How Elvis Presley Was a Part of Las Vegas’ Dining History

Elvis Presley died 38 years ago this coming Monday, and the King still has a huge influence on Las Vegas. For seven years, he had a residency at the International, now Westgate Las Vegas. Little did you know that his love of food extended to his show at the resort.

Inside the new and first-ever permanent Elvis exhibit outside of Memphis, Elvis: The Exhibition brings guests on a tour through his life, including an entire room dedicated to his time in Vegas. There find two interesting pieces of Vegas dining history:

Elvis' tablecloth contract

The Tablecloth Contract
Following Elvis’ first performance at the International in 1969, Elvis’ manager Col. Tom Parker renegotiated his residency in the hotel coffee shop, now Sid’s Café. Col. Parker and hotel executives wrote directly onto the tablecloth, agreeing to a deal that amounted to $1 million per year for five years. The tablecloth contract with Elvis, Col. Parker and the executives’ signatures is on display in the Vegas exhibition, coffee stains and all.

International menu

Show Menus
Throughout Elvis’ residency in Las Vegas, he performed more than 630 shows for millions of audience members. These Elvis fans not only got to listen to the King’s smooth voice and watch his infamous dance moves, but they were also treated to high-end dining while inside the showroom. Unlike many showrooms in the 1960s and ’70s, the menus at the International Hotel allowed guests to dine on lobster, steak and their favorite wine and spirits.

Elvis summer fest menu