It’s a hushed Saturday afternoon at Historic Commercial Center, a couple of miles east of the Strip on Sahara Avenue. The reason for the visit is a lunch hang at Vicky’s Diner, just off the center’s north-facing entrance.
Having arrived a few minutes early, we walk the historic neighborhood.
Lotus of Siam, around the bend from Vicky’s, reopened this month in its original location. This is huge news for the Las Vegas dining culture, and especially Commercial Center. Lotus’ crowd (we anticipate) will boost business and exposure to everyone in the center.
The Composers Room, operated across the lot by Las Vegas entertainment vet and native Damian Costa, is eager to welcome Lotus customers.
Cue Club is open next to Vicky’s, 24/7. The fabled pool hall has held the same spot since 1963, the year the shopping center opened.
And there is activity at the wood-framed, under-development Arty’s Steakhouse. The oft-delayed opening is now targeted for the fall, if not later. The new restaurant, bar and gallery space is overtaking two-thirds of Cue Club’s original parcel.
As we walk the parking lot, a guy in multicolored glasses and a handlebar mustache pulls up in a truck toting a trailer with a couple of storage cases. We easily recognize him as Arty’s owner Derek Stonebarger. He’s hauling a couple boxes of bulbs and brass electrical flooring plates, along with a few vintage neon signs.
“We’re starting to work on finishing touches,” Stonebarger says.
Those touches might not be fully open to the public until the end of the year. Plans for Arty’s were announced in May 2023. So much time has passed that Arty’s has made lists of the most anticipated restaurant openings of 2024 and 2025.
Stonebarger stresses that a complete, 1963-era restoration takes time. A recent project, delayed, was installing a new sprinkler system. Meters (gas, water, electrical) have been replaced. A courtesy walkthrough with the health district is June 8. The final walk-through is early August.
A fall opening is possible if it goes without major obstacles. Good luck with that, as any operator of a new business will tell you. But Stonebarger says a lot of the heavy lifting is finished: “Our refrigerators are already in, walk-in freezer, walk-in cooler and beer walk-in cooler are running.”
Arty’s covers more than 10,000 square feet, with a main bar, smaller bar, dining area, coffee bar, special event room, performance stage and active art galleries featuring more than 1,000 works planned.
Even in development, Arty’s features several pieces hanging throughout the space. A giant owl, suggesting “Stay Safe,” currently looms over the main bar.
Stonebarger also owns Rebar on Main Street in the Arts District. Similar to that tavern, Arty’s will reflect the owner’s whimsical personality. Arty’s Nevada Jackalope (a vegetarian recipe) is among the menu items.
Art pieces picked up at garage sales or flea markets are on sale. Many of those works will be altered under the “Arty Was Here” signature, an umbrella identity for a group of Vegas artists tinkering with the paintings.
The effect is a Bansky-inspired mystery around the artwork. Bigfoot, for one example, is randomly dropped into many framed pieces.
“Bigfoot is one of our themes,” Stonebarger says. A painting of a mountain range is updated with a cow flying over the landscape. The painting shows a clear tear in the canvas that seems intentional. It might or might not be a tribute to Steve Wynn’s damaging of “Le Reve” with his elbow.
Stonebarger has planned Last Supper Sundays, where guests who have purchased pieces are invited return to Arty’s for an art hang at the end of the month.
“We just kind of get together and celebrate another month of existence. If you buy a piece of art during the month, you can pick it up on that Last Supper Sunday,” says Stonebarger, who will put out a buffet spread and drinks. “We’ll probably do a little art auction, too, where I’ll try to sell you more art.”
Stonebarger has lived in Las Vegas for 25 years, 15 of those years working for KLAS Channel 8 and Fox 5. He was once a partner in Atomic Liquors and the now-defunct Theater 7 in the Arts District.
Skeptics have wondered if Arty’s will open at all, given its yearslong development. But Stonebarger shrugs off the doubters. The Vegas entrepreneur has gained an appreciation for the city’s history and picked up its artistic pulse.
“Arty’s should be a game changer for the area,” the owner says, as he scans his unfinished business. “There’s no way to stop now.”
Cool Hang Alert
On the topic of what is vintage in Las Vegas, beloved showman Frankie Scinta is back at Ben Spano Showroom (unofficial title) at Italian American Club at 6:30 p.m. (dinner) and 8 p.m. (show) Friday. Frankie’s daughter, Danielle, is a special guest. And catch a Cole (Nicholas) in the lounge afterward. Go to iacvegas.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.