Las Vegas Saloon and Downtown Grand Go to Court

A Las Vegas-based salóon, called Hogs & Heifers, will be taking on its well-known landlord and neighbour, Downtown Grand in a court battle. The saloon can be found in downtown Las Vegas, on third street and will be engaging in what has been referred to as a David vs. Goliath court battle over an area deemed to be a common area according to the lease signed by Hogs and Heifers. However, Downtown Grand has since taken over the land and has refused to accommodate its neighbour and tenant.

The Disagreement

Considering how connected the two establishments are, many have found it hard to believe that there could be an issue big enough to make it to court. However, Hogs and Heifers has shared that there is a section in third street, directly opposite both establishments, that has become a bone of contention as well as the landlord’s attempts to evict the saloon from its premises. In 2019, Hogs & Heifers took its landlord to court for violating the lease agreement. According to the lease, the area directly opposite the road from the businesses is referred to as a common one. However, the area had slowly become Downtown Grands and was used for valet parking.

The saloon was outraged at the lack of communication and disregard of the landlord when confronted. The saloon had previously made use of the space to host festivals and hold charity events. However, this time around, it seems that the saloon owners are battling for their business on a more serious level as Downtown Grand has been attempting to evict them from the property.

Downtown Grand Countersues

The Downtown Grand has not taken the legal action laying down and has instead countersued. The casino operator and landlord of Hogs & Heifers claims that the lease stipulates that tenants are required to request permission before using the common area. In 2019, Hogs & Heifers used the space to host a St. Patrick’s Day without consulting the landlord at all. The landlord has also blamed the saloon for several drunken fights and other socially unacceptable activities in the area. Downtown Grand’s casino described the saloon as an aggrieved party. The documents submitted by the casino’s legal team state that the saloon has chosen to consistently create a dangerous environment, instead of abiding by the lease, and the landlord can no longer allow these activities. The casino has requested that the judge terminate the lease, which was signed for a 20 year period.

However, the Hogs & Heifers brand has been described as obnoxious and raunchy in the best way. The saloon has also been described as an all-American, Southern Rock and classic drive bar where bartenders are required to interact with the crowd in a personal and authentic way. Interestingly, the Downtown Grand site has described the saloon as the best party in Vegas. While this brand might not be everyone’s preference, the bar has become an integral part of downtown Vegas’ fabric and served to revitalize the area.

Hogs & Heifers Invited to Vegas

Michelle Dell, the owner of Hogs & Heifers, has shared that she was personally invited to Vegas by the former mayor, Oscar Goodman, and other officials to launch a venue in downtown Las Vegas. This followed the cult success that the first Hogs & Heifers saloon saw in New York City.

Dell opened the Hogs & Heifers saloon, after receiving this invitation, in 2005. At this time, the next-door casino, Lady Lucky, had recently closed for renovations. Two years after Lady Luck closed, the casino venue was purchased by CIM, an investment group. In 2013, the CIM group opened the Downtown Grand next to H&H.

According to Dell’s statement, she feels as though this illegal eviction is a way of starving her out. She shared that the bottom line is the value of the real estate and she, and her saloon, are currently standing in Downtown Grand’s way. The casino, as it is today, took eight years to finally open and the first thing that the CIM group wanted was to see the saloon removed from the property. However, Dell shared that she has no plans to leave and that she likes third street, which is undoubtedly more lively since her business opens its doors.