Vegas, Baby

[toasty]

Question for those of you that live in Vegas or have been recently. I'm going to be heading there over Labor Day weekend with my wife and a few friends to celebrate our anniversary and both of our birthdays. We're looking to do it up right, but to be entirely honest, the last few times I've been it has been with my college friends who, god love 'em, can be a bit cheap and even have some hoosier-esque qualities to them so I've not really done Vegas the right way in many years.

What are the best of the best places to hit in Vegas? Best restaurants, hottest clubs/lounges, coolest shows, etc... We're probably going to take in one of the Cirque du Soleil shows while we're there, so any input on which of the 5 is best would be welcome as well. My wife and friends aren't really clubgoers, so places that are pure dance clubs wouldn't really be ideal, but clubs that are equally cool to just hang out in would be great.

Also, I've seen "VIP passes" for various clubs for sale at eBay for just a few bucks. Anyone know if they actually work?

Thanks for any input...

[shosh]

Re: Vegas, Baby

As far as shows go, you have to see "O" at Bellagio, and I definitely recommend "Beatles Love" at the Mirage. Mystere is also bad ass.
Since I got married I'm not a clubber anymore (my wife and I do the nice dinners thing now), so I cant help you there, but you should maybe checkout the Beatles lounge at the mirage, JET there too, TAO at Venetian.
As far as restaurants go, high end I recommend any of the ones at the Wynn, the nice ones at the Bellagio and if you want to go all out, Joel Robuchon at MGM. At the Wynn you can check out DB Brasserie, which is pretty damn nice but not too expensive.
PM me if you want more info

[day_for_night]

Re: Vegas, Baby

"O" is good, but "Ka" at the MGM Grand is the one you don't want to miss. Your jaw will not leave the floor...honestly one of the most incredible things I've ever seen.

Another great dinner recommendation is the restaurant at the top of the stratosphere...its not cheap, but the food is fantastic and the view is incredible. Try and get a table next to the window, you can watch the helicopters fly underneath you as you eat your 5 course meal. (ps. go with the multicourse meal they have...you get a selection for each course...so great).

[toasty]

Re: Vegas, Baby

Another great dinner recommendation is the restaurant at the top of the stratosphere...its not cheap, but the food is fantastic and the view is incredible. Try and get a table next to the window, you can watch the helicopters fly underneath you as you eat your 5 course meal. (ps. go with the multicourse meal they have...you get a selection for each course...so great).

There is quite a view from up there, I went up to ride some of the rides last time I was in Vegas. Does the restaurant revolve?

[day_for_night]

Re: Vegas, Baby

yep, the restaurant revolves. takes about an hour to go all the way around, but its usually a long meal there, so its good timing...

[toasty]

Re: Vegas, Baby

... if you want to go all out, Joel Robuchon at MGM.

Looked into this, and wow, that would certainly count as going all out. $360 a person? Not sure I can justify that, but it does sound spectacular. You know what, though? Apart from the cost, I'm kinda averse to places that require formal wear or even a suit to eat. For me, a relaxing time and a tie are incompatible. I'd much rather go somewhere that nice pants, a nice shirt and a jacket carry the day, but you could jettison the jacket if you needed to without looking like a complete jackass.

Ties are for weddings and court, IMO.

[superdave]

Re: Vegas, Baby

Most of the clubs are open format and the door guys are pretty friendly. I recommend checking out Moon Club, Pure, Tao, Jet, or Tryst. I like Moon Club since it's the newest and they can open the roof plus Playboy club is downstairs with dealers and waitresses in bunny costumes.

If you want to check out some lounges, go to Mix at the top of the Hotel at Mandalay Bay. They've got an amazing view of the strip and it's a nice place to have drinks. I like Tabu at the MGM. Extremely nice lounge that plays good music. I like the visuals and being able to dance on the tables. Ghost Bar at the Palms is pretty cool and a famous spot from the Real World. There's plenty of nice lounges in the nicer hotels like Wynn, Venetian, Bellagio, and Mandalay Bay.

