Las Vegas Celebrity Restaurant Failures: 9 High-Profile Flops That Closed Their Doors
Las Vegas celebrity restaurants often struggle to survive despite the power of name recognition. Here's a detailed look at nine notable restaurant failures on the Strip, where high operational costs demand more than just star power for success.
Guy Fieri's El Burro Borraco at Rio survived for six years (2016-2020) before closing after Caesars Entertainment sold the operating rights to Dreamscape Companies. While not a complete failure, it was Fieri's only Vegas closure among his five local establishments.
Guy Fieri shouting passionately
International Smoke by Michael Mina at MGM Grand (2019-2025) will close on January 19, 2025. The partnership between Mina and Ayesha Curry struggled with consistent patronage, mirroring closures in other locations except San Francisco.
Couple posing for photo
Eva Longoria's ventures saw two failures:
- Beso Steakhouse (2009-2012) accumulated $5.7M in debt
- SHe by Morton's (2012-2014) closed after health code violations
Eva Longoria with long brown hair
David Chang's dual closures at The Venetian:
- Majordōmo Meat & Fish (2019-2022)
- Moon Palace (2020-2022) Both closures coincided with the Venetian's sale to VICI Properties.
Chef at Venetian Casino
Masso Osteria by Scott Conant at Red Rock Resort lasted just 15 months (2018-2019), struggling with market saturation and location challenges.
Chef Conant with coffee cup
The shortest-lived ventures were:
- M.Y. Asia by Martin Yan (159 days in 2023)
- Elio by Enrique Olvera (153 days in 2020)
Chef wearing traditional white uniform
Two chefs in white aprons
These failures demonstrate that even with celebrity backing, success in Las Vegas requires exceptional quality, innovation, and timing – along with a healthy dose of luck.
