Friday, January 29, 2010

Lutes Casino, Where The Elite Meet

We had to go find some gas, a bank and get a haircut for me, so on our way, we dropped into Lutes Casino for lunch. It's like walking back in time. Along the period storefronts in this historic district, they have high covered walkways with pressed tin ceilings. This building was built in 1901with a grocery store on the bottom and the Central Hotel upstairs. Bob Lutes became the owner around 1946 when the gambler he'd lent money for the purchase, couldn't pay his debt. He added dominoes and hamburger to the billiards and beer, making it the only domino parlour in the state. The kids took it over the 1959 and have filled the 12' walls with eclectic memorabilia. I get such a kick out of the place. There is a foot which has fallen through the ceiling, a linesman in full gear up in wires,you name it, it's probably there. It is usually packed. The cashiers cage is all steel bars. It is the oldest poolhall in AZ. There was a gentleman playing honky tonk piano beside the barber pole, great music. It is famous for the mens room, where there is glass in the top half of the door. This was supposed to be so one could look out the door to see that no one moved your eight ball or you could make sure no one snuck up and shot you in the back in the wild west.

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