Back in early April, it was announced that Michael Mina's American Fish restaurant at Aria would close "in July," but today came word that the venue has already been shuttered, effective today, pending a transformation into the celebrity chef's new BARDOT Brasserie concept, slated to debut "winter 2014."
Following the July hiatus, First Friday will be back on August 1 with the theme of "Wonderland," and the organizers are appealing for local artists to submit proposals to contribute to the event. Works in all artistic media will be considered, provided they are family-friendly and conform to the umbrella concepts of wonder, whimsy, fantasy, and surrealism. All proposals to contribute to the next event should contain a detailed description of the artist's "Wonderland" concept, with sketches, and fit onto a 20’ x 20’ paved space. Submissions must be made by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 10 by one of the following means:
Downtown music hot spot, the Bunkhouse, closed for renovations after being acquired by Tony Hsish's Downtonwn Project, will reportedly reopen in August. The club is being positioned to be a key cog in the downtown music scene.
The Big One for One Drop with its $1 million buy-in begins today at the World Series of Poker. No details on participation have been released, but it's expected that the first prize will surpass $20 million. Check back here for updates.
The Massachusetts Supreme Court has ruled that a 2011 referendum that legalized casinos in the state must be approved by voters. Although polls indicate that Massachusetts citizens favor allowing casinos, it's bad news for MGM Grand, which has already been granted one of three licenses and will have to orchestrate a pro-casino campaign to protect its investment. Wynn Resorts is a frontrunner for another license. A date for the vote has not been set.
Cub Swanson is a -215 favorite over Jeremy Stephens in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Kelvin Gastelum is -305 over Nicholas Musoke.
Phil Ivey won the $1.5K Eight-Game Mix to win his 10th WSOP championship. The win ties Ivey with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan for second all-time in bracelets won, behind Phil Hellmuth's 13. The Ivey win also won a highly publicized proposition bet for Daniel Negreanu, who bet that either he or Ivey would win a tournament in this year's meet.
Our ToplessVegasOnline free tix deal at House Topless ShowClub runs again tonight. We checked it out last night and the Dream Angels revue is outstanding. Showtime is 9:30 p.m.; just tell the doormam "Snyder sent me," and admission is free. The club is located at the corner of Desert Inn and Valley View. Get more information and read a review at ToplessVegasOnline.com.
Following in the footsteps of the High Roller, the new VooDoo ZipLine attraction at the Rio has introduced discounted summer pricing for locals. Nevada residents with valid ID may now zip for $19.00 anytime before 8:30 p.m. -- just mention the code "LOCALS" when purchasing tickets.
Just a quick reminder that if you're at a loose end tonight (or tomorrow) and feel like catching a cool adult show, we have free tix to Dream Angels (a.k.a. DreamGirls), the excellent topless revue currently appearing inside House ShowClub (formerly Jaguars, Rick's Cabaret, Scores). Tickets are normally priced at $44 but tonight and tomorrow, if you mention the code word at the door, you get in for free whether you're a local or an out-of-towner. After the show, which starts at 9:30 p.m. and runs around 80 minutes, the venue morphs into a topless club. It's newly remodeled and the drinks are cheaper ($3 locals/$7 non) than any equivalent gentlemen's club, or Strip club/lounge. So, go check it out!
With the scoop on ultra-low room rates, a secret steakhouse, soccer, pigs' ears, and the return of the ABBA musical to the Strip, check out the July issue of Las Vegas Advisor.
The Japanese restaurant at LVH, known for its "exhibition-style" cooking, celebrates its 45th anniversary of operating in Las Vegas next month, with free cake and sake shot for all patrons throughout July.
From now until further notice (or whenever the season officially changes), two of South Point's restaurants will be serving "happy hour-style" prix-fixe "Summer Meal Deals." Don Vito’s will serve a two-course dinner for $19, including first-course choices of minestrone or pasta e fagioli soup, Caesar salad, or bruschetta, followed by fettuccine alfredo, cappellini pomodoro, or chicken piccata, while Silverado Steak House will serve a three-course meal for $29, with options including a cup of lobster bisque with cognac, or a wedge or house salad to start, followed by a six-ounce filet mignon, chicken Française, or filet of Salmon, with sides (and upgrade-options available). Dessert comprises a choice of crème brûlée, sorbet, or ice cream. Both specials are served Monday through Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 9 to 10 p.m.
The Dierks Bentley concert scheduled for Aug. 1 at The Axis showroom at Planet Hollywood has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts. Tickets will be refunded through Ticketmaster.com or at the original point of purchase (return tickets bought at a retail location to the same venue). For more information, call 800-745-3000.
As widely rumored yesterday and reported in this column, Caesars Entertainment has confirmed its plan to close its Showboat Casino in Atlantic City on August 31. This is the second casino CET has shuttered this year, which also saw the end of the line for Harrah's Tunica. In its own gaming market, it follows in the footsteps of the former Atlantic Club, which was closed following a bankruptcy filing and then gutted for its fixtures and fittings, never again to be a casino. Revel, the new luxury resort-casino in the New Jersey gaming jurisdiction, is also threatening outright closure if a buyer cannot be found for the loss-making property by a tentative deadline of August 18.
Professional poker player John Hennigan won the prestigious Poker Players Championship, outlasting runner-up Brandon Shack-Harris to take the $1,517,767 first prize. It was Hennigan's third WSOP championship.
It's being reported that workers at Atlantic City's Showboat will receive notices tomorrow that the casino may close within 60 days. Federal law requires that a "WARN Act" notice be given to employees prior to a possible closing. The Showboat joins Atlantic City's Revel as casinos that could cease operations by summer's end.
Whether you're a local or a visitor, if you're looking for some sexy (but definitely not sleazy) adult entertainment this weekend, check out our offer for FREE TICKETS to Dream Angels (formerly DreamGirls), which features a cast of highly talented professional dancers with athletic bodies to die for, performing an imaginative and expertly choreographed erotic revue, including aerialists a la Cirque, and a great soundtrack of (mainly contemporary) suitably sexy and edgy hits. The costumes are also really hot, from shimmery flapper frocks to S&M style black leather, and it runs a full 80 minutes or so.
Of late, tickets have regularly been priced at $44 for the show, who's main quirk is that it takes place not in a casino showroom, but rather the newly refurbished and upscale House ShowClub -- a gentlemen's club the reverts to a regular topless strip club after Dream Angels has performed. (We say "normal," but currently the strip club is offering locals $3 drinks, while out-of-towners still only pay $7 for wells/domestics, which is dollars cheaper than at any equivalent strip club, nightclub, or casino lounge venue, and this place is really plush.) We can only guarantee the free-ticket offer for this Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, and the show performs at 9>30 p.m. Non-locals can take advantage of the typical offer and arrange a free limo pickup from their Strip hotel, if they like.
For more info on the deal, including the EXCLUSIVE ACCESS PASSCODE TO MENTION AT THE DOOR THE DOOR, check out Arnold Synder's review at ToplessVegasOnline.com, where you can also check out his in-depth review of the show.
Throughout the month of July, downtown's El Cortez will be going retro with a new "Throwback Thursday: event each weekend (aside from July 3), with players club members enjoying complimentary White Castle cheeseburgers from noon to 6 p.m. those day while they play, while $5-by-the-glass French champagne will be served in the Parlour Bar, where Frank Sinatra tribute sensation Peter Pavone will perform from 6 to 10 p.m. The act is followed by a Karaoke session from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., for those tuneful, brave, or tipsy enough to take the mic.
