Best in 2004, gone by 2014

Ten years is an eternity in Las Vegas. Since 2004, the city that so many come to with hope, has offered a whole lot of change. The ever-changing Strip skyline has seen the addition of no less than seven hotels or casinos in that time. But there have also been losses.

Below is a look at five 2004 Best of Las Vegas winners that are no longer with us in 2014.

2004 Best Shrimp Cocktail

Boardwalk (3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South)

The writing was on the wall for this seaside-themed casino when Mirage Resorts purchased it in 1997. But little casino on the south end of The Strip soldiered on amongst the big boys, introducing many of us to Purple Reign and serving up a mean shrimp cocktail that our staff chose as the best of 2004. “The big 8-ounce treat here goes for $2.14, still cheap enough to be one of those fun, ‘only in Vegas’ quirks.”

The Boardwalk met its demise in 2006 when it was imploded to make room for CityCenter, leaving shrimp cocktail giant Golden Gate Casino with a little less competition.

2004 Best Museum and Best Gift Shop

Liberace Museum(1775 E. Tropicana Ave.)

The “quintessentially glitzy” Liberace Museum was your favorite museum in 2004, easily beating out the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. The repository for the piano man’s collections of outlandish clothes, cars and pianos was a perennial winner, taking the title for Best Museum and Best Gift Shop on more than one occasion.

But the best isn’t always good enough. The museum closed in 2010, in financial disarray and under a cloud of mismanagement accusations. But fear not, crystal candelabra fans … as recently as last month there have been rumors of the museum re-opening in a new location. But for now, they remain just that. Rumors.

2004 Best Lounge Performer

Cook E. Jarr (Harrah’s)

No, he’s not dead. As a matter of fact, he almost didn’t make this list. A little over a month ago, Cook E. Jarr was still going strong, performing for those who came to Las Vegas in search of a true Las Vegas lounge act.

That is, until August 27th when he took the stage for the last time at Harrah’s piano bar.

The Jarr (aka Anthony Pettine) came to Las Vegas for a two-week gig in 1982 and never left. There was a time when Cook E. Jarr was so confident about winning this award that he would have his own music cued up when the Best Lounge Performer was announced at the “Best Of Las Vegas” awards show.

But as of last month, Cook E. Jarr is a part of Las Vegas lore, along with the all-out lounge lizard act that he helped to make a Las Vegas institution for so many years. He was the last of his kind, but have we seen the last of him? We would like to think not, but for now, Cook E. Jarr is a part of Las Vegas history.

2004 Worst Attraction

Sirens of TI (TI)

We get it. You hated this show. You hated it to the point that it made our list of Worst Attractions in Las Vegas History. Despite the fact that it lasted 10 years, and drew enough of a crowd to slow traffic (even more than usual) every couple of hours on the Strip, the hate for the buff, dancing pirates and their scantily-clad sirens was real.

Well, the haters won out. There was a glimmer of hateful hope in October 2013, when “Sirens” closed temporarily for construction. But the pirate-haters could really rejoice a month later, when the show closed for good, much to the chagrin of its 50 cast and crew members and those searching for free entertainment on the Strip.

2004 Best Movie Rental Store

Blockbuster Video (Multiple Locations)

In 2004 we wrote, “With Blockbusters almost as ubiquitous as 7-Elevens and Starbucks, this chain should win for convenience alone.”

Yes, remember when it was “convenient” to hop in your car and drive to the store whenever you wanted to watch a movie at home?

Things have changed since 2004, but your vote still counts. (Just not for the best movie rental store.) And you don’t even have to mail it in! Visit the new Best of Las Vegas site to vote and find out more.

Contact Brett Steidler at bsteidler@reviewjournal.com.