Downs At Albuquerque

The dance room where we attended an 80’s dance party was a good size with good seating and a large round bar that served a good assortment of drinks. The bar staff seemed to be very busy but ironically were unable to notice us even after repeated attempts to get their attention. This became worse as the night wore on and eventually it became impossible to get a drink at all. Waiting over an hour for the bartender to briefly notice us before forgetting out order and then another twenty minutes to finally get our drinks which we tripled to avoid this from happening again. We fled to the outside part of this place and after finishing our drinks and had a great time dancing the night away without drinks. You are better off bringing a flask to stash in your car and having drinks in the parking lot to return to dancing back in the venue to maximize enjoyment.

The new Downs unfortunately has the same clientele that the old downs had. Shady people walking around trying to steal peoples tickets, cashing out pennies left on machines and bumming money and cigarettes.
My friends mom was talking to a friend when a woman cashed out her machine and ran to the cashiers cage.
I will complement the bar and the restaurant but the casino floor feels very scary sometimes.
The casino does look nice, but my friends and family won’t return to a casino that doesn’t take care of its paying customers. There are casinos here in Albuquerque that we feel safe at.

Right in the midst of the fairgrounds is the Downs. I’d been years and years ago for a day at the races with friends. We put in small bets on some ponies, drank beer and looked over the horses and talked with trainers. A good day out.
Outside racing season isn’t so great. You go up an elevator to a tiny casino filled with some sketchy folks.
A very friendly guard filled me in on the progress of the new casino going up and gave me a tour of the place. He can trace his roots back to his father and grandfather working there years ago. He told stories of them taking cigarettes, booze and cash for holding RV and trailer spots for the owners and doing other small favors for them. He was interesting and full of great history of the grounds.
The upside of the casino was the old games you never see anymore and the lost sound of coins hitting the trays. Coins gave way to tickets on slot machines years ago and I never thought I’d hear that sound again.
If you long for dirty fingers and good old fashion slots, then I urge you to go visit one of the last places left in the U.S. where you can experience this before the new place is completed. Soon it will be all paper tickets like the rest of ‘em.
If I ever get around to watching the ponies or visiting the new building, I’ll update this review. Until then, I suggest seeing it at least once so you can say you knew it when!

Have you heard what’s going on with The Downs?
They are building a new casino away from the Grand Stands and it is gorgeous.
This place will be great, a huge outdoor patio, a relaxing bar with local live entertainment, a new food court, a gourmet restaurant, new slots and more.
What I like most?
The new rewards card that’s coming because what I heard– they surveyed their players to see what they like and built the card around them.
Also– next week they are having a job fair to fill hundreds of newly created jobs, but what’s even better? The first day of the fair is open only to those who live in the surrounding community. What a great idea, give back to those who supported you for all those years.
Then the next day, it’s open to everyone.
I will be back to see the new casino, which is suppose to open up next week and offer more thoughts. GO check it out… especially this weekend when the Kentucky Derby will be on!

Dirty, dirty & dirty. The Downs is a place for broken down, alcholic, gambling addicts trying to get their fix. The facilities are in poor repair and are in serious need of cleaning. The same description could be used for their patrons as well.
If you’ve ever wanted to hang out at a homeless shelter try a trip to the Downs.

5 pinball tables
harley davidson — broken
monopoly — broken
world poker tourny — half broken
the addams family — broken
94 world cup soccer — good working order