Heading into the 2020’s, Caesars Palace Casino changed hands like a car with a leaky oil pan…fast and frequently. For Damian Costa, Caesars’ VP of Entertainment Operations (the world’s largest entertainment company) the changes ignited a desire to conquer new opportunities.
He accepted the challenge to breathe new life into a failed entertainment venue that had become known for bad food, bad service and Grinch-like ownership: the former Nevada Room in the historic Commercial Center. After months of sound and lighting upgrades akin to Strip quality systems and major necessary modernization to the building’s core utilities, Costa opened the doors to the rebranded The Composers Room, thus providing a showcase for the great entertainment that Vegas was known for.
“I wanted to continue what the Strip was getting rid of,” Costa said of the iconic Barge lounge, the Cleopatra’s ship replica that drew visitors and performers to Caesars for fifty years. Entertainers Kelly Clinton (pictured), Tony Arias, Keith Thompson and others who witnessed local entertainment destinations close after the pandemic, found a new, centrally located home for their fans.
Now two years into the new venture, Costa is taking a hands-on approach to fine tune the operation. “I’ve taken over operations my whole career,” Costa explained of his years at Caesars, the Orleans, South Point, Thomas and Mack and other venues.
He’s tweaking the menu, slimming selections down from fifteen to the “seven or eight that I can deliver with accuracy.” Costa is also focused on a customer-oriented team of servers.
Chances are that you’ll find Costa manning the front desk these days. “When you have a patient that needs attention, you provide attention.”
However, Costa’s mother and son Dayton lend a hand when it’s Dad Time for the father of seven, three of whom are adopted, including two with special needs.
With a smile, Costa, whose entertainment career began in 1992 as a teenage parking lot attendant for a Billy Joel concert, admits that even the best intentions don’t always pan out. “Please expect a new way we’re going to mess up.”
The Composers Room, 953 E Sahara Av, Las Vegas. (702) 573-7710 TheComposersRoom.com
