Ellis Island Casino & Brewery has been a Las Vegas favorite for nearly 50 years, known for beer, food, karaoke and fun for locals and tourists looking to have a great time without breaking the bank. As such, the casino just east of the Strip hasn’t needed to make many changes over the years. But something big is coming.
Construction is underway on the Front Yard, a unique, brewpub-style indoor/outdoor venue stretching along Koval Lane. The two-story expansion will fit 300, serving suds straight from the Ellis Island brewery, with a fresh menu of bar grub and live music, too.
“It really started out as a patio concept and snowballed into this separate thing,” says Director of Marketing Christina Ellis. “For years we’ve been a locals’ joint, but we’ve seen huge growth in the tourist market, more new people coming in and hanging out. It’s a good opportunity to add something new.” Especially when that something will appeal to both longtime local patrons and Vegas visitors just discovering the charms of Ellis Island.
Set to open later this year, the Front Yard will incorporate the brewery into its design so customers can witness the brewing process. It will occupy the northwest area of the property at Flamingo and Koval, providing views of the Strip from its garden-like atmosphere and second-floor atrium.
Ellis says the team is still discussing the musical lineup, but it’s safe to expect diverse sounds. “We would love to do a local-music series there, and we’ve talked about cover bands and even a gospel choir or stand-up comedy,” she says.
No one seems more excited about the Front Yard than Ellis Island’s longtime regulars, who have been surveying the model inside the casino. “People are bringing their friends in to check it out, and our team members are so excited. It’s a contagious energy,” Ellis says. “We want to make sure everyone knows we’re not taking away any of the things they love, just adding more to love.”
