By Scott Roeben, on October 31 2023

A classic photo op and beloved good luck charm has been removed at Caesars Palace.

The good news is the glorious Cleopatra statue at Cleopatra’s Barge is being given a refresh and will return.

It’s our pleasure to keep you abreast of these developments.

The rumor is the closed Cleopatra’s Barge lounge will be transformed into a new lounge operated by Clique Hospitality.

We should know, it was our rumor.

Word is Clique Hospitality will operate the new lounge coming to the Cleopatra’s Barge space at Caesars Palace. Cleopatra’s fate is unknown—rubbing the statue for good luck is a beloved Vegas tradition. Probably time for her to be retired, as were Buck and Winnie at Harrah’s. pic.twitter.com/6l3q2JH9aL

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) September 24, 2023

The good news is Cleopatra won’t suffer the same fate as Buck and Winnie at Harrah’s (the statue was too deteriorated to be saved). She’s in the process of being given what a Caesars Entertainment source describes as a “rebirth.”

The former Cleopatra’s Barge has been walled off, and Cleo is nowhere to be found.

Cleopatra is a throwback to a cheesier time in Las Vegas history.

Cleopatra’s Barge made its debut in 1970, in the space that was once the Nero’s Nook lounge.

Performers in Cleopatra’s Barge have mostly been forgettable, as evidenced by the fact we don’t remember many of them.

The Cleopatra statue, however, is a Las Vegas must-see. Or, more accurately, a must-touch.

Pressing question: Now that Cleopatra’s Barge is done at Caesars, what happens to this time-honored tradition? pic.twitter.com/S2Jrviwu04

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) May 20, 2021

Millions of people have rubbed the Cleopatra statue for good luck over the years. In fact, people touch the statue so often, it’s the most often repainted part of Caesars Palace.

Caesars Palace never really talks about the non-stop boob-rubbing, but it’s a thing.

We trust the old girl will look better than ever when she’s refurbished and we trust there will be an unveiling and the requisite P.R. hoopla when she returns.

Thankfully, there are lots of other good luck charms at Caesars Palace suitable for rubbing for good luck.

For example, guests rub Caesar’s hand or toe. Although, that’s gotten a little more complicated recently.

Your reward for putting up with our nonsense is learning things you won’t see anywhere else. Example: Where’d the Caesar statue go when they renovated the Caesars Palace entrance? To a spot near the self-park elevators. Where did that statue go? To the new main entrance! Boom. pic.twitter.com/ygBspchRHx

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) September 30, 2022

Gamblers can also touch Joe Louis’ gloves.

Some prefer to touch David’s toe to increase their chances of prevailing at the tables and slot machines.

It’s great to see Caesars Palace, and its owner Caesars Entertainment, ensuring its Cleopatra statue—a classic piece of Las Vegas kitsch—is restored and made and available for viewing and respectful, consensual fondling for years to come.