Navigating the local bus system is going to be easier for visitors now, thanks to a new website from the Regional Transportation Commission that highlights information regarding transit routes on the Strip, to the Las Vegas Convention Center, and to McCarran International Airport. Ride the Strip will also soon by launching an app that will allow users to purchase and redeem transit passes for their journey via their smartphones.
LeBron James' announcement Tuesday that he's opting out of the last two years of his contract with the Miami Heat had some drastic consequences for a number of sports books, with several, including online book Bovada.LV and the Wynn, pulling down all future odds on all NBA teams to win next year's title. ESPN quotes Wynn's veteran race & sports book manager Johnny Avello as saying, "When a player like LeBron decides to change teams, it not only affects the status of the Heat, but the entire NBA. I have to close everything to evaluate." Conversely, Jay Kornegay over at the LVH Superbook opted to keep the odds exactly the same, with The Heat 3/1 to win the title, taking a gamble LeBron ending up back with that team.
If you missed out the early-bird sale, regular tickets to Life is Beautiful 2014 go on sale at 10 a.m., June 26, with a three-day pass starting at $199.50. This will almost certainly be your only chance ever to see Kanye West, Skrillex, and Lionel Richie all at the same festival (and we have this sneaky suspicion that the former Commodore's gonna steal the show), so don't miss out again! The festival, which promises to be even bigger and better than the inaugural event last year, will take place -- and take over -- downtown Las Vegas October 24-26, featuring not just a roster of musical giants and new talent, but also a host of celebrity chefs and other cool stuff.
LVH is running the $250,000 Bandit Bingo event July 14-15, with a $224 entry for bingo only, or $299 for a package that includes a three-night stay and other extras. And here's a strong bonus, if you sign up by July 1, you'll get two extra nights (rooms for July 13-18). That's five nights ($15-per-night base rate) for a $75 premium over the bingo-only entry. Get all the details at thelvh.com.
On Wednesday, June 24, the annual unclaimed-property list for Nevada will be published by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Items on the list range from un-cashed gift cards and payroll checks, to items left in hotel safes and bank safe deposit boxes. If you are the rightful owner of such an item, you may file a claim online at nevadatreasurer.gov/unclaimed_property/file_claim or in person at the state treasurer’s Las Vegas office (555 E. Washington Ave., Suite 4600). There's no time limit on claiming, although presumably some items will expire under the terms of the issuer, so check the list and don't miss out on something that's rightfully yours.
Do you have a dog with behavior issues? Over-excitable, abused, obsessive? Whatever the problem may, Cesar Milan wants to hear from you as he recruits canine stars for a live stage show at the Palms designed to foster a new happy, healthy relationship between you and your furry best friend. Dog casting for Cesar Millan - Leader of the Pack LIVE! commences Wednesday, June 25; visit cesarsway.com/vegasdogs for guidance on the initial steps for selection and further instructions.
Supporting reports and eye-witness accounts that business is slow at the The LINQ's High Roller observation wheel, the daytime pricing for adults during the summer has been dropped from $24.95 to $19.95. All other prices remain the same for the time being.
In this week's column, Bob Dancer explains why he's been successful as both a video poker and a backgammon player, while being a net lose at blackjack, but also why he isn't bothered by the inevitable losing streaks he continues to experience (and always will) playing the game at which he earns his living. There's some sound philosophy in there about life in general and individual happiness, so check it out even if you don't play blackjack, backgammon, or video poker.
As reported by Norm! of the R-j late last week (see Today's News 6/20/14), it's been confirmed that the former Las Vegas Hilton, now LVH, has been bought by Westgate Resorts and will be operated as timeshare units.
Oops! There was a gremlin at the bottom of today's Question of the Day, which gives a complete breakdown of the laws of public nudity in and around Las Vegas, on and off stage, poolside, and in strip clubs. The answer cut off just where Arnold Snyder mentioned his Strip Club Survival Guide at ToplessVegasOnline and it's a must-read, with tips not just about how not to get hustled or ripped off, but also the lowdown on the law, etiquette, and practical stuff like safe parking, so please check it out and our apologies for the snafu.
Another one bites the bacon-wrapped date dust, with word that the second Firefly to open, located on W. Sahara, closed for good last Sunday, with the owners citing the need to "focus full energy on delivering a safe, consistent, quality and fun dining experience," which evidently translated as further downsizing the tapas chain, which has now seen four out of four of the original restaurants shuttered. The founding location, located on Paradise, was the first to get the chop following a notorious outbreak of chorizo-induced salmonella poisoning; a downtown experiment at the Plaza was short-lived; a subsequent Henderson location was closed after being featured on not one but TWO "restaurant rescue" shows, which saw it publicly slammed for its poor hygiene levels and customer service standards (confirmed by a temporary forced closure by the Southern Nevada Health District. Now, the first Firefly has relocated to a different venue (but still on Paradise), while its original location is now home to the new Imperial Tacos and Beer, which operates under the same ownership.
LVA has enjoyed many fun lunches and dinners at Firefly over the years and sincerely hopes that this downsizing will see the past put to bed and an end to the scandalous headlines and countless apologies. C'mon, sort it out!
The much-anticipated arrival of the popular Mexican restaurant that originated in Chicago took place according to schedule when the eatery opened earlier today at Red Rock Resort. A sister property is scheduled to open at Green Valley Ranch toward the end of this year.
Listen up, hockey fans: tomorrow (Tues., June 24) from 2 p.m., stars of the NHL, together with other celebrities, will be walking the red carpet at Wynn ahead of the 2014 NHL Awards, which will take place at the Encore Theater. Fans are invited to show up to cheer on their favorite nominees but if you can't make it, the awards will be broadcast live from 4 p.m. PST NBCSN in the U.S. and CBC in Canada.
Efforts continue to raise funds for the families of the two Metro officers and civilian who lost their lives to the Cici's Pizza/Walmart shooting spree that left five dead. Today from 2-10 p.m., Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will host a memorial event for officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo, and citizen Joseph Wilcox, with 50 percent of all proceeds being donated. Lotus Broadcasting will also be supporting the fundraiser through a live remote on KOMP 92.3 FM from 4-6 p.m. and will be joined by the cast of Luxor's Fantasy from 5 p.m. Guests who attend may also enter a raffle for prizes including tickets to various Strip production shows; additional private donations are also being accepted.
Although it's still not listed on the official website, the lineup for the 2014 Life is Beautiful music, food, and art fest downtown has been announced. The festival, now in its second year, will run Oct. 24-25 and artists set to perform include Kanye West, Foo Fighters, OutKast, The Roots, Skrillex, Panic! At The Disco, Artic Monkeys, and ... wait for it ... the left-field surprise artist is ... Lionel Richie! That's just a brief list of notable performers to-date; click to read the complete Life is Beautiful 2014 lineup. Early bird tickets are sold out, but the general ticket sale will be announced any day now, so stay tuned to LifeIsBeautiful.com for upcoming announcements about this and much more.
Portugal is a -.5 favorite over the USA in today's big World Cup match. The total is 2.5 goals.
Registration is now open for our "Sunday Funday V" poker tournament with more than $500 in prizes that begins at noon PST/3 p.m. EST today. Prizes are $100 for first, a full LVA membership for second, a suite of our top mob books for third, and gift cards and other prizes will be awarded to all who make the final table. See the entire prize pool and register to play at the LVA Casino (once signed in, click on "Poker Tournaments" and register for Tourney ID 5225). This tournament is completely free to play. There will also be other tourneys running all day for gift cards and play chips. Come have some fun! See you at noon.
The $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship begins today at the WSOP. Its the second-highest buy-in event behind the $1 million Big One for One Drop. Matthew Ashton won last year's event, which drew 132 players.
