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Forum nameGeneral Discussion
Topic subjectSchool me on Vegas
Topic URLhttp://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=12739341
12739341, School me on Vegas
Posted by John Forte, Mon Mar-02-15 11:35 AM
I've been...but not since '03. I'm sure a lot's changed...hell, I'VE changed, so I need some help/tips/guidance.

-Restaurant recommendations: we're foodies, but I'm not looking for Michelin stars or celebrity chefs

-Nightlife: even in '03, hip-hop parties were hard to come by. I imagine it's even harder now

-Cross-property comps? We're staying at an MGM-owned property. Will gambling at other MGM-properties get me comps at the one I'm staying at?
12739521, no recs?
Posted by John Forte, Mon Mar-02-15 01:10 PM
12739542, don't stay longer than 2.5 days.
Posted by Joe Corn Mo, Mon Mar-02-15 01:17 PM
sapphire is the best strip club.
start negotiating exactly what you want before you even get a lap dance.

haven't been since 2010.
but I doubt that has changed.

12739561, i like Olympic Gardens myself
Posted by cgonz00cc, Mon Mar-02-15 01:24 PM
12739564, Back in the day I liked OG and Spearmint Rhino
Posted by John Forte, Mon Mar-02-15 01:24 PM
12739580, OG is great because there are rampaging bachelorette parties upstairs
Posted by cgonz00cc, Mon Mar-02-15 01:28 PM
Met a chick playing craps friday night

Saturday night texted her and found out her group was upstairs while mine was downstairs

They came down to our little private area and it was on and poppin
12740003, what are the demographics of these clubs?
Posted by Billy Ray Valentine, Mon Mar-02-15 04:53 PM
12740038, sapphire has a good variety of women.
Posted by Joe Corn Mo, Mon Mar-02-15 05:27 PM
you won't find super super thick strippers
but I doubt you'll have trouble finding a dime by your standards.
12739558, if trying to party ..you better like looove EDM
Posted by LAbeathustla, Mon Mar-02-15 01:23 PM
otherwise vegas is always vegas just newer shit to spend yur money on
12739619, my vegas trips are less frequent since 08
Posted by ShawndmeSlanted, Mon Mar-02-15 01:44 PM
but i went last year and it was brand new.




>I've been...but not since '03. I'm sure a lot's
>changed...hell, I'VE changed, so I need some
>help/tips/guidance.
>
>-Restaurant recommendations: we're foodies, but I'm not
>looking for Michelin stars or celebrity chefs


I think you may be one of the ppl that hates Thai food but this is good west coast Thai:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g45963-d422690-Reviews-Lotus_of_Siam-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

Mexican:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mariscos-playa-escondida-las-vegas?osq=Best+Mexican+Restaurant

I always do a cheap meal or two at In-n Out


Theres the vegas chinatown/lil saigon for Pho


>
>-Nightlife: even in '03, hip-hop parties were hard to come by.
>I imagine it's even harder now
>

Dont know

>-Cross-property comps? We're staying at an MGM-owned property.
>Will gambling at other MGM-properties get me comps at the one
>I'm staying at?

Yep Youll get an Mlife card and MGm is probably the best group of hotels if you want cross comps.

They have a huge range of hotels from cheap to expensive sop you can play cheap at excalibur and ball at Bellagio or anything i between
12739630, This is good to know
Posted by John Forte, Mon Mar-02-15 01:51 PM

>>-Cross-property comps? We're staying at an MGM-owned
>property.
>>Will gambling at other MGM-properties get me comps at the
>one
>>I'm staying at?
>
>Yep Youll get an Mlife card and MGm is probably the best group
>of hotels if you want cross comps.
>
>They have a huge range of hotels from cheap to expensive sop
>you can play cheap at excalibur and ball at Bellagio or
>anything i between
>


We're staying at Aria Mayweather/Pacquiao weekend, and I expect it to be near impossible to find seats at $25 blackjack tables without playing dowmarket.
12739650, excalibur
Posted by ShawndmeSlanted, Mon Mar-02-15 02:06 PM
their 5 dollar tables will go up to $10 lol
12739651, gamble downtown not on the strip
Posted by LAbeathustla, Mon Mar-02-15 02:07 PM
thas if u wanna win..lol..and not show out
12739654, I don't expect to win. I expect to pass chips back and forth
Posted by John Forte, Mon Mar-02-15 02:10 PM
and if I play 10k worth of $25 blackjack hands in an afternoon, I'd like to get some comps out of the deal.
12740254, Ha.
Posted by LeroyBumpkin, Mon Mar-02-15 10:26 PM
>We're staying at Aria Mayweather/Pacquiao weekend,

