Las Vegas News

Restaurant Closings and Openings:

LVB Burger & Bar at the Mirage has closed to make way for the new Diablo's Cantina, which will open in time for New Year's Eve. China Tang at MGM Grand has announced that it will close on February 2 after only two years in business. Celebrity chef David Chang's Majordōmo Meat & Fish will open at the Palazzo and International Smoke at MGM Grand will open, also before the end of the year. 

Blanc de Blanc Tanks after Three Months:

Blanc de Blanc, the cabaret-style production show at the Sahara, has closed; the last performance was on Monday. We reviewed it in the November issue of the Advisor and was can say that we much preferred the Atomic Saloon Show whose review appears in the December issue (and it's 20% less expensive than Blanc was). We're not surprised that it failed; it was certainly a spectacle, but a bit snooty and over-the-top for our tastes. No word on a possible replacement, though Magic Mike Live is moving to the Sahara in the spring, after closing at the Hard Rock on Sunday.

What's In the December Las Vegas Advisor? :

Our annual December room-rate survey turned up -- are you ready for this? -- 47 casino-hotels with rates below $40, including several below $40 when the resort fee is factored in. And as always, the discounts we found for high-end digs are significant. Plus, we reveal a new travel portal that gives you access to the lowest room rates anywhere up to 66% of the time. The December Advisor also reports on a major sports book consolidation, the demise of an all-night buffet, a 111% video poker game, a bar-food-lover’s dream come true, new plans for Vegas’ two biggest casino projects, the just released Eating Las Vegas 2020, 88 casinos with vacancies for New Year’s Eve, a high-end power lunch, a secret door to skewers galore, even a 5¢ keno game with a $100,000+ jackpot (and why you should avoid it). No one covers Las Vegas like the Las Vegas Advisor. 

Delmonico Steakhouse Closes for Upgrade:

If you're looking to eat at Emeril Lagasse's iconic Delmonico Steakhouse, which opened with the Venetian in April 1999, you'll have to wait for a few weeks. Delmonico's closed this month to undergo a full renovation to the tune of nearly $1 million, according to EaterLasVegas. The plan is for it to reopen in mid- to late December.

Shanghai Plaza Heats up with Restaurants:

Before the end of the year, at least two new restaurants will open in the Shanghai Plaza on Spring Mountain Road in the heart of Chinatown, which opened this past April. Already there are Weera Thai (which is one of the "52 Essential Restaurants" in this year's Eating Las Vegas 2020; we also reviewed the $8.99 lunch special in the December issue of the Las Vegas Advisor), along with Yummy Rice, Myungrang Hot Dog, Kura Revolving Sushi, Pho Kinh Do, 88 Noodle Papa, Orchid Vietnamese, Sharetea, and others. Coming soon are Pepper Lunch, a "fast-steak" international franchise popular in the Tokyo area that has two locations in southern California; and Taiwan-based 85°C Bakery (the name signifies the proper temperature for maintaining the flavor in coffee), which has more than 1,000 locations worldwide.

Las Vegas Doodles:

If you were asked to sketch the first thing that came to your mind about Las Vegas, what would it be? Netcredit.com, sponsor of the "United States of Doodles," asked 100 Americans to imagine 12 of the most popular travel destinations in the country and draw the first thing that came into their heads. The recruited doodlers used the "Sketch" app to doodle an icon for each city in two minutes –- without using Google for any ideas. The dozen destinations included Alaska, Austin, TX, Florida, Chicago, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Hollywood, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and of course our very own Las Vegas. The results are 12 alternative travel posters that reveal the America that U.S. citizens carry in their minds. You can see all 1,200 doodles here and you can get a big view of the Las Vegas travel poster here (hint: 18 slot machines).

NFL Thanksgiving Saints/Falcons:

 In today's final Thanksgiving game, the New Orleans Saints are -6.5 favorites over the Atlanta Falcons. The total is 48.

NFL Thanksgiving Cowboys/Bills:

In the second of today's three NFL Thanksgiving games, the Dallas Cowboys are -6.5 favorites over the Washington Redskins. The total is 46.5.

NFL Thanksgiving Lions/Bears:

In the first of today's three NFL Thanksgiving games, the Chicago Bears are -5.5 favorites over the Detroit Lions. The total is 37.5.

Las Vegas Weekend Highlights:

• Smith Center presents Dr. Seuss': How The Grinch Stole Christmas (11/29-30)
• Aerosmith continue their mini-residency, Deuces Are Wild at Park MGM (11/29 & 12/1)
• Mariah Carey takes the stage at Caesars Palace (11/29-30)
• Paula Abdul is in the spotlight at Flamingo Las Vegas (11/29-30)
• Howie Mandel does standup at Paris (11/30)
• And don't miss the Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Silverton (11/29) 

For a full listing of Holiday events and things to do, see our complete round-up at VegasWithAnEdge.com.

Happy 30th, Mirage:

The Mirage turns 30 this month, having opened on November 22, 1989. The three-wing 29-story 3,049-room Mirage was the first Strip hotel-casino to be built from scratch in 16 years (since the MGM Grand, now Bally's, opened in 1973) and it inaugurated a construction boom the likes of which the world, let alone Las Vegas, had never before experienced. The anticipation was so intense that the Strip had to be shut down for hours to handle the hordes wanting to see the joint on opening night. And they weren't disappointed: an erupting volcano, a 100-foot-high glass dome sheltering a rainforest, a 27,000-gallon aquarium behind the front desk, Siegfried and Roy in their own custom theater, tiger and dolphin habitats, the world's snazziest casino -- all for $650 million in junk-bond financing. Say what you will about him, but everything about the Mirage glowed with the personal charisma and vision of Steve Wynn. It was the Big Bang of the modern casino business.

Happy Thanksgiving:

Thanksgiving is always a big day in Las Vegas and today's no exception, even with the weather being uncooperative. Special Thanksgiving meals are being served in buffets and restaurants all over town, holiday promotions can be found in numerous casinos, and the sports books are crowded with bettors and fans watching three NFL games (check back here for the lines) and one NHL game. Note that our office will reopen on Monday.

Million-Plus WoF Jackpot at the Fremont:

A visitor from Hawaii hit a $1,098,478.19 jackpot off a $5 bet on a Wheel of Fortune machine at the Fremont last Saturday night. It was the second progressive jackpot hit by a Hawaiian visitor in the past two months, after another Islander hit a $930,000 jackpot on Oct. 7 at Main Street Station. 

