A recent tweet from @EllenShow goes like this: "Hello, Vegas! I don’t know if you're on the Strip tomorrow, but if you’re in front of Caesars Palace at 2pm, you’re gonna be on my show." Now you know as much as we do, but we love Ellen DeGeneres so we think you should be there because we can't be (and we've stopped being childish and deliberately not following her back just because we're stubborn and she has 55 million followers more than we do, even though she followed all of our Twitters for years. Sorry, Ellen!)
The takeover of what will still be known as the Trump Taj Mahal casino resort in Atlantic City is complete, following Trump Entertainment Resorts' exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises LP. The completion of the process extinguished Donald Trump's last remaining 10 percent ownership stake in the property, while making Carl Icahn now the owner of two New Jersey casinos (the billionaire investor also owns the Tropicana Atlantic City).
From "instacomps" to oysters, steak specials to St. Patrick's Day offers, and Beyonce's belly button to the best boobie shows in town (and a whole lot more), get the scoop in the March issue of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter, just posted and ready to read. (What? Not an LVA member? That's a tragedy!)
Here's a round-up of the promos we posted last week, plus a couple of extra discoveries that have come to our attention in the interim. Happy Feb. 29th!
In an unexpected development, Westgate Las Vegas has acted so summarily shutter -- and padlock -- Graceland Presents: Elvis the Exhibition, the memorabilia exhibit currently under a 10-year contract with the off-Strip hotel, reports the LV R-J. According to a spokesman for the hotel, the move is a defensive one taken to "protect the asset" and was triggered by the tenant, an official licensee of Graceland, threatening to default on monies owed for creating the exhibit space. The timing is ironic, coming on the back of news last week that Westgate had received county clearance to rename Riviera Boulevard as Elvis Presley Boulevard, a move that apparently is now being blocked by the Elvis estate. The exhibit debuted last April as part of a big push to celebrate Elvis' long association with the former International/Las Vegas Hilton, but The Elvis Experience, a music-tribute production show that debuted at the same time closed just two months later and no promised replacement celebration of The King was forthcoming in what was briefly named the Elvis Presley Theater.
In tonight's Academy Awards, The Revenant is the favorite for Best Picture at -250. Leonardo DiCaprio is -4900 to win Best Actor for The Revenant, Brie Larson is -3800 to win Best Actress for Room, Sylvester Stallone is -390 to win Best Supporting Actor for Creed, and Alicia Vikander is -365 to win Best Supporting Actress for The Danish Girl.
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts has announced its 2016-2017 Broadway Las Vegas series. Beginning in August, the line-up is "Beautiful -- The Carole King Musical," "Fun Home," "Matilda the Musical," "The Sound of Music," "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," "Motown the Musical," "Finding Neverland," An American in Paris," and "The Phantom of the Opera." Tickets start at $203 for a seven-show series in the cheap seats.
Check out today's feature in the New York Post on Bob Nersesian, the top attorney representing gamblers who've been wronged by casinos. Nersesian's new book, The Law for Gamblers is going through its final editing paces and will be published by Huntington Press this month.
The town of Cal-Nev-Ari is for sale. Located off US Hwy. 95 about 70 miles from Las Vegas on the way to Laughlin, the $8 million asking price includes more than 500 acres of undeveloped land, including one square mile that borders the highway and houses a restaurant, bar, convenience store, post office, mobile home/RV park, 10-room motel, and a casino with an nonrestricted gaming license. There's also a functioning dirt airstrip that was built by the town's founders, who were pilots, and later served small planes that brought in gamblers for mini-junkets. The town was on the market for $17 million in 2010, but didn't sell.
After being out of the U.S. market for nearly five years, PokerStars will begin operations in New Jersey on March 21. Only players located physically in the state will be able to play, but it opens the door for PokerStars to be licensed in other states that may legalize online poker.
Anderson Silva is a -215 favorite over Michael Bisping in the main event of today's UFC afternoon card. In the other featured match, Gegard Mousasi is -335 over Thales Leites.
According to a USA Today article on the U.S. hotel-building boom, Las Vegas has the most rooms of any city in the country with 167,730, with 45,000 more than second-place Orlando. A projected 3,905 more will be added in 2016, taking the count above $171,000.
According to Fortune magazine, Phil Ruffin says that he and long-time buddy Donald Trump are in the early stages of planning the latter's return to the casino industry, with a 50/50 shared stake in casino to be attached the Trump International hotel property on the Las Vegas Strip. Eric Trump, the son of The Donald who's now running the family’s hotel business, confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that "If he wanted to do [the casino], we would certainly do it. [Ruffin] is one of our closest friends." If it goes ahead, the proposed casino would be located on the site of a current Trump International parking lot.
It's not on the menu -- you'll need to mention this to your server -- but TGI Fridays has brought back its "Endless Apps" promo, which runs all day on Fridays (at least at the Gold Coast and Sam's Town locations -- check with your nearest restaurant, since we think hours can vary). For $10, you can order an unlimited quantity of any single appetizer, chosen from a list of eight that includes potstickers, wings, and flatbread pizza; or, for $2 more, choose all-you-can-eat from a list of just four of those options, but which allows you to mix and match.
Following up on Thursday's post about upcoming Leap Year deals around town, here are a couple more we've come across; more still to come, no doubt, so stay tuned.
Here are some of entertainment highlights in store this weird weekend!
You may be breaking the ice on the pool, but Drai's bastion of daylife is determined to get the party started, with tickets and table reservations now available for the Beach Club at the Cromwell from March 4 on.
Asian gamblers may be shunning the casinos of Macau (and Las Vegas, to some extent) right now, but what about the reverse scenario: What does it entail for a U.S. citizen to play in the casinos of the Cotai Strip or Taipa Island, and what's it like once you get there? All is revealed in today's Question of the Day, supplemented by some interesting insights just received from an LVA reader.
Evidently the popular burger chain's foray into casino locations has been a success, with news that Smashburger will soon be opening new venues at the Rio in Las Vegas and at Harrah's Laughlin, complementing the existing restaurants inside Caesars Palace and Chocataw Casino Resort, reports restaurants.com. The Laughlin venue, which will be the first fast-casual restaurant at the property, is slated to open later this Spring, while the Rio's will follow in the Masquerade Village area sometime in the Fall of 2016.
No doubt more Leap Year promotions are still to be announced, but here are a few Feb. 29 deals we've heard about so far:
Thanks to various sources, including the RJ's Norm! and our blogger buddy "Vital Vegas," we can share the following:
The Nevada Republican caucus played out as expected, with a resounding victory for Donald Trump. When the smoke cleared, Trump won in a landslide with 45.9% of the vote. Marco Rubio was second with 23.9% and Ted Cruz third with 21.4%.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a 2011 U.S. District Court ruling that had allowed the policy at Wynn Las Vegas, in place now for a decade, of pooling dealers' tips and distributing them also among non-tipped employees, like back-of-house staff or casino-floor supervisors, reports the R-J. A spokesman for Wynn said the company is "considering its next steps" in light of the verdict.