Today, the ban on glass and metal alcoholic-beverage containers comes into effect in the vicinity of the Fremont Street Experience canopy. For more details on this and other new controls being imposed downtown, see Today's News 6/18.
Reserve some time tomorrow to play in our 5th Sunday Funday poker tournament, with more than $500 in cash and prizes up for grabs. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. EST/noon PST, so you'll have plenty of time to play and still watch the USA/Portugal soccer match. It's completely free to play, with registration beginning two hours before the tournament at Play.LasVegasAdvisor.com.
The recently released 2013 Visitor Profile study, compiled by the Las Vegas Convention and visitors Authority, indicates that the percentage of visitors who gamble has dropped to an all-time low of 71%. However, those who do gamble play to an average budget of $529.57, up from $484.70 in 2012 and the highest in five years.
Effective tomorrow, City Bar at Aria will be closed. No details as yet on what will take its place.
The city's newest thrill ride is being celebrated at 11 a.m. this morning when Clark County Commissioner Susan Brager will declare the First Day of Summer also to be VooDoo ZipLine Day, with $24.99 rides offered all-day long (usually the price jumps to $37 after 5:30 p.m.).
We only just remembered that Tropical Smoothie Café locations in Southern Nevada are holding their annual summer's-eve promo today, rewarding customers who wear flip-flops on what is officially National Flip-Flop Day with a complimentary 24-ounce Jetty Punch until 7 p.m. The stores are also continuing the annual tradition of collecting donations for Camp Sunshine, a nonprofit that helps the families of children with life-threatening illnesses.
Demolition work is finally underway on the unfinished and structurally unsound Harmon Tower condo complex at CityCenter, following two years of delays and bitter legal wrangling between the various involved parties. Because of the building's close proximity to others, implosion is not an option and the tower is being brought down by a crane, piece by piece.
Earlier this morning, we gather, one hundred children were scheduled to congregate at Wet'N'Wild water park to participate in a simultaneous 30-minute global swimming class, with participants from around the world, in an attempt to help break the Guinness World Record for the world's largest swimming lesson. The current record stands at 32,450 swimmers, representing 13 different countries and five continents. The event aims to highlight the importance of water safety and learning how to swim.
The team behind Remedy's Tavern and Elixir are set to open their latest venture, Distill Southern Highlands, on July 19 and have a number of positions to fill. There's a job fair next week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 23-25, at Remedy's (3265 St. Rose Pkwy.). Open positions include: bartender, cocktail server, food runner, line cook, dishwasher, and doorman; for more info. visit distillbar.com.
It's the first and only place we've read of this, but gossip columnist Norm! is reporting in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal that the LVH has been purchased by controversial timeshare tycoon David Siegel, who shot to notoriety, along with his wife, in Bravo's "The Queen of Versailles" documentary that chronicled the couple's efforts to build the largest mansion in the U.S. The 79-year-old reports having paid in the region of $170 million for the 3,000+-room property in a sale set to close in 30 days; according to Norm!, and apparently plans to convert the entire hotel into timeshare units.
Use code EDC14 to get a $5 discount off a Las Vegas Monorail three-day pass (reg. price $28). Discounted passes are valid until midnight on Sunday only. Here's a link to the station guide and schedule.
Las Vegas McDonald's are holding a valley-wide fundraiser today, with donations of $1 from each of several menu items being collected for the families of the two Metro officers and the civilian who died in the June 8 shooting.
Meanwhile, here are all the other entertainment highlights this EDC weekend:
The 2014 Electric Daisy Carnival officially kicks off at 7 p.m. tonight at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, so prepare for extra NHP troopers on duty over the weekend to manage traffic, although congestion on the I-15 is inevitable and drivers are recommended to avoid using Las Vegas Boulevard North as an alternative.
Atlantic City's newest resort-casino filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in its short two-year life this week, having previously distributed letters to employees warning that the property plans to shut down operations this summer if a buyer cannot be found in a timely fashion, with a tentative deadline set for August 18.
The luxurious $2.4 billion property, which opened with a risky non-smoking casino policy and has struggled from the outset to attract gamblers in the already-troubled Atlantic City gaming market, has borrowed $125 million from an existing lender in order to cover operational costs between now and the date on which a bankruptcy-court sale takes place (or the resort closes). While no official asking price has been announced, a figure of $300 million was recently declared as too high, both by Wall Street analysts and by some casino executives. Florida's Seminole Tribe, which operates under the Hard Rock casino franchise, has expressed an interest in Revel "if the price is right"; plans for a stand-along boutique Hard Rock hotel-casino for Atlantic City were abandoned in light of the ongoing poor economic climate being experienced by the New Jersey gaming destination.
Once again, The Cosmopolitan is introducing a series of fight cards, as it has for the past three years. Beginning this August 2, new theater venue The Chelsea hosts a Top Rank card featuring former world champ Brandon Rios in the main event, while local fighter Jessie Vargas will defend his World Boxing Association junior welterweight title. The card is to be televised on HBO.
This August 16, movie icon Al Pacino will perform "Pacino: One Night Only" in the Mirage's Terry Fator Theatre. Tickets, which start at $149.99, are on-sale now for the show, which showcases the actor's career, including previously untold stories, movie clips, and an audience Q&A session.
The LINQ's Brooklyn Bowl has introduced a family-friendly à-la-carte Sunday Brunch menu (that Hangover Chicken Soup with jalapeno, cilantro, and lime is sounding mighty good), served Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Guests have the option of being served lane-side while your party plays in one of the venues 32 bowling lanes. Sounds like fun.
While the regular community art and culture fest downtown is skipping a month in July, all is not lost, as the First Friday Foundation launches its Under the Lights Las Vegas summer concert series on Friday, June 20 at the Downtown Container Park. Running from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., the inaugural event will feature musicians, DJs, custom art, and more. Tickets are $26 (of which a not-exactly-impressive $1 only will be donated to the First Friday Foundation, we note) and can be purchased online atunderthelightslv.com. The series will also features events on July 18 and August 15.
All day today, and then nightly from 8 p.m., stay cool with 1/2 off all Sonic milk shakes, which are made with real ice cream, they'll have you know. There are ten valley Sonic locations, including one opposite the Palms.
Singer-songwriter Michael Grimm, the Las Vegas local who was the season five-winner of NBC’s "America’s Got Talent," has a series of upcoming gigs at M Resort, following extended runs at both Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock, where he closed in mid-May. Grimm will perform a four-week series of Friday-night performances starting June 27 with a solo performance at Hostile Grape, followed by a three-week engagement with his six-piece band in Ravello Lounge on July 4, 11, and 18.
As part of the general crackdown on raucous behavior downtown and increasing complaints about drunkenness and the harassment of tourists (see QoD Archives 6/18/14 and 2/9/14 for some recent in-depth coverage from LVA on the subject), the Las Vegas City Council today approved a ban on potentially dangerous receptacles of alcohol, including metal beer cans and glass bottles, to be carried around the Fremont Street Experience canopy. Other recent moves have included ordinances clamping down on liquor-sale violations and promoting stricter enforcement of existing rules, the introduction of a stricter curfew for minors, a clampdown on those aggressively begging or soliciting for tips, and possible plans to add additional Metro patrol officers. The new container ban comes into effect this Sunday.
There aren't many left, but you can still purchase Electric Daisy Carnival tickets online for Friday and Sunday's events, with the cheapest we've seen going for $100. Limited numbers of 3-day passes are available on eBay, averaging at $399.