Frozen Turkey Bowling, Anyone? :

Downtown Grand Now a Preferred Hotel:

The Downtown Grand has been become a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, which touts itself as "the world’s largest independent hotel brand" that represents international portfolio of more than 750 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries." All Downtown Grand guests are now eligible for I Prefer rewards points, good for cash-value rewards certificates, elite status, and special benefits.

Millionth Visitor at the Neon Museum This Afternoon:

Exactly a million visitors will have toured the Neon Museum sometime late this afternoon, and the facility will award the actual millionth with a few souvenirs. At 4:30 p.m. today, the Museum will present the lucky visitor with a neon sign that reads "Neon Museum 1,000,000," along with a night at the Wynn, dinner for two at Wazuzu, the pan-Asian restaurant at Encore, and a gift box full of merch from the museum store.  

Big Storm Heading This Way:

Las Vegas is in for some cold wet weather starting tomorrow, continuing on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. The storm, which is predicted to bring record-breaking snowfall in northern and central Nevada, is expected to dump a bunch of rain on southern Nevada from Wednesday morning through Friday morning. Some higher elevations of the valley (Summerlin, in particular) could see some snow in the early mornings tomorrow and Friday. Temperatures will drop 20 degrees from yesterday and today, with highs in the mid-40s through Saturday.

Jeff Civillico Show To Close in Mid-December:

MNF Rams/Ravens:

The Baltimore Ravens are -3.5 favorites over the Los Angeles Rams in tonight's Monday Night Football game. The total is 47.

Graveyard Buffet Disappears:

Another graveyard buffet has bitten the dust. It lasted a year, but Palace Station’s Late-Night Feast was discontinued earlier this month, once again leaving Las Vegas without a 24-hour buffet option.

Mississippi Joins the Lottery Club Today:

Upwards of 1,200 retail outlets in Mississippi started selling lottery tickets for the first time at 5 a.m. this morning. From today through January, the only tickets sold will be for Mississippi-only games; starting on January 30, Mega Millions and Powerball tickets will be available. The first $80 million a year raised by the state will be used to improve highway infrastructure, particularly bridges, and the rest of the money raised will go to education.

Player Hits Pai Gow Poker Progressive for $2.3 Million:

A Pai Gow Poker player at Paris pocketed a piece of the prosperity pie last week by drawing a seven-card straight flush in diamonds on the Face Up Pai Gow Poker progressive jackpot table, collecting $2,330,133.44. The straight flush ran ace to seven, with a joker serving as the 2 of diamonds. It was a record jackpot on the linked Face Up Pai Gow table.  

Fancy Burger Is a Fundraiser at Cosmo:

"The Burger" being sold at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. supper club at the Cosmopolitan is made of A5 wagyu beef and sake kasu cheddar cheese, both from Japan, and served on a potato roll with roasted Campari tomatoes and matsutake mushrooms. It's accompanied by poutine, French fries cooked in duck fat and confit and served with duck gravy, crispy duck skin, and a poached egg and shaved white truffle on top.

A flask of the bar’s Oaxacan Old-Fashioned comes with the meal, which is presented on top of a suitcase record player, and eaters can select an LP from the restaurant's collection. It's available for $1,200, all of which will go to Ronald McDonald House of Las Vegas, the nonprofit that works to improve the health and well-being of children.

SNF Packers/49ers:

The San Francisco 49ers are -3 favorites over the Green Bay Packers in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 48.

Lottery Stats State by State:

According to LotteryPost.com, reporting on a study conducted by 24/7 Wall St. based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2017 Annual Survey of State Government Finances, in 2017, the most recent year for which ticket-sale information is available, Americans spent a total of $71.8 billion on lottery tickets, roughly $285 per adult (18 and older). In the state-by-state breakdown, Massachusetts had the highest per-capital annual spending at $926.71 (with the fourth-highest median household income at just under $80,000), and paid out the most in prize money by far: $3.7 billion or $668.52 per adult. By comparison, Rhode Island had the second-highest annual spending at $622.50, with the 17th highest median income at $64,340, though it paid out only $157 million or $184.16 per adult. North Dakota came in lowest: $45.27 per capita annually, with median income just below Rhode Island's at $63,837 and $14.3 million awarded or $24.60 per adult. How do lottery sales stack up against casinos? Close, but no cigar; in 2017, Americans spent $73 billion on casino gambling, according to the American Gaming Association. Nationwide, bettors placed an estimated $150 billion on sporting events in 2017. 

Famed Street Artist Banksy Exhibition Coming to Fashion Show:

Several dozen works by the infamous British street-artist Banksy will be on display soon at the Fashion Show Mall. "Banksy: Genius or Vandal?" is an unofficial exhibition featuring 70 original creations assembled from private collectors, which will be available for public viewing in Immersion Las Vegas, a large new entertainment venue at the Fashion Show. Works will include photographs, videos, 3D objects, limited editions, and a specially created multimedia presentation. The traveling exhibit had recent stops in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Madrid,  and Lisbon. Curiously, we couldn't find an opening date, but the exhibit will run through April 5. Tickets will start at $29 adult, $15 children 11 and under. Las Vegas' first Bansky is part of the decor at Greene Street Kitchen, which opened earlier this year at the Palms; the permanent work, Smiley Coppers Panel I, is located behind the restaurant’s DJ booth.

Big Bucks for VGK Tickets:

An article posted on LVSportsBiz.com cites just-released data by Team Marketing Report, which tracks the costs of attending major league sporting events. TMR has the Vegas Golden Knights at $559.42 for a family of four to attend a Golden Knights game at T-Mobile Arena, the fifth-highest family-of-four cost of the NHL's 31 teams. TMR's “Fan Cost Index” takes into account the cost of teams' average ticket, average premium ticket, and a beer, soft drink, hot dog, parking, and logo hat. The Knights’ average ticket is fourth-highest in the league at $104.36 (compared to the NHL average of $75.76), while its average premium ticket of $450 comes in second (the New York Rangers’ $663.12 is first, compared to the league average of $424.62). It's simply the law of supply and demand: The Knights average attendance this season, 18,237, is 105% of capacity, with the extra 5% standing room. Many comments on the post claim that even these prices, near the highest in the NHL, are still on the low side.

Wilder/Ortiz Line:

In tonight’s Heavyweight Championship boxing match, Deontay Wilder is a -500 favorite over Luis Ortiz. The total is 6.5 rounds, with over the favorite at -130.

