Las Vegas is one place where everything is constantly evolving, and there are plenty of formerly quintessential Vegas experiences that are now obsolete - including the showgirl extravaganzas and the lion tamers, the $5 buffets, and more.

In Las Vegas, history and long-standing traditions are often sidelined as the city's entertainment landscape reshapes itself to maximize shareholder profits. From iconic showgirl performances to all-you-can-eat buffets, here's a look at some beloved Vegas experiences that are now relics of the past.

Showgirl performances: the end of a glittering legacy

For decades, classic showgirl performances were a staple of the Las Vegas Strip, epitomizing its glitzy, glamorous appeal. The final curtain, however, fell on this tradition with the closure of Jubilee! in Bally's in 2016. Opening originally in 1981, Jubilee! showcased meticulously trained dancers in dazzling costumes and intricate headdresses. Yet as tastes in entertainment shifted and production costs surged - estimated at more than $5 million annually - casinos began moving toward more profitable partnerships with AEG Presents, Live Nation, and Cirque du Soleil.

The modern Strip is now dominated by music and comedy residencies featuring A-list celebrities, leaving behind only traces of the once-ubiquitous showgirls. The performers you might see today are often either costumed models or street entertainers looking to earn tips rather than the professional dancers who once graced Vegas' grandest stages.

Buffets on the chopping block

Las Vegas buffets were another iconic feature, providing a wide variety of foods at a single price point - a model born in the 1940s at the first Strip casino, El Rancho Vegas. Back when casinos earned roughly 75% of their revenue from gambling, buffets were seen as a loss leader to keep patrons on the premises.

However, as gambling revenue dropped to about 25% of total income by the 1980s, buffets became a costly relic. The pandemic provided a convenient pretext for casino operators to phase them out. Caesars Entertainment, for example, reported annual losses of around $3 million per buffet in 2021, leading to closures across the board. Today, just seven buffets remain on the Strip, while upscale food halls that feature third-party restaurants have quickly filled the void. It's likely that even the remaining buffets, such as MGM's offerings at the MGM Grand and Caesars Palace's famed Bacchanal Buffet, may soon be replaced.

Farewell to free parking

Until 2016, free parking was a hallmark of Strip casinos, intended as a welcoming gesture to visitors who might soon spend large sums gambling. However, MGM Resorts broke with tradition by introducing parking fees across its 10 Strip properties in June of that year. Caesars Entertainment, the Strip's second-largest casino operator, followed suit shortly after, turning two-thirds of the Strip's parking spaces into paid areas.

This shift prompted other properties to begin charging for parking to prevent non-guests from using their facilities. Today, free parking is a rare perk on the Strip, a significant shift from Las Vegas's customer-first mentality in its early years.

Lounge performers fade out

Live lounge acts were once a defining feature of Las Vegas nightlife. In the 1950s, visitors could catch acts like the Mary Kay Trio performing well past midnight. The 1960s and '70s saw icons like Sonny King and Pete Barbutti captivating crowds in casino lounges, sometimes joined by legends like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Lounge acts were seen as an investment to keep guests entertained and on the gaming floors.

However, as profitability concerns rose, free lounge acts dwindled. Today, entertainment options are still abundant on the Strip, but they are more likely to feature top DJs in exclusive nightclubs, where cover charges inevitably run high. The carefree, laid-back appeal of Las Vegas's lounge acts is now a memory.

The curtain falls on big cat shows

Las Vegas's fascination with big cat performances, popularized by acts like Siegfried and Roy, faced scrutiny in the early 2000s as attitudes toward animal welfare evolved. Roy Horn's well-publicized tiger attack in 2003 accelerated the decline of animal performances. By 2015, Dirk Arthur's Wild Illusions was the last Las Vegas magic show to feature big cats. Arthur passed away in 2023, symbolizing the end of an era that once delighted audiences with exotic animal tricks but ultimately became incompatible with modern ethical standards.

Las Vegas's transformation over the decades demonstrates a strategic shift toward maximizing profitability and adapting to evolving tastes. Once defined by its unique offerings, today's Las Vegas Strip has redefined itself as a destination where every amenity and experience is crafted for maximum revenue. As the once cherished traditions fade, Vegas still remains a place where everything is constantly reinvented, reminding visitors that while the city is timeless, its attractions are anything but.