Viva Las Vegas!
America’s playground welcomes more big-name resident entertainers, restaurants and player-friendly promotions
By Steve Kieva
It looks like the newest trend among Las Vegas resorts is getting a big-name entertainer to sign a contract to appear for a specified number of days per year. They’re known as “resident entertainers.” Look for Britney Spears to sign a deal soon at the Hard Rock.
Tropicana Las Vegas Update
The TropPlus Card’s “Even the Odds” promotion has some big upgrades to its rebate schedule. The previous bounce-back rebate was not available to new members until 30 days after the initial sign-up. The new bounce back is available on the day you sign up! Each new member can still receive 50 percent of their losses in free slot play on the day they join the club. They’re also able to receive 25 percent on Day 2 and 25 percent on Day 3.
In addition, the initial gaming day for the new member has been extended to 3 a.m. instead of the previous time of midnight. This will allow new members who sign up later in the evening to take full advantage of this enhanced promotion.
In other Trop news, I do a lot of web surfing daily, looking for specials for this column. It seems like every time I check the Tropicana’s website, they’re offering some type of room special, with some offers of up to 50 percent off. The Tropicana’s website is www.troplv.com.
Entertainment options at the Trop now include, Dancing With The Stars, The Laugh Factory” (which replaced The Tropicana Comedy Club), Recycled Percussion, The Mob Attraction (which replaced The Las Vegas Mob Experience), and the newest addition to their entertainment lineup, the comedy magician Murray. You might remember him from the hit show, America’s Got Talent.
O’Shea’s Can’t You See…
After surviving 23 years on the Strip, O’Shea’s closed its doors April 30. The
outdated casino was known for its low table limits, cheap beer, beer pong (which has been moved to the Slush Bar at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall), and a 24-hour food court. Less than 12 hours after the doors were closed, the parking garage was imploded to make way for the highly anticipated Linq project.
But the O’Shea’s faithful still have hope. A new O’Shea’s will be opening inside of the Linq project when it is completed.
Temporary Residencies
It looks like the newest trend among Las Vegas resorts is getting a big-name entertainer to sign a contract to appear for a specified number of days per year. They’re known as “resident entertainers.”
Look for Britney Spears to sign a deal soon at the Hard Rock.
Olivia Newton-John is in talks with an unknown Strip property.
Also, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw might be taking up residence one hotel up from their friend, Garth Brooks, at either the Palazzo or the Venetian.
“American Idol” Season 5 winner, Taylor Hicks, has an eight-week lounge deal at The Indigo at Bally’s. He starts a series of 7 p.m. shows on June 26.
New Restaurants
Lots of new restaurants have surfaced in Las Vegas within the last few months. A new food court has opened at the Luxor and features favorites such as Starbucks, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and McDonald’s. You’ll also find L.A. Subs, Blitzz, Original Chicken Tenders and Bonanno’s Pizza.
Speaking of McDonald’s, the first ever Metro McDonald’s is open on The Strip on the corner of Harmon Avenue next door to Planet Hollywood. The restaurant is open 24 hours, features a modern décor, and uses digital menu screens to take the fast-food experience to the next level.
Gordon Ramsey Steak is open at Paris and offers an English take on the traditional steakhouse menu, along with usual English fare such as fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.
Meanwhile, Carlos and Charlie’s has opened at the Flamingo. The restaurant claims this is the place where you can go to get loose, get loud and get some potentially valuable photos of your friends doing the same thing. Competitor Senor Frogs is open at Treasure Island. The restaurant will be in the front of the hotel offering a birds-eye view of the Sirens Of Treasure Island show.
Look for Tetsu, a teppanyaki restaurant to open at Aria.
The latest addition to Mandalay Place’s line-up of casual dining is Slice of Vegas. The restaurant features a window serving pizza by the slice, plus there’s a very interesting happy hour schedule.
In Other News…
Comedy icon Rich Little is appearing at the LVH in a one-man show that features more than 25 of his legendary celebrity impressions The show runs Saturday – Wednesday in the Shimmer Cabaret at a cost of $63.90. LVH’s guests will receive a $10 discount.
Two adult shows are celebrating anniversaries this year. X-Burlesque at the Flamingo (10 Years) and Peepshow (three Years) at Planet Hollywood are still going strong.
Speaking of anniversaries, ventriloquist Terry Fator just celebrated his third anniversary at the Mirage. To commemorate this milestone, Fator introduced a new puppet character named Monty Carlo.
The coffee shop at Hard Rock, which features the very popular off-the-menu $7.77 Gambler’s Special, has undergone a renovation that includes new furnishings and décor. You can also dine outside on their new patio.
Brad Garret has relocated his comedy club from the Tropicana to the MGM Grand.
In the coming months, Tropical Smoothie Café, the popular restaurant chain serving healthy, real-fruit smoothies and tasty sandwiches, wraps and salads, will open three new locations in the Las Vegas Valley – their first three stores on the Las Vegas Strip.
The new owners of the Sahara have been granted a secured loan of $300 million dollars to start renovations leading to the opening of SLS Las Vegas.
One of this month’s hot rumors is that a theatrical production of the hit television show America’s Got Talent, featuring several past winners and other top ten finishers, will move into the Phantom theater at the Venetian when that show closes on September 2.
Speaking of great entertainment, here’s a tip: Big Al’s Comedy Club at the Orleans showcases established comedians who perform across the country at a great price. Admission is just $19.95 and includes a free drink. Showtime is 8 p.m.
This Month’s Hidden Treasure: Social House
Angel Management Group has branched out into the world of fine dining with Social House, an innovative Pan-Asian restaurant known for its delectable cuisine, impeccable sake program and unrivaled décor. This A-list restaurant, inside Crystals at City Center, showcases a masterpiece menu offering items prepared with the freshest ingredients and catering to the most diverse palates. Social House also boasts an impressive sake program that allows individuals to explore the beverage on a variety of levels. Guests become engulfed in the Social House spirit as they “Sushi, Sake, and Socialize” every night.
Social House is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday through Sunday 1 to 11 p.m., and for lunch Friday through Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. For reservations, please call (702) 736-1122.
Steve Kieva’s award-winning website is www.everythinglv.com. You can contact Steve at mrvegas98@aol.com
