If you’ve driven down Civic Center Drive in North Las Vegas lately looking for that familiar neon, you might’ve done a double-take. The Lucky Club Hotel & Casino North Las Vegas NV—that gritty, beloved, and undeniably old-school landmark—is gone. Well, the building is still there. But the vibe? Totally different.
It’s now the Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino at Hotel Jefe.
Honestly, it’s the end of an era for a specific kind of Vegas local. The Lucky Club wasn't trying to be the Bellagio. It didn't have dancing fountains or $25 cocktails. It was a place where you could grab a cheap steak, play some slots without a crowd, and feel like you were in the "real" North Las Vegas.
The Rebrand Nobody Saw Coming (But Everyone Needed)
In early 2023, the property underwent a massive $5 million facelift. Fifth Street Gaming, the owners, decided to pivot hard. They realized that the Lucky Club had a huge Latino following, so they leaned into it. They partnered with Ojos Locos, a Texas-based sports bar chain, to create the first hotel-casino in the U.S. specifically dedicated to the Latino community.
The transformation was intense.
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They took the old, dark interiors and replaced them with "rustic-beachy" decor. Think reclaimed wood and corrugated tin roofs. It feels less like a 90s basement and more like a coastal resort in Mexico. The old 95 rooms were gutted and rebranded as Hotel Jefe. We’re talking bright accent walls and tile work that actually looks like it belongs in this decade.
Why the Lucky Club Still Matters to History Buffs
The history of this site is kinda wild. It started as a Days Inn back in 1991. Then it was the Budget Host Inn. Then the Cheyenne Hotel. For a while, it was even the Speedway Casino, decked out in a motor-racing theme to attract the NASCAR crowd from the nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
It didn't become the Lucky Club until 2008.
For fifteen years, the Lucky Club filled a niche. It was the "trucker's favorite." It had $1 Blackjack—a unicorn in modern Vegas—and 10x odds on Craps. If you were a serious gambler looking for value rather than "experience," this was your spot.
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What’s Actually There Now?
If you show up today expecting the Lucky Club, you're going to see the Ojos Locos Sports Cantina. It's the centerpiece. It fits about 300 people and has 90 TV screens.
- The Casino: It’s about 10,000 square feet. You’ve still got roughly 200 slot machines, but they’re newer.
- The Vibe: The "Chicas"—the cocktail servers—are a huge part of the branding here. It’s high-energy, loud, and very "fiesta."
- The Food: Gone is the standard American diner food. It’s been replaced by made-from-scratch Mexican comida.
- The Rewards: They launched the JefeBet Rewards program. It’s tailored specifically for their new demographic but works like any other players club.
The "Old" Lucky Club Amenities: A Reality Check
People used to search for the Lucky Club specifically for a few things that have mostly carried over or been upgraded.
The Pool
It was always a "seasonal outdoor pool." It’s still there at Hotel Jefe, though it’s been refreshed. Don't expect a day club with DJs. It’s a place to cool off, period.
Trucker Accessibility
One thing that hasn't changed is the location. Being right off I-15 and Cheyenne Avenue makes it incredibly easy for long-haulers. The parking lot is still big enough to accommodate larger vehicles, which was always the Lucky Club’s secret weapon.
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The Room Quality
Let’s be real: the Lucky Club rooms were... tired. Reviewers used to complain about lingering smoke and "vintage" (read: old) bathrooms. The Hotel Jefe renovation addressed this. About 40% of the rooms were finished for the 2023 grand opening, and the rest followed. If you stayed there in 2015, you wouldn't recognize the rooms now.
Is North Las Vegas Safe?
This is the question everyone asks in the forums. Look, North Las Vegas is a business and industrial district. The area around the former Lucky Club isn't the Strip. It’s gritty. But it’s also a community. The rebranding has actually brought a lot more security and foot traffic to the corner of Civic Center and Cheyenne, which usually makes a place feel "safer" to the average traveler.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning a trip to this part of town, here is how to handle the transition:
- Check the Rewards: If you had a players card from the old Lucky Club, go to the rewards desk. You’ll need to swap over to the JefeBet system to keep earning points.
- Book the "Jefe" Rooms: When booking online, specifically look for "Renovated" or "Hotel Jefe" rooms. Some older inventory might still be floating around in the system, but you want the new stuff with the decorative tile.
- Eat at the Cantina: Even if you aren't staying there, the Ojos Locos food is a massive step up from the old cafe. Their "29-degree cerveza" is a legit selling point in the Nevada heat.
- Know the Location: You are about 10-15 minutes from Fremont Street and 20 minutes from the Strip. Use it as a base for the Motor Speedway or the Neon Museum, but don't expect to walk to other casinos. You’ll need a car or a ride-share.
The Lucky Club Hotel & Casino North Las Vegas NV might technically be a ghost of the past, but the soul of the place—a value-driven, community-focused spot—is still very much alive under its new name. It's just got better tacos now.