And when we say "online," we mean that quite literally: As announced back in late January, when MGM Resorts Int'l first introduced its new "virtual" interview procedures to coincide with pool-hiring season, now the next wave of job openings have been posted on the company's recruitment site, with some 200 part-time positions to be filled at the new T-Mobile Arena in areas including security, guest services, and ticketing.
Cheap? Vegan-friendly? Funky decor? Ethnic cuisine? Open late? On the Strip? Not on the Strip? What do you look for most when choosing a spot to eat at in Las Vegas? Vote in our poll before it closes at midnight or risk being turned into a pumpkin!
Rock Gaming owner Dan Gilbert is embarking on a complete re-brand for the company and all its casino properties, which will henceforward all be under the banner of "Jack Entertainment." Apparently, the new identity is aimed at conveying "youth, excitement, and spontaneity," and will see Detroit's Greektown officially transitioning to become Jack Detroit Casino Hotel Greektown at the end of the year. Similarly, this May Horseshoe Cleveland will become JACK Cleveland Casino, while Horseshoe Cincinnati will be phased out, and Jack Cincinnati Casino phased in, this June.
Today it's the turn of Nevada's Republicans to vote for their preferred presidential candidate, with caucuses starting between 5 and 7 p.m., depending on county/location, but all will end by 9 p.m. Voter registration is already closed; eligible voters must show a valid government-issued ID in order to participate.
Virgin America has launched another of its flash sales on nonstop flights out of Las Vegas, with availability through June (an unusually extended travel window for a sale like this), with fares as low as $39 to LAX, $59 to San Francisco, and $99 to Dallas (and note that Travelzoo has found fares even lower than those advertised). Restrictions apply and most of the lowest fares are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Click here for more information or to book your flight and hurry -- this sale ends at 11:59 p.m. CT Wednesday!
Soon, in addition to Elvis Presley Ct., not to mention Elvis Alive Drive, Las Vegas will soon be home to Elvis Presley Way. When the Riviera is imploded, Riviera Boulevard -- which connects Paradise Road and the Strip -- will be renamed Elvis Presley Way at the behest of Westgate Las Vegas, where "The King" formerly performed and currently home to an Elvis memorabilia exhibit on loan to the hotel from Graceland. Elvis Presley Way will extend past the intersection with Paradise and loop through the Westgate's valet area, according to the R-J's Norm!
First up, Bob Dancer's latest video poker column is now live and the topic under discussion is bankrolls and "risk of ruin," with a side order of self-awareness. Recommended reading.
Secondly, if you tune in to vegasallnetradio.com from 4-5 p.m. PST today, you can catch notable sports writer Bill Ordine, author of Fantasy Sports, Real Money, discussing the latest developments on the DFS scene and more with "Gambling with an Edge" hosts Bob Dancer and Richard Munchkin. If you can't tune in live, catch the podcast later!
And if that's not enough, you can get a third dose of Dancer tomorrow at South Point, where he'll be hosting one of his regular FREE weekly seminars and teaching "9/6 Jacks or Better Multi Strike" video poker. The class begins at noon in the Grandview Lounge and anyone aged 21+ is welcome.
Not only is downtown's hip new vegetarian/vegan eatery offering twofer breakfast bowls this week, but we also just received notification that if you're a diehard carnivore, they're throwing down the vegan gauntlet and challenging you to honestly say that you weren't satisfied with your meat-free dinner. Should that be the case, then your meal will be on the house (but no lying or your karma will be condemned to a world of hurt, e.g. a lifetime of all-you-can-eat tofu). Plus, if you can't bag a free parking place in their designated spot (the El Cid lot on 6th Street, between Carson and Bridger) after 5 p.m. on a week night or anytime over the weekend, bring in your paid parking ticket and VegeNation will discount your bill by $2 to cover the cost. Can't say fairer than that.
Frugal Vegas blogger Jean Scott has come across a cool short-term promo at the Palms: Now through Feb. 29 only, new-member sign-ups, or those who haven't played at the property in the past 12 months, can bring in their high-tier (e.g. Diamond status Total Rewards or Gold level Mlife, or higher) players card from another Las Vegas area casino and the Palms will match your status and reward you with up to $40 in free play. Click the link for more info.
Thanks to the R-J, which has kindly provided a good list of places offering a margarita special in celebration of today's auspicious date in the culinary calendar. Supplement this with the equally extensive list compiled by local ABC affiliate Channel 13, which includes such deals as $2 house margaritas all day at On the Border (5630 Centennial Center) and at Town Square's Loco Cantina, plus $2.22 margaritas all day at the Salted Lime at Aliante.
The Hard Rock's notorious beach parties will be back with a vengeance, kicking off the weekend of April 23-24. In addition to already-confirmed DJ residencies from Bingo Players, Flux Pavilion, Knife Party, and R3HAB, and a return for "celebrity" talent including Crystal Hefner and DJ Pauly D, there are also some major renovations underway aimed at creating a more "festival-style experience." Upgrades include a new stage and DJ booth with large LED screens, line array speakers, CO2 cryo jets, high-dispersion smoke machines, and water cannons, while in addition to the Sat./Sun. Rehab events, Fridays will see a return of the all-American Backyard Pool Party (think: red-cup drinking games, Top 40 hits, and a splash of country), with Wednesday's (commencing May 4) featuring the "Just the Tip" industry party, with free entry and complimentary bottle service for locals and nightlife professionals.
Not only did the off-Strip casino and brewery recently add hard root beer to its offerings, but from an exchange on their facebook page, it sounds like there will soon be outdoor seating again at the property. In response to a poster who wrote that the casino needed to bring back its patio, the property responded: "We're working on it! Patio seating soon to come" -- so stay tuned.
Downtown's popular veggie/vegan cafe has launched a new line of breakfast bowls, including the "Food Not Bombs Bowl" (black beans, spiced potatoes, tofu, vegan cheese, chipotle cream, and avocado -- 100% plant-based and gluten-free) and to celebrate, this week only they're offering a 2-for-1 deal on breakfast bowls, served 8-11 a.m. Sign up for their free email newsletter (if you haven't already) and show it your server to get the deal. (Tip: The restaurant recommends parking in the El Cid lot on 6th street, which offers free parking all morning.)
In Sunday's edition, Lucas Peterson, the New York Times' "frugal traveler," writes of his experience "doing" Vegas away from the Strip. His downtown sojourn, which included forays to off-Strip locations including Ellis Island (Karaoke; off-menu steak special) and the Pinball Hall of Fame, involved visits to the Beat Coffee House, Badger Cafe, the Arts Factory, Hop Nuts Brewing, and other hidden gems and locals' favorites.
The February Maxim magazine features Las Vegas throughout. Anthony Curtis and Whale Hunt in the Desert subject Steve Cyr get some coverage on the last page, and there’s an interesting Q&A with Beat the Dealer author Ed Thorp.