For restaurants, I like Nine steakhouse for steaks. I recommend reservations and if you eat there get the bone in filet mignon. It makes the filet even juicier. Also, the lobster mashed potatoes are great.

As for shows, I like the Cirque du Soleil shows and you can't miss with any of them. Personally, I was most impressed in this order Mystere, O, and Ka. If you want to see a sexy show, but tasteful checkout La Femme at the MGM grand. I've seen it twice.

Have fun!

[shosh]

Re: Vegas, Baby

Looked into this, and wow, that would certainly count as going all out. $360 a person? Not sure I can justify that, but it does sound spectacular. You know what, though? Apart from the cost, I'm kinda averse to places that require formal wear or even a suit to eat. For me, a relaxing time and a tie are incompatible. I'd much rather go somewhere that nice pants, a nice shirt and a jacket carry the day, but you could jettison the jacket if you needed to without looking like a complete jackass.

Ties are for weddings and court, IMO.

it is all out. they take only one res per table per evening so its also hard to get into. like i said my wife and i totally dig the daniel bouloud brasserie at the wynn. great food and you just have to dress nice, no suit, no slacks, etc

[AntonyM]

Re: Vegas, Baby

It really depends what you want, do you want to go where the locals go
or where the tourists hang. As for clubs. Mon. Foundation room is open
to the public. Sun. Revolution Lounge @ the mirage is the spot Hernan and Lawler are playing the next two sundays. Tangerine is cool too. There are not to many really chill out type places here especially on Labor Day weekend it is going to be wild at all hours. For dinner, Mon Ami Gabi is French @ Paris, Cantenello (Italian) @ Venetian.
Piero's is old school Italian it's off the strip. Lindo Michocan is the best Mexican food
in town also off the strip, Sushi Fever the best Sushi, all these places are a drive but
feel free to PM me and I would be happy to sort you out that weekend. There should
be plenty of headline DJ's that weekend.

[ddr]

Re: Vegas, Baby

last time i went there, i saw blue man group. just an amazing show. really recommend it. As for cirque, i would have to say "O" at bellagio, it is THE one to see imo. Plus just walking in bellagio and taking in everything inside, it just really is the most beautiful casino in las vegas in my opinion. if you want a good list of shows etc, before we go we always check out the following website and plan in advance.. there are usually some good popular comedy people that show up every once in awhile, plus you never know who is playing at hard rock. have fun, im sure you will.

http://www.lvol.com/lvoleg/lvshows.html

[ddr]

Re: Vegas, Baby

also, at bellagio, when i was there they had some of monet's paintings on display in their gallery... i see that now they have some of picasso's work on display... if you are a fan of fine art, definately a once in a lifetime opportunity.

[godisadj]

Re: Vegas, Baby

For cheap eats check out this list: http://www.vegas.com/restaurant/specials.html

The Gambler special at the Hard Rock is the best! $7.77 for Steak, Shrimp & Potato

[sakio pod]

Re: Vegas, Baby

wynnlasvegas.com

stay there

[toasty]

Re: Vegas, Baby

OK, plan is coming together. We're staying at Paris, and seeing Ka at MGM Grand (some in our group had already seen O and Mystere is on break). Planning to eat at Alize at the top of the Palms, Michael Mina @ Bellagio, and Craft Steakhouse at MGM for sure, will play it by ear for lunch. Going to try to hit Rain/ghostbar one night for sure, probably Pure another night.

My wife really wants to visit the Pussycat Dolls Lounge @ Pure and the Playboy Club @ Palms. I was like, "OK, I think I can deal with that."

Saw this listing on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280138366748&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

Any thoughts on whether this would be a good use of money?

[day_for_night]

Re: Vegas, Baby

you gotta tell me what you thought of Ka...