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...

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

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).

Re: Vegas, Baby

[QUOTE=day_for_night;502831] 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).[/QUOTE]

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?

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...

Re: Vegas, Baby

[QUOTE=shosh;502826]... if you want to go all out, Joel Robuchon at MGM. [/QUOTE]

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.

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!

Re: Vegas, Baby

[quote=toasty;502849]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.[/quote]

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

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.

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.

[url]http://www.lvol.com/lvoleg/lvshows.html[/url]

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.

Re: Vegas, Baby

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

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

Re: Vegas, Baby

wynnlasvegas.com

stay there

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." :D:Naughty:

Saw this listing on eBay:

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

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

Re: Vegas, Baby

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

Re: Vegas, Baby

[QUOTE=toasty;514187]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." :D:Naughty:

Saw this listing on eBay:

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

Any thoughts on whether this would be a good use of money?[/QUOTE]

Ka is a good show. Make sure and go upstairs from Playboy Lounge to Moon Club. The Playboy club is more about gambling. You'll see once you get there. Also, get early enough for the Pussycat Dolls lounge to see the shows. I got there late and missed any show they do.

Not sure about those passes. Looks similar to what they give out when you stay at the Palms.

Re: Vegas, Baby

As far as the clubs are concerned, either get their early or get a table, it is the busiest weekend of the year. Probably same goes for any of the restuarants. Tiesticles is playing two nights at Jet but there should be a slew of talented DJ's, Diggers will be in SF so hoping we might get a Sunday night @ Revolution Lounge, longshot though. No matter what, it won't be boring Labor Day weekend.

Re: Vegas, Baby

Me and 7 or 8 of my friends will be there the same weekend from Saturday to Tuesday for my (ACK!) bachelor party. Still not sure what the nighttime plans are, but I've heard good things about Empire and Drais if nothing else sounds interesting. Word on the street is that Dubfire is playing Rehab, but it sounds like a juicehead/rockstar/model type deal, of which I am none. I haven't had to deal with bs at the door for a long time, so I'm not looking forward to that. Otherwise, it should be a crazy weekend. :)

Re: Vegas, Baby

Will find out if Dubfire is acutally playing can get a cabana there fairly easily for Sunday. Labor Day weekend should be crazy, most of the hotels will probably cater to the dance music scene, which has not happened here in a long time. If you need some club hookups for the bachelor party PM me, I have a friend who does VIP services, it might be a bit pricey but the access and the amount of freedom you get has to be experienced to be believed.

Re: Vegas, Baby

Only place i've seen dubfire scheduled is on the DD website. I may inquire about the vip business.

Re: Vegas, Baby

bump

Follow-up question -- of the many ultralounges in Vegas, are you basically going to be standing around with your drink if you don't pay for bottle service? Are there any cool places where you can get a drink and actually sit and drink it without paying for your chair?

Places we were interested in checking out:

Ghostbar Rain Moon Pure Tao Light Lure

Many thanks for any input.

Re: Vegas, Baby

Let's see..... No All those places are built to make the poor suffer. Yet the majority of the people are standing around with you, so it is a bit more social.

Re: Vegas, Baby

good to know -- I'm cool with milling around, but I know my wife wouldn't go for that at all. Looks like bottle service, it is...

Re: Vegas, Baby

I know you already made comments but Mystere is the Cirque show that is the least cheesy. Phantom wasn't bad at all. Enjoyed the whole show. If you want a good dinner that's not that expensive, I recommend hitting up Envy, the steakhouse over at the Renaisance on Paradise Road, off of the strip. I ate there recently as the wife and I went to some friends' wedding and the food was not expensive but was very, very tasty. I think the first night's dinner clocked in around $180 incl. tip and the second night we had a bit more wine and well that was around $260. Still not bad considering the quality of food and you can wear flip flops and shorts. Two thumbs up.

Re: Vegas, Baby

[QUOTE=beanzncheez;517662]I know you already made comments but Mystere is the Cirque show that is the least cheesy. [/QUOTE]

Heard good things about that one, but Mystere is on break when we're there. Maybe next time, though...

Re: Vegas, Baby

Like I said, let me know the numbers and I will sort you out. Were getting a table for Miguel Migs on the 2nd, so let me know.