Here's a quick reminder about the ongoing three-day job fair taking place at the Palms through Friday (see Today's News 6/11), while it's just been announced that GameWorks arcade/gaming space also has 100 positions to fill and is hiring today through Friday at its new Town Square location from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Positions up for grabs include openings for bartenders, servers, food runners, bar backs, arcade technicians, line cooks, and restaurant and retail hosts. If you can't attend in person, visit the GameWorks website to apply online; the attraction, previously housed on the Strip next to MGM Grand, is scheduled to open at its new home in time for summer.
It's Fan Appreciation Night at downtown's hottest new pizzeria and they're showing that appreciation to their Facebook/Twitter followers with the gift of a free Joseph James Brewing Company beer from 8-10 p.m. tonight. Sweet! Note that you're an LVA member and have not yet used this Member Rewards offer, you can parlay your free brew into a cheapo dinner with our exclusive twofer slice offer from Pizza Rock, too. (And thanks for the timely Twitter DM, which keeps our chain of uninterrupted dining posts unbroken. Cheers!)
Okay, so even if you don't like sushi, burgers, steak, OR meatballs, all is not yet lost: Join Sammy's Woodfired Pizza founder Sami Ladeki as he celebrates his brand's 25th anniversary this year with the announcement of a free summer music series at Sammy’s Restaurant & Bar (1501 Green Valley Parkway). Commencing June 26, the Henderson restaurant will showcase live music from an array of up-and-coming local artists from 6 to 9 p.m. every Thursday evening, and during Saturday brunch (served from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.) Featured artists are set to include Jessica Manalo, Josh Crooks, Cameron Calloway, T & Trey, and Gyasi. (Gluten and lactose-intolerant vegan musicphobes, we're sure there will be something for you down the line, so stay tuned.)
Looks like it's going to be dining deals all day long today, so don't worry if you don't like raw fish, because Silver Sevens has come to the rescue with new meatball and burger specials. From now through the foreseeable future (i.e., just confirmed for the next three months), in addition to the regular menu Sterling Spoon Café will offer the option of a half-pound burger served with endless fries, or all-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatballs served with homemade sauce, for $5.99. The two specials are available 24/7 upon presentation of a valid A-Play club card.
The Steakhouse at Circus Circus, long-known to aficionados as one of this city's hidden dining gems, celebrates its 32nd anniversary throughout the month of June with a special
June 18 is that day, and various Japanese restaurants around town are celebrating with freebies or special menus. Kabuki, with locations at Town Square and in Summerlin, is offering a complimentary California Roll for your table between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m , then again from 6 to 9 p.m., while Ra Sushi in the Fashion Show Mall is offering a free Tootsy Maki specialty roll to members of online dating site The Hook Up, when you present the official coupon and purchase an alcoholic beverage. Executive chef Joseph Elevado at Encore's Andrea's is serving an Omakase ("Trust the Chef") menu, featuring a series of original sushi and specialty rolls, for $80/person. If you know of any other specials today, let us know via @LVA_Tweet.
With new dates now announced through March 22, there's a ticket pre-sale today through 10 p.m. Friday for Celine Dion's upcoming performances at Caesars' Colosseum (use password AXSDION15). Tickets go on-sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21.
We're surveying opinions on the new app we're developing (likely the first of several apps, designed for specific purposes). So, vote with your fingers and let us know how you feel about digital delivery of content, coupons, timely deals, and so on in our Reader Poll, which will close at midnight when a new poll takes its place.
In this week's column, our resident video poker expert is not discussing the renaming of the former Imperial Palace, but rather Bob Dancer addresses a reader-posed query concerning whether more fours-of-a-kind in video poker originate as dealt pairs or as dealt trips. As ever, it turns out that the answer is neither as simple nor as clear-cut as you might think...
For the second consecutive year, Lagasse's Stadium, the gourmet sports-viewing venue at Palazzo, is hosting a big party in conjunction with UFC for International Fight Week, which coincides with the latter stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. So, sports fans, get ready for two days of football viewing parties, hosted by some of the biggest names (and hottest ring girls) from the MMA world, with hosts on July 1 and July 4 including UFC fighters Johny Hendricks, Forrest Griffin, Miesha Tate, Junior dos Santos, and Glover Teixeira. The venue features more than 100 HDTVs, including a giant 9-foot by 16-foot screen, pocket-casino tableside betting, and plush stadium seating. Food and beverage minimums start at $50; click here for more info.
Coming on the back of a seemingly endless string of delayed projects and openings, from hotels to ziplines, it's refreshing to read today that SLS has announced that it's running ahead of schedule and will debut Saturday, Aug. 23, a week ahead of its previously announced Labor Day weekend goal. In addition to room bookings, the first hotel to open on the Strip in five years is also now accepting restaurant reservations for Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, Cleo, Katsuya, Ku Noodle, and The Griddle Cafe (according to the press release, although we wonder if the coffee shop actually takes bookings?).
Club Paradise, which has long been a fixture opposite the Hard Rock, is currently shuttered, apparently due to an investigation into alleged credit card fraud, reports the R-J's John L. Smith. At the heart of the inquiry, apparently, which has seen the club shuttered since June 6, are allegations that two dancers in particular have been swindling high-rolling customers' credit cards over a two-year period. Three managers, who'd all been requested to take a polygraph test recently in connection with what were purportedly some totally unrelated theft accusations, all quit rather than be tested, adding to the general murkiness currently swirling around the venue.
It's not the first time such charges have been leveled at Club Paradise -- check out our Question of the Day feature from 6/5/13, in which we tell the story of hapless James Hackett, who accused the club of ripping him off to the tune of $30,000 one drunken night back in 2009. He couldn't prove his case and did not present a very reliable witness, on account of his intoxication, so Hackett eventually dropped his case.
The concept has been rumored on more than one occasion over the years, not unlike the long-touted plan for a giant Ferris wheel for Las Vegas, but while the latter has finally materialized, we must confess to remaining skeptical in the face of extensive, yet utterly vague and highly unlikely reportage over the weekend by U.K. tabloid the Daily Mirror, that a British-themed resort-casino is once again in someone's sights for Sin City. (All we can say is that at least the story's appropriately filed, under "weird news".)
While Las Vegas has proven itself capable of supporting three Brit-style (sort of) pubs, one each on the east and west sides and another on the Strip, the idea of a fully immersive Blighty-themed casino experience seems totally out-of-step with current taste trends. On top of that, the photo gallery accompanying this pseudo story depicts Wayne Newton's former estate, Casa di Shenadoah, which is nowhere near the Strip and almost certainly not zoned for gaming. So, let's get this straight: Following the collapse of plans to launch this iconic and palatial family residence as a Disneyland-style theme-park celebration of old-school showbiz (with a safari dimension thrown in, because this is Vegas and the Wayner collects penguins and sloths), there's now a new plan to re-imagine the property as some slot-fueled homage to bangers & mash and Princess Diana? We doubt it even more than we pray it's not true.
We're getting used to it now, with yet another Dust Advisory issued for this afternoon and evening in the Las Vegas Valley, and for obvious reasons if you stick your head outside (which you are advised not to do, if possible, so just take our word for it that it's windy and dusty out there).
The first Las Vegas outpost of Chicago's Mercadito Mexican restaurant, first announced for Red Rock back in mid-April (see
If he were alive today, the legendary rapper and promising actor would have turned 43 today; as it is, he's now been dead for almost two decades, gunned down one fateful night on the Las Vegas Strip and the victim of a "hit" that to this day has never been solved. As significant and headline-grabbing in death as he was in life, the complicated and often contradictory legacy he leaves behind remains as relevant as ever. For the definitive account of the build up to his death, the immediate aftermath, and its long-reaching consequences, check out the newly released 3rd edition of best-seller The Killing of Tupac Shakur, from acclaimed Las Vegas crime writer and reporter Cathy Scott.
