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Gary Trask Gaming Guru  Top 10 new Las Vegas trip experiences19 August 2024
By Gary Trask Las Vegas is a city that thrives on novelty. Every trip offers something new and exciting, and I make it a point to experience as much as possible on every one of my treks out west to the desert. My most recent trip to Las Vegas once again included a whirlwind tour of everything from celebrity-themed bars, hidden speakeasies, new, multi-billion-dollar resorts, and a sportsbook that redefines the game-day experience. Whether you're a seasoned Sin City veteran or a first-time visitor, chances are you'll find something on this list to add to your hit list for your next venture, especially if you love to indulge in good food and drink as much as yours truly. 10. Sammy’s Island at Palms My journalistic non-biased opinion for our first item is a bit comprised since I’m a lifelong fan of Sammy Hagar/Van Halen/Van Hagar and Palms Casino Resort has become one of my favorite resorts in Las Vegas. A highlight of my Las Vegas trip last summer was seeing Sammy and The Circle in concert at Palms. That said, it was not a leap of faith to assume I would enjoy my first visit to the new Sammy’s Island immensely. Located within Palm's expansive pool deck area, Sammy's Island at Palms, which opened in May, is a full-on tropical escape. It offers a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the casino by lounging on plush daybeds, soaking up the sun, and sipping on a Maui-jitos (Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, fresh lime juice, pineapple syrup, fresh mint, topped with club soda and a dehydrated pineapple) by the pool, surrounded by swaying palms. The Chicken Tinga Nachos were a perfect poolside snack, and the live DJ set kept the atmosphere upbeat and casual all afternoon. If you’re as big a fan of Sammy as I am, don’t miss his upcoming Birthday Bash at the Palms’ Pearl Concert Theater on 4 and 5 October where you can expect appearances from Michael Anthony, Vic Johnson, Kenny Aronoff, and other surprise guests to celebrate his 77th birthday. 9. Ole Red Las Vegas For someone who considers himself to be a true Las Vegas aficionado, I was surprised to stumble across the newest and biggest bar venues on the Strip. How had I never heard of Ole Red Las Vegas? Regardless, I was quite pleased to find the most recent addition to country singer Blake Shelton’s franchise bar, which also has three Tennessee locations, including Nashville, Orlando, FL, and Shelton’s hometown of Tishomingo, OK. As for the Las Vegas venue, the location doesn’t get much better, sitting center Strip, just outside Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally’s). Ole Red has four floors of lively music and entertainment with amazing views of the best people-watching street in the world and the Bellagio fountains. The energy each time I walked by was pulsating. The demographic of guests ranged from young bachelorette parties to dancing couples in their 60s. Hot tip: Shelton has been known to make surprise visits at his bars to get up on stage and play an unannounced set. Earlier this month, he unveiled a six-show stay across the street at Caesars Palace from 5-15 February so if you’re in town during that span, keep an eye open for Blake at Ole Red.
8. The Pinky Ring Staying on the Las Vegas Strip and with the musician-themed bar theme, Bellagio is home to The Pinky Ring, Bruno Mars’ posh cocktail bar. Dubbed a “one-of-a-kind lounge,” the venue has a strip club feel to it with dimmed lights and a stage surrounded by tables. There’s live music and/or a DJ every night and the selection of handcrafted cocktails is impressive (and expensive, perhaps to help Bruno pay off his gambling debts?). A few important things to remember before visiting The Pinky Ring. The website says “fashionable attire required” so that means no shorts, baseball caps, sandals or any kind of athletic wear. This certainly helps give The Pinky Ring the high-end, classy atmosphere they are seeking. Secondly, there is no food. Finally, and what I loved the most, there are no pictures or video allowed inside the venue. But that didn’t stop one fan from recording Bruno himself performing at his lounge following his concert at Park MGM:
7. Ellis Island’s Top Sirloin Steak Special Sometimes when you travel you want to “go where the locals go” and that’s what happens when you trek just off the Strip and hit up Ellis Island Casino Hotel & Brewery, about two blocks behind the aforementioned Horseshoe. I’ve watched my fair share of football inside The Front Yard at Ellis Island, the two-story, indoor/outdoor atrium with an enticing selection of craft beers, but had never tried the renowned Top Sirloin Steak special before this trip. Here’s the deal: All you need to do is join the Passport Players Club, which comes with $5 in free play, and then head to the Village Pub & Cafe and enjoy a 10-ounce top sirloin steak served with your choice of potato or rice, garlic green beans, and homemade soup or salad for just $9.99. The servings are generous and delicious and, quite frankly, this might be the best value meal in all of Las Vegas.
