Valentine’s Day may be the impetus, but Ellis Island’s newest attraction is really about something bigger.
Cupid’s Deck, a Valentine’s-themed pop-up at The Deck Rooftop Bar, opened February 11 and runs daily from 3 p.m. until midnight through March 1. The rooftop space — which debuted in the fall — has been transformed with heart-filled décor, photo-ready installations and seasonal cocktails. There’s even a “Cuddle Package” that includes a blanket, winter cocktails or wine, cookies and milk.
But when the Food and Loathing podcast sat down with Christina Ellis, Vice President of Development at Ellis Island Casino & Hotel, the conversation quickly shifted from themed drinks to something more enduring: how a small strip-mall bar founded in 1968 became one of Las Vegas’ most resilient family-run properties.
All In The Family
“It was truly a family business,” Ellis said, describing how her grandfather first opened what was then known as The Village Pub inside a neighborhood shopping center. When no one stepped forward to take over the bar space he had developed, he decided to run it himself — launching what would become a three-generation Las Vegas operation.
In the mid-1980s, Ellis’ father acquired the business from his own father and expanded it beyond its modest footprint, adding a larger casino floor, multiple restaurants and eventually a hotel. Today, the family also operates 16 Village Pub locations throughout the valley.
The current evolution reflects the involvement of Christina Ellis and her sisters, who have taken increasingly active roles over the past decade while their father remains deeply involved in daily operations.
“I mean, I started here when I was like 12 years old — hostess stand,” Christina laughs. “But [I’ve been] a real part of the team for about the past 12 years, with my two younger sisters joining shortly after that.”
Property Evolving, Value Still a Focus
Recent changes have been significant. The on-site brewery was relocated to accommodate a major expansion of the casino floor, adding an estimated 30-40 percent more gaming space. The Front Yard — an indoor-outdoor beer garden that opened in December 2019 — has become a popular off-Strip destination for Golden Knights watch parties. And The Deck now provides a rooftop vantage point just three stories up, offering a rare perspective of the Strip skyline that feels close rather than distant.
Food has evolved along with the gaming floor. The resort has a longstanding partnership with local favorite Metro Pizza. And Via Focaccia, the property’s sandwich concept, features house-made focaccia baked fresh daily and was developed with award-winning sandwich maker Ismaele Romano. The bread now appears across multiple venues on the property.
Even with some grand upgrades, Ellis Island continues to protect its reputation for value — a defining trait in a city where price points have steadily climbed.
The property still offers a $5 blackjack table open 24 hours a day and 10-times odds on craps. Its legendary $9.99 steak special remains available in the Village Pub & Café with a players club card. During a recent construction period, management introduced temporary menu discounts and late-night specials to keep value front of mind.
Ellis says it’s important to the family that the resort remain “very accessible.”
“That’s something that we’ve vowed to keep as part of the ethos of the property. We are extending, but we’re still value-driven.”
The Future Is Bright
That balance was tested when Formula 1 arrived in Las Vegas, placing Ellis Island directly along the race route. After early frustrations surrounding the race’s first year, the property adjusted its approach. Last year, Ellis Island hosted a free viewing party for players’ club members, complete with a raised viewing platform built off the front of the building. The result was a packed property and a far more positive experience.
Beyond Koval Lane, the family’s footprint extends to Mount Charleston, where the historic Mount Charleston Lodge — long a sentimental favorite for locals — is currently under reconstruction. Plans call for the return of the iconic A-frame structure while preserving the cabins that have remained open.
Nearly six decades after a grandfather decided to try running a bar, the family business he built is still evolving — this time, with a rooftop view.
Hear the complete interview with Christina Ellis on the February 13, 2026 epidoe of Food and Loathing.