LYFE Kitchen is a "lifestyle" restaurant concept that embraces principles like healthy eating, sustainability, and the use of organic seasonal ingredients and is currently hiring ahead of its July 3rd scheduled opening. Apparently, there are more than 100 openings, including for "hospitality ambassadors," baristas, servers, and a full culinary team. In addition to calorie-conscious menu items, the menu caters to special-diet needs, including paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. Interested candidates should visit the Henderson Talent Recruitment Center (120 Green Valley Parkway, #174), where walk-ins are being accepted for interviews Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Commencing July 7, Planet Hollywood will add a new element to its entertainment lineup in the form of a topless burlesque show titled Sidney After Dark, which a cast of Australian showgirls, aerial performances, the vocals of Aussie chanteuse Natalie Conway. For now, that's about all we can tell you, aside from the fact that the production will perform Thurs-Tues, at 9:30 p.m., with tickets starting at $64.70, inclusive of tax/fees.
Legendary downtown casino owner and long-time resident of the El Cortez Hotel & Casino is to be honored with a memorial exhibit at the property. The display, created in conjunction with the Museum of Gaming History and to be unveiled at 11 a.m. Tuesday, is titled "Jackie Gaughan’s Downtown as seen through Gaming Memorabilia" and includes actual gaming artifacts used at the nine properties Gaughan owned or had an interest in, including casino chips, tokens, dice, cards, and shot glasses.
Caesars Palace, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Larry Flynt's Hustler Club, and the old North Las Vegas jail all serve as the set for upcoming movie Think Like a Man Too, which from reports has a plot deeply resonant of an African-American version of The Hangover, even down to a cameo by that other famous Las Vegas-based boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. It sounds like filming has now wrapped on the project, or at least on the seven-week Las Vegas location shoot; we'll keep you posted about an air date when it's released.
Caught up in the FIFA frenzy but not sure how to wager on this strange game known as soccer? Fear not, today's Question of the Day has all you need to know about navigating a "three-way" or "split line," so check it out. And good luck to Team USA later today as they take on Ghana, their first adversary in the so-called "Group of Death." Kickoff's at 3 p.m. local time.
There has been no official statement or confirmation as yet, but the signs point to game manufacturing giant IGT being up for sale, reports today's R-J, following news last week that investment bank Morgan Stanley had been hired to field offers and statments from the company referencing the "changes to our capital structure" and the pursuit of "strategic alternatives." Shares in IGT closed up more than 10 percent on Friday as various entities expressed an interest in acquiring the Nevada-based company.
The High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ closed early Saturday night after a burst water main in the vicinity resulted in localized flooding. The majority of the tenants at the new center-Strip entertainment complex apparently reopened for business as usual Sunday morning.
The San Antonio Spurs are -5.5 favorites over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Championship. The total is 196.5.
The giant online-poker site PokerStars has been purchased by Amaya Gaming Group Inc., a Canadian Internet-gaming company, for $4.9 billion. Amaya is banking on new ownership softening the stance of U.S. regulators, who have staunchly blocked Stars' attempts to enter the legal online market.
Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham will become a regular at Planet Hollywood beginning Nov. 28. Dunham's show, "Not Playing with a Full Deck," will play in the 1,400-seat theater that hosted Peepshow, with dates scheduled through May 31.
If Bloody Marys are in your plans today, they'll cost a buck more at Irene's, the bar on W. Spring Mtn. Road. The price of one the city's best drinking plays has doubled. At $2, it's still a pretty good deal (Sundays only).
There are meal specials all over town today. For a list of specific events, check out our "Special Events" listings on the home page.
Demetrius Johnson is a -700 favorite over Ali Bagautinov in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Rory MacDonald and Tyron Woodley are pick 'em.
As it does every year, the Golden Nugget sports book was the first to put up lines for the college football season yesterday. The GN put up about 200 "Games of the Year" selections and the pros were there to hammer the prices into place with their early bets. The lines will remain available for betting up to the opening of the college season.
Gambler Billy Walters is interviewed in the "Sports" section of USA Today's Friday edition. Walters, who has been in the news lately tied to a potential insider-trading case involving golfer Phil Mickelson and investor Carl Icahn, doesn't disclose too much in the interview. You can learn more about him in today's Question of the Day.
Check our newly reincarnated Special Events feature for the complete lowdown on the best deals and festivities around town for Father's Day, plus you'll find our viewing-party guide to the 2014 World Cup, and more.
The Los Angeles Kings are -175 favorites over the New York Rangers in tonight's Game 5 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals. The total is 5.
Later this month Zumanity: the Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil, gets a celebrity emcee in the form of NeNe Leakes, notorious "mouth" of Bravo’s "Real Housewives of Atlanta." Performing the largely improvised and "campy" role of Mistress of Sensuality, Leakes commences her first 10-show run June 27 in what will be also be a first for the adult-only production at New York-New York that had yet to join the ranks of shows featuring outside stars as guests in their cast (e.g., Chippendales, Peepshow, Pussycat Dolls).
For candid and in-depth reviews of all the erotic revues on and off the Strip -- from big-budget production spectaculars, to back-room bar burlesque -- check out ToplessVegasOnline, where you'll also find complete coverage of all gentlemen's clubs, "toptional" pools, and much more, should you happen to be at a loose end this Father's Day weekend...
While you'll find Father's Day highlights in today's Question of the Day, we're still getting details on events and celebrations we hadn't come across before, so we'll be posting another big roundup later on today. In the meantime, the Mt. Charleston outdoor summer concert series -- a good way to be entertained AND escape from the heat for awhile -- is honoring dads in style with this Sunday's event: In addition to free live bands and complimentary beer tastings, there's also an outdoor cigar bar and lounge, plus the option of a full-on BBQ spread for $39.99/person, with just about every side dish you could imagine, plus pops gets a complimentary cigar to enjoy afterwards.
Today only, in honor of Friday 13, Circus Circus is offering 2-for-1 advance tix for this Halloween's legendary Frightdome experience opening weekend (Oct. 3-4).
The Clark County Department of Air Quality has issued a dust advisory for this afternoon and evening, with the prospect of windier conditions on the way. Construction-site operators in particular are advised to take precautions to prevent blowing dust. Residents are urged to drive slowly on unpaved roads, ride off-road vehicles only in approved areas outside of urban Las Vegas and, as an ongoing policy, to fence-off barren property or cover it with gravel, rock, or desert-friendly landscaping to keep dust levels down.
Headliner highlights for the coming weekend; watch out for Friday's Question of the Day for our Father's Day round-up:
Discounted Early Bird tix to the 2014 Life is Beautiful music, food, and arts festival, hosted by downtown Las Vegas Oct. 24-26, are now on sale. A limited quantity of three-day passes priced at $159.50 are now available via lifeisbeautiful.com. The 2014 lineup has yet to be even hinted at, but following the overwhelming success of last year's inaugural Life is Beautiful festival, we have a feeling it's going to be HUGE!
And when we say "blowout," we mean that literally: Stylist Sam Villa’s HairShow Blowout Bar, located inside LOOK Style Society at Town Square, is offering first-time Nevada residents a complimentary blowout now through Sunday, Aug. 31. The service includes a shampoo, scalp massage, and personalized style, plus the option to receive 50% off a follow-up service if booked at checkout. To take advantage of the promo, use code "FIRST" when making your reservation and present a valid form of Nevada ID when the offer is redeemed.
