Incidentally, we're not the only ones who are sad to see the Splash Bar be removed. I found the following discussion on Google Finance's discussion page for Riviera Holdings:

Discussions for Riviera Holdings Corp. View all discussions

How Will They Now Compete?
All 2 messages in discussion
From: kasha...@gmail.com - view profile
Date: Thurs, Dec 4 2008 8:11 am
Email: kasha...@gmail.com
Rating: (4 users)
show options
Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Report Abuse | Find messages by this author

The Riviera just recently closed their main bar (the Splash Bar),
laying off yet more employees in the beverage department. The bar's
completely gone, just a big wide open carpeted space where it used to
be for the last 20 years.

The Riv's most profitable conventions include the pool players, the
dart players, the archers, the tattoo & piercing people, and the
hackers. All these groups book cheap rooms and use the convention
facilities at the Riv, but also spend big in the beverage outlets.
With only 2 public bars now open (the Bistro - 40 seats, and the
sports bar - 15 seats), where are all these people be going to drink
and party? The main bar (Splash) was not only a Riviera icon for the
past 20 years, but was also the main focal point for meeting and
congregating before, during, and after events that were hosted at this
hotel (because of it's close proximity to the convention area).

When these people return to the Riv and see the changes, not only will
they not be happy with the lack of accommodations and service, but
they will all most probably book any future events at another, more
accommodating facility. The Riv, in it's zeal to save money on
payroll, have cut a little to close to the bone as far as guest
services...all in the attempt to minimize the bottom line.

Many guests stay at the Riviera because it reminds them of "old
Vegas", and many stay there because of the elimination of other iconic
older properties (from the "old days") that were demolished over the
last few years. Now what does the Riv have to offer in order to
compete with all the surrounding properties? Cheaper rooms? They
eliminated the Splash Bar (the most important drinking and meeting
place that was centrally located on the property) and forced bar-top
video poker players to the other two bars that are in the back, or
into a corner, of their casino (away from the action!). They don't
offer LIVE music with bands, but instead have a couple of old and
tired acts at the lounge that is curtained off from the public and
whereas you have to pay $40 to see.

There's a big huge hole where the Splash Bar used to be and they'll
probably just fill it in with a few more lame slot machines.

While other casino are also suffering because of the economy, when
business eventually does pick up, there will be plenty of other places
to go that are more fun and more interesting for the younger folks,
and will give the older and more nostalgic something to build on. Just
my take on this.

The bartenders and cocktail servers they laid off were one reason many
people visited the Riv...to see a familiar and friendly face that made
them feel at home over the years. Now only but a few of them remain
today, moral is low, and business is so slow that I believe I saw
tumble weeds rolling through the casino the last time I visited. How
will the Riviera now compete?

It's really quite sad to see one of the last great casinos on the Las
Vegas strip to just slowly die away...

Reply Reply with quote » Rate this post: Text for clearing space

From: timber...@gmail.com - view profile
Date: Wed, Dec 31 2008 8:57 pm
Email: timber...@gmail.com
Not yet ratedRating:
show options
Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Report Abuse | Find messages by this author

This literally sickens me. I go to the Riv in May for one of the
(many) pool tournaments hosted at the Riv and even though I love pool,
The Splash Bar, hands down, was what made the event for me. I've got
friends all over the world that I only get to see at this event. Prior
to the event most of us discuss our unwavering anticipation of how
much fun we're going to have at the splash bar. I've made a lot of new
friends at the splash bar and that includes getting to know some of
the bartenders. (Some of the slowest, worst, bartenders I've ever
encountered worked the splash bar but there was also some very nice,
personable, good bartenders)

Sadly, the event in May just lost most of it's lure for me. People
that go to Vegas just to gamble probably won't understand this but if
the other groups that meet up at the Riv for an event at the
convention center are anything like the pool tournaments, they'll
understand what I mean.

Photo from azbilliards forum member "YouKnow662"
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s163/Timberly6/Splash.jpg