Down at Dino’s, it’s still the old Vegas way

Monday, Nov. 28, 2005 | 8:59 a.m.

The 45-year-old neighborhood bar, located on the northwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard South and Wyoming Avenue, is in a neighborhood sprouting high rises.

Developers are greedily eyeing the 0.53-acre lot that is north of the Stratosphere, across the street from the Olympic Garden topless dance club and a stone's throw from the Meadows Village neighborhood noted for its poverty and high crime rate.

A nearby motel recently sold.

Other land is on the market.

Not too far away, on Sahara Avenue east of the Strip, a high rise is already under construction. Others are proposed.

But Kristin Bartolo isn't interested in selling the property bought by her late grandfather, Dean Bartolo, in 1960, and owned by her father, Charles, until his death four years ago.

Kristin Bartolo grew up in-and-around the club, which originally was known as Ringside Liquors because a lot of boxers hung out there.

It has tremendous sentimental value.

"I'm concerned," said the 45-year-old Bartolo. "A private company can legally take your business now."

That's according to a U.S. Supreme Court decision announced in June. Local governments may seize people's homes and businesses against their will and turn it over to a private developer.

"We have people trying to buy the place," Bartolo said. "I've been threatened -- they say they will take me to court and they'll get my property no matter what.

"It kind of scares me."

She says she could request that the venerable lounge be designated a historical landmark.

"But then if I ever do want to change it, or decide I've been offered enough money that I can't refuse, then am I allowed to sell it or tear it down?" she said. "I'm not sure if turning it into a historical landmark will trap me. I have to look into it."

Losing the lounge to development would be a tremendous blow to generations of fans, some of whom have been routinely coming in almost since the day the doors first opened -- like 75-year-old Vern Proctor, a retired pipefitter who is now confined to a motorized wheelchair.

Proctor, who lives around the corner from Dino's, comes by daily for a few beers and conversation.

"I like the bartenders," he said.

The bartenders have been there for years -- Janel Powell for 23.

Powell gives a new meaning to friendly service.

She often shops for some of her regulars -- whether it's buying them a pair of pants or filling a prescription.

In a town that is growing increasingly impersonal with its runaway growth, Dino's is the epitome of friendliness.

Some customers receive their mail at the lounge, including Social Security and retirement checks.

Bartolo makes the bank deposits for them.

"The thing about us is that we are so accessible," she said. "That was the case even for my dad and my grandfather. We are always here for them, and they feel very loyal to us."

The neighborhood has gone through changes since Dino's opened, and not necessarily for the better, although Bartolo isn't concerned.

"I think the neighborhood is not that bad," she said. "I see a lot worse -- we have never been robbed. There is an occasional fight, but no one has ever robbed us."

The bar itself has undergone a lot of changes since Bartolo took it over after her father's passing.

There are bands on Friday nights. Tonight it is Pete Cantino, son of accordionist Dick Cantino.

"People dance and get crazy," Bortolo said. "Something is always happening."

There is karaoke Thursdays through Saturdays.

"Some nights we are so crowded there are 10 or 15 people out in the parking lot waiting to get in," Bartolo said.

But one thing that has never changed is the friendly atmosphere.

"It's real comfortable here," Bartolo said. "We have doctors, lawyers, bums and hookers. We have everybody -- they just feel really comfortable."

The colorful bar has gained some national publicity recently. This week it was the scene of an "America's Most Wanted" re-enactment.

Last summer Warner Bros. shot a major scene for its upcoming movie, "Lucky You," at Dino's.

The film, scheduled to be released early next year, stars Robert DeNiro and Drew Barrymore.

"They were here for eight days," Bartolo said. "The final scene of the movie was shot here."

The bar, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, was closed to the public for two days during the filming.

"That's the only time we've closed in 45 years," Bartolo said.

Hopefully, it will still be open when the high rise boom comes to an end.

Lounging around

Dennis Mellen and his trio are now at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, 4561 W. Flamingo Road, from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Sundays.

Blues duo Jai & Rick perform from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Thursdays at The Rising Sun Japanese restaurant, 9410 W. Sahara Ave.

Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or at jerry@lasvegassun.com.

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