Donald Cerrone is a -230 favorite over Alex Oliveira in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Derek Brunson is -385 over Roan Carneiro.
Las Vegas' second location of LA's Du-par's Diner is scheduled to open at the Suncoast later this year. It will replace The Cafe as Suncoast's 24-hour dining option. Las Vegas' first Du-par's opened at the Golden Gate in 2010.
A 5% increase in visitation at Lake Mead National Recreation Area pushed it to the fifth spot on the list of most visited National Park Services sites in 2015. Finishing ahead of Lake Mead and its 7.2 million visitors were Blue Ridge Parkway (15 million), Golden Gate National Recreation Area (14.9 million), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (10.7 million), and the Lincoln Memorial (7.9 million). Grand Canyon National Park was 10th with 5.5 million visitors.
Hillary Clinton has been declared the winner in today's Nevada Democratic caucus, but it was close. With precincts still remaining to be counted, Clinton has roughly 52% of the vote to Bernie Sanders' 48%.
Following the deaths, in close succession, of both her husband and her brother, singer Celine Dion's show at Caesars' Colosseum has been on hiatus, but come Tuesday, Feb. 23 she will return to performing and, as of the time of this writing, there were still tickets available for her first night back.
The polls open at 11 a.m. today for the Nevada Democratic caucus. It's an important test and surveys indicate a virtual tie between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
More than 5,000 NV Energy customers in Laughlin are currently without power, and are likely to remain that way until approximately 10 p.m., the power company estimates. The cause of the outage is a fire at the old power plant located off Bruce Woodbury Drive, according to Metro.
MGM Resorts International has again opted to delay the opening of its $3 billion MGM Cotai resort in Macau due both to the ongoing market conditions there, which saw revenue at the company's existing Macau property decline 33 percent, to $2.2 billion, in 2015, and to competition from the planned openings of other rival resorts. The originally announced debut date for the super cool-looking structure, was spring 2016, then toward the end of 2014 it was announced that this was being pushed back to the fall of this year. Now, the time-frame has been revised once more, with the opening now delayed until Q1 2017.
The latest significant fallout attributable, we're assuming, to Sheldon Adelson's controversial purchase of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is the announcement today that gaming columnist Howard Schwartz will be leaving his post at the publication March 4 in order to take up a new position as Strategic Development Manager with law firm Greenberg Traurig, which specializes (among other things) in the areas of gaming and hospitality.
Although some dates on Rihanna's "ANTI WORLD TOUR" have been postponed, following the singer's recent Grammy-performance cancellation due to the effects of bronchitis, rumors that her April 29 and 30 dates at Mandalay Bay Events Center were among those affected are untrue, reports promoter Live Nation, calling the speculation "completely false."
The creator of the original Buffalo hot wing, which debuted its third-only venue last summer in Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes, today shuts up shop, reports "Eater Vegas." Although management has reached out to "loyal customers" stating how they're confident they'll soon be serving their Original Buffalo Chicken Wing to the Las Vegas Valley out of a new venue, we've heard that before and won't hold our breath. Meanwhile, SCORE, the interactive sports-memorabilia attraction at Luxor quietly closed last summer, we just learned today, while the Minus 5 Ice Lounge in Mandalay Place hosts a grand reopening Feb. 24, with what promises to be a "grand new look" featuring "110 tons of fresh, 100% pure Canadian ice."
In what's almost certainly a collaborative relationship of pure genius, adult-movie giant Vivid Entertainment has teamed up with daily fantasy sports company DraftDay Gaming Group, which specializes in creating "white label" sites for known brands, to form Vivid Sports 4 Money, a new DFS site that will capitalize on the latter's expertise and the porn site's ability to market to its existing massive database of customers who comprise the perfect demographic. Apparently there will be a "soft" launch of the new product next week, pending whatever adaptations prove necessary in order to compete in the new regulated environments currently being thrashed out on a state-by-state basis.
Not sure how we missed this, but if you were like us and didn't know Kahunaville at Treasure Island had closed, here's the scoop: Kahunaville at TI has closed! Apparently it was discreetly shuttered right after the Super Bowl, leaving Bruno Mars' dad (who starred in the restaurant's Island Heat dinner show) in search of a new gig, we figure.
Red Rock's new Italian eatery, Salute Trattoria, is going old-school with the introduction of "Martini Mondays." The weekly event will run from 6-8 p.m. and feature martinis made to order for $5, plus live music from classic crooner Tommy Ward, who'll be taking guests' requests.
It's an eclectic mix, to be sure. Here are some of this weekend's highlights:
More details have been released about the Wynn Plaza retail project, in an official statement issued by the company, plus some remarks by Steve Wynn in a recent earnings-report conference call. Slated to open in the fall of 2017, what's currently known as "Wynn Plaza" will feature Parisian-inspired styling, with a glassed-roof atrium area, and across its two floors will add an additional 75,500 square feet of luxury retail space to property.
Soccer fans have a treat this Saturday, when for the first time in its history the Global Legends Series (GLS) makes a U.S. stop, to be hosted by Sam Boyd Stadium. The series features two sides of the world’s most decorated and accomplished international players who will face each other in a match on Saturday at 4 p.m. Prior to the main event, on Friday, Feb. 19 there will be a GLS Youth Clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. followed by a Team Donovan and Team Figo training session from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets for GLS Las Vegas start at $35 and are available at unlvtickets.com; for more about this weekend's events, and GLS in general (including its fundraising projects), visit glsfootball.com.
There have been diverse experiments in recent years of introducing live entertainment into the nightclub context, some more successful than others. The latest, 53X, comes from the producers of Chippendales, but features a coed cast of dancers set to deliver "an immersive, sexy, theatrical experience" at Paris' Chateau nightclub, commencing Friday, March 11. Hosted by Shangela of RuPaul’s Drag Race, apparently the experience (like Dr. Alex Schiller's Never Sleep Alone, which recently performed in the Spiegeltent), will offer audience members the option of being a voyeur or a participant, and is described as the "perfect show to bring a date ... or find one." Performances will be Wednesday through Sunday at 9 p.m. and GA tix start at $29.95 (plus tax/fees).
An advertising truck flipped over a short while on the Strip outside Flamingo's Margaritaville and in so doing also felled a palm tree, so right now northbound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard are closed in the vicinity. The driver of the truck was taken to UMC with non life-threatening injuries.
A new Harry Potter-themed coffee shop has debuted in Henderson. Bad Owl Coffee contains plenty of references to the book and its iconography, although it's disappointingly un-wizardly in its menu and decor (if you ask us) and the question remains as to how J.K. Rowling will feel about this appropriation of her franchise, should she get wind of it.
Listen up lusty ladies! Commencing March 10, downtown's Las Vegas Country Saloon will feature Men of Steele, the male-hunk revue starring London Steele (the real-life dancer the character Dallas, portrayed by Matthew McConaughey, is based on in the movie Magic Mike), performing every first and third Thursday of the month. Doors at 9 p.m. and the cover's just $10.
