Category: Dining

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Where to go on National Happy Hour Day in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Advisor Happy Hour. National Happy Hour Day

If there was ever a holiday made for Las Vegas, it’s this one. November 12th is National Happy Hour Day. A day to raise a glass (or two) to that sacred window of time when the world slows down, the prices drop, and life just feels a little lighter.

Vegas is the envy of the foodie world with more happy hour options than most cities could dream of. From family-friendly deals to global flavors that transport your taste buds, there’s literally hundreds of great places to get together, unplug, and eat and drink really well.

Here are a few great deals to celebrate National Happy Hour Day the Vegas way.

holsteins happy hour

Holsteins Burgers & Shakes Happy Hour

After 15 years on The Strip, Holstein’s moved to the udder side of town in the Arts District. For National Happy Hour Day, Holsteins is extending its happy hour from 11 AM to 10 PM for an all-day celebration. $5 drafts and a $16 Happiest Meal (burger, fries, cocktail). emooojis here:

Spy Ninjas HQ – Retro Bar Happy Hour

PacMan and Pumpkin Martini for National Happy Hour Day?It’s on like Donkey Kong at The Retro Bar with 80’s themed drinks & bites from $4-$11 and a seasonal happy hour menu. Plus, the Cabbage Patch Kids get to zip, jump, climb and crawl around the huge indoor park. Happy Family Hour!

MGM Grand 24 hours of Happy Hour

MGM Grand is taking National Happy Hour Day to a whole new level with 24 hours of rotating happy hour deals. Try $7-7-7 wells, wines, beers across multiple MGM Grand venues including BetMGM Sportsbook. Sip and celebrate all day, all night and all the time where happy hour never sleeps. Yep, that’s Vegas!

Scotch 80 Prime Happy Hour – Palms Casino

Scotch 80 Prime new social hour menu items including 30% OFF the really good stuff. Try steak tartar, shrimp cocktails, wine from the gods and signature cocktails for $11-$18. Today and every Mon -Thurs 5-7 PM.

Bottiglia Cucina & Enoteca Happy Hour

Giornata Nazionale dell’Aperitivo! Happy Hour Day Deal! Half-off the regular $8 happy hour menu. From 4 to 6 PM Wednesday, Nov. 12, guests can enjoy $4 dishes including mozzarella & tomato caprese, zucchini chips, meatballs and pizzettes with $4.5 specialty cocktails and wines.

Enjoy National Happy Hour Day and check out Happy Hour Vegas for more Las Vegas Happy Hours everyday.

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Lotus of Siam (Happy Hour)

When forming a top ten list of all the restaurants in Las Vegas, including the best in the casinos, Lotus of Siam is a favorite to be on it. At one point the original in Commercial Center was named by one top critic as the best Thai restaurant in America. We’ve always felt that the praise was justified. If you’ve read LVA for a while, you know that we rarely run out to try something new. But after reporting on the Lotus happy hour last month, we made it a point to try it for this issue. Note that this is the Lotus on E. Flamingo, across from Silver Sevens, The original remains closed, though they still say it will reopen. We don’t put the casino location at Red Rock in the same category as the non-casino restuarants, since it isn’t overseen by James Beard Award winning chef and founder Saipin Chutima.

The Deal

The happy hour runs Mon.-Fri. from 3 to 5 p.m. in the bar area, with $4 sake, $5 beer, $6 wine, $8 specialty cocktails, and $7 small plates.

The Food

We wondered about the food selection. Lotus has a vast menu, so what would they choose. Was it possible the famous appetizer nam khao tod would be on the list? Amazingly, it is, though it’s called crispy rice lettuce wrap. Another of our favorites, khao soi, a Thai version of steak tartare is also on the menu as steak tartare cups. Also offered: calamari, papaya salad, satay, and garlic tofu. All are priced at $7, and the portions are good. Honestly, it’s not quite the same as getting the larger portions that you prepare yourself, but they’re representative for sure.

The Drinks

You can order the sake hot or cold and it’s a heck of a deal for $4. However, the star of the show was the White Lotus cocktail, a smooth mix of bourbon, lime, peach schnapps, passion fruit, and aquafaba.

Ambiance

Nothing will ever match the original, but the Flamingo location is clean and comfortable. Friendly and helpful bartenders. A good HH setting.

The Verdict

This is a top notch happy hour that pretty much met our high expectations. There were only a few other people at the bar, which was surprising, but maybe the word’s not out. At these prices you can get your drink on in the process. Be sure to try the crispy rice lettuce wrap and the tartare. Our bill for two was $49.

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5 Great Oyster Happy Hours

Oyster happy hours Las Vegas

You can find them year-round, but oyster “season” is currently in full swing – and will be through April. And while they can be pricey, Las Vegas still has some great deals on the little mollusks, many of which are limited to Happy Hour menus. They shuck, and you suck – but at least the bill won’t.

