First, it was a landing strip, then Milton Prell built Club Bingo at the corner of San Francisco Avenue and Highway 92. Today that corner is known as Sahara and The Strip.

Club Bingo was an intimate club, however they somehow got Academy Award Nominee Dorothy Daindridge, to appear. Other entertainers who played there were Marty Allen, Jackie Coon, Charlotte Dewey, The Four Rounders, Larry Stockwell, and The Treniers.

The entertainer Sammy Davis Sr. played Club Bingo along with his son, Sammy Davis Jr. The younger Davis was offered a contract to perform, although without his dad. He declined stating that it would kill his father not to be included. This was also the launching pad for the Williams Brothers, including little Andy Williams.

When The Sahara opened in 1952 the opening night entertainment was by Ray Bolger, who was the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.

Patrons were surprised when Heavyweight Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson was listed as a performer at The Sahara. He was an excellent tap dancer.

Famed Catskills comedian Jan Murray appeared in 1953. Movie star Marlene Dietriche performed there for many years.
Also in 1953 appeared Eddie Arnold, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Ray Bolger, Jeannette McDonald, Nelson Eddy, Cy Coleman Trio. Keely Smith and Louie Prima, who had been working at the El Rancho, moved to the Sahara when Herb McDonald promised to buy them new wardrobes.

The 1954 Sahara performers included Liberace, Paul Winchell, Paul Williams, George Gobel, Sonja Henie, Martha Raye, and Esther Williams.

In 1956 The Sahara featured Abbot and Costello, Martha Raye, and The Mary Kaye Trio, and Burns and Allen.

1958 was brought in by the appearance of Donald O'Connor and later Don Rickles was signed to a twelve week engagement. When Johnny Carson got sick for one of his performances, Rickles went on in his stead.

Buddy Hackett, a veteran Las Vegas performer was instructed to clean up his act when he appeared New Years Eve 1961. Hackett was told that hotel owner Del Webb was going to be in the audience with his wife and they were easily embarrassed. To his credit Hackett said not one dirty word. He did, however come on stage completely naked, except for a strategically placed silver dollar.

In 1961 the Congo Room showcased Teresa Brewer, George Burns, Connie Francis, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, The Mills Brothers, Leo Diamond, and the Betty Hutton Show.

Regular entertainment came from the likes of Buddy Hackett, Dave Barry, Helen Connell, Theresa Brewer, Frank Fountain, and The Modernaires.

Tony Bennett played the Sahara in 1964 and Jonny Carson played to sold out crowds nightly.

When the Beatles agreed to play The Sahara in 1964 the event drew so much publicity that the Sahara Executives, who sponsored the Beatles decided to move the show to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Beatles stayed at The Sahara.

Milton Berle opened his Broadway show Never too Late at the Sahara. This was the first time a show played simultaneously in Las Vegas and New York. At this time Robert Goulet was signed to a long term deal at the Sahara.

The 1965 roster of entertainment for the Congo room consisted of; Shelley Berman, Johnny Carson, Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Robert Goulet, Pat Henry, Marilyn Michaels, Liza Minelli, Donald O'Connor, Shari Lewis with Lamb Chop, Irene Ryan, Phil Silvers, Milton Berle. Martha Raye was well known for her support of the Vietnam Veterans. During one performance she was notified that Sgt. Barry Sadler, who wrote and performed The Ballad of the Green Beret was in the audience. When Raye acknowledged him from stage, the audience pushed the hero on stage and Miss Raye insisted that he perform his well know song. There was not a dry eye in the house.

Liberace performed at the Sahara more than 25 times.

Comedian Norm Crosby entertained the troops from California's Springs Airbase as well as from Nellis Air Force Base.
Tennessee Ernie Ford entertained there along with Johnny Carson, Doc Severenson, Doc Cherry, Norm Crosby, Bobby Darin, Gaylord and Holiday, Liza Minelli, Don Rickles, and Henny Youngman.

1973 saw the likes of Sonny and Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Jerry Van Dyke, Pat Buttram, Johnny Carson, David Frye, Frank Gorshin, Buddy Hackett, Dave Madden, Jim Nabors, and Sidro's Armada.

In 1981 the Congo room featured Wayland Flowers and his puppet Madame. The new era of entertainment brought Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Alice Cooper. One of the most celebrated performers was Tina Turner. Also in the 80’s appeared Redd Foxx and jazz great Joe Williams, both long time Las Vegas residents until their deaths.

The 1990’s brought new life to the Sahara with the appearance of Boyleque starring drag artist Kenny Kerr. Rich Little performed. At this time there were a series of Zsa Zsa Gabor's Celebrity roasts with entertainment royalty Sid Caesar, Henny Youngman, Foster Brooks, Slappy White, Jackie Gayle, Freddie Roman.

Also in the Congo showroom there appeared Beatlemania, Little Richard, Jackie Mason, Steve Allen, Neil Sedaka, and Suzanne Somers.

In 1999 The Congo Room showcased The Platters/ Marvelettes/Coasters/ Drifters. Additionally the Amazing Jonathan performed his sick magic.

David Cassidy's The Rat Pack is Back performed at the Sahara until 2002

Sahara performer Steve Wyrick earned the Magician of the Year award from the International Magicians Society. The show room was re named the Steve Wyrwick theater and was themed to resemble a giant aircraft hangar suiting some of Wyrwick's larger illusions that involved appearing and disappearing jets and helicopters.

2007, 8 and 9 saw a string of not terribly successful shows play at the Sahara including Buck Wild, The Scintas, Matsuri and the god awful Raw Talent live.

If you have any information about the history of entertainment at this property please do contact us, we aim to update this section of the site as frequently as possible so that we can ensure as accurate as possible correct historic information.