Las Vegas Night 1 and 2 Roll Call

2-feign-reluctance

Vegas travelers you’ve been warned! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4K5vzIsqpa/?igsh=MXdjeGt6dnp2YzYzcA==

wiscojam

2-feign-reluctance said:

Vegas travelers you’ve been warned! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4K5vzIsqpa/?igsh=MXdjeGt6dnp2YzYzcA==

  

wiscojam

wiscojam said:

2-feign-reluctance said:

Vegas travelers you’ve been warned! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4K5vzIsqpa/?igsh=MXdjeGt6dnp2YzYzcA==

  

and that was a nice hotel.......

JOEJOEJOE

Two random places to check out:

Punk Rock Museum 

Bagelmania - great eatery with an extensive deli menu

Aliveguy10

I’m in search of a seat for the Saturday show.  Will be traveling in for the show.  Any help or advice appreciated. 

kaw753

Isoworld13 said:

Flying in from Boston on Wed. Staying at the Mirage. Hitting Dead & Co at the Sphere on Thu & Fri and capping it off with PJ on Sat. Will be starting at Planet 13 and going from there. Highlights of the debauchery will include Bacchanal Buffett, Golden Tiki, Sand Dollar (both locations), Virgil's BBQ, the Peppermill, the Griffon, Gold Spike, &  other various Fremont stops, In-n-Out burger, the Pinball Hall of Fame, & Bali Hai Golf Club.

Frank's Tiki Room might also be up your alley. Atomic Liquors if you are downtown and like it classic divey.

MG14345

kaw753 said:

Isoworld13 said:

Flying in from Boston on Wed. Staying at the Mirage. Hitting Dead & Co at the Sphere on Thu & Fri and capping it off with PJ on Sat. Will be starting at Planet 13 and going from there. Highlights of the debauchery will include Bacchanal Buffett, Golden Tiki, Sand Dollar (both locations), Virgil's BBQ, the Peppermill, the Griffon, Gold Spike, &  other various Fremont stops, In-n-Out burger, the Pinball Hall of Fame, & Bali Hai Golf Club.

Frank's Tiki Room might also be up your alley. Atomic Liquors if you are downtown and like it classic divey.

I'm definitely hitting Frankie's Tiki Room!!

kaw753

jgregory89 said:

Isoworld13 said:

Flying in from Boston on Wed. Staying at the Mirage. Hitting Dead & Co at the Sphere on Thu & Fri and capping it off with PJ on Sat. Will be starting at Planet 13 and going from there. Highlights of the debauchery will include Bacchanal Buffett, Golden Tiki, Sand Dollar (both locations), Virgil's BBQ, the Peppermill, the Griffon, Gold Spike, &  other various Fremont stops, In-n-Out burger, the Pinball Hall of Fame, & Bali Hai Golf Club.

If you've got more time, check out the Mob Museum. 

Loved the Mob Museum.

If you have a free night (or day, but go at night), check out the casino sign graveyard North of downtown near Cashman Field. It is pure Americana. You have to make reservations in advance and the night time ones sell out because they light up all the signs. I have been 3 times as it is a must do when people come to town.

https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/neon-boneyard

Eddieredder

I go to Vegas 2-3x a year. Love it there. Here are a few places/things I'd recommend

Taco's El Gordo - San Diego folks know. Cheap street tacos. Get the El Pastor
Peppermill - Fireside lounge. Bright pink, fire pits and lots of neon. Old school vegas staple. 
Fremont St - Cheaper, and dirtier than the strip, reminds me of what Vegas used to be like. Its a nice break from the strip.. Free bands and light show every hour. Don't wander too far off Fremont though, it can be pretty sketchy. Golden Nugget and Circa are the nicest casinos. My favorite is the Golden Gate with the dancing dealers
Herbs & Rye - Local steakhouse off strip. Great cocktails and 1/2 price steaks during happy hour.
Bellagio fountain - gotta check out the show at least once. never gets old to me

Be prepared for sticker shock. The strip is expensive. It can be $15-20 beers/cocktails. Just remember you can always hop into a CVS or ABC store and buy beer and water. For all the expensive places, there are cheap eats if you search around enough. Most of the casinos have the same things (steak house, sushi, italian, bars etc). Its gonna be a similar set up at most places, its not what do you want......its where do you want to do it. 

