The decline of live Las Vegas Entertainment continues to prevail as it claims yet another victim. The news that Charlie’s Bar (2089 N. Jones) will close next week was shocked its regular neighborhood patrons. However it was even more shocking to the regular live bands that have played in rotation at Charlie’s Bar.

Charlie’s Bar will go out in true rock star fashion as it will host an all out musician’s jam going away party of sorts on Wednesday, August 20th. According to Doug, everyone is invited to come, play, share stories and close down Charlie’s Bar in a way fitting for the thousands of musicians who have graced the stage.

One may think that one bar closing is not that big of a deal as Vegas is full of them. However it is quickly becoming a trend of closing establishments that are fixtures in our neighborhood that employs our citizens, provides a literal stage for local bands to haon their skills as musicians and generates gaming and other tax revenue for our city.

A drive down any major Las Vegas street whether it be Charleston, Sahara, Tropicana or Flamingo shows the signs the economy chipping away at what has always been the thriving entertainment capital of the world. A whole host of bars and restaurants closed and their rich history all but forgotten. In recent weeks, Spanky’s Pub also has been forced to close.

Some blame the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants which was voted into law in January 2007. Yet some locals state that they simply do not have the money to go to bars and restaurants anymore. Dinner and an evening of entertainment is a luxury that far too many can no longer afford.

Although The Strip continues to maintain and news is hopeful of a recovery, our neighborhoods that surround the strip could become an entertainment ghost town which we will only have fond memories and stories to share of what local entertainment was all about long ago.