Looking for the last-minute lowdown before a month's worth of soccer madness is unleashed on a possibly still unsuspecting U.S. public? This year's World Cup championship, hosted by Brazil, is set to smash all records as the most-viewed sporting event in history, and today's Las Vegas Advisor Question of the Day has everything you need to know, whether it's some advice about betting, or a complete guide to the best bars, restaurants, and casinos to catch the games, from today's kickoff to the July 13 Final, and from the exclusive Strip venues to the neighborhood bars that are hosting free parties, food and drink specials, giveaways, contests, and live entertainment. You'll also find tips on international viewing hotspots, whether you're rooting for Team U.S.A., U.K., Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Italy, or Spain. Sports bettors, fútbol fans, national-team fanatics, and virgins alike, check it out and get ready for soccer mania like you've never before witnessed, Las Vegas -- don't say we didn't warn you -- this is going to be nuts!
The show that gets our vote for Most Proactively and Imaginatively Self-Promoting (if such a category exists) in Las Vegas strikes again, with appropriate festivities planned for what will be not just the only Friday 13th of 2014, but the only Friday 13th to coincide with a full moon until 2049! Showing a refreshing absence of petty rivalry toward a rival horror franchise, the long-running 4-D musical parody at Planet Hollywood is offering special massively discounted (we're talking almost 75%-off, folks!) $13 General Admission tickets to this Friday's performance (to take advantage of this offer, you need to download the Facebook coupon and present it, in person, at the Box Office). In addition, there will be special limited-edition merch (badges, buttons, t-shirts, magnets, posters, machetes, chainsaws*, etc), plus some of the cast's customary themed touches to give the show that extra-special Friday 13th razzle dazzle.
(*Okay, so we made up the bit about badges and buttons ;-)
The effects of wildfires burning near Mexicali at the Mexico/California border are combining with a mulch-pit fire northeast of the Las Vegas Valley and have caused the Clark County Department of Air Quality to issue an advisory today for smoke and ground-level ozone, although at this time unhealthy levels of air pollution are not occurring. For updates, visit the forecast page.
Since it debuted in May, 1955 as the first-ever desegregated casino -- not just in Las Vegas, but in the entire United States -- the Moulin Rouge has had a checkered career. It was briefly co-owned by the first African-American female to hold a Nevada gaming license, and hosted -- as both guests and/or performers -- a roster of entertainment luminaries including Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey, Count Basie, George Burns, Jeanette MacDonald, Tallulah Bankhead, Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Frankie Laine, Maurice Chevalier, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jack Benny, Sophie Tucker, and Frank Sinatra. However, although the showroom was so busy the venue was obliged to add a third performance slot at 2:30 a.m., by October of the year it opened, the casino closed due to financial difficulties. Numerous attempts since to restore and revive it all failed, and in recent decades it suffered no less than four fires, eventually causing the derelict carcass to be almost entirely razed, despite its inclusion on the United States National Register of Historic Places.
Today, however, New York-baed hospitality and entertainment group GCA Leisure, LLC has announced plans to reintroduce the Moulin Rouge to Las Vegas and restore the famed resort and casino to its former glory, with a 21st-century upgrade. As part of that process, we understand that today there is a "trailer station" on the site at 900 West Bonanza Road open today for one eight-hour gaming session, in order to preserve the property's gaming license. According to the press release, GCA's plans for the 15-acre site also include an online and mobile-gaming facet, music and film-recording venues, a "digital content creation facility," and an institute of learning. Time will tell if they can be the ones to shift the paradigm but in the meantime, if you want to play in the "Trailer Station" hurry -- it's only operational until 2 p.m.
On Wednesday, June 18, the Palms will host the Diversity Career Fair. The event, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Addison Exhibit Hall, features an array of local employers, from casinos including Venetian/Palazzo and Cannery, to such diverse options as Solar City, Harley Davidson, Cox, Marshall Retail, and Adventure Combat Ops. It's free to attend; dress to impress and come armed with lots of resumes (and possibly a gas mask and some zombie repellent, if the Adventure Combat Ops sounds like your thing).
The Miami Heat are -4 favorites over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Championship. The total is 196.5.
Today is Turbo Tuesday at the LVA Casino. Turbos are poker tournaments that progress through blind levels faster than normal, which means that the tournaments are completed much faster and there's a bigger luck factor involved. If you've ever wanted to try a poker tournament, this is the one (just get your money in and see if you get lucky). There's no cost to play and we award real prizes, like books and gift cards. All you have to do is sign up at Play.LasVegasAdvisor.com, and you'll be given 250,000 in cyber chips to play the tournaments or just goof around with blackjack or video poker. Several turbos are still on the schedule for tonight. Give it a try!
Today sees the launch of The LINQ's new locals-friendly Tuesday Block Party, with participating tenants offering discounts to those with valid Nevada I.D. The regular weekly event kicks off at 8 p.m.; visit the official website for a complete list of all the discounts available.
The Monte Carlo portion of the new Strip-side plaza has announced its new dining and entertainment lineup, including: Japanese street food from Yusho; Double Barrel roadhouse saloon; California-based 800 Degrees pizzeria; BLVD Creamery ice cream shop; and a new branch of the local-grown Sambalatte coffee house; plus a rotating roster of multi-genre live bands, solo musicians, and other street entertainers performing from 3 p.m. until late night daily.
Krispy Kreme Donuts, which has several valley locations, including in Circus Circus and Excalibur, is hosting a promo now through Father's Day: Bring in an ugly "dad" tie and receive a dozen glazed donuts, plus the chance to win free donuts for a whole year. Sweet!
"What kind of thing can poison an Ace?" Find out in today's concluding part to Bob Dancer's Double Bonus article.
The locals casino in Henderson celebrates its 17th anniversary today with a free cupcake and champagne celebration from noon to 6 p.m. for Boarding Pass members and a $5,000 drawing at 8:15 p.m., with 25 winners and a top prize of $2,000. Earn entries by playing table games and machines - check with the player's club kiosk for details.
Apologies for the short notice but we just learned that there will be a vigil at 6 p.m. this evening at the scene of Sunday's slaying, which left five dead, including two Metro officers and a civilian who attempted to stop the premeditated killing spree at CiCi’s Pizza, located in a strip mall at 309 N. Nellis Blvd. The scene of the carnage is already marked with a knee-high memorial of flower bouquets, candles, and cards honoring the dead; the restaurant is not expected to reopen for business until late Tuesday.
Mondays at Cosmopolitan's STK steakhouse feature sounds by local fave DJ M!ke Attack, plus complimentary dinners for all girl groups and a buy-a-bottle, get-a-magnum Champagne special. That should take the sting out of any case of "the Mondays," right ladies?
Although rumored plans for a collaborative effort with buddy and ex-soccer pro Gordon Ramsay came to naught, David Beckham, who already has an ambassadorial relationship with Las Vegas Sands in Asia, apparently remains serious about plans to open his own bistro chain, with a Vegas presence, he's confided to a British tabloid (apologies in advance for the puns...)
What was formerly the Galleria Bar at Caesars Palace has been remodeled and reincarnated as Lobby Bar cocktail lounge, "enwrapping [sic] the front-desk reception area to the Palace Court Baccarat tables" and featuring a "highly curated" (what?) menu of specialty libations, including two Caesars exclusives, the Tennessee Highball #2 and The Chairman’s Manhattan, both made with Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select whiskey.
Outback Steakhouse is showing early love to the inner carnivore in every dad with 15% off your entire check through Saturday, and a special three-course menu from $19.99 through Sunday. Click to see all the offers and download the coupon.
In a very timely announcement, following our recent
Nia Sanchez, a 24-year-old 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, was crowned Miss USA on Sunday -- the first time a Nevadan has bagged the title. Congrats!
The San Antonio Spurs are -4 favorites over the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the NBA Championship. The total is 198.5.