On Thursday, March 17, the traditional (and we might say legendary/notorious) O’Sheas BLOQ Party celebration will return, extending to take over the entire LINQ Promenade. The festivities will kick off at noon, with a parade featuring bagpipers, leprechauns, and stilt walkers, plus there will be live music at O'Sheas from Roxy Gum, The Hooligans, and Darby O’Gill running late into the night. The LED Drumline will perform at the Promenade at 7:30 and 9 p.m., while all-day long there will be giveaways, games of corn hole, over-sized beer pong, pop-up performances, and portable beer bars. Other LINQ venues will be joining in the party, with festive food and drink specials including Bailey's Irish Cream and Green Velvet cupcakes from Sprinkles and green chicken & steak burrito specials at Chayo. Tilted Kilt will be offering live music and -- intriguingly -- "specialty men" (which we know is a typo but we're choosing to pretend that it isn't).
PT's Brewing Company, the new craft brewery and tavern from Golden Gaming, is now open in the former Tenaya Creek Brewing Company location at Cheyenne and Tenaya (Tenaya Creek opened last November at its new home downtown at 831 W. Bonanza Rd.) The new PT's venue features a range of new craft beers from award-winning brewmaster Dave Otto, plus a distinct "gastropub"-style menu of "Big Plates" featuring dishes including stout-braised short ribs ($26.99), stir-fried quinoa ($12.99), "dirty" paella ($18.99), and the Kobe beef "Brewhouse Burger" ($17.99). A breakfast menu and more traditional bar fare, including pizzas, sandwiches, chicken wings, soups, and salads are also available. The venue is open 24/7 and also offers bartop gaming.
Following a dedication ceremony yesterday, when a new memorabilia case was unveiled containing the band's outfits from the opening night of their previous residency, plus guitars and microphones from various world tours, Rascal Flatts kicks off their second mini-residency at the Hard Rock tonight, with dates through March 5. Tickets for Rhythm & Roots at The Joint start at $39.95 (plus taxes and fees).
After briefly going on hiatus, on February 13 hit show Legends in Concert returned to the Donny & Marie Showroom at the Flamingo, featuring a new line-up of artist tributes, including Adele and the Blues Brothers. With the recent closing of Jubilee! at Bally's, Legends now claims the title of longest-running show on the Strip, having performed for 32 years.
In the market for some collectible coins? Casino chips? Foreign currency? Some silver cutlery, perhaps? Or a used watch, designer or otherwise? Then, thanks to Nevada State Treasurer's Office's annual "unclaimed property" auction, you're in luck -- and now for the first time ever, you can shop from the comfort of your armchair since this year's event is taking place online. Bidding opened yesterday and ends on Monday, February 24 at 9 a.m. PST. You'll need to set up an account to view and bid on any items. Just visit tntauction.com for more info. because, as the official press release puts it, "nothing says hidden treasure and unclaimed property like Las Vegas." [We wonder if they're mixing up "hidden treasure" with "buried bodies," but you get the gist.]
Having hit the mid-way mark in her four-year residency at Planet Hollywood, Britney Spears last weekend unleashed a significantly revamped version of her hit show, Piece of Me, with changes including new costumes and choreography, additions to the set including new video wraps and lasers, and lots of new material, ranging from what the singer described to Robin Leach as a "new section of rock 'n' roll," to an homage to Missy Elliott, to some new fan favorites, plus material from her upcoming album. A good 40 percent of the show has completely changed," he tells me. Those close to the production estimate it's 40 percent different from the original production and that Britney is in top form, both physically and performance-wise, and is totally reinvigorated, with plans to continue reinventing the show to keep it fresh.
Fatigue got the better of us* last night and so we omitted the images we'd planned to run in conjunction with today's Question of the Day -- the concluding installment of an epic two-parter tracing the relationships between some of Las Vegas most legendary casino owners, including Steve Wynn, Bob Stupak, Benny and Jack Binion, and Jackie Gaughan, which anyone with an interest in Las Vegas' history should find interesting. Check out the photo of Steve Wynn playing poker with Stupak and Benny and Jack Binion -- take about a scary table! (*We also fixed a few typos that slipped through the net, on account of our eyes being closed by that point :-)
This week's column from video pro Bob Dancer poses more questions that it answers, but the questions, and Bob's analysis of them, are all worth considering if your gambling wins/losses are filed as part of your tax return, and some of them you may not even have considered. And as "that" dreaded time of year looms, you might well be advised to check out Jean "Queen of Comps" Scott and Marissa Chien's Tax Help for Gamblers -- a bible for gamblers that received a major update last year and truly contains some invaluable advice. But don't just take our word for it -- it's also recommended reading according to Forbes' tax expert!
Hot on the heals of the "Brothel Burger" challenge (see Today's News 2/9/2016), Hash House A Go Go is to launch the "Short Stack" Challenge. Already renowned for its large portion sizes, during National Pancake Week (Feb. 22-28) and to benefit Best Buddies Nevada, Hash House A Go Go invites the daring to take on their short stack challenge, which will comprise not one but two of their signature over-sized buttermilk pancakes but is priced at just $10.99. Successful contestants win breakfast once a month for a year at any of the valley's five HHAGG locations. (Expert Tip: As veteran reporters covering the Vegas food-challenge circuit, we note that there's no time limit imposed on this particular eating feat, which could prove to be its Achilles heel -- keep it on the down low but pass the word on to the slow-but-steady eaters in your life.)
OK, we thought a new sports book was coming to Casino Royale, but it's really just a new bar with a satellite book attached. The sports book component consists of a counter with two betting stations from William Hill -- there's nothing else sports-bookie about it, not even an odds board. The good news is, the fancy new bar still has retained its $1 Michelob deal.
He's covered dealers with attitude, heavy-handed security, and dubious legal practices, but in his latest post at Beyond Numbers, the world's most-esteemed professional gambler, James Grosjean, takes casinos to task on a far more mundane practice likely to resonate with the majority of casino goers, not to mention anyone who owns/runs a business. In this new post, the subjects under the microscope are time wasting and poor management, and Grosjean singles our three familiar scenarios in particular where he argues that casinos and their floor staff are screwing up, to their own detriment as well as that of the gamblers experiencing their establishment.
In celebration of President's Day, RA Sushi in Fashion Show Mall is offering its regular happy hour deals all-day long, so from now until midnight, with deals like $3.50 domestic beers, $3 sake shots, mixed well drinks for $5.25, and an array of appetizers ranging from edamame for $3.49, to a variety of rolls priced from $5.69 yo $8.99.
In addition, on Wednesday from 10 p.m. Gold Spike's regular "Down & Derby" roller disco will feature an "Ex-President Costume Contest," with $500 in cash and prizes up for grabs.