Palace Station Burger Joint Closing:

After only about a year in operation and lots of good reviews, b.B.d.’s is closing at Palace Station. A press release indicates that the restaurant will close at the end of the month and move to a new location. A replacement for the Palace Station space has not been named.

Zoning for New Harmon/Koval Resort Approved:

Clark County Commissioners have approved zoning permits for a 60-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Koval Lane and Harmon Avenue. The site has a long history of projects that never came to fruition, including two megaresorts announced in 2005-2006 (W Hotel-Casino and Las Ramblas), plus the failed Ice nightclub; they were part of an envisioned "Harmon Strip," which also didn't happen. The commissioners approved plans that reportedly include a hotel-casino with high-rise towers, a shopping center, and a five-level underground garage. No other details were revealed.

Meet and Mingle with Two Huntington Press Authors:

Our authors Brian Rouff (The House Always Wins) and Andrew Uyal (The Blackjack Insiders) will hold a booksigning and discussion at 6 p.m. today at Roxy’s Lounge at Sam’s Town. A third author, Renee Jean, whose blackjack dealer’s memoir is called Just Deal With It, will also be on hand to sign books and meet readers.  

New Dates for Diana Ross:

Diana Ross is returning to Las Vegas for six mini-residency dates at the Wynn Las Vegas' Encore Theater: April 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, and 18. Tickets for the six shows go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. Vegas time. 

Encore Boston Harbor Downgrades (Again):

The last thing Encore Boston Harbor wants to be, according to its second president since opening five months ago, is "a Las Vegas casino in Boston." That means, apparently, backing off on the hubris. First, the casino rescinded its sky-high parking fees (up to $42 for 24 hours) and now it's lowering its ridiculous table-game minimum, which was $50, to $15. In an investor conference call, executives stated that five  months after opening, "the team is still learning what features click with its customer base." We could've told them after the first minute: $42 to park and $50 minimums won't click with its customer base.

Opening of Resorts World Delayed (Again):

According to an article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal by veteran business reporter Richard Velotta, the grand opening of Resorts World has been pushed back to summer 2021 from late 2020. In addition, the price tag for the 3,500-room megaresort has increased $300 million to $4.3 billion. The Asian theming will be minimal, as Resorts World "will reach for a luxury experience with Asian-inspired touches.” The resort will boast a 5,000-seat theater for residencies and events, a 75,000-square-foot nightclub and dayclub, and a 220,000-square-foot pool area. And each of the two towers will have exterior LED displays; the west tower's will be one of the in the world at 100,000 square feet. Ample unused space in the 88-acre property will be available for future expansion. 

Vegas Has 10 of Top 100 Highest-Grossing Independent Restaurants:

Restaurant Business' 2019 list of the U.S.' Top 100 highest-grossing independent restaurants has been released with 10 in Las Vegas (compared to 23 in New York, 16 in Chicago, and 9 in Washington, D.C.). They include Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab at the Forum Shops at Caesars (no. 18, grossing $22.3 million, serving 260,000 meals, with an average check of $77), Bazaar Meat at the Sahara (no. 21, $20.8 million, 189,500, $114), SW Steakhouse at the Wynn (no. 23, $20.6 million, 148,350, $142), Mon Ami Gabi at Paris (no. 38, $18.1 million, 307,440, $72.50), Prime Steakhouse at Bellagio (no. 47, $16.6 million, 110,300, $168), Lavo Italian Restaurant and Lounge at the Grand Canal Shoppes (no. 54, $16.6 million, 135,660, $92.50), Delmonico Steakhouse at the Grand Canal Shoppes (no. 58, $16.4 million, 144,450, $100), Jean-George Steakhouse at Aria (no. 67, $15 million, 124,000, $118), Beauty & Essex at the Cosmopolitan (no. 89, $12.8 million, 139,100, $92), and Carmine's at the Forum Shops (no. 92, $12.7 million, 128, 385, $41.50). Del Posto in New York came in with the highest check at $194, followed by two Las Vegas eateries: Prime Steakhouse at $168 and SW Steakhouse at $142.  

Las Vegas Weekend Highlights:

• The Smith Center welcomes the Lon Bronson Band (11/22)
• Pauly Shore does standup at the Downtown Grand (11/22) and Ray Romano & David Spade entertain at the Mirage (11/22-23)
• Mariah Carey is center stage at Caesars Palace (11/22-23)
• Aerosmith performs Dueces Are Wild at Park MGM (11/24)
• Matt Goss is in the spotlight at the Mirage ((11/24)
• And kicking off the spirit of Christmas, you have the Holiday Cactus Garden at Ethel M Chocolate Factory (11/21-01/05), Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (11/21-01/05) and The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan (11/20-01/05)

TNF Texans/Colts:

The Houston Texans are -4 favorites over the Indianapolis Colts in tonight's Thursday Night Football game. The total is 46.5.

Consolidation in the Sports Betting Biz:

The U.S. division of London-based William Hill Plc, considered the world's largest bookmaker, will acquire the race and sports book assets of CG Technology in Nevada and the Bahamas. No terms were disclosed; regulatory approval in both jurisdictions is required and expected. William Hill will take over the books at the Tropicana, Venetian/Palazzo, Cosmopolitan, Palms, and Silverton. The new books will bring Will Hill's total number in Nevada to 118; it also has race and sports books in 10 of the 13 states where sports betting is legal. CG Technologies has a checkered past; it's paid $9 million in disciplinary fines to Nevada regulators, plus $22.5 million in a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over money-laundering charges.

Lotus of Siam To Reopen Commercial Center Location:

The uber-popular Lotus of Siam northern Thai restaurant has announced a tentative date for the reopening of its original location in the Commercial Center on East Sahara: December 2. That restaurant closed in September 2017 after heavy rains collapsed the roof; a new location on Flamingo Road opened three months later on E. Flamingo. The original Lotus will serve lunch and dinner on weekdays and dinner only on weekends. A third Lotus is planned for a new strip mall, the Bend, at W. Sunset Road and Durango Drive; no opening date has been projected for that location.

Historic Sign Display on Fremont Street:

A new sign has been announced for the Fremont Street Experience. Part of the $32 million upgrade to the Viva Vision canopy screen, the sign will be a 27-by-14-foot LED display set up on the east side of Fremont and Main. The sign will be historic in nature, a "porthole in time" with images of "downtown throughout the decades." Construction of the $450,000 display is expected to start this week and be completed in time for the Christmas rush.