6. Fontainebleau center bar My latest trip to Sin City provided a chance to experience one of two new resort casinos to open within the last year and neither disappointed. More on the second new resort below, but as for Fontainebleau Las Vegas, it’s downright staggering in every which way. Known for its lavish and opulent array of amenities, the Strip’s newest resort, which opened in December 2023, sits on 25 acres on the northern end of the Strip, across from Wynn Las Vegas, and is a sister property of the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
The casino floor spans an impressive 150,000 square feet, and as you stroll through the property it’s difficult not to gaze around and take in the serene ambiance, waterfalls, and soothing blue tones. Beyond the casino floor, the lobby features a soaring domed ceiling and a blue and gold mosaic wall. There are 3,600 hotel rooms, a spa, live entertainment venues, more than 3,6000 guest rooms and suites, and nearly 40 restaurants and bars. A second visit to Fontainebleau is on my hit list as it’s impossible to cover everything offered here in one shot. But my favorite amenity from this trip was the Bleau Bar. I’m a sucker for the classic “center bar” area of the casino and this is one of the best I’ve experienced. Sitting amid the casino floor and beneath the sky-high ceilings and brilliant chandelier of crystal bowties, Bleau Bar is classy, lively, and full of options for a classic cocktail. 5. The Ski Lodge at The Cosmo Speakeasies are all the rage in Las Vegas these days. In fact, a “Top 10 Speak Easy Bars in Las Vegas” would probably be a great future column. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has especially embraced this craze and now I can add The Ski Lodge to my list of favorite “hidden bars” in Las Vegas. Tucked away toward the back of the property near the Chelsea Theater, The Ski Lodge sits behind what appears to be a discrete closet door with a small skier logo. When you walk inside you are immediately transformed into a cabin-style, après-ski paradise, even though it may be 100 degrees outside on the Las Vegas Strip. The designers of this bar nailed it if their goal was to evoke that feeling of stepping off the slopes, kicking off your clunky ski boots, and craving a comforting cocktail. There’s a fireplace, board games, and a window behind the bar with a view of a snowy forest in the background. James Beard Award-winner Leo Robitschek and Beverage Director Mauro Villalobos crafted a menu that allows you to easily pair your drinks with Chef Anthony Falco's signature “frico-crusted” square pizzas. For a sweet ending, the S'Mores Mountain Campfire Kit (serving one to two) is a popular choice, complete with a campfire pot, house-made graham crackers, a milk chocolate bar, and vanilla marshmallows. Wash it all down with a Shotski (Bailey’s chocolate, gin Bailey’s, cinnamon-whiskey Bailey’s, and mole tequila), and you'll have truly conquered your visit to The Ski Lodge.
4. Montecristo Cigar Bar at Paris While this is the second Montecristo Cigar Bar on the Strip from Caesars Entertainment, it's far from a disappointing sequel. This new location is just as cozy and inviting as the original at Caesars Palace, which I've frequented since its 2016 opening. My main mission during this Las Vegas trip was to cover the World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. So, after passing this welcoming new venue multiple times in the hallway between the two properties, I couldn't resist stopping in for a smoke and a drink. The French-inspired Montecristo Cigar Bar, which sits in the location formerly occupied by Napoleon’s Lounge, features a fresh, green color palette and stone accents. At nearly 3,000 square feet with a state-of-the-art ventilation system, the lounge is comfy with seating for over 70 guests, eight bar-top games, and ample screens for watching live events. Cigar enthusiasts will love the walk-in humidor with custom cedar shelving for storing and enjoying cigars on-site or at home, and they won’t be disappointed by the selection of more than 300 premium brands. For spirits, I probably should have tried something different, but couldn’t resist ordering my old standby from the Montecristo bar at Caesars, the delectable Rolling Smoke (Maker’s Mark 46 Bourbon, Laphroaig Islay Scotch whisky, coffee bean-infused Carpano Antica Formula vermouth and vanilla).