It's not the biggest holiday in Vegas, but there are President's Day specials out there today. South Point is awarding 10X points on penny reels, 5X on all other reel slots, and 2X on video poker. Gold Coast, Sun Coast, Sam's Town, Orleans and Fremont has 15X points on pennies, 11X on other reels, and 7X on video poker. Earn 100 points today at Arizona Charlie's Decatur and get a free buffet. And get a free slice of cherry pie from noon to 6 p.m. just for playing at El Cortez.
The residency for Bill Medley and the reformed 2016 incarnation of the Righteous Brothers, featuring vocalist Bucky Heard, that was announced for Harrah's Showroom earlier this month, now has performance dates and ticket prices. The latter range from $39 to $125 (plus tax/fees) and as far as the schedule goes, the group is set to perform Wednesday through Saturday, commencing March 23 and currently concluding Saturday, June 11. The show will perform at 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. As we just learned, via an LVA, this is having some serious knock-on effects for Million Dollar Quartet, with which the act will be sharing a showroom. The latter show currently has a complicated schedule, but for now suffice it to say that all Thursday 5:30 p.m. shows have been canceled as of March 24 and all 6:30 and 7 p.m. performances have been moved to 8 p.m. We'll be digging deeper into this but for now here's a heads-up that if you have tickets to see Million Dollar Quartet anytime after March 23, you'd be advised to check with the Box Office at Harrah's if you haven't already heard about the upcoming time changes and cancellations.
In tonight's NBA All-Star game, the West is a -6 favorite over the East. The total is a lofty 320.5, up 10 points from the opener, but down slightly from its high this week of 321.5.
If you can get your hands on the LV Review-Journal's Friday Neon section, there's an ad with a coupon inside for a 2-for-1 slice of pizza at the new Pizza Lotto at the El Cortez (in the space where Cafe Cortez used to be). But don't try to get the twofer without the ad -- we already tried and it didn't fly.
Registration is now open for our "Sunday Funday 25" poker tournament. Play begins at noon PST/3 p.m. EST today. Along with $100 for first, there are several new prizes, including the acclaimed poker book, The Course, from Ed Miller; Advanced Advantage Play by Eliot Jacobsen, and our new books Cheating at Blackjack and Fantasy Sports Real Money, both just back from the printer. For Valentine's Day, we're awarding prizes for the first 14 finishers. 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 10503). 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.
Restaurants in and out of the casinos are offering special meals today. Surprisingly, we haven't seen any noteworthy casino promotions; look for those to show up tomorrow for President's Day.
Defending champion Zach Lavine is the -234 favorite to win the slam dunk contest in tonight's NBA All Star Weekend event, with Aaron Gordon the second favorite at +360. Defending champion Stephen Curry is +170 to win the 3-point-shooting contest, followed by JJ Redick at +370. Isaiah Thomas is +213 to win the skills contest, followed by CJ McCollum at +375.
Reserve some time tomorrow to play in our 25th Sunday Funday online poker tournament. First place gets $100, and for Valentine's Day, prizes will be awarded to the top 14 places. We've added several new prizes, including our new book, Cheating at Blackjack, along with The Course -- Serious Hold 'Em Strategy for Smart Players and Advanced Advantage Play,, both retailing for $50. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. EST/noon PST. It's completely free to play, with registration beginning two hours before the tournament at the LVA Casino.
We got our first in-person look at the new Cosmopolitan sports book today and it's a dandy. It's as described in the 2/5 post in this space, except the big bar is located in the center of the book. Very plush with lots of non-typical sports book amenities-- it looks like an excellent choice for catching the games.
The second in an 11-performance run of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre's "To Kill a Mockingbird" plays today at 8 p.m. in the Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV. Of special interest, the role of the judge is played by Richard Munchkin, author of our book Gambling Wizards: Conversations with the World's Greatest Gamblers, and co-host, with Bob Dancer, of Gambling with an Edge. The production will also run Sunday at 2 p.m., Feb. 18-20 and 25-27 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 21 and 28 at 2 p.m.; tickets are $27.50/$33.
Tickets are now on sale for the fourth season of Lipshtick: The Perfect Shade of Stand-Up, which commences with new dates, and some new faces of female comedy, this April 2 at Venetian.
The Fremont Street Experience downtown has a new general manager, following the recent departure of Jeff Victor (now vice president of ops at Derek Stevens' growing downtown empire), with word that Patrick Hughes, GM of the Cannery, will take over the position starting Feb. 29.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority's third "straw" -- the $817 million intake pipeline at Lake Mead -- has been named among six finalists for the American Society of Civil Engineers' annual award for the world's most outstanding civil engineering achievement, termed "the Oscars for civil engineering" by spokesman Bronson Mack. Congrats and good luck!
Despite this week's disclosures that ESPN has ended its exclusive advertising deal with DraftKings and that rival FanDuel had closed down its research-and-development division, resulting in 55 worker layoffs, both companies remain bullish about the daily fantasy sports industry, with DraftKings celebrating last week's launch in the UK. "We’re continuing to innovate and learn" said spokeswoman Sabrina Macias, while FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles told The Associated Press that the company is focused on making progress on the legislative front and that some turmoil was to be expected during the transition of DFS from an unregulated to a regulated industry. "A couple of setbacks here and there do not necessarily reflect the larger picture," according to Macias. "There’s progress both on the legislative front and from the consumer protection perspective."
For more on the whole story of DFS -- where it came from, where it's at today, and how it got there -- check out Huntington Press' Fantasy Sports, Real Money by award-winning sports writer Bill Ordine.
In celebration of its first anniversary at New York-New York, this Feb. 19-28 Tom's Urban will host a week-long "Tom's Turns One" party, with discounts, specials, and giveaways for all guests with the name Tom, Thomas, Tommy, Thom, or Tomas (first, middle or last name -- it all counts!) Perks for the eligible will include receiving 50 percent off their individual bill, while even customers who are not named Tom will receive $5 off all Tom's Size beers, cocktails, or souvenir cups.
As announced earlier this month (see "Today's News" 2/3/16), Boyd Gaming's dining upgrade is in full swing, with the first of the promised new offerings -- Adler & Birch Cocktails and Fine Dining -- is now open in the spot that formerly housed Canal Street. Next month Ondori Asian Kitchen is slated to debut, with other new eateries in the pipeline for Gold Coast, Sam's Town, and downtown's California Hotel.
Our round-up of Chinese New Year festivities has already been posted, and some suggestions for Valentine's Day weekend activities will follow shortly; in the meantime, here's some of the other stuff going on this weekend.
The showgirl spectacular that's been performing at Bally's for 34 years takes its final bow tonight (although there have been vague murmurings of a possible reincarnation of some kind in the future). The 9:30 p.m. performance is already sold out, but there are still a few tix left for the 7 p.m. show, so catch it while you can.
