Living Local – Page 2 – Las Vegas Advisor

Posted on September 28, 2023October 2, 2023 by David Mckee

Culinary solidarity; Diversity in danger

In the end, it wasn’t even close. 95% of Culinary Union members voted to authorize a strike (no date set) against 22 Las Vegas Strip casinos. Was a different outcome expected? Frankly, no. Mind you, casinos have no one but themselves to blame for the overwhelming plebiscite. Big Gaming used the Covid-19 pandemic as a catchall excuse to downsize service and employees, while simultaneously upsizing profits—which they weren’t shy about publicizing. To say that didn’t sit well with Culinary members would be an understatement. Add the casino industry’s complicity in the Las Vegas Grand Prix fiasco, which is making life miserable for the average Las Vegan, and you have all the makings of a “yes” vote on a potential labor action. That being said …

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Dave Kamsler — 1 Comment

Since You Asked —Taking Photographs

After making more than 50 trips to Las Vegas, which add up to more than a year of my life spent there, I’ve ventured far off the beaten path. In this post, I’d like to offer some tips on some of the best places in the Valley to take great photographs.

It may seem obvious and it’s most certainly not off the beaten path, but one of the best places to pull out your camera is the Bellagio Conservatory. The displays change seasonally, so you’re almost always likely to see something new, and the Bellagio artists do beautiful things with flowers. I’ve got tons and tons of great pictures of the conservatory; these are just a couple of favorites.

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Dave Kamsler — 8 Comments

Since You Asked — The Rat Pack Is Back

Usually, when a show bounces around from venue to venue, it’s a bad sign. It can mean that attendance is insufficient, or the casino isn’t promoting it well, or the space doesn’t work for the show. None of these reasons is usually overcome by moving to another venue — if the show actually does move. More times that not, when a show closes, the producers state that they say they’re “looking for a new home.” Then, it’s never heard from again.

One exception is The Rat Pack is Back. Before the shutdown in mid-March, it ws playing at the slightly off-Strip Tuscany. Previously, it appeared at the Plaza and the now-defunct Greek Isles, among other places. If that doesn’t seem like a stellar resumé, don’t be misled. It’s a really fun and enjoyable show.

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Dave Kamsler — 4 Comments

Since You Asked — Wings Over Vegas

I’m a wings aficionado. It’s my favorite food by far. I once flew from New York City to Buffalo and back in one day, just to go to the Anchor Bar and have wings for lunch. Then I married a girl from Buffalo! Even before I did, I spent plenty of time there, so if you’re from Buffalo, I submit the following to establish my street cred:

My favorite wings are Big Tree Inn, Buffalo Brew Pub, and Amherst Pizza and Ale House.
I prefer Anchor Bar to Duff’s.
Bleu cheese. Period. Don’t even mention ranch.
Wings shouldn’t be breaded or baked. Those might be wings, and they might be chicken, but they’re not wings.

In Buffalo, NY, they have their priorities straight.

Las Vegas has lots of great food, but sometimes you’re just looking for good wings. They’re there, but you have to know where to find them. Here are my reviews and recommendations.

Best Wings on the Strip

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Dave Kamsler — 1 Comment

Since You Asked — Hot-Air Balloons

Several different schools of thought come to mind on how to spend your precious time in Las Vegas.

One camp says, “I’m on vacation. There’s no way in hell I’d ever set an alarm to get up early in Vegas.”

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Dave Kamsler — 7 Comments

Since You Asked — Pinball Hall of Fame

Chances are you’ve heard of the Pinball Hall of Fame, but you might not know exactly what it is. A Hall of Fame for pinball? Is it the silver-ball version of Cooperstown?

Not really.

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Dave Kamsler — 2 Comments

Since You Asked — A Bachelor Party with a Twist

This post is the story of how my brother and my friends pulled off one of the all-time epic Vegas pranks.

In May 2013, I was 42 years old and getting married. (Yes, it was a little later in life than most people — but she was worth the wait!)

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Dave Kamsler — 4 Comments

Since You Asked — Big Bus Tours

[Editor’s Note: As Las Vegas reopens, many visitors will be looking for ways to get outside more than usual. The open-air upper deck of the Big Bus Tour is a great way to do that. The tour is currently not running, but is expected to reopen as the casinos and the rest of the city do. Here, Dapper Dave Kamsler provides a first-hand account of the joys of the Big Bus Tour.]

One of my favorite ways to explore a new city is on the Big Bus Tours.

Category: Living Local