Basilico (6111 S. Buffalo Drive) – This Italian restaurant located within the Southwest Valley’s Evora apartment complex has a great Happy Hour, seven days a week from 4 to 6 p.m. But Wednesdays are special, because that’s the day they add $1 oysters. There’s a 6-oyster minimum on the deal, which will still leave enough room in your belly for the salads, pastas, flatbreads, beer, wine and cocktails of the everyday Happy Hour menu, all of which are priced between $5 and $10.

Palate (The Arts District) – A sister restaurant to Basilico (above), Palate also offers $1 oysters every Wednesday, as an addition to their usual Happy Hour menu, which is available Wednesdays through Fridays from 3:00 to 6:00 and Saturdays from 4:00 to 6:00. Other deals include $5 beer, $8 wine, $9 cocktails, and small bites from Chef Sterling Buckley from $7 to $10.

Proper Bar at Proper Eats (Aria) – Proper Bar, adjacent to Aria’s Proper Eats Food Hall, is the only part of the food hall that offers a Happy Hour promotion, and it’s a good one if you like Oysters: Blue Point oysters for $2 each and specialty oyster enhanced cocktails from $9 to $16 each. Try the Mezcal Kicker (Fresh Blue Point Oyster, Mezcal, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, Jalapeño, Sea Salt) or keep it simple with a half-dozen oysters for $2 bucks-a-shuck. You can take advantage of the Oyster Happy Hour promotion every Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Momofuku (Cosmopolitan) –Celebrity Chef David Chang’s Cosmopolitan flagship is known for combining Korean, Japanese and American influences with signature dishes like bao buns, ramen and a large-format roasted duck. From 3 to 5 p.m., seven days a week, their Social Hour Menu has ten items priced at $10 or less, including a half dozen
oysters for $10. You’ll also find draft beer for $8, Highballs for $10 and wine or sake for $12.

Sugarcane (Venetian/Palazzo) — Located on The Venetian/Palazzo Restaurant Row, just across from the Voltaire Theater, Sugarcane offers modern American food with global influences, with a heavy emphasis on their raw bar and sushi offerings. Their two weekday Happy Hours, which run from 3 to 6 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to midnight every Sunday through Thursday, include a few Spanish dishes, but lean heavily into the seafood side of the menu. That includes Chef’s selection oysters for $2.50 each. Wash them down with one of four $7 craft beers, or a nice selection of cocktails and wine for $8 apiece.

Discover more oyster happy hours at Happy Hour Vegas.

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Beso

At least three years ago, we had a review in the hopper for BG Bistro on Tropicana. Good salads, stuffed mushrooms, fish, and especially lamb chops. Then it moved to 4435 S. Buffalo and changed its name to Beso.

The Food

The cuisine is now described as “Mediterranean and Eastern European,” but the root nationality is Bulgarian. The selection is vast, including dishes such as cevapi (beef and pork in bread), mititei (sausage), and uviatch (stuffed pork). We haven’t tried them. These we have: blue cheese mushrooms ($15), chicken livers ($14), arugula salad ($14), and branzino ($35). Excellent. The salad selection is one of the best we’ve seen. Along with the arugula are Greek, shopska, and vitamin salad—beets, carrots, apple, and walnuts in a honey citrus dressing—among others, all $13-$17. The lamb chops are served with potatoes and vegetables for $28; you won’t find them this good at this price in many, if any, places.

We can’t list everything on the menu; check it out here.

Then there are daily white-paper specials, off of which we got this lamb shank for $14.

Breakfast

This is new. It starts at 8 a.m. and it’s a good option for a weekend brunch. We had a veggie omelet, salmon Benedict, and ham & cheese crepe. The whole thing came out to $53 and we took the crepes home.

Ambience

While BG Bistro was kinda down and dirty, with Eastern European expats hanging out at the patio tables, Beso is more refined. You can sit at the bar and start a conversation or get a table of your own. It’s comfortable.

The Verdict

This is a good restaurant with a lot of food choices. And as you can see from the examples or by clicking through to the menu, it’s very well priced. You have to travel about seven miles west from the Strip, but if you’re looking for something different and reasonable, this fills the bill. Did we mention those lamb chops?

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Burger Special (Ellis Island)

As Ellis Island moves closer to the conclusion of its expansion disruption, it continues to hatch new deals, including daily specials for $10.99 and graveyard specials for $4.99-$8.99. Most intriguing to us is a 24/7 burger & fries for $5.99. This is the Station Casinos deal that’s in the Top Ten. How do they match up?

The EI burger is outstanding, probably closer to a half-pound than a quarter. Dress it up with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and whatever additional condiments you want that are right there on the table. It comes with a heap of fries. Big meal.

The Steak Special

Since there were two of us, one tried the steak special that we’ve been getting a few complaints about. Here it is, and the photo doesn’t include the salad that comes with it. The steak was perfectly cooked and our carnivore traded his fries for our vegetarian’s steak. What could be better?