Mike Tyson is returning to MGM Grand with his UNDISPUTED TRUTH – Live On Stage autobiographical one-man show, which he first performed there back in 2012 before taking the show to Broadway. Commencing March 3 at 10 p.m., the show will perform a limited run Thursday through Sunday in Brad Garret's Comedy Club, with dates through June 26. Tickets, which go on sale this Friday at 1 p.m., start at $54.95 (plus tax and fees).
31 percent (the top vote) of respondents in our Reader Poll concerning the most-unusual place readers had ever gambled picked "at an airport" and that number could increase if airport-concession operator OTG follows through with its recent IPO filing. According to website TravelPulse.com, papers filed with the SEC indicate that the company is seeking gambling concessions from the state of New York, with a view to introducing online gaming options (which could include lottery-like contests and casino games, as well as popular iPad skill games) exclusively through tablet computers installed in airport terminals.
Meanwhile, in Hartford, CT, Bradley International Airport is still hoping so score a casino license and introduce a casino to the airport building (possibly preceded by a temporary facility housed in the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at the airport, according to the Hartford Courant. If the bid is successful, the facility would join Las Vegas' McCarran International and Amsterdam's Schipol in being the only two airports we're aware of in the world that offer live casino games.
As part of the property's ongoing "Take Vegas Back" campaign (which highlights "Old Vegas" staple values, like no-cover lounge entertainment and free parking), during the months of February and March the Stratosphere will be rewarding members of the loyalty club with "Random Acts of Rewards." Throughout the promo period, room upgrades, free meals and drinks, casino free play, and other "rewards" will be bestowed on visitors throughout the property at employees' random discretion (so remember to tip your cocktail waitress!)
What, prior to its 2013, had long been known as John Ascuaga's Nugget, thereafter simply the Nugget, has been sold, it was officially announced today. And the buyer is Marnell Gaming, original builder/owner of Las Vegas' M Resort, whose casino-property portfolio currently includes the Colorado Belle and Edgewater resorts in Laughlin. According to today's statement from the property, the new owner plans to keep the existing staff, plus the benefits of existing player-loyalty plans, and "will initiate a significant capital improvement plan for the property, which will include new slot machines, a complete renovation of the Nugget’s 800 West Tower hotel rooms, and a complete renovation of the Nugget’s convention area, casino floor, restaurants and showroom." Pending regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close in Q2 of 2016.
The 12th annual Dam Short Film Festival kicks off today in Boulder City, running through Saturday, Feb. 13, with 129 shorts to be screened across the four days in the 400-seat Boulder Theater. At this point, tickets and passes are available from the Box Office only; check out the official website for more information and a complete schedule of movie screenings and other events, like social mixers and the Gala party.
The cult-ish burger chain, with a Vegas venue at New York-New York, is in search of local talent for the 2nd Annual Shake Shack Burger Beats Contest, with the prize being your song on the SHACK10 Spotify playlist in Shake Shacks nationwide, plus Shack swag and $150 in burgers. From now through Feb. 29, they're accepting tunes for consideration via the official Facebook page, so get your burger beat on and submit some Shackadelic sounds from Sin City!
Tonight, and once more on Feb. 14, you can catch stage persona Dr. Alex Schiller and her Don't Sleep Alone comedy-improv show performing in the Absinthe Spiegeltent at Caesars Palace at 8 p.m. The (cheapest) "voyeur" seats start at $64, plus tax/fees. Check out the interview with Dr. Alex in the new edition of Seven magazine.
What's most important to you when booking a hotel room: Value for money? Location? View? Resort fee? Vote in our current Reader Poll -- it closes at midnight and we want as much data and feedback as possible. Thanks!
More than a mere legal brothel, Sheri's Ranch (Pahrump) is not only also a hotel, massage parlor, and spa, but also a bona fide sports bar and restaurant -- if you don't believe us, what better proof could there be than the fact that Sheri's offers what, by our calculation (and believe us, we know Vegas eating challenges), is the 29th gastronomic gauntlet currently being thrown down around these parts. The "Gut Buster Burger Challenge" (not recommended prior to partaking of any of Sheri's other services) comprises two pounds of all-beef patties, one cup of chili, 12 slices of cheese, 12 strips of bacon, jalapenos, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and a pickle on the side. Price-wise, this menu item weighs in at $20 -- unless you can finish it in 30 minutes or less, in which case it's on the house.
For a really informative guide to the more-conventional aspects of the legal-brothel scene, check out ToplessVegasOnline, where you can also find an in-depth (undercover) review of a Sheri's Ranch experience.
In this week's column, Bob Dancer takes a break from strategy and philosophy to recount his experience inside this year's exclusive and super-secret Blackjack Ball event and spill the beans on who was crowned the new Blackjack World Champ. [Spoiler alert: It wasn't Bob Dancer.]
Following our (at times) hair-raising look at thrill-ride safety (see Question of the Day 10/22/2015), we have no complaints about a Strip attraction pausing for a maintenance upgrade, which the Roller Coaster at New York-New York (formerly the Manhattan Express) will do this Feb. 16, prior to reopening to the public on Feb. 24.
Registration is open for the 2016 World Series of Dominoes, slated to take place at downtown's Cashman Center from Sept. 22-25 (so, in tandem with Life is Beatufiful). Billed as the largest dominoes tournament ever, early-bird registration is $500, with a top prize of $50K up for grabs. Check out the official website for more details and to register.
The Super Bowl handle has been announced as a record $132.5 million, an 11% increase over the former record from 2014. The legal sports books reported a $13.3 million profit, which is a 10.1% hold.
Or, more appropriately, Gongxi facái! Today marks the official ushering in of the Year of the Monkey, so don't forget to check out our comprehensive guide to Chinese Lunar New Year Festivities and celebrations around Las Vegas, while "Question of the Day" 2/3/2015 (which LVA members can read in the QoD Archives, details which casinos have commemorative "Year of the Monkey" casino chips available this year, and when.
Following our report late last October that the poker room at Wynn would be closing and relocating to Encore (see Today's News 10/28/2015) comes an official statement outlining some details about the new venue. Set to debut May 26, the new room will be occupy an 8,600-sq-ft space adjacent to the Encore Players Club, Surrender nightclub, Encore Beach Club, and Andrea’s restaurant, and will feature amenities including USB ports on every table for device charging, a Sports Book window inside the room and 35 65-inch TVs streaming live sporting events. Other features will include in-room restrooms and a spacious high-limit area. The existing Wynn poker room will remain operational until the new location is ready, when the current room is set to be re-purposed as part of the two story "Wynn Plaza" retailtainment complex currently on the drawing boards.
Following its role as house band for two upcoming "Tribute to the Music of David Bowie" concerts to take place at Carnegie Hall (3/31) and Radio City Music Hall (4/1), on April 23 Holy Holy will perform an in-its-entirety concert featuring Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World" inside The Pearl at the Palms. The band comprises long-time Bowie musicians/collaborators Woody Woodmansey and Tony Visconti, plus an all-star lineup and tix, which start at $30 (plus tax/fees) go on sale 2/12 at noon.