The Charcoal Room steakhouse opens tomorrow at Palace Station. It's the second Charcoal Room in Las Vegas, following the original at Santa Fe Station, and replaces the former Broiler.
F.A.M.E and Tilted Kilt have opened at The Linq. Both openings were quiet and it sounds like F.A.M.E. is only partially complete. We'll confirm and report.
The World Series of Poker got off to a good start, as last week's $1.5K buy-in Millionaire Maker tournament drew 7,977 players, easily beating last year's 6,343. It was the second-largest field in WSOP history, behind only the 2006 Main Event, which had 8,773. The winner was Jonathan Dimmig, who's first-place prize was $1.3 million from the $10.7 million prize pool.
A heat watch has been issued for today and Monday, with temperatures up to 108 degrees expected. Cooling stations have been set up around the valley and those who need shelter can dial 211 for assistance.
Benson Henderson is a -240 favorite over Rustam Khabilov in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Ross Pearson is -135 over Diego Sanchez.
The Los Angeles Kings are -155 favorites over the New York Rangers in tonight's Game 2 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals. The total is 5.
A Triple Crown threat is good news in lots of ways for betting operators. Today's handle is expected to be more than $14 million. And then there's the breakage advantage. Lots of $2 tickets that will never be cashed are expected to be written on California Chrome today. Even if he wins, many tickets will either be kept as souvenirs or resold on eBay and other exchanges. The benefactor of the breakage won't be the Belmont track, however; proceeds from tickets unredeemed by March 31, 2015 go to the state.
It's a bonus-points day at Gold Coast, Suncoast, Orleans, and Sam's Town. Get 15X points on penny slots, 11X on all other slots, and 7X on video poker all day. with no maximum on points earned.
The morning line for today's Belmont Stakes makes California Chrome the favorite at 3-5. Wicked Strong is 6-1 and Tonalist is 8-1. The long shots are Matterhorn and Matuszak, both at 30-1.
With California Chrome going for the Triple Crown, today's race is a bigger event in the race books than usual. A $20 wager on the at full-service William Hill books gets a pair of logoed sunglasses. At Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, and Sam's Town, a $25 bet gets logoed T-shirt (which could be cool if California Chrome pulls it off). Station Casinos has a California Chrome T-shirt for a $30 bet, plus $2 bottled beer and shots and $1 hot dogs. South Point is holding and all-day party in the Grand Ballroom with food specials and free drinks for bettors.
Deja Vu strip club owner Harry Mohney's Erotic Heritage Museum, which closed suddenly back in February in a swirl of financial trouble and acrimony between Mohney and his partner in the project, is set to reopen today, with changes including a new name. Apparently, olive branches have been extended after it was deemed too important a contribution to the understanding of human sexuality to be scuppered by a personal rift. Check out ToplessVegasOnline.com, where Arnold Snyder will post a new review as soon as he's had time to take a look around.
Enjoy this First Friday, because next month there won't be one. (Well, obviously July 4 is still happening, but the celebrations will not include a downtown arts festival). That's because what has rapidly grown to be the biggest arts-and-culture festival in the Western United States is taking a one-month hiatus to regroup for a moment, returning with a vengeance Aug. 1 with "Wonderland," a festival of fantasy, surrealism, and imagination inspired by the classic books of Lewis Carroll books. The themed lineup for the rest of the year will include:
Commencing Tuesday, June 10, The LINQ will start hosting Tuesday Block Parties for Las Vegas locals, with participating tenants offering a range of discounts to residents with valid I.D. Visit the official website of The LINQ for the lowdown.
With temperatures of 110 degrees expected this weekend, rising to 112 by Monday, cooling stations will be open to serve the homeless and others suffering from ill effects for the duration of the current excessive-heat watch. Officials have issued some basic safety tips, including limiting any essential strenuous activity to the coolest times of the day; wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing; drinking plenty of water; keeping to air-conditioned environments whenever possible; and checking in with relatives and neighbors. Be mindful of children and pets and on no account leave either in your car - every year sees needless fatalities so be smart and make other arrangements for their care if you have to drive. In addition, click to see a list of cooling stations around town, some of which will be open for the duration of the summer, while others are available only in times of truly excessive heat of the kind that this weekend will bring. Be sensible and stay safe.
Divorce Party Las Vegas, the musical comedy performing at Bally's, is offering locals a 2-for-1 deal on all ticket levels, using code Local241. It looks as though the code is only good for seats booked in person at the Bally's Box Office.
Tonight, The LINQ's Brooklyn Bowl hosts Las Vegas Weekly's annual "Music Issue Showcase" with a lineup of local talent from 7 to 11 p.m., plus bowling and cocktails courtesy of el Jimador Tequila. Featured artists include A Crowd of Small Adventures, Sabriel, Mercy Music, and The Moth & the Flame (in conjunction with The Bunkhouse). Sounds will be provided by Totescity and the event's hosted by Johiah Hall from My 93.1 FM. As with many events at the new Brooklyn Bowl, there is no cover.
Tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Life Time Athletic Summerlin will host its annual Poolapalooza pool party, a family-friendly event featuring a pirate theme, just like last year. The daytime event, which will feature a live DJ, giant inflatable waterslide, face painting, balloon animals, refreshments, and pirate-themed attractions and giveaways for kids will followed by a "dive-in" movie screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl on a giant projector screen. The event is free for members of the club and their guests; non-members are welcome at the standard club fee of $60 per person, which also grants a 24-hour access window to all club facilities.
Caesars Entertainment has closed Harrah's Tunica, which had been the biggest casino in Mississippi. CET continues to operate two other Tunica Casinos -- Horseshoe Tunica and Tunica Roadhouse.
It's going to be a HOT one, so if that scares you, don't worry as there's lots of cool stuff going indoors, too. Here are the major headliners:
Liquid Pool at Aria launched an "8 Days of Tequila" celebration today, for the launch of Montalva Tequila, with complimentary samples and body-painted Montalva models. Meanwhile, the latest from Henderson's under-construction water park is that Cowabunga is set to open July 4 (see Today's News 6/4). For the sake of all those folks who've already shelled out for a season pass, let's hope this is a deadline they can stick to.
For full coverage of the Las Vegas party-pool scene, including which venues are open to the general public, who has parties and concerts, where the "toptional" pools are, and more, see our Cool Pools feature.
We post this with a little trepidation, for fear of causing mass hysteria, but it's true: Every Thursday in June from noon to 6 p.m., El Cortez downtown will be doling out free White Castle Slyders [sic.] to machine and table-game players (must be a member of Club Cortez, which of course is also free), because they love you, and you love America's first-ever hamburger chain, going strong since 1921. The company is still shooting for a permanent Las Vegas home, but in the meantime, enjoy this June promo and look out for their mobile eatery at area food-truck events.
This Saturday, June 7, locally based MMA franchise Tuff-N-Uff is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a completely FREE event at Thomas & Mack. If you'll be in town and would like to attend this milestone event, check out the video on our home page for more info (don't worry, there are no secret string attached!) then visit UNLVTickets.com and let's PACK THE MACK!
Question of the Day is now back where it should be, after an earlier glitch, so if you tried to find it without success earlier, here it is! Apologies for the wait.
The Los Angeles Kings are -150 favorites over the New York Rangers in tonight's Game 1 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals. The total (goals scored) is 5.
It's perhaps not surprising, we would venture, but there were no bids for Lonnie Hammargren's Apollo spaceship model when it went to auction today, with any potential buyers evidently deterred by the $200,000 reserve price. Whether the Las Vegas resident and former Lt. Governor is now open to accepting offers has not been announced.
