The owners are planning to find another location on the west side of town. The Paradise location was difficult with the constant construction over the last two years. The owners also believed that they needed more room.

The Monte Carlo is spicing things up with a Cancun-like, spring break party atmosphere, open-air restaurant, bar and club built in front of the hotel. The new two-story Mexican restaurant will cater to a younger and party-seeking demographic with a large Margarita selection, an upstairs dance club and plenty of outdoor seating to people watch. The Light Group is developing the club and restaurant project. The Light Group has developed a number of popular clubs in Las Vegas such as the Light Nightclub at the Bellagio, JET Nightclub at the Mirage and the Mist at Treasure Island. With 10 Plasma screens, Tequila vixens roaming the restaurant and a second story open air patio and bar, Diablo's Cantina will bring the Mexican party scene to Las Vegas this September.

John Laub is president of the CEO-CFO Group.

1. "Drai's Restaurant to Close." www.lasvegasadvisor.com
April 26, 2007.

2. "Diablo's Cantina to Attract Patrons with Party Atmosphere." Monte Carlo Press Release. March 26, 2007.

3. www.diabloslv.com

4. "Rainbow Looks for Another Pot of Gold." Las Vegas Weekly. Night Life. March 22, 2007.

5. "Monte Carlo Resort & Casino to Be Saved By The Diablo?" Juliana Shallcross. HotelChatter.com. April 3, 2007.