Vegas Free-for-All - Vegas questions

Boilerman

Aug 12, 2015
4:02am

I've stayed at the Royale many times, and that folks that haven't would be surprised how nice the rooms are. I'm not saying the rooms are magnificent, but far better than most assume. We stay there about 1/3rd of our Vegas Labor Day Weekend Boys Trip. Last year for this trip I was in a nice suite at the Mirage, and the prior year I was in a Spa Tower suite at the Golden nugget ($1800 for three nights), so we don't always "dumpster dive" as Daisy puts it.

Oh, and I will be staying in one of the four Casino Royale suites. It's nothing fancier than the standard room, but twice as large. The small casino makes it far easier to find our friends too.

Quote

Originally posted by: hoops2
The Mob Museum downtown is great.

Hugo's is an excellent steakhouse, although pricey.

I wasn't impressed with any of the Hash Houses I have been to. I would prefer less food, with better quality.

I did like an Italian restaurant that was in the Planet Hollywood mall, across from the theater, not expensive.

Casino Royale? We have stayed at the TI which have nice rooms & not expensive.

Boilerman

Aug 12, 2015
4:03am

Block User

Oh, and I certainly have had enough confirmation from various folks, and I will not visit the Hash House.

Julie

Aug 12, 2015
4:22am

Block User

I had a really good breakfast at The Black Bear Diner. It's on Tropicana out past The Orleans. But, if you have a car it doesn't take long. It's a locals place so the prices are like what you'd find at Denny's but the food is way better. Of course, if you live along the I-5 corridor in California, this might not sound like anything exciting as they are advertised all over the place through there. I've always wanted to try it and finally did in Vegas even though there's one about 45 minutes away from me.

Julie

Aug 12, 2015
4:24am

Block User

By the way, I was excited to see a Vegas question. Thanks for asking and giving me something to do for a minute or two.

hoops2

Aug 12, 2015
4:42am

Block User

I think it is great that you guys can do this for so many years.

Boilerman

Aug 12, 2015
5:27am

Block User

I just did a quick calculation, and this is trip #33. I organize it, but I've also missed two trips.

Okay, I'm far from a museum guy, but I'll be downtown and don't really want to get gambling much until most of the boys arrive the next day. Sell me on the Mob museum. I'll have a car, and I'm thinking about taking a trip to the Lodge at Mt Charleston.

Quote

Originally posted by: hoops2
I think it is great that you guys can do this for so many years.

Boilerman

Aug 12, 2015
5:28am

Block User

You are very welcome, Miss Julie.

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Originally posted by: Julie G
By the way, I was excited to see a Vegas question. Thanks for asking and giving me something to do for a minute or two.

hoops2

Aug 13, 2015
1:49am

Block User

First I have to admit we are museum geeks & having grown up in the Bronx (lived near where the movie The Bronx Tale was set), I find the subject fascinating. If you are not interested in the history of the mob, then there is no need to go.

If you have an interst in the subject the museum contains 3 floors of info & memorabilia about the the mob from the last 100 yeoars. It covers NY, Chicago as well as how it influenced the growth of Vegas. If one is interested in the history of Vegas, then this is a place to go since the mob played a big part in the city's growth.

You could easily spend several hours there, depending on your geek quotient. It is walkable from Fremont St, down from Main St Station if I remember correctly.

forkushV

Aug 14, 2015
1:45am

Block User

You'll be down the street from the Brooklyn Bowl at the Linq and it's an incredible venue that you should check out. On most nights they have no-name no-cover-charge bands that are playing music about 30 years after your time. And they have some pretty cool bar food and a restaurant I haven't tried, where you can hear the music but not see it very well.

You'll have to stand unless you are a VIP - or get a bowling lane, and you can bowl during the shows. On no cover charge nights or before anyone is playing you just pay a somewhat pricey fee for the lane. For shows that charge a cover, I've seen them charge $350 for a lane for up to eight people, but that includes a $250 food credit, plus everyone needs to buy a ticket.

speck72

Aug 14, 2015
3:14am

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: Boilerman
I'm making my annual college boys trip to Vegas on September 2 (year 33). Two of us will stay at the Golden Nugget night one, then we meet the other 12 guys at the luxurious Casino Royale for nights 2, 3, and 4. I've not been downtown for two years, and I'm consider dinner at Andiamo's Steakhouse, and Eat for breakfast. Any alternative suggestions are welcome. PJ, you always have something good to offer!

For our Friday night dinner, I'm considering doing the Firefly on Paradise. We'll have three cars, and it's only a 5 minute drive heading out the back way from the Royale. Again, any suggestions are welcome.

Does anyone know if the Casino Royale still has a terrible shortage of blackjack tables? It seems to me they have moved to mostly Pai Gow Poker and BJ Switch. We historically have spent plenty of time gambling at Casino Royale, but because of the inability to get onto BJ tables, we've been spending more time elsewhere.

Any and all suggestions for gambling, eating and drinking will be appreciated. Oh, and if it turns out that I'm off by a year and this is annual trip #34, I hope that Forkie won't call me a liar. Wish me good luck!

Andiamo's is really good. My high end steakhouse experience is Mortons, Ruths Chris, Flemmings, Delmonicos, and a few local places. Andiamo was as good as any of them, and I'd place it number two behind Delmonicos.

As far as drinking in the Casino Royale vicinity, obv $1 michelobe at CR. Everything else is pricey, but sometimes the bar stand between Flamingo and Cromwell has ok beer prices.

Food for a group of 14? Grand Lux Cafe will suit you well at Venetian. Breakfast is very good. Ok prices and something for everyone. The Yardhouse just down from the aforementioned Brooklyn Bowl and even though its a chain, I've never heard anyone disappointed. 150+different beers on tap. Beer prices are high for a restaurant($6-8 per pint) but inexpensive by Vegas standards(A domestic 12 oz beer at any bar in venetian is gonna cost $8).

Nearby Harrahs and Flamingo are mostly food wastelands. Venetian and Ceasars have lots of options.

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