Personal-finance website WalletHub has conducted an analysis of the "Best and Worst Cities for Valentine’s Day: in 2016 and Las Vegas came in at a respectable #6 on the "Best" list, which took into account factors ranging from the average cost of a restaurant meal, to the number of florists per capita, in the nation's 100 most-populous cities. As an aside, we feel obliged to note that North Las Vegas was singled out for having the least number of jewelers, florists, and restaurants per capita, so residents might be advised to venture further afield in the valley to get their romance on optimally this Feb. 14.
The Carolina Panthers are -5 favorites over the Denver Broncos in today's Super Bowl. The total is 43.5.
Smartphones will be out to time the singing of the Super Bowl's National Anthem. The over/under number on how long it will take Lady Gaga to sing it is 2:20, with under a -245 favorite.
MGM Resorts International has announced that it will outsource its valet operations as part of its move to charge for parking. Current valets will become employees of SP+, a Chicago-based company that runs almost 4,000 parking facilities.
Four Las Vegas restaurants are included in Open Table's list of the "100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America." They are Alize at the Palms, Eiffel Tower at Paris, Hugo's Cellar at Four Queens, and Michael's at South Point. More than 5 million reviews were considered to create the rankings.
None of the books are offering a reduced-juice option for betting the Super Bowl this year, but there are a few add-ons available. Both Arizona Charlie’s will give you a logoed T-shirt for making a $20 parlay or $50 straight bet. Get a T-shirt at Rampart for a $20 straight bet. Cannery and Eastside Cannery are giving a hat for a $25 parlay-card wager. And the best we've seen is at Jerry’s Nugget, where a $20 parlay-card bet gets you a Corona bucket filled with two hats, two T-shirts, two decks of cards, a martini glass, a koozie, and a bottle opener.
Johny Hendricks a -300 favorite over Stephen Thompson in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Roy Nelson is -140 over Jared Rosholt.
The American Gaming Association estimates that $4.2 billion will be bet on the Super Bowl, with 97% of it wagered illegally. But that legal 3% is creating traffic jams at the window, as betting for tomorrow's Super Bowl is heating up. One way around the lines is to use betting apps. Otherwise, you should be prepared to que up, especially if you wait till tomorrow to bet.
There's less than a week remaining to catch the last surviving "classic" Las Vegas showgirl spectacular, with the final performance of Jubliee! at Bally's to take place Feb. 11 after a 34-year run. However, the good news is that beginning in June, fans of vintage Vegas will be able to see an exhibit celebrating Folies Bergere, including original costumes from the show that enjoyed a long run at the Tropicana, thanks to a collaborative project currently underway between the Las Vegas News Bureau and Nevada State Museum. Stay tuned for more details.
Eccoci Boca Park, a boutique located in the retail plaza on the west side of town, is hosting the "Super Bowl of Fashion" from noon to 4 p.m. today to showcase their latest fashions, with live music, refreshments, and a fashion show modeled by 2016 Mrs. Nevada-America contestants. An exclusive sale event will also be available to all attendees following the show.
Once again, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch will be hosting a "Museums on Us" event Saturday, Nov. 6, which in Las Vegas means free admission -- on presentation of your credit or debit card -- to Springs Preserve, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, and Discovery Children's Museum tomorrow.
February 8 ushers in the Lunar New Year of the Monkey, so get ready for lots of monkeying around, from traditional dragon dances and festive foods, to ornate displays and "lucky" art installations. Here's our guide to Chinese New Year in Vegas, 2016:
FESTIVE DISPLAYS:
Following on the heels of the WestGate's SuperBook, and just making it online in time for Sunday's Super Bowl, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has unveiled its upgraded and relocated Race & Sports Book, which is powered by CG Technology. More than twice the size of the original, the new book features state-of-the-art LED video walls screens; multiple hi def TVs; lounge seating; private VIP viewing areas; mobile wagering; and betting windows open from 8:30 a.m. Mon.–Fri. and from 8 a.m. Sat./Sun. There's also a new adjacent 24-hour sports bar has also opened, featuring shuffleboard, foosball, billiards, and bar food, and a new sports-themed table games area, offering blackjack and roulette.
Check out today's Question of the Day for some picks -- including on/off Strip, downtown, and neighborhood options -- for Super Bowl viewing parties; meanwhile, here's some of the other stuff going down this weekend:
Libre Mexican Cantina, the latest offering from CliQue Hospitality that's taken over from the short-lived Mercadito at Red Rock Resort, is now open for biz, serving dinner from 4-11 p.m. daily. In addition, to celebrate the launch, Libre is hosting Taco & Tequila Tuesdays with all-you-can-eat tacos and tequila shots for $24, plus a contest to win free tacos for a year. An ongoing daily Happy Hour, with $5 cocktails and $4 draft beers, will run from 4-6 p.m.
Area Cox cable subscribers won't be forced to watch Sunday's Super Bowl in Spanish, or to try and find a stool in their neighborhood bar (although if it's a viewing party you're after, check out today's Question of the Day for lots of tips and suggestions), with official word that the two parties have reached some kind of agreement and that normal service should be resuming shortly.
Just ahead of Sunday's "Big Game," Westgate Las Vegas has announced the completion of its multi-million dollar race and sports book upgrade. At 25,000 square feet , the world-famous SuperBook is the world's largest and now most technologically advanced in the world, featuring 4,488-square-foot HD video screens that together comprise the world’s largest indoor LED video wall, plus more than than 400 comfortable seats and 19 wagering windows, new private booths and the "Ultimate Fan Cave" smoke-free viewing lounge, a new bar, interactive player wagering terminals, and expanded betting menu, and an upgraded VIP section.
Joining ongoing Museum of Gaming History displays downtown at the Mob Museum and El Cortez, today a third exhibit, featuring additional historic and vintage artifacts on loan from members of the Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors' Club (Las Vegas branch) will be unveiled upstairs at the Plaza. Evidently Tamares' recent sale of sports memorabilia from the Las Vegas Club got their vintage-appreciation juices flowing and inspired the collaboration with the Museum of Gaming History project from the CCGTCC, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of gaming history. For more about the Plaza exhibit, currently contracted to be on display for at least a year, check out promotional video.
ESPN sports-radio host Scott Ferrall is doing his nightly radio show from the Vue Bar at the D through Friday. The show airs from 7 to 11 p.m., and it's easy to get a seat and play the good progressive video poker at the bar. Ferrall will also preside over the D's outdoor Super Bowl viewing party on Sunday.
Celine Dion's tribute to late-husband René Angélil, taking place at Caesars' Colosseum tonight from 7 p.m. PST tonight, will stream live via ReneAngelilCelebrationOfLife.com/.