3. Evel Pie A trip from the Strip to Downtown Las Vegas always makes it onto my Las Vegas itinerary and discovering a cool spot in the Fremont Street area for cheap pizza and beer was a definite highlight this time. Evel Pie pays homage to the legendary and late stuntman Evel Knievel, whose daring attempt to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace in 1967 ended with him suffering serious injuries but cemented him as a Las Vegas legend. Inside you’ll find a small restaurant and bar filled with Evel Knievel memorabilia, including pinball machines, skateboards, photographs, and even a bust of the man himself. An old Evel Knievel bike hangs from the rafters and there’s a huge mural of the Grand Canyon. There’s also a sign with giant fluorescent light letters hanging over the bar that spells out the motto of the joint: "LIVE HARD, RIDE FAST, EAST PIZZA." Perfect. As for the pizza, it’s legit and there were 11 different styles of pie, including Balls to the Wall (Evel’s tomato sauce, mozzarella, house-made meatballs, ricotta, and caramelized onions), Hog Heaven (Evel’s BBQ sauce, mozzarella, pulled pork, man candy bacon, and red onions) and Maui Wowie (Evel’s tomato sauce, mozzarella, pineapple, ham, and jalapeno). Trust me, you won’t find a better piece of pizza at a more affordable rate in all of Las Vegas. The Evel Slice Combo, which comes with a slice of pizza and an Evel Ale by Las Vegas’ Tenaya Creek Brewery, is just $8 and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily you can get $3 beers and $5 well cocktails. 2. Allie Lounge at Resorts World Las Vegas has a fine selection of cocktail lounges with a view and while Alle Lounge on 66 is a bit tricky to find, it’s more than worth the effort. Perched on the 66th floor of the massive Resorts World Las Vegas on the northern end of the Strip, Alle offers a blend of breathtaking city views, sophisticated ambiance, and inviting bartenders. Ideal for pre- or post-dinner drinks, the lounge features an open-air balcony that offers spectacular views of the entire city and makes you feel as though you could reach out and touch the top of Encore Las Vegas across the street. The cocktail menu is unique with choices like a Cookie Butter Espresso Martini (Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Kahlua, Cookie Butter, Espresso) and Mexican Candy (DeLeón Reposado Tequila, Watermelon Syrup, Lime Juice, Agave, Fire Bitters). While the libations are a bit of an investment (around $25 each), the vibrant atmosphere and unforgettable panorama make this a must-visit destination.
1. New sportsbook at Durango Casino Resort Durango Casino Resort in Las Vegas' Southwest Valley – about 10 miles south of MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Las Vegas – opened in December 2023 and ever since I started seeing images of the new sportsbook, I was eager to experience it in person to see if it truly lived up to the hype. Happy to report that when/if I revise my list of the “Top 10 sportsbooks in Las Vegas” in the future, Durango will most certainly be included, perhaps into the Top 5. While not as massive as the venues at Circa Resort and Casino and the SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino – the two sportsbooks that have set the standard for excellence in Sin City – the design of the 10,000 square-foot STN Sportsbook at this Station Casinos property is exceptional. With seating for 205 people, every spot offers a fantastic view of the six massive screens and the unique double-sided oval video wall, whether you score a couch, sit at the circular bar, or plop down in The George Sportsmen's Lounge, which sits adjacent to the sportsbook. “The George” also features a lively outdoor patio equipped with its own set of wrap-around LED screens, allowing you to watch and bet on the games while enjoying the fresh air. I was fortunate to be there on an early Sunday morning for the UEFA Euro 2024 final when Spain bested England in a 2-1 barnburner and the atmosphere was electric both inside and out.
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Gary Trask |
