Known far and wide for its fresh, blue point oysters and seafood bar, Oyster Bay is a popular spot in Deadwood among tourists and locals alike. While its casino facilities are not quite up to scratch, it’s a unique venue, shrouded in history, charm and mystery, that serves up great cocktails, fine whiskeys, and runs daily, historic, paranormal tours. To learn more about the venue, keep scrolling down to the sections below and read our complete Oyster Bay review.
Because there’s so much to see and do in Deadwood, planning a trip can be a little overwhelming. To give you a helping hand, the sections to follow will provide a complete and honest review of the Oyster Bay casino and bar in Deadwood. We cover and review all the most important aspects of the venue, but if you want fast answers to commonly asked questions, skip ahead to the FAQ section at the bottom.
Oyster Bay: What to Expect
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Having appeared on the Discovery Channel, History Channel and Travel Channel, the Oyster Bay is a hugely popular destination in Deadwood. It is probably most famous for its reports of paranormal activity; nightly tours are held where guides offer an authentic insight into the venue’s mysterious, somewhat disreputable past. To discover more about this and other fun activities, jump down to the non-gambling related attractions paragraph using the content navigation tool above.
Oyster Bay Casino Games
Unfortunately, there’s not much to talk about when it comes to the Oyster Bay games selection. In total, there are about 20 slot machines, which is pretty low when compared to many of the other top gambling destinations in Deadwood. However, there are one or two machines that simulate live table games and coin denominations vary, so as long as you’ve got a few spare coins, you can have a spin.
Because of its license, Oyster Bay is not permitted to host live table games, so you won’t find common classics like poker, blackjack, roulette or craps. Unfortunately, the same goes for bingo. However, the good news is that Deadwood is full of top gambling destinations, so it’s easy to find alternative venues to suit your preferences. Before we offer recommendations, take a look at the list element below to see the full list of casino games on offer here.
- Traditional Slots
- Video Poker
As can be seen, the Oyster Bay games catalog is very limited. If you’re a slots fan, you’ll find a very basic selection offering mediocre entertainment. Card players will be mostly disappointed; however, there are machines that recreate the live table experience, so video poker is available, for instance. All in all, if you’re looking for a casino with a more complete games list, it’s best you go elsewhere.
No Online Games at Present
Due to South Dakota’s stringent laws and regulations concerning online betting, you will struggle to find a venue in Deadwood (or anywhere else in the entire state) with these kinds of services. You may find a very small number of places that take bets on niche adventure-style games, but no real money transactions will be taking place. However, this may all be changing in the coming months as the state is preparing to vote on whether online betting is to be made legal. Be sure to check back here for updates and see if there if is a breakthrough!
No Promotions
Much to our disappointment, there are no Oyster Bay promotions to speak of here. We understand the casino facilities are extremely limited, so it makes sense there are no deals in the games room. However, with such a famous restaurant and bar, we would expect to find at least one or two promotions to entice visitors. However, there are lots of top gambling destinations in South Dakota (S.D), so if you’re prepared to shop around a bit, there’s plenty of choice.
When it comes to promotions, we really like the offering at The Golden Buffalo Casino in Lower Brule. Now it is a long way away, but if you’re making a road trip through South Dakota and you happen to be in the area, it’s well worth a visit. There are plenty of promotions on rotation every week that include hot seat prize draws, free slot plays worth up to $50, and lots more!
No Loyalty Benefits
Similar to promotions, we were disappointed to learn there are no loyalty benefits here at Oyster Bay. Needless to say, it’s a bit of a bummer: who doesn’t like to be rewarded for being a loyal customer? The Player’s Club program at the Grand River Casino Resort is well worth a mention. Located close to the remote town of Mobridge, it runs a simple points-based system where players can get entry to exclusive hot seat prize draws, jackpot draws, and plenty more.
No Sports Betting
Much like online betting, strict laws in place at the moment means that sports betting is mostly prohibited in S.D. There are a handful of venues that will take bets on horse racing events in S.D, but the offering is closely scrutinized and therefore extremely limited. As far as the top four are concerned, (MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA) you won’t find any venues taking bets. However, this may all be changing as the state is preparing to vote on whether or not sports betting is to be made legal. By the end of the year, there could be a breakthrough, so watch this space for updates!
