The Rivers Casino was built for gambling. But you don't have to play slots to enjoy some of its extras.

Chief among the nongambling amenities is the esplanade, which snakes along the Ohio River in front of the casino. Made of exposed concrete and brick, the esplanade also doubles as part of the North Shore trail.

The esplanade also features a 1,200-seat outdoor amphitheater on a bank overlooking the river. A free concert by Rare Earth will start at 8:30 tonight, followed by fireworks.

Eight restaurants or lounges are available to visitors, from Andrew's Steak and Seafood, where prices will be competitive with Hyde Park and other steakhouses in Pittsburgh, to Ciao, where guests can buy expensive wine by the ounce.

The all-you-can-eat Grandview Buffet is on the second level with an outdoor dining terrace and a view of the Point and the rivers. It will offer five cooking stations featuring Asian, American, Italian, Mongolian and barbecue foods. The cost will run roughly from $22.95 to $24.95 for dinner and from $12.95 to $14.95 for lunch.

The Drum Bar circles one of the casino's signature pieces, a 74-foot-high chandelier with neon lights.

All of the restaurants and lounges are open to the public except for Club 446, which is for high-end players only.

In October, a sports bar called the Wheelhouse is expected to open in the casino. It also will be open to the public.