Shake-up at Bally's To Include New Food Options

Bally's will soon be inundated by walls of plywood. The food court, underground shopping district and the vast Strip frontage are all about to undergo a major makeover. The food court is the first to be shuttered and new resident details have been revealed.

Across from the Bally's sports book, the food court is being curated by local franchiser, Frank Bonnano. Nathan's Famous hot dogs will be replaced by a Subway and the former Sbarro pizza and Ichiban sushi restaurants are being remodeled. Staff rumors also point to the arrival of the fourth Johnny Rockets burger joint to the Strip.

Also incoming, Drai's After Hours nightclub will begin its transition to Bally's on Feb. 4, once it finishes its 15-year run at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon. Drai's semi-permanent, 6,367-square-foot club, will be in operation until it moves back to Bill's in early 2014 when the Drai Management Group will unveil a new 65,000-square-foot rooftop pool with a day and nightclub. Bill's Gamblin' Hall will take the time for a complete re-vamp of their property.

Underneath Bally's, many of the retail stores in the Shoppes section have been closed, or are in the process of upgrading, in preparation for Bally's largest, dramatic remodel. Outside, the Strip-facing 2.6-acre plaza will be stripped of its moving walkways and fountains to house the new Grand Bazaar. Food carts and booths, and the possibility for temporary pop-up food ventures are proposed alongside myriad retail outlets. Kitchens will be created adjacent to the resort entrance for a long-term lease area with permanent seating. All told, 270 potential vendors will fill the huge open area, and a nighttime light show is being designed to draw in the punters. While ground has yet to be broken, Bally's declares its inspiration to potential tenants as a mix of Seattle's Pike Place Market, Morocco's Marrakesh Souk, Jerusalem's Old Market and London's Portabello Road.
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