Wheel of Fortune Hit for $2.2 Million at the Mirage:

Last Friday, a player at the Mirage hit a jackpot of $2,218,046.41 on a Wheel of Fortune Triple Red Hot Bells machine. The player bet $5 to hit the grand prize.

New Strip Road Work Starts Today:

With the new pedestrian bridge between Park MGM and the Showcase Mall nearing completion, another major Las Vegas Boulevard construction project is getting under way, this one on the north side. This morning, the Strip will begin undergoing repairs -- repaving, replacing a water line, and upgrading traffic signals and street lights -- from Spring Mountain Road north to Resorts World Drive. Initially, lane closures will be minimal and only at night, but eventually, they'll be significant; expect traffic rerouting from 12:30 to 11 a.m. tonight through Friday and next Monday through Wednesday. It's the first phase of a nearly $50 million project from Spring Mountain to Sahara Avenue that will run through early 2021. The entire road project will ultimately comprise seven phases along Las Vegas Blvd. between Sahara Avenue and the 215 Beltway, which will take more than five years to complete. 

Bruno Mars Announces Five Dates for March/April:

Multi-Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and dancer Bruno Mars will perform five shows in the Park Theater at Park MGM: March 6 and 7 and April 20, 24, and 25. Tickets will start at $99.50 and be available this at 10 a.m. Vegas time. Mars had an 11-show mini-residency at the Park from April to September of this year. 

Mayfair Supper Club Taking Reservations for NYE:

Mayfair Supper Club, which is opening at Bellagio in the space previously occupied by Hyde ultra-lounge, is now accepting reservations starting on December 31. The club, which will debut on New Year's Eve, will be a throwback to an earlier era in Las Vegas and around the world: reminiscent of the dinner-and-a-show concept that started in Europe, migrated to New York in the 1930s, and was taken over by Las Vegas in the 1960s. Contemporary American cuisine will be the focus of the early evening, with the live music in the background, but as the night progresses, the entertainment will evolve into the focal point. Two prix-fixe dinners will be served on opening night, the first seating starting at 5 p.m. for $155, and the NYE Gala starting at 8:30 p.m. for $395. 

James To Face Ken and Brad on "Jeopardy!":

In a first for the 45-year-old game show, "Jeopardy!" has announced that the show's three record-setting contestants will compete in January for the title of "Greatest of All Time." Ken Jennings' winning streak hit 74 games in 2004, earning him $2.52 million. Brad Rutter has won $4.7 million in his combined appearances; he played the game in 2000, when a contestant had to retire undefeated after five appearances (Rutter has never lost a "Jeopardy!" match -- other than to IBM's Watson question-answering computer, which defeated Rutter and Jennings in 2011) and he's the highest-winner American game-show contestant in history. Las Vegan James Holzhauer, of course, has won $2.7 million in his two series; last week he won the 2019 Tournament of Champions. The first contestant to win three matches will win the ultimate series, which starts on January 7. The champion will receive $1 million and the title; the runners-up will each receive $250,000. The New York Times declared the move as "milking the combined stardom for all it's worth." 

MNF Chiefs/Chargers:

The Kansas City Chiefs are -6 favorites over the Los Angeles Chargers in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 52.5.

Life-Sized Gingerbread House at Aria:

An ambitious gingerbread-house project appeared Friday morning in the lobby of Aria, having been erected overnight after two weeks of preparation. The cottage is 15 feet tall and includes 600 pounds of gingerbread, five-foot-tall gingerbread figures, and 30 oversized sugar bears. An adjacent pop-up kiosk is selling hot drinks and baked goods to selfie-seeking visitors.

Drilling Launches on the LVCC Loop:

A massive drill at the bottom of a 40-foot pit that in 14 months will be a station for a $52.5 million underground people-mover system.

which is expected to chew through 100 feet of dirt and rock a day. It will include about a mile of twin tunnels around 40 feet underground connected to three stations on the convention center’s 200-acre facility. People on the ground above the tunneling won’t even be able to perceive the digging occurring below them. The people-mover is expected to be less expensive to build than conventional subway trains because the total diameter of the parallel tunnels, at 28 feet, are less expensive to produce. The interior diameter of a single tunnel is 12 feet with the outer casing at 13.5 feet. Boring officials say the cost will be three to four times less to build than a conventional transit system.

Electric-Car Charging Station Now Open at Terrible's Roadhouse:

An electric-car charging station has opened at Terrible's Roadhouse in Jean, off Interstate 15 southbound around 30 miles from Las Vegas. It's the first charging station along I-15 in Nevada and the fifth statewide. The two DC units are known as "fast chargers"; they can charge vehicles in 20-30 minutes.

SNF Bears/Rams:

The Los Angeles Rams are -5.5 favorites over the Chicago Bears in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 40.

Extended Hours for the Mirage Volcano:

The Mirage has gone to Standard Time hours for the viewing of the venting of its venerable volcano. The show now starts on the hour at 6 p.m.; the last show is 11 p.m.

2020 -- The Year of the Convention Center:

Caesars Forum, the $375 million 550,000-square-foot convention center going up right next to the High Roller observation wheel at the end of the LINQ promenade, will host its first convention starting March 20, 2020. The Wynn's new $300 million 430,000-square-foot convention center is scheduled to open in February and the nearly $1 billion expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, which extends the Center's reach all the way out to the Strip, is expected to be completed by the end of the year, in time for CES 2021 (which starts on January 6). Richard Velotta, long-time business reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, recently broke the story that Caesars Forum will host the three-day 2020 NFL Draft, which will take place April 23-26. Take note of the dates; last year's draft in Nashville was attended by 600,000 people!  

Nevada In-Migration Continues:

In 2018, according to Census estimates, approximately 127,000 people moved to Nevada from other U.S. states, with another 14,000 coming from other countries. More than 50,000, nearly one in four immigrants, came from California between July 2017 and July 2018, the second highest number in a decade. One demographer claims that more adult Nevada residents were born in California than in Nevada. Meanwhile, the number of Nevadans moving to California fell to its lowest number in the past 10 years, losing 22,400 residents. As for other states, immigrants came from Utah (7,100), Arizona (7,000), Washington state (6,200), Texas (5,000), Florida (4,000), Illinois (3,000), New York (2,700, numbers rounded to nearest 100). The Census Bureau figures show that Nevada was the nation’s fastest-growing state in 2018, after ranking second in 2017 and 2016; Nevada's population broke the three million mark sometime last year.

UFC Souza/Blachowicz:

Jan Blachowicz is a -150 favorite over Ronoldo Souza in tonight’s UFC main event. In the other featured match, Mauricio Rua is -250 over Paul Craig.

