Fun Places to Play Keno in Omaha

So I like to gamble. Well, let’s amend that: I like to play games where you can win money. You might think that’s the same as gambling, but it’s really not. For example, I don’t like to play the lottery. That may be gambling, but there is no real game involved, so I don’t like it. The whole point of this useless information is to bring it around to the fact that I love Keno. There’s just nothing like sitting in a bar with a few good friends, having a beer or two, and waiting for your numbers to come in. Whenever someone asks me to go get a drink, I always try to make sure the bar we go to has Keno. Yep, I’m that person.

You could say I’ve done a lot of ‘research’ for this article due to my love of Keno and my constant search for new places to play. Though this is by no means a comprehensive list (there are more than 150 places in Omaha to play Big Red Keno alone!), this lists just a few places I think are fantastic places to waste a few hours (and dollars) if you’re a degenerate like me.

Winners Sports Bar & Live Keno—5413 S. 72nd St.

I discovered Winners one day when I had to drop my daughter off at school in Ralston for an evening show choir rehearsal and needed to kill an hour and a half before I could pick her up. This has got to be Omaha’s best-kept Keno secret. It’s small, it’s fun, and it’s ALL about Keno. Winners pulls its own balls so the games go quickly. The payouts are also much higher than anywhere else I’ve been. For example, a two-spot pays $12 nearly everywhere else, but pays $15 here.

Some things to note: Winners doesn’t open until 4 pm (though they sometimes open a bit earlier for Husker or NFL football games), they don’t allow anyone in under 21, and they don’t serve food (though they sometimes have free food and always invite you to bring in your own).

Lighthouse Bar & Grill—132nd & Center

I knew it was dangerous to move to an office just a hop skip and jump away from a sports bar with Keno…but that’s what our company did! And, as predicted, I drop into Lighthouse whenever I have a chance. Not only do they have Keno, but they also have great food, friendly service, and a ton of TVs so you can watch any sports you want. And for those who want to have a LOT of fun (and feel it in the morning): $3 Long Islands all day every day!

It’s always easy to get your Keno ticket in here, especially if you sit at the bar, and there are several screens where you can watch the results. There’s also plenty of seating, so if you’re not like me and actually want to sit at a table, you’ll probably always be able to find one. If you’re not near 132nd & Center and still want to visit a Lighthouse, you’re in luck as they have two other locations: one in Tiburon Point and one on 156th and Maple.

Legends Patio Grill & Bar—69th & Pacific

I’m not saying I’ve played Keno at Legends during my weekly Rotary meeting…but I’m also not saying I HAVEN’T. Considering I’m at Legends every week for my meeting and hang out there quite often other times for meetings and just to play Keno and have something to eat, I had to put them on the list. This place has awesome food, I love the staff, and it’s usually pretty easy to get your Keno ticket in. It also has a real ‘Cheers’ feeling to it—you can always meet other Keno enthusiasts who are regulars and who you can celebrate your wins with.

Legends has a full bar with plenty of beers on tap, mixed drinks, and daily specials. I recommend the pizza and all the apps as they’re all delish. Also keep in mind that Legends has one of the best party rooms in Omaha and is perfect for birthdays, reunions, and business meetings.

Crescent Moon—3578 Farnam

So you may not think of Crescent Moon in Blackstone when considering a place to play Keno…but you should! Omaha’s original ale house, Crescent is the perfect spot for trying out a new brew or having a reuben (they also host reuben fest each year, an event I’ve enjoyed several times!). Other popular menu items include the pork tenderloin, cuban, and fried flour shell tacos (which are on special NOT on Taco Tuesday, but Wednesday for some reason).

Though there are only a couple small screens to watch your Keno numbers come in, the place isn’t that large, so you’ll probably be able to see just fine. Sit at the bar where there is a convenient screen and where you can ask for beer recommendations and learn about all the fun events coming up.

LaVista Keno—7101 S 84th Street

LaVista Keno is similar to Ralston Keno—a neighborhood Keno parlor that pulls its own balls, is 18+ in the bar portion but also has a diner section—and has higher payouts. Like Winners, LaVista pays $14 on a two-spot (and all the other payouts are higher as well). While I’ve not tried the food in Jimbo’s Diner (the connected restaurant), the menu looks fantastic. The sports bar section where I sit has a ton of TVs and Keno screens, a nice selection of drinks, and is just steps away from the Keno counter where you can quickly and easily get your numbers in. If you’re in the LaVista area, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

Do you have some favorite Keno spots in Omaha? I’d love to hear about them! Send suggestions to [email protected]

Written by Angela Chaney, publisher of WhirLocal Omaha and partner at Pixel Fire Marketing.