Ongoing Las Vegas 'pro-tips' thread - Advice on all things Vegas

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by InglewoodFan

Lots of good suggestions from Buff, I'll add Ellis Island. It's the casino at the Motel 6 just off the strip. No really. Get their players card, and then order the steak special. It never used to be on the menu, but everyone asks for it. It is a baseball filet, baked potato, etc. for $8. It's fantastic and they have craft beer brewed on site. Play a bit of $5 blackjack while you're there.

Hussongs Cantina between Mandalay and Luxor, hit happy hour for half price margaritas and cheap nachos & tacos. Try the grilled corn plazero.

Ellis Island is just down the street from Battista's Hole in the Wall so I'll certainly check it out at some point. Hopefully I can get a steak special.

[VladtheImpaler]

For casual, Hollywood Pizza in the Mirage is good, and Carnegie Deli is right across the hallway from it.

[calgarygeologist]

Steak special at Ellis Island was good and cooked perfectly. I actually wasn't expecting a perfectly cooked steak so I was pleasantly surprised.

There are lots of interesting characters roaming the strip but I was surprised to see Santa walking up and down the strip last night.

The plan for tonight is a buffet dinner at MGM, some horse racing and Zumanity.

[Buff]

I'm the guy in the Giordano t-shirt. I'll be at the same buffet!

Getting lots of good compliments with my Flames shirt (and earlier in the week with my Tragically Hip shirt)

Just walked all the live long day. Did the High Roller after noon, walked to Circus Circus, as it was the last place for me to step foot into, then we booked it back to NYNY for a Skype call with the kids.

The people begging for money are usually scam. Saw a lady in a wheelchair between the bridge of Bellagio and Ceasar's and somebody told her a cop was coming, she got up, folder her wheel chair and ran into Bellagio. She's cured! She can walk!

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Buff

I'm the guy in the Giordano t-shirt. I'll be at the same buffet!

Getting lots of good compliments with my Flames shirt (and earlier in the week with my Tragically Hip shirt)

Just walked all the live long day. Did the High Roller after noon, walked to Circus Circus, as it was the last place for me to step foot into, then we booked it back to NYNY for a Skype call with the kids.

The people begging for money are usually scam. Saw a lady in a wheelchair between the bridge of Bellagio and Ceasar's and somebody told her a cop was coming, she got up, folder her wheel chair and ran into Bellagio. She's cured! She can walk!

Didn't see you at the Buffet but I probably saw you at Starbucks in New York New York on Wednesday morning. I was waiting for my order and there was a guy in line with a Gio t-shirt.

We almost walked all the way up to Circus Circus from Aria last night. We went for some tacos at Tacos el Gordo which was fantastic. Authentic, Mexican street tacos for $2 a piece with great meat. If we had a place like that in Calgary I would eat tacos all the time. Before that walk I had never been that far north on the strip. We had always stopped at the Venetian resort.

It is nice to see that Monte Carlo is getting redone because that place is such a dump.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Didn't see you at the Buffet but I probably saw you at Starbucks in New York New York on Wednesday morning. I was waiting for my order and there was a guy in line with a Gio t-shirt.

We almost walked all the way up to Circus Circus from Aria last night. We went for some tacos at Tacos el Gordo which was fantastic. Authentic, Mexican street tacos for $2 a piece with great meat. If we had a place like that in Calgary I would eat tacos all the time. Before that walk I had never been that far north on the strip. We had always stopped at the Venetian resort.

It is nice to see that Monte Carlo is getting redone because that place is such a dump.

Starbucks at NYNY? Oh, him. Handsome feller, wasn't he? We used a 2 for 1 from our MyVegas rewards, otherwise we would have gone to Starbucks outside Ballys or TI. The Starbucks that aren't in the resorts are $2-3 cheaper per drink.

We wound up getting to the Buffet later than anticipated. I ran into The Trooper (a poker vlogger)

[pepper24]

I am going to Vegas this weekend for stag. What is best strip joint to go Sat night and best club for Sun night? I am sure organizer has ideas but interesting to see what you all think.

[pepper24]

Looks like Spearmint Rhino on Sat night, Hakkasan MGM Sun on night. Woot!

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by pepper24

Looks like Spearmint Rhino on Sat night, Hakkasan MGM Sun on night. Woot!

They're all pretty much the same. Hakkasan or Omnia are the biggest clubs, plenty of others if you want a bit of a better deal.
Regardless, bring lots of $$

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by pepper24

Looks like Spearmint Rhino on Sat night, Hakkasan MGM Sun on night. Woot!