Vegas has the best people watching in the world. Grab a drink and just cruise around. Free entertainment. 

Johnny Abruzzo

Has anyone gambled at El Cortez? It's supposed to have the best blackjack odds. Is it sketchy or whatever?

wiscojam

Johnny Abruzzo said:

Has anyone gambled at El Cortez? It's supposed to have the best blackjack odds. Is it sketchy or whatever?

Was in Vegas in February and stayed downtown at Golden Nugget. Gambled several times at El Cortez. It's totally fine. It's no Bellagio (clientele is maybe a little less refined at times) but it's fine. Sat and played UTH for a good 2 hours one morning. Don't play much BJ so I don't remember if it's all 3:2 or what. Certainly have cheaper tables than the higher end places. They've been updating over the years and it's iconic. You should go

Johnny Abruzzo

wiscojam said:

Johnny Abruzzo said:

Has anyone gambled at El Cortez? It's supposed to have the best blackjack odds. Is it sketchy or whatever?

Was in Vegas in February and stayed downtown at Golden Nugget. Gambled several times at El Cortez. It's totally fine. It's no Bellagio (clientele is maybe a little less refined at times) but it's fine. Sat and played UTH for a good 2 hours one morning. Don't play much BJ so I don't remember if it's all 3:2 or what. Certainly have cheaper tables than the higher end places. They've been updating over the years and it's iconic. You should go

Cool man. If you see someone sitting there in a PJ t-shirt it might be yours truly. It's supposed to be all 3-2.

bb4packers

I've lived in Vegas for a couple years now and haven't done 1/2 this stuff and now I have a new list of restaurants to try. Thanks!  We take friends from out of town to Esther's Kitchen in the arts district and it is always a big hit - they are expanding to a new building this week so it may be easier to get in moving forward.  There's alot of interesting places to eat and shop in that part of town and people seem to appreciate the break from the strip for an afternoon or evening.  Esther's also has a great brunch. If you are interested in Vegan options Tacotarian next door to Esther's (and a couple other locations across town) is really good and relatively inexpensive. It sounds like the strip hotels are really expensive that weekend so don't be afraid to stay off the strip. The surrounding areas (mainly Summerlin and Henderson) are nice and safe. You can always uber in early or stay late after the show to avoid waiting too long for a ride.  

Lizard

kaw753 said:

Isoworld13 said:

Flying in from Boston on Wed. Staying at the Mirage. Hitting Dead & Co at the Sphere on Thu & Fri and capping it off with PJ on Sat. Will be starting at Planet 13 and going from there. Highlights of the debauchery will include Bacchanal Buffett, Golden Tiki, Sand Dollar (both locations), Virgil's BBQ, the Peppermill, the Griffon, Gold Spike, &  other various Fremont stops, In-n-Out burger, the Pinball Hall of Fame, & Bali Hai Golf Club.

Frank's Tiki Room might also be up your alley. Atomic Liquors if you are downtown and like it classic divey.

Yes, Atomic Liquor!!  so named, I believe, because they used to sit on top to watch the mushroom clouds of the bomb testings.  Fun times!  Container Park is right by there too and good spot to check out.

jgregory89

bb4packers said:

I've lived in Vegas for a couple years now and haven't done 1/2 this stuff and now I have a new list of restaurants to try. Thanks!  We take friends from out of town to Esther's Kitchen in the arts district and it is always a big hit - they are expanding to a new building this week so it may be easier to get in moving forward.  There's alot of interesting places to eat and shop in that part of town and people seem to appreciate the break from the strip for an afternoon or evening.  Esther's also has a great brunch. If you are interested in Vegan options Tacotarian next door to Esther's (and a couple other locations across town) is really good and relatively inexpensive. It sounds like the strip hotels are really expensive that weekend so don't be afraid to stay off the strip. The surrounding areas (mainly Summerlin and Henderson) are nice and safe. You can always uber in early or stay late after the show to avoid waiting too long for a ride.  