Shareholders Approve Caesars-Eldorado Merger:

Shareholders of both Caesars Entertainment and Eldorado Resorts voted overwhelmingly to approve the $17.3 billion acquisition of Caesars by Eldorado. Both votes were 99% in favor, 1% against. Regulatory approval is still required in a number of states, but the deal is expected to close between January and March of next year.

Holzhauer Wins the Championship:

For a bit there last night in the Tournament of Champions on "Jeopardy!" it looked like Emma Boettcher might run a repeat of her defeat of James Holzhauer in their original match. Holzhauer whiffed on his final Double Jeopardy question, losing $8,615 and falling behind Boettcher, who doubled up on her own Double Jeopardy from $8,600 to $17,200. However, Holzhauer remained in the lead overall, after he dominated Thursday's match and managed to lock out Boettcher with his bet on Final Jeopardy; the only way he could have lost was if he missed the question, while Boettcher got it right, which didn't happen. Holzhauer won another $250,000, the champion's share, putting his total winnings at $2,712,216, third highest in history.

Dancer and Munchkin Take the Stage Tonight:

Bob Dancer and Munchkin will be performing improv tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Show Creators Studios, 4455 W. Sunset Rd. (corner of Sunset and Arville). Tickets are $10. For more info, visit lvimprov.com/.  

New Jersey Books Set a New Record:

With the MLB playoffs and World Series, plus NFL, NHL, and NBA games all posted for betting, New Jersey's sports books and race tracks reported a handle of $487 million for the month of October. The nearly half-billion dollars in sports bets set a new record, beating the previous record of $445 million, set in September, by more than $1 million per day. Online gambling also showed a major increase; New Jersey's Internet casinos handled $45.2 million in bets, up 69% from October 2018.

Raiders Team up with M Resort:

The soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders have entered into an agreement with M Resort, which will serve as the official Raiders "team headquarters" hotel in Las Vegas. The Raiders will conduct their team meetings the night before home games at the M; the M will also open a Raiders-branded restaurant, tentatively named Raiders Bar and Grill, and a shop selling Raiders' gear, both in 2020. The Raiders' practice facility and headquarters is being built only three miles from the M, the closest hotel to the facility. It's scheduled to be completed next April.

Special Admission Prices at Mob Museum Today:

The Mob Museum will celebrate Kefauver Day, commemorating the Kefauver Committee's hearings that occurred in the museum building exactly 69 years ago today, by offering free admission for Nevada residents and two-for-one admission for everyone else. Senator Estes Kefauver (Dem., Tennessee) was in the midst of conducting more than two dozen hearings in 14 cities as part of his campaign against organized crime. The Mob Museum is located at 300 Stewart Avenue downtown in the old post office and federal courthouse building. 

TNF Browns/Steelers:

The Cleveland Browns are -3 favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in tonight's Thursday Night Football game. The total is 41.5.

Las Vegas Weekend Highlights:

• The Smith Center welcomes Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots...It's Just The Two Of Us...Sorry! (11/15)
• Jerry Seinfeld does stand-up at Caesars Palace (11/15-16)
• Aerosmith is in the spotlight at Park MGM (11/16)
• Fleetwood Mac takes the stage at T-Mobile Arena (11/16)
• Green Valley Ranch brings you, Frankie Moreno (11/15)
• Festival-wise, you've got the Las Vegas Pizza Festival at the Industrial Space Event on Industrial Rd. (11/16), Lee's Discount Liquor 17th Annual Wine Experience takes place at UNLV Thomas and Mack (11/16), there's the New Vista's Brew's Best Craft Beer Festival at Lake Las Vegas (11/16), and there's the Donut Fest at the Hofbräuhaus (11/17)
• And don't miss the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon which starts on Las Vegas Blvd. near the Mandarin Oriental and Hard Rock and finishes at the Best Western Plus Downtown (11/17)

Robbie Williams Returns for Another Mini-Residency:

Robbie who? Robbie Williams is a performer who isn't as well-known in the U.S. as he is in the UK and the rest of the world. In his 23-year career, the English singer-songwriter has racked up some impressive stats: He's the number-one British solo artist; 75 million of his albums have sold worldwide; 12 are UK number-ones; he’s the best-selling non-Latino artist in Latin America; his 2006 tour shattered records by selling 1.6 million tickets in a day; and three billion people saw his performance at the opening ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He did a sold-out 16-show mini-residency earlier this year in the 1,500-seat Encore Theater and he's just announced he'll be returning for eight more dates next year. "Live in Las Vegas" will run March 24, 25, 27, 28, and 31, and April 1, 3, and 4. Tickets go on sale at 7 a.m. Nov. 21; prices haven't been announced.

Demolition Starts at the Hard Rock:

Demolition of the Hard Rock Cafe will begin this coming Monday November 18. It will be the most visible first step in the process of transforming the Hard Rock Hotel-Casino into a Virgin Hotel. 

“Live With Kelly and Ryan” Recording at Paris This Weekend:

Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are bringing their “Live With Kelly and Ryan” show to Las Vegas. They'll pre-record four shows, two this Sunday and two on Monday in the Paris Theatre; the fours shows will be broadcast (on ABC) November 18, 19, 20, and 21. Guests will include Christina Aguilera, Shania Twain, Criss Angel, Carrot Top, Mat Franco, Chrissy Metz, and the cast of LOVE. For ticket information, visit 1iota.com/show/1004/live-with-kelly-and-ryan-in-las-vegas.

Holzhauer and Boettscher Both Reach "Jeopardy!" Final:

Las Vegan James Holzhauer will meet Chicagoan Emma Boettcher, who ended his epic run on "Jeopardy!" earlier this year, on the big stage of the "Jeopardy!" Tournament of Champions. Holzhauer won his semifinal match yesterday with $30,156 to advance to the final against Boettcher, who won her semifinal Monday with $29,601. Holzhauer's commanding $19,000 lead in his semi-final match absolved him of incorrectly answering the Final Jeopardy question, breaking his streak of 28 correct FJ answers. Holzhauer and Boettcher will face the winner of the last semifinals game that runs today; the ToC finals will air tomorrow and Friday. 

