May 2024 »
• June 19, 2024 17:38 Gouge on Display:
Once using its reputation as a bargain travel destination as a major marketing tool, Las Vegas has been cited as one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. to visit byForbes Advisor. Worse, the ranking is a result of costs rising more than any other city in the past five years, including a 41% increase for hotel rooms ($252 average), a 61% increase for car rentals ($77 per day), and a 14% increase in meal costs ($98 for three). Of course, these are averages based on the total market and value seekers can avoid many of the high prices, but it’s more evidence of the effects of the Vegas gouge being perpetrated primarily by the biggest Strip casinos.
• June 19, 2024 16:12 New Spot Buffet:
The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay will debut Haunted Brunch on Sunday, July 28. The brunch will feature roving characters and specialty acts from horror movies, along with a buffet, the description of which sounds a lot like the spread for the Gospel Brunch. It’s running on a day that the Gospel Brunch isn’t, and sounds like it’s being tested to be in a Sunday rotation. The price is $59 GA and $79 VIP.
• June 19, 2024 07:33 Sundry Food Hall Falls:
The Sundry Food Hall at Uncommons, the mixed-used development in the southwest valley directly across Durango Drive from Station's Casino's Durango Hotel-Casino, will close on Saturday. We're not too surprised; the 20,000-square-foot food hall never impressed us. It was hard to find (the signage sucks), difficult to use (cashless, with QR-code menus and ordering), and expensive; Durango stole much of its culinary thunder and the turnover was ferocious, so you couldn't count on what you'd find there. The good news is, All'Antico Vinaio, the great sandwich shop at the Uncommons that we reviewed inLVA 4/24, remains. Luckily, it isn't part of the Sundry, but across the street in a separate building.
• June 18, 2024 14:05 Oilers/Panthers Game 5 Line:
The Florida Panthers are -160 favorites over the Edmonton Oilers in tonight's Game 5 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Final. The total is 5.5.
• June 18, 2024 13:16 Tuscany Blows Up Promo:
Whoops. We kinda thought this one might not last. The Tuscany $150 new-member bonus has been altered. It's still good for $50 in free-play, but the $100 additional bonus has some new conditions. Get the details in ourChanges as They Happen blog.
• June 18, 2024 12:52 Locals Deal at Sahara:
On Tuesdays in Balla Italian Soul at Sahara, show Nevada ID to get 50%-off steaks. There are only two on the menu, but they’re $74 and $88, so the saving is substantial. On Wednesdays, locals get 50%-off bottles of wine in Balla. When you go, you’ll also be given their Local VIP card, making you eligible for additional perks and discounts.
• June 18, 2024 08:25 Monolith Returns:
In 2020 we posted a “Vegas News” item about a mysterious “monolith” that appeared out of nowhere at the Fremont Street Experience. Apparently, no one was seen placing it there and its origin was never determined. Subsequently, similar, but not exact, mirrored metal sculptures have appeared in other parts of the country and in Romania (?). Now another has been found in Nevada at Gass Peak, about 20 miles north of Las Vegas. Still, no one knows where they come from nor what they’re for. There’s a good story about the phenomenon in theReno Gazette Journal, with photos, including the eerie FSE appearance.
• June 17, 2024 16:54 Celtics/Mavericks Game 5 Line:
The Boston Celtics are -7 favorites over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Championship series. The total is 210.5.
• June 17, 2024 15:48 DG Blows Up VP:
An announcement from the Downtown Grand boasting that all new machines were on the way to the Furnace Bar was cause for trepidation from those who’ve seen this movie before. And sure enough, the new machines came loaded with new, downgraded, schedules. Formerly one of the best low-stakes video poker bars in town, the games there have taken a serious hit, as described in our Changes as They Happen blog. What’s next, the $2 dog & beer?