Spearmint is $$$ but every girl there is an 11, can be a fun place.

For my money, I think the Hustler club is my favorite strip joint in Vegas. noticeably cheaper than the big places, still great staff and very fun. For example, every place pretty much was $20 a dance but the private area is where you will notice the most difference. 15 mins at both places were 120 last time I went (3 years ago) but at spearmint, I was then expected to tip the bouncer? and once in the back, they tell you its a two drink min on top of the price, so you order 2 double vodka cokes as one does and suddenly 2 doubles in the back cost $80 when it's been normal $20 prices up front all night.

Also, you probably know this and its been in the thread a bunch already but I don't read back that far. But don't take a cab to the strippers, they will all send a "free" limo to your hotel to pick you up. I've done it with just me and one other person getting picked up. I say "free" cuz you should tip the driver nicely and he will get you cheaper entrance or upgrade your entrance package to include some free dances or something.

[stazzy33]

Anyone have any extra advice on Hakkasan? I am going down to Vegas with my girlfriend and our group will be 50/50 guys and girl. We are likely going to see Zedd on Saturday night and are looking at getting the VIP Bar Card as it seems to be the best deal especially for the guys. Any additional info would be much appreciated!

[JackJack]

I've done the bar card twice now (Omnia for Calvin Harris and Hakkasan for Tiesto). It's a great way to avoid waiting in line and paying a cover charge.

However, each bar is different and drinks will probably ~20 USD. Every different bar I ordered the same drink out the charge came out differently - it's a total sham that way. There is no water - you can only buy bottles of water for 10-15 bucks.

Be warned!

[troutman]

Originally Posted by JackJack

However, each bar is different and drinks will probably ~20 USD. Every different bar I ordered the same drink out the charge came out differently - it's a total sham that way. There is no water - you can only buy bottles of water for 10-15 bucks.

THE LAS VEGAS STRIP
ESSENCE CANNABIS DISPENSARY


https://essencevegas.com/locations/las-vegas-strip/

[Trojan97]

Did a quick search of this thread but didn't see a ton, particuarly recently, about the outlet malls. I'm headed down Sun-Thurs next week with a friend and wouldn't mind spending the afternoon doing some shopping one of the days in lieu of gambling. The comments on the outlets don't seem overly enthusiastic in this thread. Has anyone been lately? I've been to outlets in Glendale and Seattle and enjoyed the deals. Wondering if Vegas offers similar or are prices jacked up due to the tourist factor?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[Northendzone]

^ i thought the malls offered good deals; however, that was then the dollar was better, so i guess you always need to do the math and know your prices.

there is one mall that is all indoor, closer tot eh airport and anotehr mall where you are outside when going from store to store. i like that mall better as it is nice to be outside while shopping.

i have been told that there is anotehr outlet mall outside of vegas that apparently has beeter prices. However, it may not be worth it if you don't have a car to drive there with.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

^ i thought the malls offered good deals; however, that was then the dollar was better, so i guess you always need to do the math and know your prices.

there is one mall that is all indoor, closer tot eh airport and anotehr mall where you are outside when going from store to store. i like that mall better as it is nice to be outside while shopping.

i have been told that there is anotehr outlet mall outside of vegas that apparently has beeter prices. However, it may not be worth it if you don't have a car to drive there with.

North Outlet malls aren't too far from Freemont Street. I was there in 2009 and deals were good, but my wife and I don't go to Vegas to shop so we haven't been to outlet malls since then.

I've heard that the North and South Outlet malls are very similar.

The outlet malls outside of town are probably in Primm. My wife went there when I was in a conference in 2007. We had to buy another suitcase to bring back all the stuff she bought. There was a free shuttle to Primm. I don't remember the details on the shuttle, but a google search could find you some info.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The only real difference between the South and the North outlet malls is the North one is basically a collection of individual, outside entrance stores (i.e. no stores are connected), while the South one is a mall. Probably a few different stores in each, but pretty much the same. And the deals aren't bad, but there are also lots of higher end outlet stores so if you're looking for really cheap stuff you'd see at most outlet malls, probably won't find much.

[Calgary14]

Any thoughts/reviews on the Park MGM hotel (used to be the Monte Carlo)?

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Gambling - there is still 3-2 blackjack but you really have to search it out

Brutal.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Any thoughts/reviews on the Park MGM hotel (used to be the Monte Carlo)?

My wife and I stayed there a few years back. I thought it was just as nice as staying at the bellagio, but I am easily impressed