Swenson Street Renamed:

In case you're used to driving in from McCarran Airport, taking Swenson Street all the way up to Desert Inn Road, rather than veering off onto Paradise, you haven't lost your way. Swenson Street has been renamed University Center Drive. The name-change effort, led by UNLV students and alumni to "tie in the university to the community surrounding it," took four years and cost a quarter-million dollars in changing street signs and other expenses incurred by businesses that have to print new business cards and change business licenses. As part of the project, students tried to find out who the Swenson was that the street was named for and came up empty. 

Four MLB Teams Coming to Big League Weekend:

The popular Major League Baseball Spring Training Big League Weekend event returns to Las Vegas for two weekends, not one, at the Las Vegas Ballpark. The Big League Weekend took last year off, due to construction of the stadium, so this year four teams instead of the usual two will play games each over two successive weekends. On February 29 and March 1, the Cleveland Indians will face the Oakland A's, the major league affiliate of the Las Vegas Aviators; March 7-8, the Chicago Cubs, led by Las Vegan Kris Bryant, and Cincinnati Reds will play two games. All four games are expected to sell out; ticket packages are available by calling the Aviators office at (702) 939-7200.

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Will Disrupt Traffic:

One of the oldest marathons in the nation, the annual 26.2-mile Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, will prompt a number of surface-road closures this weekend. The Marathon, which has been run every year since 1967, is a series of races and street parties that will culminate in the Strip being closed for most of Sunday, as the  full-marathon route extends from Las Vegas Boulevard near McCarran all the way to Fremont Street; Strip-crossing avenues will also be closed nearby. Adding to the congestion is a Vegas Golden Knights game Sunday night at T-Mobile, starting at 4 p.m. Good day to avoid driving in the area entirely. 

Tulips by Jeff Koons Returns to Wynn:

Last Five Shows for Donny and Marie:

Long-time Flamingo headliners Donny and Marie Osmond will perform the last five shows of their 11-year run starting tonight. The brother-sister duo opened their show in 2008 for a six-week engagement, but it was such a success that the Flamingo extended their contract several times and renamed the showroom after them in 2013. Tickets are sold out, but are available on reseller sites from $600 to $4,000. The last show will take place on Saturday night at 7:30.

MNF 49ers/Seahawks:

The San Francisco 49ers are -6.5 favorites over the Seattle Seahawks in tonight's Monday Night Football game. The total is 47.

Veterans Day Deals:

Several Veterans Day deals are available today. Veterans get a free buffet at Stations, Fiestas, Palms, and Boyd casinos, and a buffet for two at South Point. Must show military I.D. Veterans get free admission to Shark Reef at MBay and Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. El Cortez is passing out free White Castle burgers to all players from noon to 6 p.m.

Naked Pizza Closes, Din Tai Fung To Open:

Naked Pizza at the El Cortez downtown has closed. Its three other locations (on Arville and Paradise and in Henderson) remain open. Meanwhile, Aria has announced that Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese restaurant chain known for its xiao long bao (a Shanghainese-style steamed bun), will open next year in the space formerly occupied by the Aria Cafe. Din Tai Fung launched its first U.S. location in 2000 in Arcadia, CA; it now has seven locations in southern California, one in northern California, one in Oregon, and four in Washington. This will be its first Las Vegas venue.

The D Closing Showroom To Expand Sports Book:

The D will close its showroom in order to expand its second-floor sports book in time for the NCAA basketball tournament in March. The 20-year-old "Marriage Can Be Murder," the 10-year-old "Defending the Caveman," “Friends a Musical Parody,” and an afternoon magic show will all go dark as of January 5.   

Viva Vision Finishes Installation of LEDs:

Viva Vision, the "crooning canopy" over Fremont Street downtown, has completed the $32 million upgrade it began six months ago, installing the new LED panels that have made the screen seven times brighter, with four times more resolution, than the old screen. It's so bright that the screen can be on 24 hours a day, as opposed to just four or five hours per night. The new high-res graphics will be unveiled on New Year's Eve.

SNF Cowboys/Vikings:

The Dallas Cowboys are -3 favorites over the Minnesota Vikings in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 48.

Bleutech Park Has a Deal for 210 Acres:

Real estate investment trust Bleutech Park Properties, which last August unveiled plans to build a $7.5 billion energy-efficient mini-city in Las Vegas, has apparently made a deal to purchase 210 acres of vacant land at Cactus Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard S. a few blocks south of South Point. The sellers told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the land is "under contract" for roughly $1.5 million an acre, or $315 million for the whole parcel. Bleutech Park is touted as showcasing the entire range of "smart-city" technology: from solar/wind/water/kinetic renewable energies and autonomous vehicles to the Internet of things and self-healing concrete. In the August announcement of the project, Bleutech claimed that it would break ground in December. In a related development, one of the principals in Bleutech is accused of using a fake engineering firm and a falsified resume to win a $33.3 million construction contract for a large retail complex in Homestead, Florida. A spokesperson for Bleutech told the Miami Herald that the issues with the Florida development are "irrelevant" to the Las Vegas project. What is relevant is whether or not Bleutech can close the $315 million purchase of the Las Vegas property.

Plaza Unveils New Sports Book:

The oldest continuously operating sports book in Las Vegas has been completely remodeled and was unveiled in a ceremony on Friday. William Hill has operated the Plaza sports book, which when it opened in 1975 was the first in a casino, since 2012. The new book boasts downtown's largest seamless high-definition video wall: five feet tall by 16-1/2 feet wide, with a viewing are of more than 80 square feet.

Virgin Looks To Eschew Resort Fee:

A report on casino.org, "Virgin Hotels Opposes Resort Fees," suggests that when the Hard Rock reopens as Virgin Las Vegas a year from now, it could be the first major casino without a resort fee. The piece quotes Virgin CEO Raul Leal, who said the company is "committed to price transparency and therefore opposes the practice of adding on resort fees to advertised rates." Currently, the Hard Rock charges a $40.82 per-night resort fee (including the tax). The article concludes, "That isn’t to say other hotel-casinos will follow suit. But it will certainly be a marketing weapon Virgin will be able to use against its fellow southern Nevada competitors."

Major League Rugby at Las Vegas Ballpark:

Major League Rugby is coming to the Las Vegas Ballpark over two weekends in February. Five of the 2020 regular-season matches will be played there during Major League Rugby Vegas Weekend, Feb. 9, and 15–16. The matches kick off on Sunday Feb. 9 with newcomer New England Free Jacks taking on last year’s semi-finalists, Rugby United New York, in their inaugural MLR match. This will serve as a precursor to the official MLR Vegas Weekend, consisting of double-header matches on Saturday Feb. 15 and Sunday Feb. 16. Single-day tickets start at $20, multi-day packages at $35. The official schedule is accessible at thelvballpark,com.