• June 17, 2024 14:30 Sphere in USA Today:
Today’sUSA Today has an in-depth review of Sphere, gushingly calling it “the next frontier in live entertainment through design and technology.” The superlatives come fast and furiously – “dizzying, jaw-dropping, trippy” – but there’s also a list of “pain points,” including ferocious lines at the bathrooms. This one’s worth reading if you’re considering a visit. Oh, and USA Today didn’t adhere to the name protocol they’re trying so hard to enforce, referring to “THE Sphere” (not just “Sphere”) throughout.
• June 16, 2024 11:18 Ivey Gets #11:
Phil Ivey won the $10K Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Championship Six-Handed event (yes, that’s what it’s called) to give him his 11th World Series of Poker bracelet. It breaks a tie with Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Eric Seidel to put Ivey alone in second place in all-time bracelet wins, still well behind Phil Hellmuth’s 17. It was Ivey’s first WSOP win since 2014. Amazingly, all of Ivey’s wins have been in non-hold ’em events.
• June 16, 2024 03:14 U.S. Open Golf Line:
Going into today's final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament, Bryson DeChambeau with a 3-stroke lead is the -125 favorite to win. He’s followed by Rory McIlroy at +325 and Patrick Cantlay at +825.
• June 15, 2024 16:37 Oilers/Panthers Game 4 Line:
The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are pick ’em in tonight's Game 4 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Final. The total is 5.5.
• June 15, 2024 13:11 Hawaiian Hits:
A visitor from Hawaii hit for $1.6 million at the Fremont, when he lined up the jackpot symbols on a Wheel of Fortune machine. In town to celebrate his son’s 21st birthday, he attributed the win to a red envelope he was carrying that symbolizes good luck, prosperity, and happiness. Indeed.
• June 15, 2024 11:30 Railroad Pass Slot House:
We’ve received a report that all table games have been removed at Railroad Pass. The Las Vegas area’s oldest casino is now a slot house. Hard to fathom.
• June 14, 2024 16:53 Celtics/Mavericks Game 4 Line:
The Boston Celtics are -1 favorites over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the NBA Championship series. The total is 211.5.
• June 14, 2024 14:39 Restaurant Week Extended:
Originally scheduled to end tomorrow, Las Vegas Restaurant Week has been extended to June 21. Not all, but many restaurants, are honoring the extension, offering special three- and four-course prix fixe menus ranging in price from $20 to $120 and donating a portion of proceeds to Three Square Food Bank. Go to restaurantweek.org for a list of the participating restaurants.
• June 14, 2024 11:35 Exciting New Boondoggle Announced:
Z Athlete Factory (say it with a French accent and it'll make more sense) is a "ground-breaking technology" employing Motion DNA testing and its proprietary RunRite AI system, "created to help athletes run 20% faster and eliminate the root cause of injuries in less than 10 weeks!" So reads the description for the clinic in Henderson. This little kinesiology operation has announced plans for -- are you sitting down? -- a $1.2billion "sports performance and technology center" to be built on one of two unidentified sites they're working to buy somewhere in the valley that will be announced in the next 30 days (we'll take the over). The "campus" would comprise the world’s largest indoor track and field arena, a 2,600-seat aquatics center, an Olympics-caliber gymnastics center, 1,000 “condotel” units, and more pipe dreams that glitter in words, but if they actually manifest, we'll live in one of the condos. Cross our hearts and hope (not) to buy. You can see the renderings and plea for investorshere.
• June 13, 2024 15:55 Oilers/Panthers Game 3 Line:
The Edmonton Oilers are -140 favorites over the Florida Panthers in tonight's Game 3 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Final. The total is 5.5.