It was as far back as November, 2011 that plans first were announced for a water park in Henderson. A site was purchased the following September and ground was broken that December, with an opening date set for Memorial Day 2013. Well, here we are more than a year later and the park is still very much in a semi-complete state, with the current June 15 opening date that's posted on the attraction's website seeming wildly optimistic, despite the fact that many 2014 season passes have already been purchased in good faith -- a faith that is fading fast and leaving many locals feeling distinctly nonplussed. Check out the Fox5News website for more information.
It's time for feathers, fans, and tassled pasties as the Orleans prepares once more to host the annual Burlesque Hall of Fame and Titans of Tease weekend, June 5-8. Tickets for individual events are $60 and up, while weekend package deals are also available. Check the official BHofWeekend website for more information, including a full event schedule, and to reserve your tickets.
Las Vegas is home to a thriving neo-burlesque scene, with some top acts performing regularly at various venues around town. Check out the burlesque section at ToplessVegasOnline for full listings and reviews.
According to GPS system TomTom's Traffic Index, Las Vegas was named 19th-worst for traffic snarl ups among major metropolitan areas in the U.S., with a 21 percent congestion level on highways and surface streets. That translates to drivers with an average 30-minute commute spending 53 hours a year stuck in traffic. The worst time to drive here according to the index created by the Dutch company, is Thursday evenings. The top-five congested cities are reported as being L.A., San Francisco, Honolulu, Seattle, and San Jose, Calif.
A motorcyclist was killed shortly after 9 a.m. this morning after hitting a wall at high speed on I-15 near Charleston Boulevard. The bike burst into flames and the motorcyclist died at the scene, NHP reported. Motorists are warned of major delays in the area.
Dance crew Jabbawockeez is celebrating the first anniversary of its PRiSM show at Luxor with a limited-time "Buy One, Get One Free" ticket offer for locals. Through June 30, Nevada residents with valid ID may purchase tickets online using the promo code _NZ (yes, that is underscore followed by capital NZ - we checked!) either online, at any MGM Resorts box office, or by calling 800-557-7428 or 702-262-4400. Guests must present their ID at the time of pick-up.
Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Ho will be unveiling their new upper level in approximately 9 minutes, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony (and, hopefully, some margaritas).
Get Nail'd? U Got Stink? Wa Da Pho? Vote for the wackiest, wittiest business name in Las Vegas in our current Reader Poll, or send your suggestions for ones we don't know about. It closes at midnight, when a new one goes live, so hurry!
For the eighth consecutive year, downtown's Golden Nugget will be the first casino and sports book in Vegas to post lines for the 2014 College Football Games of the Year, announcing 200 key college games Friday, June 13. The games released will consist of all major conferences, including Thursday and Friday night games, kicking off August 28 and running through the last game on December 13.
After much chocoholic anticipation and scenes of giant kisses airlifted onto the Strip, Hershey's Chocolate World finally debuted this morning as part of The Park (or whatever they're calling it), the new pedestrian oasis fronting the Monte Carlo and New York-New York. It's the seventh venue for the franchise in the U.S. and features two floors of retail space featuring more cocoa product than Willy Wonker's Chocolate Factory. We just want to know how you're meant to get it home without it melting...
It's okay, no need to call the fire department -- it's a new mini-casino from Station set to open in Henderson on Friday, June 6, at 5 p.m. Located at 846 Lake Mead Pkwy., in what was previously the Lake Mead Lounge, it's the 10th property under the Wildfire Gaming brand and will feature almost 60 slot and video poker machines, a sports lounge, bar, and "quick service food offerings" (is that the new euphemism for fast food?) Both the interior and exterior of the venue have also received a redesign.
It's not the Food Network's first Las Vegas rodeo, having already tried (and failed) to come to the aid of Henderson's doomed Firefly restaurant and downtown's Bar + Bistro already having had the Willie Degel treatment. Commencing Wednesday, June 4, Season 5 could almost be "Vegas Season," with a host of struggling eateries calling for aid from the New York restaurant Czar. Featured properties will include: Buon Gusto Italian Restaurant (airs tomorrow); Osaka, the city's oldest sushi joint; Vinny's Pizzeria in Boulder City; Sonrisa Grill Mexican restaurant; Hammer's Grill and Bar; and Gina's Bistro on the west side. Check the official Food Network website for more information and a full schedule.
As the spring semester ends and kids are out of school, police will be particulaly targeting speeders now through June 15, and they're cutting drivers no slack. A Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper is quoted as telling Fox5News, "Only one mile over the speed limit constitutes a violation of the law, and you can be stopped." The campaign comes on the back of figures showing a big jump in recent years of deaths caused by reckless driving and speeding.
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Here's a tiny tidbit, gleaned from right at the very bottom of an epic recent post by VegasChatter, picturesequely titled "Sh*t You May Have Missed While Sorting Out Downtown's Drinking Laws," namely that PRIDE Family Bingo, the most fun-sounding concept that we have yet to check out, is moving from its established home at Circus Circus to downtown's new(ish) Gay & Lesbian Community Center. While this makes sense in a prosaic way, we somehow loved the idea of this event being held at the far-less predictable but suitably outlandish-looking Strip property. Oh well. We still want to check it out sometime.
Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio Bar & Grill in Venetian's Grand Canal Shops has a new Executive Chef and is taking the opportunity to shake things up a bit, starting with dropping the "Bar & Grill" bit and shifting the menu's focus to seasonal, "new American cuisine with global influences." They're still serving the signature wood-oven baked pizzas, though.
USA Today is running a poll, asking readers to vote on the Best Wedding Destination in the World. Options include Antigua, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, Turks and Caicos, etc., but you know where your vote should go!
The Los Angeles Kings have opened as -165 favorites over the New York Rangers to win hockey's Stanley Cup. The series begins Wednesday in LA.
It's Industry Monday at Mirage's Bare Pool Lounge, and locals get in free, plus there's a Bud Light cabana and they're inviting everyone to join them from 1-4 p.m. today.
Technically, it's a rooster and for the past half-century it's been living in John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks. The reason for the high price tag is that this 9 1/2"-tall fowl is crafted from more than 14 pounds of 18 karat (75 percent pure) gold and was just valued at $165,900 for the gold content alone -- more than 160 percent of what it was worth when last appraised 21 years ago. The bird was commissioned by the casino in 1958 and until 1987 was the mascot of the Golden Rooster Room. In the '60s it was the center of a controversy regarding alleged violation of the Gold Reserve Act, which limits private ownership of the precious metal to 50 ounces. Works of art, however, are exempt and in 1962 a jury cleared the rooster of all charges. Lately, he's been residing in the hotel lobby, but now that the casino has been sold, the Ascuaga family has taken their rooster back and will be selling him this summer at the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction, taking place July 26 at Reno's Peppermill Casino, where he's expected to make in the region of $300,000.
Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, and Sam's Town are offering $7.77 dinner buffets for locals, Sun.-Thurs. from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m., in June. It's good for two and you must swipe your BConnected card at a kiosk to get the deal.
Golf superstar Phil Mickelson is under investigation for possible insider stock trading in a strange scenario that involves notorious Las Vegas sports bettor Billy Walters. Authorities say that Walters may have passed insider information to Mickelson that may have originated with Wall Street titan and casino owner Carl Icahn. Mickelson has a long history of high-stakes gambling, which makes the connections sound logical.
The San Antonio Spurs opened as -150 favorites over the Miami Heat to win the NBA Championship series. Money quickly came in on the Heat and the line has been bet down to -125.
The five downtown casinos that were without union contracts have settled. All five signed agreements before today's 5 a.m. deadline, thus averting a planned walk-out. The five-year contracts are retroactive to last year when the previous contracts expired.