Monte Carlo Undergoes Dramatic Transformation to Become Park MGM

By Scott Roeben, on November 02 2017
4 min read 28 comments
Las Vegas Las Vegas Hotels

A poplar Las Vegas resort, Monte Carlo, is in the throes of an unprecedented transformation: The casino is becoming Park MGM.

Recently, there was a very visible signal the change from Monte Carlo to Park MGM is kicking into high gear. Here’s a peek.

Monte Carlo facade
Your days are numbered, old girl. Yes, Monte Carlo is a girl. We checked.

Inside, Monte Carlo is virtually unrecognizable.

Nearly all of Monte Carlo’s restaurants have closed, and entire swaths of the casino have been walled off.

Monte Carlo casino
Mystery walls abound at Monte Carlo, all in service of giving the world some Las Vegas voila.

Here’s a list of all the Monte Carlo bars and restaurants that have closed in recent months.

  • The Pub at Monte Carlo
  • Brand Steakhouse
  • Andre’s at the Monte Carlo
  • Hit Lounge
  • Yusho Japanese Grill & Noodle House
  • Blvd Creamery
  • D. Vino Italian Food & Wine Bar
  • Dragon Noodle Co.
  • The Buffet at Monte Carlo
  • Food Court at the Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo
These signs are everywhere. Soon, there will pretty much be no “other outlets.”

Yes, there’s pretty much been a clean sweep of the restaurants and bars at Monte Carlo, all to make way for new offerings at Park MGM.

But wait, there’s more.

Most recently, Minus 5 Ice Bar closed (Oct. 29, 2017).

Monte Carlo Minus 5 Ice Bar
Minus 5 Ice Bar was always a fun place to chill.

On Nov. 5, 2017, 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria. The forgettable pizza restaurant will move to New York New York.

The Sambalatte coffee shop closes Nov. 7, 2017.

Also on Nov. 7, Diablo’s Cantina will close. We were the first to share this turn of events, way back in Dec. 2016, but we aren’t one to brag.

Diablo's Cantina
Adios, awkward appropriation of Mexican culture.

In a strange turn of events, it doesn’t appear Double Barrel Roadhouse is going anywhere.

As a slew of restaurants close, two have opened in recent weeks.

We popped in for photos, and look forward to giving these new eateries a taste.

First, there’s Primrose.

Primrose Park MGM
Primrose is one of the first things you’ll stumble upon as you enter Monte Carlo from the self-park garage. And we do mean stumble. We know how you are in Vegas.

The official Web site says, “Modeled after a country home, Primrose is our tribute to the South of France. Come by for garden-inspired dishes and cocktails in the drawing room, dining room, or beneath the trees in the outdoor terrace and garden.”

Primrose
If we never hear the phrase “vegetable-forward cuisine” again, it’ll be too soon.

On the restaurant’s Web page, the cuisine is described as “French-ish.”

And they weren’t kidding about the “beneath the trees” thing. A few feet from the entrance to Primrose, in an area being used for hotel registration, there’s a massive tree root protruding from the ceiling.

Monte Carlo tree roots
One thing this definitely isn’t is freaky.

Also new at Monte Carlo, sorry, Park MGM, is Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar.

Park MGM Bavette's Steakhouse
Your humble portal to a new world of protein.

The original Bavette’s is in Chicago, and it’s won numerous awards for its classic steakhouse fare with French cooking influences.

It’s almost entirely dark inside Bavette’s, but here’s a photo, anyway.

Park MGM Bavette's Steakhouse
We’ll say it: This is the kind of lighting that gets people pregnant.

Strolling through the Monte Carlo casino is a surreal experience.

Construction walls conceal closed venues, and familiar features inside the resort have vanished.

Signs for Park MGM haven’t really been put up yet, but this one was displayed prominently, including what appears to be an attempt at a logo.

Park MGM logo
Fingers crossed this logo is just a placeholder. You don’t spend $450 million on a makeover and have a teen on Fiverr do your logo.

Changes are happening outside, too.

There’s been a lot of work in the Monte Carlo’s pool complex.

Monte Carlo pools
You can still be lazy, there’s just no river to do it in.

Now, there are three pools. One’s square, the others are akin to lap pools.

Monte Carlo pools
Petite pools mean they’re likely to be for hotel guests only.

It seems like only yesterday we were breaking the story Monte Carlo would undergo a major renovation and rebrand. Now, it’s becoming a reality.

MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren has described the Monte Carlo transformation as a “top-to-bottom, stem-to-stern type of re-imagining.” We can’t disagree.

Las Vegas don't get attached
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because new bars.

Some fret Monte Carlo will become an upscale resort and price out longtime fans. Others say it was time for a Monte Carlo refresh, and Vegas thrives on shiny new things, even when they’re not completely new.

Many are taking the transition period as an opportunity to bid farewell to an old friend.

Monte Carlo
Yes, we got photo releases from everyone because that’s exactly how the Internet works.

Enjoy a few photos from our recent walkabout at Monte Carlo, and we look forward to sharing more about Park MGM as it emerges, sticky and warm, from the womb of the wizards at MGM Resorts. Or something.