• June 13, 2024 14:56 Las Vegas Weekend Highlights:
- Check out one of residency performers like Bruno Mars at Park MGM (6/14-15) or Adele at Caesars (6/15-16)
- Wynn welcomes comedian Russell Peters (6/14-15)
- It’s the 23rd Annual Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival where the festivities will be held at The Expo at World Market Center (6/15)
- And Restaurant Week has been extended! So go out and enjoy a good meal at a good value for a good cause. (6/3-21) (6/3-21)
• June 13, 2024 10:12 Eagles Will Do Sphere:
Long rumored and now confirmed, the Eagles will play a mini-residency at Sphere in September and October. “Eagles — Live In Concert at Sphere” will run for eight shows over four weekends; the dates are: Sept. 20, 21, 27, and 28; and Oct. 11, 12, 18, and 19. Not that they need a bio, but these guys are the biggest-selling American rock band in all of history, 150 million albums and six Grammys to their credit, in their 53 years of existence. Tickets start at $175 and that includes all fees and taxes; all kinds of presales launch next Tuesday at 10 a.m.; so far, the sale of public tickets hasn't been announced.
• June 13, 2024 07:26 U.S. Open Line:
Scottie Scheffler is the +300 favorite to win golf's U.S. Open. He's followed by Xander Schauffele at +1000 and Rory McIlroy at +1200. Tiger Woods is +20000 (200-1).
• June 12, 2024 16:08 Celtics/Mavericks Game 3 Line:
The Dallas Mavericks are -3 favorites over the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Championship series. The total is 214.
• June 12, 2024 13:01 Atomic Golf's Problem Might Be Incurable:
A story in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal is the worst kind of publicity for Atomic Golf: how uncomfortable the place is. We haven't visited yet, but apparently, the driving ranges face west, the air-conditioning is minimal to non-existent in them, the misting system has been broken for nearly two weeks, and it gets to be very very hot where customers are engaging in golf activities. Reviews indicate the technology is faulty, the service is slow, especially after the venue laid off 33% of its workforce, and the place is now closed weekdays until four p.m. (opening at 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays). Most of these issues are probably resolvable with time and we'll be checking out the place in the next month or so, but it's hard to see how a driving range that faces west, so you're looking into the sun the better part of the day with soaring heat for half the year, can be ameliorated.
• June 12, 2024 10:39 We Don't Get It, but Here It Is Anyway:
We fully admit that we don't understand this deal, but we're reporting it as news, even if it's also an oddity. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has approved the sale of a vacant 10-acre parcel next to the new West Hall of the Convention Center for $125 million. This lot, part of the former Riviera site, has been under contract to local developers for over a year, but now, Fontainebleau is involved in the deal. The developers will buy the front five acres along the Strip for $12.5 million, while Fontainebleau will buy the back five acres, contiguous to its existing property, for $112.5 million. As we say, it's a headscratcher: Fbleau is paying $22.5 million per acre for the lesser property, while the developers are paying $2.5 million for the same-sized piece with lots of Strip frontage. Another thing we don't understand is Fbleau's claiming it will expand on the new acreage, after "seeing positive and encouraging results." Perhaps, though from what we've heard, seen, and can tell, the place remains a ghost town.
• June 12, 2024 08:27 Las Vegas Aces: Uh Oh:
The back-to-back WNBA world champion Las Vegas Aces are struggling at the start of this season. Compared to last year when they were 9-1, so far they've lost five and won five this year. They dropped their third straight game last night, losing decisively to the Minnesota Lynx 100-86. It was the first time since the 2020 WNBA Finals that the Aces have lost three in a row and it's the first time since 2019 that they've had a .500 record with eight or more games played. The team's next game is tomorrow night at Phoenix at 7 p.m. and will be televised live on Amazon Prime.
• June 11, 2024 13:18 Casino Chip Convention Starts Thursday:
The Casino Chip and Collectibles Show, the world’s largest casino-collectibles exhibition, will take place this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Exhibit Hall C at South Point. The annual show is mostly open to the public (some events are restricted to members of the Casino Collectibles Association) and more than 50 dealers will display casino memorabilia: gaming chips and tokens of all denominations, dice, playing cards, players club cards, matchbooks, ashtrays, menus, dinnerware, swizzle sticks, photos, postcards, signs, table felt – just about anything a casino could put its name on. In conjunction with the show, every year the CCA hosts four educational seminars related to gaming history, which are offered to the public at no charge. Registration opens Thursday at 10 a.m. and admission is $10; Friday 9 a.m. and $5; Saturday 9 a.m. and free.