Esther's is fantastic.  They started accepting reservations at the new building yesterday.  Also, Al Solito Posto in Tivoli Village is a James Trees restaurant as well.  Haven't been yet, but I'm sure it's good. 

StardogChamp79

PJ is playing my buddies 40th birthday in Vegas! Would not miss it for the world!

wiscojam

jgregory89 said:

bb4packers said:

I've lived in Vegas for a couple years now and haven't done 1/2 this stuff and now I have a new list of restaurants to try. Thanks!  We take friends from out of town to Esther's Kitchen in the arts district and it is always a big hit - they are expanding to a new building this week so it may be easier to get in moving forward.  There's alot of interesting places to eat and shop in that part of town and people seem to appreciate the break from the strip for an afternoon or evening.  Esther's also has a great brunch. If you are interested in Vegan options Tacotarian next door to Esther's (and a couple other locations across town) is really good and relatively inexpensive. It sounds like the strip hotels are really expensive that weekend so don't be afraid to stay off the strip. The surrounding areas (mainly Summerlin and Henderson) are nice and safe. You can always uber in early or stay late after the show to avoid waiting too long for a ride.  

Esther's is fantastic.  They started accepting reservations at the new building yesterday.  Also, Al Solito Posto in Tivoli Village is a James Trees restaurant as well.  Haven't been yet, but I'm sure it's good. 

Might as well get the rest of my recommendations out there at once. BTW, I've heard great things about Esther's Kitchen and the Arts District in general. thanks to others for the other recommendations (Frankie's looks like a must try)

Carson Kitchen - dinner downtown

Vic and Anthony's - best crab cake I've ever had, very good steak
Oscar's - historic, good food/ambience/view

$2 PBR + hot dog @ Downtown Grand 

Beer Park - day drinking on the strip

Mon Ami Gabi - breakfast/brunch on the strip with great view and food

Beauty & Essex - dinner at Cosmopolitan (over 40? bring your glasses and flashlight)

kaw753

wiscojam said:

jgregory89 said:

bb4packers said:

I've lived in Vegas for a couple years now and haven't done 1/2 this stuff and now I have a new list of restaurants to try. Thanks!  We take friends from out of town to Esther's Kitchen in the arts district and it is always a big hit - they are expanding to a new building this week so it may be easier to get in moving forward.  There's alot of interesting places to eat and shop in that part of town and people seem to appreciate the break from the strip for an afternoon or evening.  Esther's also has a great brunch. If you are interested in Vegan options Tacotarian next door to Esther's (and a couple other locations across town) is really good and relatively inexpensive. It sounds like the strip hotels are really expensive that weekend so don't be afraid to stay off the strip. The surrounding areas (mainly Summerlin and Henderson) are nice and safe. You can always uber in early or stay late after the show to avoid waiting too long for a ride.  

Esther's is fantastic.  They started accepting reservations at the new building yesterday.  Also, Al Solito Posto in Tivoli Village is a James Trees restaurant as well.  Haven't been yet, but I'm sure it's good. 

Might as well get the rest of my recommendations out there at once. BTW, I've heard great things about Esther's Kitchen and the Arts District in general. thanks to others for the other recommendations (Frankie's looks like a must try)

Carson Kitchen - dinner downtown

Vic and Anthony's - best crab cake I've ever had, very good steak
Oscar's - historic, good food/ambience/view

$2 PBR + hot dog @ Downtown Grand 

Beer Park - day drinking on the strip

Mon Ami Gabi - breakfast/brunch on the strip with great view and food

Beauty & Essex - dinner at Cosmopolitan (over 40? bring your glasses and flashlight)

wiscojam said:

jgregory89 said:

bb4packers said:

I've lived in Vegas for a couple years now and haven't done 1/2 this stuff and now I have a new list of restaurants to try. Thanks!  We take friends from out of town to Esther's Kitchen in the arts district and it is always a big hit - they are expanding to a new building this week so it may be easier to get in moving forward.  There's alot of interesting places to eat and shop in that part of town and people seem to appreciate the break from the strip for an afternoon or evening.  Esther's also has a great brunch. If you are interested in Vegan options Tacotarian next door to Esther's (and a couple other locations across town) is really good and relatively inexpensive. It sounds like the strip hotels are really expensive that weekend so don't be afraid to stay off the strip. The surrounding areas (mainly Summerlin and Henderson) are nice and safe. You can always uber in early or stay late after the show to avoid waiting too long for a ride.  

