Las Vegas is currently weathering a brutal wave of restaurant closures that has wiped out everything from 60-year-old family institutions to high-concept celebrity ventures.
Loss of Long-Standing Institutions
The recent wave of shutdowns has claimed several establishments known for their longevity and community presence. Chapala’s Mexican Restaurant, which operated on eastside Tropicana Avenue since 1965, will close in November as owner Jose Flores and his siblings retire. The store served fried whole tilapia, big burritos, and sizzling fajitas.
New Restaurants Struggle to Find Audiences
While some restaurants closed due to retirement or longevity, others struggled to find an audience or maintain operational stability. Diner Ross Steakhouse and Spiegelworld’s “DiscoShow” both opened on September 7, 2024, but struggled from the start; the steakhouse provided its last service on September 26. Similarly, St Felix Sin City closed after only seven months of operation in the southwest neighborhood, failing to replicate the success it had seen in West Hollywood.
Celebrity-backed concepts also saw a decline. David Chang’s presence in the city shrunk to a single location following the October 4 closure of Bang Bar by Momofuku in the Cosmopolitan food hall. The quick-service eatery had debuted in April 2021. At Park MGM, Mama Rabbit Mezcal + Tequila Bar, operated by Bricia Lopez, shuttered on September 14 after serving as a celebration of Oaxacan culture since 2019. The bar featured a 40-foot-high glass bottle wall displaying over 500 mezcal and tequila labels.
Legal Disputes and Resort Shifts
Some closures resulted from corporate restructuring or legal conflict. At Red Rock Resort, Lotus of Siam and Naxos Taverna are both scheduled to close on October 29. The Lotus of Siam closure follows a federal lawsuit involving Bua Food Group’s Lou Abin and Penny Chutima; court documents allege Abin harmed the brand by altering recipes and hosting party brunches. Consequently, Red Rock severed ties with Abin’s restaurants.
Within the Encore resort, Jardin closed in April for a planned refresh but never reopened. Wynn officials confirmed in June that the space will instead be used for a new American-style restaurant.
Other Notable Closures
- La Neta Cocina y Lounge: Closed September 29 after five years in Downtown Summerlin.
- One Piece Cafe: The manga-themed cafe closed October 2, though owners intend to launch a series of pop-ups.
- Mulberry Street Pizza: The Los Angeles-based shop closed its location at Resorts World. Its two other locations on Blue Diamond Road and in North Las Vegas remain open.
- Crown & Anchor Pub: The Spring Mountain Road outpost is shutting down two years after the restaurant closed its UNLV location.
- Crush: Run by Michael and Jenna Morton, the venue focused on house-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, steaks, and burgers.
Durango Resort Food Hall Closures
Durango Resort announced further closures within its food hall. Uncle Paulie’s Deli closed September 30, while Vesta Coffee Roasters and Yu-Or-Mi Sushi both closed November 10.
While some venues have announced replacements or future plans, it remains unknown what will occupy the 4,400-square-foot space formerly held by Mama Rabbit or what will replace Diner Ross Steakhouse.