• June 11, 2024 10:10 Eight Sushi Places Make Top 100:
Review site Yelp ranked sushi restaurants nationwide based on total volume and ratings of reviews and placed eight Las Vegas sushi restaurants in its recent top 100. The highest ranked was Ari Sushi & Sake, in the southwest on S. Rainbow near Warm Springs, which came in at number six; Ari also has 104 Google reviews with a 4.8 ranking out of 5. The other seven were ITs IZAKAYA (19), Sushi Hiroyoshi (23), TARU (25), Kabuto (39), Kame Omakase (45), Toro Sushi (64), and Smile Shota (77).
• June 11, 2024 07:54 $4.80 Subs at Capriotti's:
To celebrate its 48th anniversary (it opened in Delaware in 1976), all 40Capriotti's Sandwich Shop locations around the valley will be selling small subs on Thursday for $4.80 (normally $9.44 to $13.44). You must be a member of the CAPAddicts loyalty club by the end of tomorrow to get that price. Sign up at Capriottis.com.
• June 10, 2024 16:45 Oilers/Panthers Game 2 Line:
The Florida Panthers are -120 favorites over the Edmonton Oilers in tonight's Game 2 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Final. The total is 5.5.
• June 10, 2024 10:04 Electric Playhouse Opens Next Week at Forum Shops:
We reviewed Play Playhouse, the new dedicated non-digital playground at Luxor, in this month's LVA. The opposite is opening on Saturday June 22 at the Forum Shops at Caesars. Electric Playhouse is a 10,000-square-foot social-gaming destination that "merges the digital and physical worlds into one through dozens of motion-activated games and experiences, where bodies become the controllers, encouraging active play and healthy movement." There's no need for headsets or gadgets, as the walls and floors respond to players' actions in seven different play areas. Unlike Play Playground, kids are welcome at Electric Playhouse. Admission prices are $20 local kids, $25 other kids and local adults, $30 for non-local adults.
• June 10, 2024 08:12 Another Heat Wave Imminent:
After cooling off slightly over the weekend following two days of record-high temperatures late last week, Las Vegas is bracing for another sizzling stretch tomorrow and Wednesday. The thermometer could hit 108 on Tuesday and 111 on Wednesday. So far, counting today's forecast of 101, southern Nevada has experienced consecutive days of temperatures 100 or higher since May 30, 12 days in a row. It's the hottest start to June on record.
• June 09, 2024 16:29 Celtics/Mavericks Game 2 Line:
The Boston Celtics are -7 favorites over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Championship series. The total is 215.
• June 09, 2024 10:18 iHeartRadio Music Festival Returns:
The annual iHeartRadio Music Festival, scheduled for Sept. 20-21 at T-Mobile, has announced its headliner lineup, including but not limited to Doja Cat, Gwen Stefani, Keith Urban, New Kids on the Block, The Black Crowes, Hozier, Paramore, Big Sean, Camila Cabello, Thomas Rhett, Victoria Monét, and Shaboozey. Ryan Seacrest hosts, as usual. Tickets will be available to the general public on AXS.com beginning Friday June 14; the presale begins June 12 at 10 a.m. PT.
• June 09, 2024 03:25 Men's French Open Final Line:
Carlos Alcarez is a -300 favorite over Alexander Zverev in today’s French Open men's tennis final. Alcarez is seeking his 3rd Grand Slam championship, Zverev his first.
• June 08, 2024 16:06 UFC Cannonier/Imavov:
Nassourdine Imavov is a -130 favorite over Jared Cannonier in tonight’s UFC main event. In the other featured match, Dustin Jacoby is -250 over Dominick Reyes.