Esther's is fantastic.  They started accepting reservations at the new building yesterday.  Also, Al Solito Posto in Tivoli Village is a James Trees restaurant as well.  Haven't been yet, but I'm sure it's good. 

Might as well get the rest of my recommendations out there at once. BTW, I've heard great things about Esther's Kitchen and the Arts District in general. thanks to others for the other recommendations (Frankie's looks like a must try)

Carson Kitchen - dinner downtown

Vic and Anthony's - best crab cake I've ever had, very good steak
Oscar's - historic, good food/ambience/view

$2 PBR + hot dog @ Downtown Grand 

Beer Park - day drinking on the strip

Mon Ami Gabi - breakfast/brunch on the strip with great view and food

Beauty & Essex - dinner at Cosmopolitan (over 40? bring your glasses and flashlight)

I lived there for many years. 595 Craft on Trop @ Rainbow was my local and they have about 30 very good beers on tap. I pretty much avoided the strip, so my recommendations would suck. McMullen's across from the Orleans if you love Guinness and live music. Lotus of Siam was the incredible Thai place in a sketchy strip mall off Sahara (I think), but the new location is too gentrified and I think the original is closed. 

For karaoke, very strong drinks, and old Vegas, Dino's Lounge past the Stratosphere is the oldest bar in Vegas.

If you are in a casino and need a drink, the convenience stores at Park MGM and others are actually a decent deal when compared to the bars. Walgreens and those places have way better prices, of course.

The atomic testing museum kind of sucks and is stuck in 1980's.

JOEJOEJOE

wiscojam said:

jgregory89 said:

bb4packers said:

I've lived in Vegas for a couple years now and haven't done 1/2 this stuff and now I have a new list of restaurants to try. Thanks!  We take friends from out of town to Esther's Kitchen in the arts district and it is always a big hit - they are expanding to a new building this week so it may be easier to get in moving forward.  There's alot of interesting places to eat and shop in that part of town and people seem to appreciate the break from the strip for an afternoon or evening.  Esther's also has a great brunch. If you are interested in Vegan options Tacotarian next door to Esther's (and a couple other locations across town) is really good and relatively inexpensive. It sounds like the strip hotels are really expensive that weekend so don't be afraid to stay off the strip. The surrounding areas (mainly Summerlin and Henderson) are nice and safe. You can always uber in early or stay late after the show to avoid waiting too long for a ride.  

Esther's is fantastic.  They started accepting reservations at the new building yesterday.  Also, Al Solito Posto in Tivoli Village is a James Trees restaurant as well.  Haven't been yet, but I'm sure it's good. 

Might as well get the rest of my recommendations out there at once. BTW, I've heard great things about Esther's Kitchen and the Arts District in general. thanks to others for the other recommendations (Frankie's looks like a must try)

Carson Kitchen - dinner downtown

Vic and Anthony's - best crab cake I've ever had, very good steak
Oscar's - historic, good food/ambience/view

$2 PBR + hot dog @ Downtown Grand 

Beer Park - day drinking on the strip

Mon Ami Gabi - breakfast/brunch on the strip with great view and food

Beauty & Essex - dinner at Cosmopolitan (over 40? bring your glasses and flashlight)

Mon Ami Gabi is located at the Paris Hotel - great French food at a reasonable price.

a5pj

StardogChamp79 said:

PJ is playing my buddies 40th birthday in Vegas! Would not miss it for the world!

Lot of 40th's , me included !!