The Verdict

So which is better, EI or SC? We really do like the Station burger, but Ellis Island’s is better. Why, then, does Station remain in the Top Ten? The main reason is availability. Both are 24/7, but you can get the Station burger at several different places. And it’s a small point, but Station’s is a cheeseburger and cheese is a $1.25 upcharge at Ellis.

As for that steak special, we agree that you can get a better steak in SW at the Wynn. But you can get 10 steaks at Ellis Island, with the sides, for the same price? Sorry, but we’re discounting the dissenters on this one.

Ellis Island continues to rock. The bill for both meals was $17.32.

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Buffet Update – October 2025

Circus Circus – Circus Buffet: This week’s Breakfast Buffet is Sat & Sun, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. for $32.95 and dinner’s Fri & Sat, 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. for $34.95

Cosmopolitan – Wicked Spoon: No changes to the buffet. Local Wednesday is still offered for $38 with valid NV I.D. but no longer offers additional club discount.

South Point – Garden Buffet: All buffet prices went up by $1-$5. Breakfast Mon-Fri, 7 a.m.-10 a.m. including two bloody marys is now $19.95. Lunch Mon-Fri, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. is now $26.95. Prime Rib & Champagne Brunch Sat & Sun, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. including two mimosas is now $37.95. Prime Rib Dinner Sat-Thurs, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. is now $37.95 and Seafood Dinner on Fri, 3 p.m.-9 p.m. is now $57.95.

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Jack Binion’s Steak (Horseshoe Las Vegas)

Have you heard, Vegas has gotten expensive. Yeah, it has. And it’s almost never more obvious than in the latest/greatest gourmet steakhouses. Honestly, we don’t do these anymore, unless it’s an absolute must-review or it’s a comp. This was the latter.

The Prices

The least expensive steak on the menu is the 14-ounce NY strip for $90.99, although a 12-ounce prime rib is only $80.99. A wedge salad is $18.99. A side of creamed spinach is $19.99. A glass of house red is $20.99. A Heineken is $12.99. Sheesh. And what’s with this .99 business? Do they really think $90.99 looks better than $91?

The Food

It’s good, but shouldn’t it be? We did the “cheapo” NY Strip, a salad, and a couple sides. We’ve had better, and for $10 less per item. Actually, there was one standout: the “Bloody Mary Shaken & Stirred” wedge salad. Had to try it and darned if it didn’t taste like a Bloody Mary wedge.

The Verdict

Good enough, but too darned expensive. There’s just no way to recommend a $326 meal for two when it’s coming out of pocket. Heck, we could have walked to Ellis Island.

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Village Pubs (Daily Specials)

We talk a lot about the Café at Ellis Island, because it has some of the best food and food deals in town. But we don’t make the point often enough that you can get that same quality and pricing in more than a dozen 24-hour bars all around the Las Vegas area. The 15 or so Village Pubs are owned by Ellis Island boss Gary Ellis and if you eat at one, you pretty much can’t go wrong. The menus are vast and even include the steak special that tops the TOP TEN (though it’s $18.99), but there’s an easy defined strategy of simply going with the daily specials. We tested it.

The Sunday Special

We usually target our days, with pot roast Tuesdays and prime rib Saturdays being at the top of our list. But on this Sunday we were hungry and within walking distance of the Village Pub at 10900 S. Eastern Ave., a perfect time to try our theory. There were two of us and we decided to go with whatever that day’s special was: roast turkey for $14.99. We’ve done this before and knew enough to order just one. It’s turkey & gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a gardens’s worth of steamed vegetables, and some cranberry sauce.

Oh yeah, it also comes with a salad and the Village Pubs salads are among the freshest and best going.

We split it all and barely finished at that.

Locations

As stated, these bars are all over the valley. Did we say 15? There are 16. Here’s the list

Beer

Ellis Island has its own brewery, so you can get EI brews. It’s also a gaming bar, so you can get EI brews comped, though there’s nothing special about the paytables that are governed by the Gambler’s Bonus system.

The Verdict

The theory is sound: If you don’t know what you want, go with the specials for outstanding quality and value. Except in rare circumstances, one special is enough for two to share and single diners will have take-home lunch. The bars are conveniently located everywhere except near the Strip, and you have Ellis Island for that. This is a solid play, available from 11 a.m. on.

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Buffet Update – September 2025

All buffets are subject to an increased price on September 1st for Labor Day.

Circus Circus – Circus Buffet: This week’s Breakfast Buffet is Sat & Sun, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. for $29.95 and dinner’s Fri-Sun, 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. for $34.95.

Rampart – Market Place Buffet: No changes to the buffet. They are offering 2 for 1 Buffet every Tuesdays in September for Rampart Rewards Members. Click the link here to read more details.