• June 08, 2024 16:01 Oilers/Panthers Game 1 Line:
The Florida Panthers are -140 favorites over the Edmonton Oilers in tonight's Game 1 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Final. The total is 5.5.
• June 08, 2024 15:09 Belmont Odds:
The current odds for today’s Belmont Stakes make Sierra Leon the favorite at 2-1, followed by Seize the Grey at 9-2, and Mindframe at 5-1. The long shot is Protective at 17-1.
• June 08, 2024 12:22 YouTube: $150 Free Play Just To Sign up:
This week's YouTube starts off hot! Anthony and Andrew launch right into the heat wave gripping Las Vegas over the last couple of days. Then they reveal a fabulous casino pool you can get into just by showing a player's card, discuss the new parking fee at Resorts World, and pinpoint an under-the-radar casino just east of the Strip offering a fantastic sign-up bonus of $150 in free play. Find out where! The WSOP gets a segment, as does stickman jargon at the crap table, and the Jackpot of the Week is a cool $5,000 with four credits left on the meter. Great story!See it all here.
• June 08, 2024 08:40 Second High-Temp Record in a Row:
For the second day in a row, the high temperature here set a new record. The high of 110 degrees yesterday broke the old record of 109 set in 2013. That followed Thursday’s record high of 111. Temperatures are predicted to be five to six degrees cooler today and another few lower on Sunday and Monday.
• June 08, 2024 03:27 Women’s French Open Final Line:
Iga Swiatek is a prohibitive -1425 favorite over Jasmine Paolini in today's French Open women’s tennis final. Swiatek is going for her fifth Grand Slam title and fourth French Open Championship. Paolini is playing in her first Grand Slam final.
• June 07, 2024 12:50 How Busy Is This Football Season Expected To Be?:
If Southwest Airlines is any indication, swamped! According to ThePointsGuy.com, SWA is adding 42 one-off flights over the course of the 17-week regular season. There are four new routes, but most flights will supplement existing connections. Las Vegas gets flights from Cleveland for Week 4, Pittsburgh Week 6, Kansas City Week 8, and Atlanta Week 14 when the Browns, Steelers, Chiefs, and Falcons play the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
• June 07, 2024 10:19 Michelin-Starred Korean Steakhouse, Favorite L.A. Pizza Place, Coming to Venetian:
New York-based Cote Korean Steakhouse, the best steakhouse in the country according to some reports and the only Korean steakhouse ever to earn a Michelin star, will open sometime next year at the Venetian. It's part of the billion-dollar investment the owners are making to upgrade the 25-year-old property. The 10,000-square-foot Vegas location will be the fourth for the brand after New York, Miami, and Singapore. The restaurant's owner attended UNLV and worked in Las Vegas right out of college, so opening here has been a long-held dream. Cote merges Korean BBQ with the American steakhouse; the New York menu offers salads for $22-$24, steak and eggs (filet mignon tartare with caviar) for $62, the Butcher's Feast (soup, salad, souffle, steak, stew, and soft-serve) for $74 per person, and a la carte steaks from $44 (hanger) to $92 (ribeye). The wine list is long: 1,200 bottles. All the grilling will take place at the tables. Also announced for the Venetian later this year is Gjelina, since 2008 serving wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes in L.A.'s Venice Beach.
• June 07, 2024 07:59 Heat Record Set:
In the midst of a sizzling heat wave across the entire Southwest U.S., Las Vegas' high temperature reached 111 degrees yesterday, setting a record for the day. It tied the previous record of 110 from 2010, then crept up another point to beat it. Thus, it was also the earliest date on which the high surpassed 110 degrees. Death Valley hit 122, beating the previous record set in 1996 by a degree. Today's high is forecast to rise to 108 and temperatures remain in the mid-100s for the next week, when a cooling trend is supposed to arrive.
