Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway

Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway Review Jump to comments

Update: 01/30/19 MGM Resorts International finalized its $850 million purchase of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway on January 29, 2019. The 97-acre property had been owned by the Rooney family since 1972. MGM is expected to look at building a hotel and entertainment venue at the site and reportedly plans to seek a full-scale casino license so that it may offer live table gaming. Currently, the venue is only allowed to have video-lottery terminals run by the state Lottery. Look for any updates here.

Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway is located at 810 Yonkers Avenue, in Yonkers, New York, just off the 87 Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway and only 15 miles from Times Square in Manhattan. The venue first opened in 1899 as the Empire City Race Track. The first phase of the casino development opened in 2006 and has seen several enhancements and expansions since.

Today, the casino covers over 150,000 square feet of floor space with more than 5,300 slots and video poker machines along with electronic roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and sic bo tables. Dining options include Nonno's Trattoria for Italian cuisine; Dan Rooney's Sports Pub, a well-appointed, high-energy sports bar; Alley 810, a unique craft cocktail lounge with retro bowling lanes; and convenient options at The Big Kitchen or Lil' Cocina for tasty quick eats, along with bars/lounges, with live entertainment throughout the week.

The race track features live harness racing all year through with 5 race days per week. Simulcast betting is open daily. The casino is open from 10am until 6am daily.

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Dining & Restaurants

Lil’ Cocina

• Serving: Deli, Various

Located on the first floor in the Grand Victorian Hall, Lil’ Cocina is the perfect place to grab a quick bit. Choose from sandwiches, burritos, pastries, soups, tasty fried items and more.

Take out window open 2pm to 7pm (Saturdays Only)

General

Price range: Average

Reservations: (914) 968-4200

Hours

Sunday	11:00am / 3:30am
Monday	11:00am / 3:30am
Tuesday	11:00am / 3:30am
Wednesday	11:00am / 3:30am
Thursday	11:00am / 3:30am
Friday	11:00am / 3:30am
Saturday	11:00am / 3:30am

The Big Kitchen

• Serving: Italian, Asian, Deli, Pizza, Bakery Goods, Noodles, Grilled

The late-night gambler has the option of hitting the grab and go venue located on the first floor, casino level, for wings, fries, homemade pizza, noodle bar, deli sandwiches and more or opting for more variety and visiting The Big Kitchen up until 3:30am every day of the week. A wide variety of fare is offered including deli, Asian, Italian, grill, and bakery treats with several options for coffee, hot or cold.

Bakery open daily at 10am.

General

Price range: Average

Reservations: (914) 457-2457

Hours

Sunday	11:00am / 1:30am
Monday	11:00am / 12:00am
Tuesday	11:00am / 12:00am
Wednesday	11:00am / 1:30am
Thursday	11:00am / 1:30am
Friday	11:00am / 2:00am
Saturday	11:00am / 2:00am

Nonno's Trattoria

• Serving: Italian, American

Enjoy a warm trattoria atmosphere at Nonno's in the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. Follow the brick path and let  the aromas of freshly prepared Italian and American fare lead you the rest of the way in. From chicken marsala to filet mignon and seafood cioppino with fresh shrimp, clams, mussels, and calamari soffritto, herbs, fire roasted tomatoes and riesling broth, there is an item for every sophisticated palate in your party.

General

Price range: Upscale

Reservations: (914) 457-2457

Hours

Sunday	1:00pm / 9:00pm
Monday	11:00am / 12:00am
Tuesday	11:00am / 12:00am
Wednesday	1:00pm / 9:00pm
Thursday	1:00pm / 9:00pm
Friday	1:00pm / 9:00pm
Saturday	1:00pm / 10:00pm

Dan Rooney’s Sports Pub

• Serving: Bar/Pub, Irish Fare, Gourmet Burgers

This was the first restaurant to open with the expansion and it has proven to be a popular spot. Here you'll see the Empire City owners' roots as this pub was styled after the original Dan Rooney’s Café & Bar which opened in the early 1900's in Pittsburgh. The menu was created by a two-time Michelin star winner, and the atmosphere is simply awesome - a train car dining room.

General

Price range: Average

Reservations: (914) 457-2531

Takes reservations

Good for groups

Hours

Sunday	12:00pm / 12:00am
Monday	12:00pm / 12:00am
Tuesday	12:00pm / 12:00am
Wednesday	12:00pm / 12:00am
Thursday	12:00pm / 12:00am
Friday	12:00pm / 12:00am
Saturday	12:00pm / 12:00am

Empire City Casino Venues & Hotspots

Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway Summer Concert Series

Visitors are treated to a series of about ten concerts in the summer, held on the apron just outside of the racetrack. Every year top bands perform their greatest hits and old favorites. Patrons who purchase Platinum tickets will receive the best seats as well as have a chance to meet and greet the bands. This is unprecedented access and makes every Platinum ticket holder a VIP. The series runs every weekend in July and August. Click the link above to see this year's line-up.

Bars & Lounges

Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway offer several entertainment and relaxation venues. The Winner's Circle Bar is located in the Empire Terrace Restaurant overlooking the racetrack. The Grand Victorian Bar is conveniently located on the first floor of the casino. For live entertainment head into Gotham Palace where you will find the Entertainment Lounge with live music 5 nights per week.

Alley 810

Located adjacent to Dan Rooney's Sports Bar, Alley 810 is a high-end mixology lounge that features two vintage bowling lanes and offers live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. Alley 810 has tons of charm and is an ideal venue for everything from small-group events to larger celebrations for up to 100 attendees.

Meeting & Event Facilities

Empire City Casino has a variety of meeting and event spaces, each unique and perfectly suited to accommodate everything from small groups to weddings and business meetings to large outdoor events. Included are:

• Alley 810 - small groups - or up to 100 people
• The Red Room - flexible space, with open kitchen, wraparound bar and space to accommodate dance floor and live band
• Good Time Room - more than 4,500 sq ft of private banquet space, seating for up to 360 people, dance floor and live entertainment space
• Harness Gallery - an entire floor, multi-purpose use, trade show, boxing match, large reception etc.
• Empire Terrace - overlooks the racetrack, can name a race, view from winners circle, have your picture taken with winning horse and driver in the winner's circle
• Entertainment Lounge - located in the heart of the casino, semi-private event space, live entertainment 5 nights a week,
• Lot B - large outdoor lot, specs coming soon

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