The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, announces its upcoming August programs, including “The Life We Chose: Russell Bufalino, Billy D’Elia and the Jimmy Hoffa Murder” as well as “Organized Crime, Terrorism and Saddam Hussein: The FBI and Global Security.” Additionally, The Underground speakeasy and distillery invites guests to enjoy weekly live music, cocktail specials and more.
THE MUSEUM’S AUGUST PROGRAMS FOLLOW:
The Life We Chose: Russell Bufalino, Billy D’Elia and the Jimmy Hoffa Murder
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 9
Time: Program to take place 7 to 8 p.m.; book signing held from 8 to 9 p.m.
Location:Inside the historic courtroom on the second floor. A livestream of the presentation will be available on the Museum’s website. To RSVP to attend in-person or for the livestream link, click here.
Cost: Free for Museum Members or with Museum admission.
Description: Russell Bufalino was one of the most powerful Mafia bosses of the 20th century. Based in Pennsylvania’s coal country, Bufalino’s influence extended to Philadelphia, Buffalo, Atlantic City, New York and beyond. After the Quiet Don’s death in 1994, Billy D’Elia, Bufalino’s “adopted” son and longtime righthand man, took over the crime family and became a major organized crime figure himself. Journalist Matt Birkbeck obtained exclusive interviews with D’Elia that provide a candid look inside the Bufalino empire and explosive new insights into the murder of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa.
Speaker:
- Matt Birkbeck, award-winning investigative journalist and best-selling author of “The Life We Chose.”
Exclusive Member and Donor Program: Las Vegas and the Mob
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 29
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location: Inside the historic courtroom on the second floor.
Cost: Free for Museum Members and Donors.
Description: Have you heard that the Mob started Las Vegas? Museum Members and Donors are invited to take an exclusive look into Las Vegas’ past to learn the truth. The Mob Museum will lead a deep dive into the city’s historical ties to organized crime. Attendees will discover how well-known Mob figures such as Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, Moe Dalitz and Tony Spilotro transformed Las Vegas casinos and lined their pockets with the profits.
Organized Crime, Terrorism and Saddam Hussein: The FBI and Global Security
Date: Thursday, Aug. 31
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location:Inside the historic courtroom on the second floor. A livestream of the presentation will be available on the Museum’s website. To RSVP to attend in-person or for the livestream link, click here.
Cost: Free for Museum Members or with Museum admission.
Description: The brutal effects of organized crime are not limited to the crimes themselves. In some cases, the proceeds of organized crime are used to fund terrorist groups, intensifying threats to global peace and security. Ray Johnson, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Las Vegas, and retired special agent George Piro will discuss the growing nexus between organized crime and terrorism. Piro will also describe his experiences interrogating Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein after his capture by U.S. forces in 2003.
Speakers:
- George Piro, retired FBI special agent in charge of the Miami field office.
- Ray Johnson, assistant special agent in charge of the Las Vegas field office.
THE FULL ROSTER OF AUGUST PROGRAMS AND PROMOTIONS IN THE UNDERGROUND FOLLOWS:
Live Entertainment Calendar
Date and Time:
- Friday, August 4 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Colte Julian and The Sidecars
- Saturday, August 5 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Colte Julian and The Sidecars
- Sunday, August 6 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.: The Volsteads
- Friday, August 11 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.: The Souvenairs
- Saturday, August 12 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Michael Ross Nugent
- Sunday, August 13 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.: The Syn-Phonics
- Friday, August 18, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Dixie Flats
- Saturday, August 19 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.: The Syn-Phonics
- Friday, August 25 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.: The Shaun DeGraff Band
- Saturday, August 26 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Amanda King and The Prohibition Three
- Sunday, August 27 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Colte Julian and The Sidecars
Location: The Underground speakeasy and distillery
Cost: Free entry at the secret side door to visitors who know the password, published daily on Instagram Stories @MobMuseum_Underground.
Description: Revel in the sounds of the Jazz Age with music in The Underground speakeasy. Featuring a rotating roster of talented performing artists presented in an atmosphere surrounded by Prohibition-era artifacts, The Underground offers an immersive 1920s-inspired experience like none other.
For more information on the lineup or updates regarding live entertainment, please click here.
Whiskey Club – Benriach Distillery
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 2
Time: 8 to 9 p.m.
Location: The Underground speakeasy and distillery
Cost: $85 per person.
Description: Guests are invited to explore Northeast Scotland through the lens of Benriach’s Speyside-distilled single malt Scotch whiskies in The Underground. A legacy dating back to 1898, imbibers will enjoy a guided tasting of four core and special-edition blends, each a unique representation of Benriach’s slow and deliberate distilling style, paired with Scottish-inspired bites.
To reserve tickets, please call (702) 229-2734 or email sales@themobmuseum.org.
National Rum Day – The Underground Daiquiri
Holiday Date: Wednesday, Aug. 16
Promotion Availability: Aug. 16-20
Time: Available Wednesday from noon to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from noon to midnight.
Location: The Underground speakeasy and distillery
Cost: $14 (regularly priced at $15).
Description: Daiquiris have been a perennial favorite since the early 1900s when an American engineer in Cuba was credited with creating them. To celebrate National Rum Day, guests can enjoy $1 off The Underground’s decadent versions with 12-year, 15-year, 18-year and 23-year rums.
National Whiskey Sour Day – Blackberry Whiskey Sour
Holiday Date: Friday, Aug. 25
Promotion Availability: Aug. 24-27
Time: Available Thursday through Sunday from noon to midnight.
Location: The Underground speakeasy and distillery
Cost: $14
Description: A summery rendition on the historic cocktail, The Underground at The Mob Museum will celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day with a blackberry whiskey sour, crafted with bourbon, blackberries, lemon, sugar, egg whites and bitters.
Members Only Cocktail – Singapore Sling
Date: Throughout August
Time: Available Monday through Wednesday from noon to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from noon to midnight.
Location: The Underground speakeasy and distillery
Cost: $14
Description: Now the cocktail of a nation, the Singapore Sling is a version of the Gin Sling created in 1915 at the Long Bar in Singapore’s Raffles Hotel. When society frowned upon women imbibing in the early 20th century, this cocktail gave Singaporean women an opportunity to disguise their alcoholic beverage as nothing more than a pink-hued fruit punch. Combining gin, Bénédictine, Grand Marnier, Cherry Heering, pineapple, lime and soda, this cocktail is a fruit-forward libation perfect for a warm summer’s day. Become a Member to enjoy these fun monthly specials, too.
To become a member, please call (702) 229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.

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