• June 06, 2024 17:18 Celtics/Mavericks Game 1 Line:
The Boston Celtics are -6.5 favorites over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Championship series. The total is 216.5.
• June 06, 2024 14:14 Las Vegas Weekend Highlights:
- Enjoy First Friday Downtown, with free local art, music & food (6/7)
- Catch one of the headliners this weekend either Bruno Mars at Park MGM (6/7-8) or Christina Aguilera at Venetian (6/7-8)
- Don’t miss Taylor Tomlinson at Wynn (6/7-8)
- Zach Bryan is center stage at T-Mobile Arena (6/7-8)
• June 06, 2024 13:29 Two Bars Make Esquire's Top 42:
Esquire magazine's annual list of the top bars in the U.S. includes two in Las Vegas. The magazine lists 42 bars nationwide and one of the two here is the Collins at the Fontainebleau, which it describes as "a bit of Miami-meets-Vegas glam." The other bar is Liquid Diet, located in the Arts District on Commerce Street. Esquire calls it an "impromptu garage party" at, according to the LD owners' description, "a house owned by a group of fun witches."
• June 06, 2024 10:00 Morrissey Plays House of Blues in July :
Steven Patrick Morrissey, known mononymously as just his last name, is a highly acclaimed and controversial English singer, songwriter, and author who earned his fame as the frontman of the indie rock band the Smiths (1982-1987). Since the Smiths, he's had a successful solo career and is considered one of the greatest lyricists in British history. He's appeared in Las Vegas several times over the past few years, including two five-show mini-residencies at the Colosseum at Caesars in 2020 and 2021. The 65-year-old Morrissey had to cancel shows earlier this year as he was treated for exhaustion, but claims he's in tip-top shape to go back on the road. The House of Blues shows at Mandalay Bay will be on July 26 and 27. The pre-sale started at 10 a.m. today (code word CHORD); general-public tickets start tomorrow, also at 10 a.m.
• June 06, 2024 08:08 More A's Evidence to the Contrary:
Will the Oakland Athletics actually move to Las Vegas? Who knows? But we can say this, that was never a question that was asked about the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, news arrives via the Nevada Independent that the team is requesting permission to play up to seven home games per season in locations other than the phantom stadium on the site of the Tropicana. TheIndependent obtained the A's 30-year non-relocation agreement submitted to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, which contains the request for nearly double the number of home games played elsewhere that Major League Baseball allows. That's 10% of home games and, according to the story, it could threaten their "bonding capacity" (the amount of revenue that can raised through public bond offerings), which is linked to the number of home games. Oh, and the A's are seeking minority investors to raise $500 million toward the cost of the $1.5 billion stadium.
• June 05, 2024 13:19 Interesting Promotion at Golden Gate:
The Golden Gate is holding a “Golden Giveaway: Golden Gate Ticket” promotion for 122 days this summer. Starting yesterday and running through October 4, guests who stay at the GG might find a Golden Gate ticket in their room; if they do, they can spin for prizes redeemable there and at Circa and the D, such as a two-night stay in Golden Gate penthouse, cabanas at Circa’s Stadium Swim, Sunset Packages at Circa’s rooftop Legacy Club, comps at the various restaurants and bars, and a $75 matchplay.
