Newport "Sin City" Mobster Tour

About this activity

Are you a fan of The Godfather? Goodfellas? Scarface? The Sopranos? The Untouchables? Casino? Boardwalk Empire? A Bronx Tale? If you love mobster movies, then this is the tour for you! This is the only tour about the "Sin City" years of Newport where you can view all of the historic sites from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle (minivan). This allows us to explore far more historic sites in less time than a walking tour can! You will relax from the comfort of your seat while you are transported from site-to-site and will learn all about the unique history of each site, it's connections with the mafia, illegal gambling, bootlegging, and prostitution that earned Newport the name "the sin city of the south"! You will also have an opportunity to get out of the vehicle at each tour stop and do some exploring of your own, with your tour guide there to answer any questions you may have.

Itinerary

1. Wooden Cask Brewery Company · 15 min

   We will begin our tour at the Wooden Cask Brewery, former site of the 633 Flamingo Club and learn about its connections with the notorious New York Syndicate and the famous celebrities who performed there!

2. Stop 2 · 15 min

   We will visit 518 York Street, home of the former Yorkshire Club, one of the largest premiere "carpet club" casinos and perhaps the biggest illegal Horse Racing bookmaking clubs in the 1930's. You will learn about the owner's feud with the mafia and the club's eventual takeover by the mob.

3. Stop 3 · 15 min

   We will view the exterior of The Brass Ass Gentleman's Club, home of the former Stardust Casino (the Neon star is still on the building!). You will learn about the indictment and conviction of one of Newport's most notorious mobsters, and how prostitution fueled the local economy.

4. Thompson House · 15 min

   We will visit the John Thompson house, home of the inventor of the Thompson machine gun ("tommy gun") and you will learn about how this weapon became a favorite of mobsters in the 1920s and 1930s and its role in the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre!

5. Stop 5 · 15 min

   We will visit the Gangster's Dueling Piano Bar, site of the former Glenn Schmidt's Playtorium, and you will learn about the owner's feud with the Cleveland Mafia that nearly cost him his life.

6. Stop 6 · 15 min

   We will visit the historic marker and the Memorial in Southgate, KY, former site of the Beverly Hills Supper Club and the third most deadly night-club fire in U.S. history. You will learn about the troubled history of the club, the owner's feud with the Mafia, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the fire that eventually destroyed it, killing 165 people in the process.

7. Stop 7 · 15 min

   We will visit Pompilio's Italian restaurant, former home of Colonel Pomp's tavern and an illegal Speakeasy, where you will learn about some mafia rituals and about the restaurant's connection with a famous Hollywood film from 1988.

8. Stop 8 · 15 min

   We will visit Mustang Betty's Antiques, home of the former Mustang Club where you will learn about a victim of the mob and a mysterious fire where a gruesome discovery was made!

Meeting point

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

End point: All tours will meet on the sidewalk in front of the Wooden Cask Brewery on York Street. Check-in 5 minutes prior to your tour departure time. Park in the lot across the street from the Wooden Cask Brewery. Please do not park in the brewery parking lot unless you intend to patronize the brewery.

Good to know

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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