“Queen of Swizzle” Pam Ashlund on Unique Pieces of Casino History

The Casino Chip & Collectibles Show is back this weekend, offering a three-day fix for junkies of Vegas casino history and artifacts at the South Point exhibition hall. Make sure to say hello to the “Queen of Swizzle” Pam Ashlund 🍹 The founder of the Swizzle Stick Collectors Club will be on the floor Friday with an educational seminar at 3 p.m.

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​How did you become the swizzle stick queen?

“Back in 2008, I was reaching for a pen on my mother’s desk and instead, pulled out a long plastic swizzle stick topped with a skull from the Ivanhoe Restaurant in the 1950s. From then on, it was a slippery slope of tiki mugs, mid-century cocktail menus, and eBay bidding wars at 2 a.m. One day, I looked up and I was the proud owner of 50,000 vintage swizzle sticks. I claimed my crown and declared my realm. I reign over the House of Swizzle, where the drinks are strong, the sticks are vintage, and the vibes are mid-century marvelous.”

What exactly is a swizzle stick — and why are they so closely associated with Vegas casinos?

“A swizzle stick is a drink stirrer. They can be glass, plastic, wood, and sometimes gold and silver. Swizzle sticks and matchbooks were given away at bars and restaurants and often taken home as souvenirs. Vegas casinos gave out swizzle sticks with free drinks at the slots. My favorites are from the Dunes, Tropicana, and MGM Grand.”

What is your most prized stick?

“I can no longer pick my most prized, but one I get a kick out of is topped with the Titanic and served in a drink over ice. As the ice melts, the poor ship sinks in your glass. It was a promotion for an old movie, ‘A Night to Remember,’ and later retired by the studio as it was in bad taste.”