• June 05, 2024 10:51 New Salad Counter Coming to Proper Eats at Aria:
Happy Leaf will open on Monday at the Aria food hall, Proper Eats, in the space formerly occupied by Shalom Y'all. Like the other nine outlets at Aria, Happy Leaf's menu will be limited: four salads from $14 for the classic Caesar to $22 for Asian with salmon. There will also be a salad bar, a first for the new breed of Vegas food halls, though it doesn't look like it's a self-serve A.Y.C.E. option; for $15, diners select one green, six toppings, and one dressing; hard-boiled egg ($3), turkey ($5), and chicken or tuna ($6) can be added.Happy Leaf will be open daily 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• June 05, 2024 08:15 Record Highs Frequent, Record Lows Rare:
A piece on FoxWeather.com reminds us that the last time Las Vegas experienced a record low temperature was 25 years ago yesterday, June 4, 1999. On that day, the thermometer plunged to 50 degrees, breaking the old record low of 54 degrees set in 1951, a full 48 years earlier. Thus, as the story points out, we haven't broken a record-low-temperature record in this century (or millennium, for that matter), though we've tied the record low twice, once in April 2009 and once in August 2014. "In fact, the low temperature has yet to drop to 50 degrees at any date in meteorological summer (June 1-Aug. 31) since that record was broken and it hasn’t even been close. Since 2000, the coldest night during those dates has been 59 degrees, on June 12, 2017. Every other low has been 60 degrees or warmer," according to FoxWeather. Now, compare that to record highs: "Half of the current daily record-high temperatures throughout the year have been set since 2000." Which brings us to the excessive heat warning in effect for the rest of the week, as temperatures rise to 110 and, perhaps, higher. If the thermometer hits 110 today, it will be the earliest on record; the usual first 110-degree day is July 1.
• June 04, 2024 13:32 Vegas Unemployment Nation's Highest:
A story in yesterday's Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the percentage of unemployed people in Las Vegas is not only the highest in the U.S., but hasn't completely recovered from the pandemic and remains elevated from pre-COVID levels. Out of the 51 largest metropolitan areas, Las Vegas' 5.2% was well more than double the lowest rate, Nashville's 2.2%. Still, Las Vegas had a long way to go to return to normal; during the early-pandemic shutdown, if you recall, nearly one out of three Las Vegans was out of work.
• June 04, 2024 10:00 "Ten Classic Artists Who Changed Vegas Forever":
A post on UltimateClassicRock.com lists its idea of the 10 musical acts that have had the biggest impact on the Vegas entertainment scene. The story gets it right with, "Las Vegas is a city unlike any other and for decades now, playing there has become a rite of passage for musicians. Whether headlining at one of its famed casino venues or paying their dues at one of the town's smaller clubs, virtually every artist has a stop in Las Vegas on their resume." The top 10 is better than what we routinely see from non-Vegas writers and it's worth a click and a three-minute read to peruse the biggest and brightest. But we'll give you a hint. Having the Grateful Dead among the top 10 acts shows that the writer knows what he's talking about and the band (the remnants of which are currently in the middle of a Sphere residency) is a big part of our bookRock Vegas.
• June 04, 2024 08:19 Here Come Da Heat:
We're not talking about the police, but unseasonably hot temperatures. A heat wave is heading this way that might be record breaking. By Thursday or Friday, the temperature is forecast to hit 112 degrees in Las Vegas. If the thermometer rises above 110 degrees on Thursday, it'll be the earliest in June the city has ever gotten that hot. The forecast is for right around 100 today, 106 tomorrow, and we'll see how high on Thursday.
• June 03, 2024 13:14 Buddy V's To Open Pizzeria at Caesars:
Restaurateur Buddy Valastro will open Buddy V’s Pizzeria later this summer at the food hall at Caesars in the space formerly occupied by DiFara Pizza. Along with New York-style pizza, the menu will include breakfast, sandwiches, and desserts. Valastro's Vegas eateries includePizzaCake at Harrah’s, Buddy’s Jersey Eats food truck and the Boss Café at the LINQ, and Buddy V's Ristorante at the Venetian.
• June 03, 2024 10:17 U2 Top-Grossing Tour:
According to Billboard.com, between October and March, U2 ranked as the top-grossing tour in the U.S., bringing in more than $230 million from the band’s residency at Sphere. In addition, Sphere was Billboard's number-one large venue (more than 15,000 capacity) for gross revenue from tours, beating outMadison Square Garden and London’s O2 Arena. U2 was followed by Pink and Madonna, both grossing nearly $200 million during the six-month period. Not included in the calculations was Taylor Swift's Eras Tour; Swift doesn't report numbers to Billboard.
