By: Stuart Phillips Combs

When you think of Las Vegas, you probably picture glittering casinos, wild nights, and endless neon. But underneath all the glitz lies a darker, more thrilling world—a world that comes alive on the Kings of Vegas: Mobsters and Casinos Highroller Speakeasy Crawl. On this unforgettable journey through the city’s most legendary (and haunted) sites, you’ll uncover tales of mobsters, murders, secret deals, and ghostly hauntings.

Buckle up for a wild ride: from hidden speakeasies with bloodstained pasts to historic casinos where gangsters once ruled the Strip, this crawl reveals a chilling side of Vegas most visitors never see.

Starting Point: Plaza Hotel & Casino – Where Legends Once Walked

The adventure kicks off at the historic Plaza Hotel & Casino, a towering piece of vintage Vegas standing proudly at the end of Fremont Street. Built in 1971 atop the grounds of the original Union Pacific Railroad Station, the Plaza quickly became a magnet for high-stakes gamblers and high-profile mobsters.

Here, your guide sets the tone for the night, blending tales of mob negotiations, secret meetings, and daring heists that once took place under the casino’s glitzy facade. The spirits of the past feel almost tangible as you sip your first cocktail and gear up for the journey ahead.

A Wink and a Smile from Vegas Vic

Just a short stroll from the Plaza, you’ll pass Vegas Vic, the neon cowboy who’s become one of Las Vegas’ most recognizable figures. Though he’s not haunted (as far as anyone will admit), Vic has watched decades of mayhem unfold beneath his glowing gaze. From mob skirmishes to bloody feuds between casino tycoons, Fremont Street has been a front-row seat to some of Vegas’ darkest stories.

Your guide will regale you with anecdotes about how the mob controlled even the street entertainment and neon icons, making sure that every inch of downtown served their empire.

Casino at the Golden Gate Hotel – Echoes of the Roaring Twenties

Next stop: Casino at the Golden Gate Hotel, the oldest hotel in Las Vegas, dating back to 1906. Step inside and you’re stepping into a time warp of speakeasy history. During the Prohibition era, secret liquor flowed like water here, and some of the city’s earliest mobsters established their turf.

As you sip on a signature cocktail, listen carefully—many guests and staff report encountering strange cold spots, flickering lights, and even spectral figures wandering the halls. Some say it’s the spirits of those who crossed the wrong mobsters and never left the Golden Gate alive.

Hotel Apache – Where Ghosts Check In, But Don’t Check Out

The Hotel Apache, located inside Binion’s Gambling Hall, is one of the most famously haunted spots in Las Vegas. Restored to honor its original 1930s grandeur, the hotel embraces its haunted reputation proudly.

Notorious gangsters once stayed here, using its hidden hallways and secret rooms for illicit dealings. Over the years, reports of spectral children, whispering voices, and flickering lights have cemented its reputation. Paranormal enthusiasts flock here for Haunted Encounters that sometimes get a little too real.

Will you dare to linger in the hotel’s most haunted hallway, where guests claim ghostly figures have been photographed walking through walls?

The Underground at The Mob Museum – A Speakeasy Below the Shadows

After exploring the chilling exhibits of The Mob Museum, the tour sneaks down into one of Vegas’ best-kept secrets: The Underground, an authentic 1920s-style speakeasy and working distillery hidden beneath the museum itself.

As you descend the stairs, it feels like stepping back in time. Brick walls, vintage furniture, and live jazz music recreate the Prohibition era with startling authenticity. The cocktails are crafted with old-school ingredients—and some are even made with house-distilled moonshine.

This atmospheric bar is not just a charming nod to history; it’s rumored that some of the museum’s paranormal energy follows visitors into The Underground. Staff and guests alike have reported strange feelings of being watched, glasses sliding across tables on their own, and sudden unexplained chills.

While you sip a Smoked Old Fashioned or a Bee’s Knees, you might wonder: is that a breeze—or is it something (or someone) unseen sharing your table?

Casino at the El Cortez Hotel – Old-School Vegas with Secrets to Tell

Opened in 1941, El Cortez is one of the few casinos left that genuinely smells like old Vegas. It still boasts its vintage décor, but underneath the glamour are stories of shady deals and gangster ownership.

Bugsy Siegel himself once held partial ownership, using the casino to launder money and tighten his grip on the city’s growing gambling empire. Today, guests still report strange happenings—elevators moving on their own, unexplained voices, and an overwhelming sense of being watched.

Commonwealth – Cocktails with a Twist of Haunting

Your next liquid courage stop: Commonwealth, a speakeasy-style bar with a rooftop view of Fremont Street. Beneath the stylish vintage chandeliers and dark wood walls lies a history of mob rendezvous and illicit activities.

The building has long been rumored to harbor restless spirits, including a woman who appears dressed in 1920s flapper garb. Toast the past with one of their signature craft cocktails, but don’t be surprised if you feel a light tap on your shoulder—and find no one there.

Downtown Cocktail Room – Secrets Behind Every Door

A few discreet steps away is the Downtown Cocktail Room, a sleek and stylish speakeasy that takes you even deeper into the shadows of Las Vegas’ Prohibition past. Its discreet entrance and sultry vibe make you feel as though you’re sneaking into forbidden territory.

While sipping a handcrafted drink here, your guide will spin tales of how the mob once operated hidden speakeasies just like this, selling illegal booze to politicians, entertainers, and gamblers alike. Rumor has it that not every deal made in these shadowy spots ended with a handshake.

Golden Nugget Casino – Glitz, Glamour, and Ghosts

The final major stop on the crawl is the legendary Golden Nugget Casino, an icon of old Vegas. Built in 1946, it quickly became a favorite of the rich, the famous, and the dangerous. Mob bosses ran operations behind the scenes, and it’s said that more than a few guests who caused trouble mysteriously disappeared.

Today, the Golden Nugget glows with all the opulence you’d expect, but ghost stories linger: visitors often talk of glimpses of figures from the corner of their eye, strange noises from empty corridors, and gaming tables that seem to shift when no one’s near.

A Night You’ll Never Forget
Throughout the Kings of Vegas: Mobsters and Casinos Highroller Speakeasy Crawl, your guide weaves together historical facts, chilling ghost tales, and some of the best cocktails downtown Vegas has to offer.

The experience is a perfect cocktail of history, haunts, and high spirits (pun absolutely intended). You’ll laugh, shiver, gasp, and toast to the colorful, eerie, and bloodstained past of a city built on vice—and maybe leave feeling just a little haunted yourself.

Final Thoughts: Ghosts, Gangsters, and the Glitter of Sin City
Las Vegas isn’t just a playground for adults—it’s a haunted house with bright lights and dark secrets. Walking the footsteps of mobsters, seeing the hidden spots where fortunes were made and lives were lost, and sipping cocktails in once-forbidden corners makes this crawl an experience that goes beyond any ordinary night out.

If you’re ready to lift the neon veil and peer into the haunted heart of Sin City, the Kings of Vegas: Mobsters and Casinos Highroller Speakeasy Crawl is your perfect passport to the past.