March Madness 2022

This is my 15th March Madness trip (missing the last 2 years). Sort of a trip report, but mostly just unrelated observations....

* Crowds are definitely down from what I remember pre-pandemic. We went to a viewing party at Palace Station on Saturday AM and we were the only ones there. Felt really sorry for the servers. I'm sure they didn't make much that day. Cosmo was consistently crowded, but the other casinos we visitied both downtown and on the strip were not (at least, not as much as usual on my favorite weekend of the year).

* We were actually able to find a few stray "five-dollar" tables on the strip (in quotes because they required the side bet, which made it $10, but, still....) Dealers were generally friendly and eager to have customers. We played some Crazy4 Poker at Cromwell and had a great time with all of us winning.

* Our best meal was at the Redwood Steak House at the Cal. 20 oz. bone-in ribeye was $45. Half the price of a lot of Vegas steakhouses, and one of the tastiest, tenderest pieces of beef I've ever had. Attentive, friendly service.

* Cocktail service was hit or miss, even at the same property. Wednesday morning at Cromwell we couldn't keep up. Monday afternoon we got one cocktail in over an hour.

* I don't wanna start any argument threads here, but there were more street people on the strip than any time I remember. Never felt unsafe, just noticed a lot more people sleeping on the sidewalk and acting out.

* I finally made it to the Double Down. There was no live music that night, so i just had a cocktail and left. I don't feel any need to return. 

* One other great meal was the lunch special at the Big Sur Oyster House at South Point. Cajun pasta had shrimp and sausage in a tasty sauce for about eleven bucks. 

Southpoint March Madness viewing party Thursday was as busy as ever!!They did cut out drink tickets ; you must buy your own drinks no matter how large the bet!!

Thanks for the info.

  As the economy goes further into the dumpster, I expect to see fewer visitors during the week in Vegas while the weekends will amp up but will eventually level off.  

Well, as the economy is actually the strongest it's been in two years, that's not an inhibiting factor. The casinos' gouge-fest is what's holding back visitation. Many people have visited recently just to feed their gambling jones, but they were taken for a ride financially by the greedy casinos.

And as Anthony pointed out, gas prices have likely put a crimp in visitation from California.

Just getting around to reading TRs, and appreciate this one.  Interesting about the variation in cocktail service even at same property.  Has to do with staffing issues, sick call-ins, etc. 

The other day I took something to Walmart to return.  Went to the Customer Service dept., about 5 pm, only to be told "Customer Service is closed for the day."  Hmm.  Days later I observed this was not the case, department open as usual.  I'd have felt better had someone explained "we have a staffing shortage today" or something like that.  Same when casinos know there is a shortage in food or cocktail service or check in agents...why don't they just say so?  Otherwise folks may assume the worst about the individual employee, not realizing that employee is doing the best they can with what they have.

Anyway, thanks again for the TR.

Candy