Maloof Penthouse Sold:

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Phil Maloof has sold his 6,200-square-foot penthouse at the top of the Palms Place tower, the deal closing on Wednesday for $12.5 million. The buyer is TurnKey Pads, an Austin, Texas-based vacation rental company founded in 2012. The original asking price was $40 million, but the listing price at the time of the sale was $15 million. TurnKey told the R-J that its "target customers include bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate events, and weddings and it already has a few bookings starting at $20,000 per night."

BET Soul Train Awards Live from Vegas:

BET Networks' Soul Train Awards show, which honors the best performers in black music and entertainment, will be broadcast live from the Orleans Arena on Sunday November 17, at 8 p.m. Actresses Tisha Cambell ("My Wife and Kids") and Tichina Arnold ("The Neighborhood") will be the hosts for the second year in a row, with Queen Naija, K. Michelle, SiR, Boyz II Men, Luke James, BJ the Chicago Kid among the performers. Chris Brown has the most nominations (eight), with Drake at seven and Beyoncé and Lizzo with six each.

Red Square Closes After 20 Years:

Mandalay Bay's Red Square Russian restaurant that opened with the hotel-casino in March 1999 will close on November 17, according to an announcement by MGM Resorts. The announcement didn't include what will open in its stead or the ultimate disposition of the statue of a headless Vladimir Lenin, which has stood in front of the restaurant all these years (after its head was quickly lopped off in response to complaints when MBay opened about glorifying the leader of the Soviet Union).

TNF Raiders/Chargers:

The San Diego Chargers are -1.5 favorites over the Oakland Raiders in tonight's Thursday Night Football game. The total is 48.5.

Las Vegas Weekend Highlights:

• Planet Hollywood brings you Florida Georgia Line Live From Las Vegas (11/8-9)
• Lady Ga Ga entertains at Park MGM (11/8-9)
• Comedian Daniel Tosh does stand-up at the Mirage (11/9-9) while Shin Lim continues to perform his stunning card tricks (11/8-10)
• T-Mobile Arena hosts PBR - 2019 Professional Bull Riders World Finals (11/8-10)
• Frankie Scinta is in the spotlight at Suncoast (11/9)
• M Resort welcomes the Great American Foodie Festival (11/8-10)
• And it looks like Christmas has arrived early (Wait, what happened to Thanksgiving?) with the opening of the Holiday Cactus Garden at Ethel M Chocolates (11/5-1/5) and the Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (11/8-1/5)

Gordon Ramsay Announces New Vegas Restaurant:

Al Mancini, one of the Las Vegas Review-Journal's two food writers, reports that restaurateur Gordon Ramsay "hopes to open his sixth Las Vegas restaurant in 2020." Ramsay, addressing invited guests at the seventh-anniversary celebration of Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris last night, announced that the new eatery will be called Lucky Cat and will be "super-cool and Asian-influenced.” It will be Ramsay's sixth Las Vegas restaurant.

Harrah's Monorail Station Doesn't Reopen:

The Las Vegas Monorail station at Harrah's/LINQ, which was supposed to reopen last week, remains closed. A sign at the entrance has been changed. "Due to construction of the Caesars Forum Convention Center, Harrah's/LINQ Monorail Station is closed until further notice." The "further notice" part is new; it had read "November 1." The sign directs Monorail users to the closest station at the Flamingo, located next to the Go Pool.

Colorado Approves Sports Betting:

Mirage's Carnegie Deli Closing:

Kosher-style deli is ending its run on the Las Vegas Strip in February with the closing of the Carnegie Deli at the Mirage. The Vegas venue's closing will leave a single Carnegie Deli outlet, at Madison Square Garden; the original deli across from Carnegie Hall closed three years ago. The Stage Deli at MGM Grand closed two years ago and Canter's Deli at Treasure Island closed in 2012, then reopened and closed at the LINQ promenade (it was replaced by Maxie's Deli, which isn't kosher-style). The Carnegie at the Mirage will be replaced with a "new fast-casual concept."

Kane Isn't Able, Apparently, To Pay Back Markers:

Vegas Golden Knight fans have no love or respect for San Jose Sharks' forward Evander Kane, who's known for penalties and suspensions (and at least one arrest off the ice) for his bad behavior, along with long-standing bad blood between him and the VGK's Ryan Reaves. Now, the Cosmopolitan has sued Kane for failure to repay eight markers adding up to $500,000 that they issued to him "on or around" April 15, 2018. At the time, Kane and the Sharks were in town playing the VGK in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Kane has a seven-year contract with the Sharks worth $49 million. 

KAOS at the Palms Closes Suddenly:

KAOS, the nightclub/dayclub that opened in March as part of the nearly $700 million renovation and upgrading of the Palms, closed unexpectedly yesterday. In retrospect, at least one sign was there: The club canceled DJ Marshmello's $60 million residency in late September, only a couple weeks after the resort announced a dome to cover the club to keep the party going over the winter. Palms management admitted that KAOS customers "weren't spending enough money to justify the cost" and didn't show a "crossover into the casino." In addition, it's another reminder of how competitive the club scene is in Las Vegas these days. It will "take some time to reassess the programming and use" of the pool area.

New Parking Fee Downtown:

This one is mostly for locals, but the three garages that serve the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Las Vegas with 2,000 parking spaces have started charging $5 to park. Two new Smith Center garages opened last week with paid parking in place. 

PokerStars Moves into Pennsylvania:

PokerStars, the dominating online poker site with 70% of the worldwide market, has notched a second state on its U.S. belt: Pennsylvania. The global giant, which has been available to New Jersey residents since April 2016, held a soft launch yesterday for Pennsylvania-based players, with limited hours while the state Gaming Control Board can complete its testing of game play and security.

Powerball Jackpot Hit near Reno:

One winning ticket for the $150 million Powerball lottery jackpot was sold at Gold Ranch just over the Nevada line in California at Verdi, 12 miles west of Reno. The single winner, who beat the odds of 1-in-292 million, has up to a year to claim the prize, either the full amount paid in 30 annual installments or a lump sum of $104.8 million (before taxes). The Powerball jackpot now resets to $40 million.

MNF Cowboys/Giants:

The Dallas Cowboys are -6.5 favorites over the New York Giants in tonight's Monday Night Football game. The total is 48.5.