• June 03, 2024 08:04 Panthers Favored in Stanley Cup Finals:
The Florida Panthers are -140 favorites over the Edmonton Oilers to win the NHL's Stanley Cup. Game 1 is Saturday in Miami.
• June 02, 2024 13:49 Strip Traffic Alert:
Get those cones out. According to an article in theLV Review-Journal, starting tonight at 9 pm and running through Thursday at 3 pm, northbound Las Vegas Blvd. from Harmon to Park MGM will be reduced to a single lane. It’s a short distance, but it’s sure to create nasty traffic snarls on the south end of the Strip. Can’t blame F1 for this one, it’s part of the seemingly never-ending Las Vegas Boulevard Improvement Project.
• June 02, 2024 10:23 Brightline One of Time's "100 Most Influential Companies":
Time magazine has issued its list of the "100 Most Influential Companies 2024" and Brightline high-speed-rail company is among them. Time writes, "Against the odds, Brightline is betting that fast trains traveling between Miami and Orlando, and Los Angeles and Las Vegas, can find plenty of passengers" and the magazine seems to believe that it's a winning proposition. It quotes the founder as saying that the all-electric L.A. to L.V. train "marks the beginning of the construction of the first true high-speed train in America,” which could launch the start of a new era of European-like rail travel.
• June 02, 2024 08:47 J. Lo Cancels:
Jennifer Lopez has canceled her summer tour, which was scheduled to kick off later this month and included a stop at T-Mobile in July. In the most original, creative, and fictitious explanation we've ever heard, she claimed she wants to spend more time with her family. That, reportedly, doesn't include her husband Ben Affleck; current gossip is they've separated after less than two years of marriage. It's been widely circulating that tickets for Jenny from the Block's "This Is Me ... Now" tour have been abysmal and, in fact, her announced Las Vegas residency is in jeopardy as well. Ticket purchases will be refunded at the point of sale.
• June 01, 2024 18:11 UFC Poirier/Makhachev:
Islam Makhachev is a -625 favorite over Dustin Poirier in tonight’s UFC main event. In the other featured match, Sean Strickland is -250 over Paulo Costa.
• June 01, 2024 13:08 LVA YouTube's Up:
This week's video initially focuses on Andrew: a new theme song for the video, "Going to Las Vegas," and appearing at the downtown Wiseguys on Wednesday June 12. Then he and Anthony discuss the end of the only single-deck 3-2 blackjack table in Las Vegas, this year's Circa football contests, dinner at Wing Lei at the Wynn, and where to find a happy hour with 55-cent co*cktails (plus a triple-dip LVA coupon opportunity). The Question of the Week concerns the interesting story of the cover image on our book Flop, Turn, River and the Jackpot of the Week is the ultimate example of beginner's luck -- it's worth the whole price of admission (free!) for this video. Don't miss it.
• June 01, 2024 10:32 Margaritaville Closes at Flamingo:
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant closed at the Flamingo on Thursday. The shutdown was announced in March, now it's gone, and it won't be missed, at least by us. We loved Jimmy and his "Tampico Trauma" is in our top 10 of the best rock 'n' roll songs ever, but the one time we ate at Margaritaville was also memorable and not in a good way; bottom 10 is generous. No word on what will replace it, but the rumor is that another celebrity-licensed eatery is on the way.
• June 01, 2024 08:42 June Is Bustin' out All Over:
Normally in June, high temperatures creep up from 95 on the first to 100 on the 14th and don't go back down to double digits until fall. The record high for the month is 117 (June 20, 2017, and June 30, 2011), with 116 achieved twice and 115 six times. Normal lows range from 71 on the first to 80 on the 30th, with records dropping into the 40s (48 in 1993, 49 in 1955 and 1938). June is the driest month of the year, with a scant eight-hundredths of an inch on average, as southern Nevada awaits the summer monsoons.