Re: Vegas, Baby

where's migs playing?

Re: Vegas, Baby

at a club.

Re: Vegas, Baby

any updates? I haven't seen any more significant announcements as far as lineups go, although it appears that sharam will be playing rehab instead of dubfire.

Re: Vegas, Baby

[url]http://www.vegassexparty.com[/url] imo

Re: Vegas, Baby

is this thing on?

Re: Vegas, Baby

toasty, hit me up, I'm living here for the year. I've never heard of those passes working or not working...but it will be one of the busiest weekends around. Great pool party at Tao that weekend during the day...loads of great parties all around, Dubfire at the pool on Sunday at Hard Rock...I just don't like the vibe over there...and great afterhours also. Great restaurant choices too. HAve lunch or dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at your hotel, sit on the patio and enjoy the bellagio fountains across the street, very romantic. Just play it by ear and relax. [url]www.spyonvegas.com[/url] has some listings. I always love the party at Revolution lounge on Sundays. Digitalboy opens for miguel migs, dboy is really good, and the vibe at that club is awesome every time. Moon and pure that weekend will be a hellish line unless you get in with a door person/vip host. Most people will prob be at Jet Sun and Mon for Tiesticles...so that could weed out some of the douchebag factor at the other places... That tuesday I'll prob be at Moon in the house room with Digitalboy and my friends that work there, if you're still in town...

Re: Vegas, Baby

it's sharam @ rehab and when i found that out, i quit even bothering with trying to find a way in. however, as soon as i found out dubfire is gonna be at drai's on sunday night i purchased a handful of tickets. i anticipate it being the highlight of the trip.

Re: Vegas, Baby

^^^^ When did this get announced and where did you score the tickets?

Re: Vegas, Baby

[URL]http://www.wantickets.com/EventDetail.aspx?e_id=31165[/URL]

can't imagine these presales will last long.

Re: Vegas, Baby

go to tryst. beautiful club with a 100 foot waterfall inside.

a bunch of us did the bachelor menu at nine in the palms a couple weeks ago. best meal i've ever had. the steak was amazing, and everyone i talk to recommends eating there.

i heard both of deep dish will be at hard rock. need to contact my friend@yoshi. will post an update. for a large group of guys a good connect or cabanas is the only way to get into rehab. the cabana fee is min 500 then 1800 worth of liquor, but of course that is subject to change

rain was ok. go to pure or tao instead.

mandalay bay is an awesome hotel. try to get the large 2 bedroom suites with a strip view. incredible. it's cool seeing the colors of the city come up as the night nears. the pool at the mandalay is really nice, and they have a private topless pool thats 50 to get into. it goes off.

and for the bachelor parties, don't forget about spearamint rhinos.

Re: Vegas, Baby

75 bucks at Rehab and 75 bucks at Drai's just to hear P.A.T.T., does not sound like a wise investment.

Re: Vegas, Baby

just learned that LAX is opening at Luxor Friday night, and it will be hosted by none other than Britney Spears herself. I have to admit, the part of me that is expecting her to completely lose her shit any minute now kinda wants to go in the event it happens that evening. A big part of Vegas is experiencing things you can't experience anywhere else, and that's probably the only time in my life I'll even have the option of watching a celebutard crash and burn before my very eyes, in person. She's been in her death spiral for months, it's gotta be coming to an end soon, right?

Of course, to do this I'd actually have to attend an event hosted by Britney Spears and probably pay through the nose for the privilege, so I'm not sure it's totally up my alley. :D

Re: Vegas, Baby

hmm ceasar's has two good restaurants. bobby flay's restaurant Mesa, and there is another awesome restaurant there even better than that one, [COLOR=Black][URL="http://www.vegas.com/searchagent/restaurant/ViewRestaurant.do?restaurantId=2901"]Bradley Ogden's[/URL][/COLOR].

then go to a bar like pure (but only if you can pay for bottle service or get there early and not wait in line). then drai's late night.

oh and DON'T WALK ANYWHERE CABS OR LIMOS ONLY TRUST ME

Re: Vegas, Baby

toasty - how was it. what did you do