Cool Attractions on Site
As we’ve already seen, the attractions in the Oyster Bar games room are limited. It’s a good thing, then, that there are some really unique activities and events taking place here. Not only is it another historic establishment in Deadwood: reports of paranormal activity have made it a popular venue for out-of-towners who come from far to take a tour of the building and peak into its mysterious past. Learn all about it in the following sections!
No Overnight Accommodation
Despite its full name — The Historic Fairmont Hotel Oyster Bay Bar & Casino — there is no overnight accommodation available here. However, considering that it’s supposedly haunted, it may not be the worst thing! If you’re planning on staying in town, why not try Hickok’s Hotel and Gaming? Named after the Western folk hero Wild Bill Hickok, it’s housed in a historic building with original furnishings and decor and has competitive rates!
Oyster Bay is located on Main Street in town, so it’s right in the center of the action — walking distance from many of the major attractions and casinos. If you’re traveling by car, the Interstate 90 is the largest road connection. If you’re flying in, the closest airport is located in Rapid City and is just over 50miles away — a comfortable hour’s drive.
Oyster Bay Events and Attractions
We’ve spoken a bit about the non-gambling related Oyster Bar events and attractions already, but we’ll go into a little more detail here. Every day the venue run unique tours that delve deep into the history of the building and shed light on the origins of the paranormal activity on site! Tours take place in the evening and last for about one and a half hours — enquire directly at the venue for more details. In addition, the venue is also famous for its weekend karaoke! For more in-depth info, check out the events page on the official Oyster Bay website.
General Company Info
| Owner: | Oyster Bay |
|---|---|
| Phone Number: | +1 605-578-2205 |
| Gaming License Class: | Class II |
| Number of Games: | Over 20 |
| Hours: | 9am – 2am |
| Opened: | 1800s |
| Website: | Oyster Bay |
| Social Media: |
Oyster Bay first opened some time in the late 19th-century as a saloon and brothel. Due to numerous reports of paranormal activity, it has featured on several television shows, including Ghost Adventures, Dead Files, and Ghost Lab, and become a popular destination for tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of a wandering spirit! In addition, it has a reputation for serving great seafood and blue point oysters. Be sure to ask for a tasting platter when you visit!
Today, Oyster Bay is a fairly small complex with a restaurant, bar, and games room with a handful of slot machines. It has a Class II license, so there are no live table games. If you want to stay up-to-date with upcoming events, tour info, and more, be sure to check out the official website and Facebook page. For your convenience, both platforms can be accessed using the links in the table above.
Small Casino and Novel Attractions
Now that we’ve put the venue through our tests, it’s time for the final assessment. If you’re an avid gamer wanting to take advantage of the great casino facilities in Deadwood, you’re probably best advised to look elsewhere. The games selection here is very limited and there are no promotions or loyalty benefits. However, if you’re looking for an authentic, saloon-style experience with great seafood and unique attractions, it’s a solid option. If you liked what you saw here in our Oyster Bay review, head back to the homepage and discover more casinos in S.D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we’ve reached the end of our Oyster Bay review it’s time for the FAQ section. We’ve included this as there may be a few important points we haven’t covered in the main review, so you can use it to get fast answers to commonly asked questions. If you still can’t find the answer you’re looking for, reach out to us using the contact tab.
Are there live table games?
Unfortunately, no. Because of the license, the Oyster Bay games catalog is limited to the small number of slot machines on the gaming floor. This means you won’t find poker, roulette, craps, or any other table classics. If you’re looking for a casino with a more complete games list, we’d recommend Saloon Number 10.
Is there a full service bar?
Yes. As well as a restaurant, which serves great seafood, sandwiches, pasta and more, there is a full service bar where you’ll find local and imported beers, fine whiskey, and wines. Learn more about what else the venue has to offer in our section on non-gambling related attractions.
What are the opening hours?
Oyster Bay is open every day from 9am – 2am. For more info about the venue, such as licensing details, historical info, when it was established, and lots more, skip back up to our general company info section.
Is sports betting permitted here?
Not at present. Strict laws and regulations currently in place make sports betting a tricky affair in S.D; however, recent reports suggest there may be a change to the law in the coming months. For more info, skip back up to our section on sports betting.
How many slot machines are there?
All in all, about 20. The selection here is small; however, there are a few different kinds of slots available. To learn more about the games selection on offer at Oyster Bay, head back up to our dedicated section on casino games and see the full catalog.