Located in the southeastern crook of Charleston and Rancho, Scotch 80s is in many ways a prototypical old Vegas nabe — palmy and well-heeled, tinged with Sin City celebrity (residents have included P Moss, Oscar Goodman, and Jerry Lewis), and built well before local developers fixated on cookie-cutter residential construction. Lotta character lining those streets.
In true Las Vegas style, the origin of the name Scotch 80s seems somewhat unresolved, but if historian Lynn Zook goes with this version, involving the town’s first mayor and an abortive Scottish investment, I’ll lean that way, too.
Back in 2003, a resident said Scotch 80s is “10 minutes from everywhere,” and while that’s less true in 2024 minutes — the valley has added a lot of “everywhere” since that quote — this residential area is close to some funky, authentic spots.
Eat & Drink
Not far beyond the Google Maps boundaries of Scotch 80s are two longtime favorites. The Original Omelet House is one of those diner-style joints where you sense that the people at the next table are hatching a project or mad scheme; the omelets are great, too. Nearby is one of my favorite pizza spots, Broadway Pizzeria — I’m cuckoo for their Sicilian-style pies. Meanwhile, on the other side of I-15, the recently renovated and sceney Hard Hat Lounge now boasts a burger joint to complement its boozy offerings.
Just Drink
Frankie’s Tiki Room is a classic Vegas drinkery — it’s got its own book of tiki concoctions — with atmosphere so thick you might need swimming lessons.
Do Stuff
Again just beyond the freeway, the newish Punk Rock Museum, with its full panoply of offerings, from musical memorabilia to events at the attached Triple Down bar, operated by P Moss, also the mad genius behind Frankie’s. Or you can skip all of that and spend an afternoon lolling around the pleasant greensward of Bob Baskin Park.