Jeff Civillico, whose family-friendly Comedy in Action variety act performs at the Flamingo, will later this month begin hosting a weekly entertainment and news show live from The LINQ Promenade in a portable set built from a re-purposed shipping container. "Las Vegas Good News" will shoot in front of a live audience fromn the fountain stage every Thursday night from 5-8 p.m. in a format that Civillico describes as, "Think "Good Morning America" meets "The Tonight Show" meets "The Price Is Right" and at launch will air weekends on Channel 13, as well as in-room throughout all Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment properties and other hotels, including the Palms and Treasure Island, with plans for regional/national distribution if the format is a success.
An LVA customer (and chipper!) just informed us that the Hard Rock will also have limited-edition $5-denomination chips in celebration of Chinese New Year, and a call to the casino's cage has confirmed this. Here's the skinny: Like Venetian/Palazzo, the casino will not be offering these chips by request at the cashier's cage ("because that's a violation of Gaming regs") but the chips are due to be released at 10 a.m. specifically on the crap tables. Obviously once the chips are in circulation, they'll filter around the casino onto other gaming tables, but for the best chance of bagging these commemorative collectibles, you'd be advised to be in the crap pit at 10 a.m. Friday.
Downtown Las Vegas will once again host the three-day music-and-lifestyle festival this fall, with dates confirmed as Sept. 23-25. A limited number of pre-sale tickets will go on sale Thursday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m.
The locals-oriented casino operator has announced that the ongoing upgrade of its Las Vegas and regional properties is to continue, with a further $100 million earmarked for upgrades and renovations, primarily to its dining product, with the addition of 20 new restaurants nationwide. In Las Vegas, an already-accomplished remodel of the Orleans' 1,900 hotel rooms is to be followed by the imminent debut Adler & Birch Cocktails and Fine Dining and the March opening of Ondori Asian Kitchen, with three other new restaurants slated to come online later in the year at a total cost of $30 million. The Gold Coast and Sam's Town will also each receive new eateries, while a major overhaul of downtown's California Hotel continues, with the promise of two new restaurants in addition to major upgrades for the casino and public areas during the course of 2016.
It was announced Tuesday that, following news of MGM Resorts' plans for a $90 million parking revamp in Las Vegas, that will see the introduction of paid parking for property guests and visitors, that the group's valet parking services are to be contracted out to company SP+, which operates almost 4,000 parking facilities in North America. MGM's current Strip property valet staff will be retained and their current terms of employment matched, according to the contract.
Cheeseburgers are half-price today at Sonic. We just learned of this Groundhog Day special, but there's still time to take advantage if you're near one of the "participating" restaurants.
Alex Stratta's done it again, or rather not, with word (via Eater Vegas) that the reinvention of the chef's Tivoli Village eatery, which started out as Tapas by Alex Stratta and then re-debuted last November as Salt & Pepper, has vanished without warning or trace, both physically and in cyberspace.
It's been announced that commencing March 23, legendary singing duo Bill Medley and Bucky Heard will return to the stage at Harrah's Las Vegas, with performances Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. The duration of the show run has yet to be announced, but tickets -- starting at $39, plus taxes/fees -- go on sale at 10 a.m. on Feb. 5.
Huge congrats to Nectaly Mendoza of Herbs & Rye (3717 W. Sahara) for winning the most-prestigious honor of "Bartender of the Year" in the 2016 Nightclub & Bar Awards. Kudos! Herbs & Rye is also home to "Nectaly's Ribeye" -- one of Sin City's most onerous eating challenges* that comes not with a free t-shirt, but a prize of $200, if you can finish this meal-for-eight in 40 minutes or less. Las Vegas was also honored with the Sports Bar of the Year accolade, which went to Lagasse’s Stadium at Palazzo.
*Note: We have news of a new gastronomic gauntlet that's being thrown down by a most-unlikely venue. Stay tuned, gros gourmands of the Vegas valley!
"If you draw three cards to a suited 'KQ', which is more likely--a royal flush or a K-high straight flush?" That is the question; for the answer, check out the new column just posted by our resident video poker pro, Bob Dancer.
Want the inside scoop on Sunday's "Big Game", from the best parties to the best prop bets? Sports Illustrated just posted an in-depth feature on the Super Bowl, which itself features multiple insights from both Las Vegas Advisor publisher Anthony Curtis and professional sports bettor and LVASports editor Frank B. Anyone with any interest in the action should definitely check it out.
Perhaps this is old news, but we just discovered that Arizona Charlie's Boulder has an ongoing deal for $8 buckets (five bottles) of Bud/Bud Light at all casino bars. Puts the $25-$30 beer-bucket "deals" touted on the Strip into perspective (especially when a "bucket" sometimes = a mere four bottles on the Boulevard).
It's okay, it's not a lion hunt for Fat Cats on Fremont Street, it's a charity road race for a great cause, sponsored by Downtown Grand and taking place on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 7), with ancillary festivities hosted by venues including Downtown Container Park, the Learning Village, Turntable Health, Nacho Daddy, the Gold Spike, and the Bunkhouse Saloon, all culminating in a free Big Game viewing party. There are multiple events, including 5K and 10K races and Kids' Fun Run, with proceeds benefitting the Las Vegas-based Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, which provides disadvantaged children and
kids in crisis with new shoes and socks. Register online before midnight Thursday to avoid escalating entry fees -- get the full lowdown on the official website.
Evidently, there really is an app for just about everything, with word that topless gentlemen's club Crazy Horse III has teamed up with HBO "sexpert" and AVN Hall of Fame inductee Katie Morgan to launch the club's new mobile tool on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Soon to be available in the Apple Store, the app apparently facilitates making table reservations and ordering the club's complimentary limo service, ordering bottle service packages, browsing dancer profiles, and even booking a hotel room prior to arrival at the venue. Launch-party attendees can take advantage of an open bar from 9 to 11 p.m. and members of the club's loyalty program will be able to reload their diamond dollar member card through the new app.
For all your information needs regarding Sin City's adult-entertainment scene, from strip club etiquette, to brothel/prostitution law, to money-saving tips, to reviews of every gentlemen's (and ladies') club, adult revue, burlesque act, and topless pool, visit ToplessVegasOnline.com.
Perhaps the third time will be a charm for a beach club at the Tropicana, following the failure of the Nikki Beach experiment, which folded after six months back in 2011, and the similar fate of the Bagatelle brand in 2013, as today brings news that new owners Penn National Gaming will introduce an as-yet-unnamed 21+ daylife venue this April, in addition to re-launching DayDream Pool Club at sister property M Resort (we weren't aware that it had gone anywhere, but still...)
As far as the Tropicana's pool offerings are concerned, there will be a casting call Feb. 3 for both the main resort pool, famed for its swim-up blackjack, and for the new party pool, with positions available for lifeguards and supervisors, party pit and swim-up blackjack dealers, security guards, food runners, barbacks, and "model" servers and bartenders (who must audition in swimwear). Interested candidates should apply online in advance at TropLV.com (click on the "careers" link at the bottom of the page); the job fair will take place inside Havana Room from 9 a.m. to noon, with a second session from noon to 5 p.m.