Las Vegas, known as the entertainment capital of the world, has seen its fair share of ups and downs. One recent downturn was the closing of the Blue Moon Resort, Las Vegas’ only gay resort, which closed its doors suddenly in October 2014 after 12 years of business. However, there is new hope with the upcoming opening of the Bent Inn, a welcomed addition to the city.

Located in downtown Las Vegas, the Bent Inn is a 33-room nongaming hotel on 11th Street and Ogden Avenue. The hotel promises a welcoming experience that bends traditional notions and is expected to be the only LGBTQ-owned and operated boutique hotel in Las Vegas. The owners, Greg Kafka and Mark Hunter, are excited to bring their latest venture in hospitality to the city. They have been successful in running two previous gay men’s resorts, Escape Resort and Desert Paradise Resort in Palm Springs, California.

The Bent Inn will offer playfully designed rooms, incorporating mid-century modern and industrial design with artistic features throughout the hotel, including wall murals and original posters of gay pulp fiction from the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, the hotel will have a pool and 50-seat gastropub that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a shareable menu.

Escape Resorts Inc., the parent company operating Bent Inn, bought three adjacent Las Vegas parcels for $2.73 million in January 2020. The property was originally built in 1963 and operated as the Moonlight Motel, then an apartment complex. The owners cited the COVID-19 pandemic, permit issues and inflationary cost overruns for the years-long delay in the project. However, they are determined to extend the hospitality they previously offered at their former gay men’s resorts and cater to the LGBTQ community and its allies.

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This new project provides an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas to have a place to call their own. The closure of Blue Moon Resort was a significant loss, but Bent Inn is a welcomed project that will cater to the LGBTQ+ community in the area. This hotel is being established with an aim to provide a judgment-free resort where unforgettable experiences and friendships are formed. It is close to the historic heart of downtown Las Vegas, home to iconic casinos, fabulous Fremont street, trendy eateries, and cool attractions. Moreover, it is the only LGBTQ owned and operated boutique hotel in Las Vegas.

In contrast, The Patio Las Vegas was an LGBTQ+ hotel project that was announced for completion in May 2021, which was never completed. It was set to be constructed in the LGBTQ+ district known as “The Fruit Loop,” which was to be located at 406 E Naples Dr. The project was never completed, continuing a trend of LGBTQ+ businesses opening away from the “Fruit Loop” Paradise Rd. and Naples Dr area to areas further North and West with locations providing easier access to the Las Vegas strip.

The trend of smaller boutique bar and nightclub trends continues to capture the LGBTQ+ demographic, providing more diverse options for locals and tourists. The Bent Inn, with its unique concept, is sure to attract visitors from all over the world. The local community is hoping for a successful opening and completion of the hotel. It will provide a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals, their friends and allies, and will be a new addition to the ever-changing city of Las Vegas.