The Casino

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  Kelleys Island, the home of many summers of a misspent youth.  I always have preferred KI to the Put-in-bay crowd as it is more laid back and has less of the frat party feel.  Anyone who has ever spent a summer night on the island knows that the bars tend to close down in typical order every night.  First the Pump, then Bag the Moon, and lastly The Casino.  Island-goers habitually make their way from one bar to the next as the music slowly dies and the taps stop flowing.  As you make your way to the Casino, the environment usually changes to a younger and more raucous crowd.  Admittedly, The Casino has lost a lot of its charm over the years.  It was always nice to sneak in underage because you could simply walk in through the back patio.  This was great when I was underage, however, is quite annoying at best now.  Over time, many of the mainstays of the Casino have also changed faces.  Gone are the interactive and personable bartenders (Bridgette).  Chicago has now taken over behind the bar, and it is always a guess as to what type of mood he might be in for the night.  On good nights, he can joke around and challenge oncomers to completely onesided arm wrestling matches (he used to be a professional~ props to him), while on bad nights, he can tend to be quite abrasive.  With all things Kelleys Island, there is a tradition with each establishment.  The Pump has the Brandy Alexander and billiards.  Bag the Moon has its strawberry shots and typically the better live bands.  The Casino closed down the night with a 20 person long New York, New York chorus line.  Sadly, they no longer allow this timeless tradition that put closure on many a good night.
  
  As others have said, the daytime and nighttime versions do differ quite a bit.  I won't comment on the Casino during the daytime as many others have given an accurate picture.  Unfortunately, I just feel that there are better places to be on the island during those times of the day: West Bay to watch OSU football, the winery for horseshoes and volleyball, etc.

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  Posted on 08.23.12 Charles M.

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  Cannot comment on the food, only the atmosphere.  We were there both day and night and I can totally agree with it being 2 totally different places.  Day time was chill on the back deck, laughing and drinking with people we just met.  Night time was a dance party with a bit of a younger crowd.  Not difficult to get a drink at all.  Dance floor could use a little less lighting to give it more of a club atmosphere.
  
  I had an issue with someone bringing in glass and breaking it and I was taken care of with peroxide and band aids by a member of the staff.
  
  Taxi stand is just up the hill, which makes late nights rather easy.

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  Posted on 08.13.12 Pamela P.

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  Our salad was all iceberg lettuce, and the crab meat nachos were imitation crab with that liquid nacho cheese you get at the movies. Nice view, but cheesy music and a very strong local dive bar vibe. Almost gave it 3 stars, but I wouldn't come back...

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  Posted on 06.30.12 Luke S.

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  This place has a stripper pole.
  
  No other comments necessary.

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  Posted on 07.20.11 Stefanie C.

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  Great Place. Awesome environment.  Weekend days have live entertainment which draw drunk wacky crowds.  Weekend nights bring in the booze cruise with a kick-ass DJ and a total dance party inside.  Wouldn't recognize the place from day to night.  Outside is the tiki bar with a more chill atmosphere and good place to get drinks instead of waiting inside.  
  
  Dockage located right off the patio where all the cigarette boats show their stuff.  Great view of the lake from the patio.
  
  Menu not too extensive but it's all good bar food.  Great burgers and perch.  Some unique awesome apps include pepperoni crisps, fried pepperjack cheese balls, fried zucchini, and crabmeat nachos.  
  
  Signature drink: Casino Royale.  20oz. bloody mary including celery, shrimp, pickle spear, olives, lemon and lime and heaven.  $6.95.  Only plastic containers available, don't be asking for a wine glass (or a wine list).

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  Posted on 10.06.10 Carl A.

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  this place was always super-seedy while i was growing up. it was pretty much the only place on the island we were forbidden from visiting. they finally remodeled it about five years back, and it looks nice now. there's a big patio with a bunch of park-style benches, and it looks over the lake.
  
  HOWEVER. this place gets one star because they have a claw machine (the kind with stuffed animals) filled with LIVE LOBSTERS. what. the hell. so inhumane. the lobsters all look sick and pissed off. so sad.

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  Posted on 09.01.09 Mike S.

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  I wasn't expecting much since I read about better sounding places on the island.  But all I wanted was some fried perch and a beer and I wanted it outside.
  
  I've had the perch at a few places, and I'm no expert, but this place was the best I've had.  The walleye, not so much.

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  Posted on 08.06.09 Joscelyn M.

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  Typical watering hole with reasonable "island" prices.  They usually have good entertainment, and ok food.
  
  Really jumps at night when all the locals come over on the ferry.

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  Posted on 09.08.08 Steve S.

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