Analysis
In spite of last year’s controversial move to quit comping video poker players for drinks at the B Bar, Wynn was clearly the winner of last week’s poll regarding which casino offers the best comped drink service. That’s Wynn’s second best beverage victory, having also come out on top in December’s "Best Bloody Mary" poll, so they’re obviously doing something right over there. Bellagio was runner-up, with the Orleans holding its own admirably against the big guys and maintaining its place in the #3 spot throughout the duration of the poll. Main Street Station was downtown’s hottest contender and a popular choice with many of you who took the time to write in with comments. Sadly, we don’t have space for them all, but here are some of the highlights:
*"Wynn serves the best quality of drinks. I’ve never had any trouble with quantity, either – just as I finish one, the server comes back to take my order."
*"I’m hard-pressed to decide between Main Street Station and Wynn. I love the Wynn for service but it takes much longer than MSS. On the other hand, MSS is a much smaller casino."
*"My biggest pet peeve with the cheap casinos is that they will only serve Red Bull (especially sugar-free) if you’re at the tables, never at the slots. The Venetian, MBay, and Wynn will always serve Red Bull at the slots, so I’d vote for any of those."
*"We have always gotten excellent service and drinks while playing at the Fontana Bar at Bellagio."
*"At Main Street Station, I get the Reds delivered fast and friendly. After the first two, I don’t even have to ask – the waitress already has one on her tray for me when she comes round."
*"The microbrews, particularly the Black Chip Porter, put Main Street Station ahead of the rest."
*"I voted for TI. The big factor for me is that they comp premium liquors. If it’s available at the bar, it can be comped. A lot of other places allow some call liquors, but top out at things like Absolut Vodka and Johnny Walker Red. Even the Diamond Lounges at various Harrah’s properties don’t carry premium liquors anymore."
*"The staff at Montelago is always excellent and the strawberry daiquiris are the best – served in larger glasses with real whipped cream on top."
*"Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon keeps my drinks a-comin’ when I’m thirsty. Servers are always friendly and accurate, too. I’m sure it helps that I always tip, but considering I play low-limit blackjack ($5 tables), I think that’s great service!"
*"I was in Vegas the week before Halloween and stopped in at La Bayou. Within a half-hour, I was drunk from the comp drinks and between the tips and what I put in the machines, I was down only $20 when I left. It takes a lot to get me drunk (my usual is 2-3 pitchers of beer by myself – I’m 6’4", 350lbs!) – I don’t think that just voting would say enough about La Bayou. Everywhere else I went that week getting drinks was like pulling teeth." [Ed: Maybe La Bayou warned them you were coming, lol!]
*"We used to always spend a fun afternoon at the Venetian race book, with good drink service. Last time we were there, the waitress took our drink orders but when she brought them, told us we had to have ‘drink coupons.’ She said the horse-ticket guy would give them to me, so I went to ask for some but he told me I had to be betting $20/race to earn drink tickets! I told the cocktail waitress that apparently we weren’t betting enough to be worthy of a drink comp and kind of expected her to take pity and still give the drink, since it was already on her tray, but she just walked away!"
*"I was in Vegas right after Thanksgiving and was disappointed overall in how poor the drink service was in almost every casino in which I gambled. Have things deteriorated since my last trip (July, ‘05)? I almost had to tackle a waitress at some establish
