At the stroke of eight, Steve Wynn gave a nod - at which point- a throng of lookie-loos (who had been patiently waiting for about an hour in a line that snaked down the busy Las Vegas strip) surged forward in a crush and swarmed the swankiest new Casino in Sin City, Encore!
Staff beamed and Hotel Management glad-handed guests as smartly-attired Security Staff stood at attention with a keen eye to ensuring there were no mishaps at the gala opening night.
Within minutes, the slots were swamped with anxious players, plugging in bills in a mad frenzy.
There were a lot of oohs and aahs, too.
Encore is a touchy-feeling entry into the Vegas scene.
Blood red chandeliers strategically-placed about the Casino added a festive spirit to the lobby.
A butterfly motif (a Hotel Theme) echoed throughout - from the pristine marble floors - to the exquisite wall reliefs that adorned the foyers, lounges, and gambling rooms about the expansive elegantly-decorated environs.
At the pool lounge guests may loll in the mid-day sun or sip exotic cocktails under a romantic starry night sky.
In spite of the rich decor and obvious appeal to the Uppercrust, there is also a sports bar on the main floor for die-hard fans to catch a pro game and sip a beer.
When I was ushered into a watering hole on the first floor, I immediately caught sight of a striking golden figure of a woman crafted from the trunk of a tree with a crown of branches that were literally awesome to gaze upon.
Young pretty waitresses were squeezed into form-fitting chic party dresses with a smattering of sparkly beads at the bodice.
The eye-catching "uniforms" were short-short, and displayed a lot of generous leg, fellas!
A passion fruit cocktail (non-alcoholic) was a bit pricey at $7.00 - and packed a tad too much with ice - but delicious none-the-less.
The Casino floor was sparked by exquisite one-of-a-kind artifacts such as crystal dragons and a smiling Buddha or two.
When I slipped into the men's room for a whiz, I laughed when I spied artwork hanging gracefully in the toilet stalls!
Sprinkled about the Casino there were a handful of gold-plated telephones resting on marble podiums, for those who need to clear their credit with Hotel Management, I guess.
The swivel chairs at the slot machines - in coral/peach tones and edged in black lacquer with crimson red trim - are an enormous improvement over those cumbersome old dinosaurs that guests were forced to maneuver in-and-out of ad nauseam.
At "Switch" - designers conjured up a lounge that is transformed every twenty minutes or so into a dazzling new eye-catching environ - by virtue of walls that rise and fall magically seemingly at whim.
When I queried staff about the 231 carat diamond - supposedly the crown jewel of Wynn's new property - most were puzzled by my probe and unable to offer up any info on the precious gem.
"Must be for the VIPS only," one staff member quipped.
On that thought, it should be noted that one passer-by in the street wailed that Encore was just another place for rich folks to go.
"I couldn't afford to stay there."
Last night's glittering opening signalled one truism.
You can lead a horse to water, but will he drink?
If the packed house last night was any indication - the answer is a platinum-lined "yes" - at least for the capricious moment.
A day after the exciting high-energy bash, when I trotted inside for a second glance, guests were having difficulty flagging down waitresses for cocktails and when slots went awry it was tough-going getting staff to deal with the problem.
Yes, the workers were less attentive today and there wasn't much magic in the air.
Mr. Wynn, tossing an extravagant party will surely nab a lot of attention and entice the elite jet set into your Casino on the splashy gala opening night.
But, without follow thru on top-notch goods and services, do you think you'll honestly be able to sustain the magic?
I doubt it!
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