SEMA Is Here:

Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week invades Las Vegas this week, with the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo at the Sands Expo running tomorrow Tuesday through Thursday and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) at the Las Vegas Convention Center tomorrow through Friday. More than 160,000 people are expected to attend, along with and thousands of cars on display. 

What's the Jungle Gym Going Up and Up at Planet Hollywood?:

We've been getting questions about the contraption rising into the Miracle Miles Shops right at the corner of the Strip and Harmon near Bubba Gump Shrimp and the Rainforest Cafe. The only news we've seen about it comes from the Vegas news site VegasChanges.com, which tracked down the following information. "Vegas VR & Ropes is a ropes course is designed to challenge agility, balance, and strength.  It is indoors and several stories tall. It was built by Sky Trail and can accommodate up to 25 guests at a time. Guests must weigh less than 300 pounds and not be taller than 6’8″. On Friday November 1 they were testing the ropes course and training employees. They hope to open next week."

Shin Lim Extends Residency:

Shin Lim, the young sleight-of-hand illusionist who won the "America's Got Talent" competition twice (once against regular contestants and a second time against other "AGT" winners for the overall championship) and has been performing in the Terrry Fator Theater at the Mirage since May 31, will continue his “Limitless" residency (with mentalist Colin Cloud) through June 2020. Tickets start at $39.99 and are available now.

SNF Patriots/Ravens:

The New England Patriot are -3 favorites over the Baltimore Ravens in tonight's Thursday Night Football game. The total is 44.5.

Big-Time Bonus Points at Gold Coast through the Month:

If you're a BConnected member and are planning on being around during the week this month, you can get 11X bonus points Monday through Thursday in November at the Gold Coast. As always, be sure to check and see if the promotion is still running before you make the trip and definitely read the promotion fine print, so you're not surprised, unpleasantly, if something changes on short notice. 

Las Vegas' First Vegan Market Opens Next Week:

Veg-In-Out, the first all-vegan grocery store in the city, will open Friday Nov. 8 at 2301 E. Sunset Rd. at Eastern (the southwest corner, next to a vegan pizza restaurant). The store will feature boxed, canned, refrigerated, and frozen products, including vegan ice cream and candy bars, though no produce (Veg-In-Out might expand into fruits and vegetables at a later date). A portion of the net proceeds will be donated to a different animal nonprofit each month.

Clocks Fall Back:

Early this morning, Daylight Savings Time ended throughout the nation (except Arizona and Hawaii), so clocks should have already been moved back one hour. Daylight Time begins again the second Sunday in March, the 8th. Click to read a Question of the Day on the background of DST and another on the pros and cons of changing clocks twice a year; the latter led to a poll we conducted on the subject. 

Alvarez/Kovalev Line:

Saul Alvarez is a -425 favorite over Sergey Kovalev in tonight's championship fight. The total is 10.5 rounds, with over the favorite at -235.

Plaza Roulette Winner and New Promotion:

Legendary roulette winner, Ashley Revell, returns to the Plaza tonight to launch downtown’s new and only single-zero roulette table. in 2004, then-32-year-old Revell made international headlines when he bet his entire life savings playing roulette at the Plaza. Hailing from England, he sold all his possessions to place a $135,300 bet on red, winning when the ball landed on Red 7. The bet and dramatic win were broadcast by Sky One, a British TV show. Revell will place the first ceremonial bet on the Plaza's single-zero roulette wheel tonight at 6 p.m.; he also kicks off the Plaza's Red 7 promotion, enabling guests who are playing on the single 0 table to win a $25 promotional chip when the roulette ball lands on Red 7. 

Mattress Mack, Single-Zero, $250 Rebate on Loss, Swanky Dim Sum, and Much More!:

Have you heard about Mattress Mack, the wild man who bet tens of millions on the Astros to win the World Series? If you haven’t, you should know about Mack teaming up with Anthony Curtis to create a hedge play for the ages. And here's a shocker: With the trend of gouging the customer so prevalent, it’s cool to see a casino going in the other direction. The Plaza is dealing a single-zero roulette game with low limits and kicking it off with a promotion that actually gives the players the edge. Yeow! Plus, get the scoop on a new $250 rebate-on-loss deal, a $1 oyster play, five Raiders bars, a powerhouse clam chowder in an English pub, a rock memorabilia treasure trove, a new over-the-top show with $1,042 Jacuzzi seats, Las Vegas’ swankiest dim sum, the best place for boxing and UFC viewing, a revolving bar at the Fremont Street Experience—even a tasting room in a bank vault. All in the November Las Vegas Advisor.

Kelly Clarkson Announces a Mini-Residency:

Singer and winner of the first "American Idol" competition Kelly Clarkson will appear at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood for a 16-date residency, "Invincible," starting April 1. Dates are April 1, 3, 4, 10, and 11; July 29 and 31; August 1, 5, 7, and 8, and September 18, 19, 23, 25, and 26. Tickets go on sale next Friday November 8; prices haven't been announced yet.

Bobby Baldwin Named CEO of the Drew:

Long-time Las Vegas casino executive and poker player Bobby Baldwin is emerging from a short retirement to oversee the completion of the Drew (formerly the Fountainebleau) as CEO; he will also become vice chairman of the company that owns the Drew, the New York-based Witkoff Group. Most recently, Baldwin was CEO of City Center; prior to that, he was president of Bellagio, helped open the Mirage, and worked for Steve Wynn at the Golden Nugget. He also won the World Series of Poker in 1978 when he was 28, has four WSOP bracelets, and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2003. The announcement of Baldwin's appointment was accompanied by a new completion year for the Drew: 2022.

Lawsuit Challenging Legal Brothels Dismissed:

A U.S. District Judge in Nevada has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to shut down the state's legal brothels on the grounds that the three plaintiffs were sex trafficked over state lines to participate in Nevada's licit prostitution industry. The judge ruled that though the plaintiffs "were unlawfully forced into prostitution and sex trafficked in Nevada and other states is not sufficiently traceable to Nevada laws." It was the second challenge to the constitutionality of Nevada's legal brothels in the past year; the first was a referendum in a northern Nevada county that would have banned the brothels there (it lost). The same lawyer represented both the referendum and this lawsuit. The plaintiffs plan to appeal the ruling with the 9th Circuit Court in San Francisco. There are 21 legal bordellos in seven Nevada counties.

Righteous Brothers Extend:

The Righteous Brothers have announced that their show at Harrah's will run for five months through 2020, marking the pair's fifth year in Las Vegas. The Brothers will appear Tues.-Thur. Jan. 21-April 30 and Sept. 15-Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $46.