I advise you to have patience. That's gonna be a crazy weekend. Even for Vegas.
12739635, I've had fun...but Vegas isn't particularly kind to a Black man
Posted by Overqualified, Mon Mar-02-15 01:56 PM
you might be better off skipping the headaches of the nightclubs and just do dinners and maybe a pool party (the one at Tao was pretty cool). Shopping at Crystals. Restaurants are good though. Wicked Spoon is an awesome buffet experience.
12739710, I second this
Posted by Mgmt, Mon Mar-02-15 02:49 PM
Wicked Spoon is an awesome buffet
>experience.
12740152, Yup. I was pissed that like 10 of us stayed at Cosmo for a Bachelor's party
Posted by -DJ R-Tistic-, Mon Mar-02-15 07:54 PM
and my best friend came and stayed somewhere free for his job, and didn't have a room key. He got to the club there solo after we were already in, and they told him it was capacity and that he couldn't even pay to get in. Yet they let hundreds of people in who walked right by him. AND he had on a suit.
12740300, i got into club Rain at the Palms wearing Jordans and jeans
Posted by Playa_Politician, Mon Mar-02-15 11:59 PM
not sure how i pulled it off, didn't even get patted down. saw someone behind me get turned away for having tennis shoes on.
12740416, I got in wearing Diesel jeans, an Urban Outfitters tshirt, and some Adidas.
Posted by SoWhat, Tue Mar-03-15 08:34 AM
But I'm pretty in the face and was with 3 hot chicks with their tits out. Lol
12739661, Brooklyn Bowl & House of Blues
Posted by jeanlouis61, Mon Mar-02-15 02:21 PM
would be great if you get a good show during your time there.




12739668, Seems like a place to go to lose your soul or money
Posted by initiationofplato, Mon Mar-02-15 02:27 PM
or both.

Vapid land of excess, gambling, alcohol, and debauchery?

Oh what joy.
12739708, its all what you make it
Posted by tomjohn29, Mon Mar-02-15 02:47 PM
12739764, RE: School me on Vegas
Posted by SoWhat, Mon Mar-02-15 03:12 PM
>-Restaurant recommendations: we're foodies, but I'm not
>looking for Michelin stars or celebrity chefs

i enjoyed dinner @ Tao.

>-Nightlife: even in '03, hip-hop parties were hard to come by.
>I imagine it's even harder now

it's Vegas - expect cheese, not a revelation. as you well know, everything in the town is designed for mass consumption which means it appeals to the lowest common denominator. the nightlife is no different. you know this.

12740008, are you going with your lady or is this a fellas trip? As far as nightlife I say...
Posted by Billy Ray Valentine, Mon Mar-02-15 04:57 PM
skip the fancy overpriced nightclubs, I've had better times and gotten more action at some of the smaller bars inside the casinos.
12740023, Both
Posted by John Forte, Mon Mar-02-15 05:09 PM
I'll be getting in Thursday morning, my wife will arrive Friday night. One of my boys and my uncle will be in town that weekend, so I'll have a day and a half of boys trip.
12740075, if you have time, you should drive over to the grand canyon
Posted by Crash Bandacoot, Mon Mar-02-15 06:07 PM
that route is VERY scenic. i see why the yts stole it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
instagram:
http://instagram.com/0kayndc

"There is much temptation to use what has worked before,
even when it may exceed its effective scope."

"Roll me further bitch"
12740256, is that the name of a strip club?
Posted by John Forte, Mon Mar-02-15 10:29 PM
12740262, lol
Posted by Crash Bandacoot, Mon Mar-02-15 10:37 PM
>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
instagram:
http://instagram.com/0kayndc

"There is much temptation to use what has worked before,
even when it may exceed its effective scope."

"Roll me further bitch"
12740263, People forget downtown las vegas.
Posted by LeroyBumpkin, Mon Mar-02-15 10:38 PM
Which has hit a big renaissance in the past 3 years.
More than that, more locals hang out downtown.
If you're looking for the more traditional Vegas experience, this might not be for you.
These are spots I hit up pretty regularly that are worth checking out.

- Insert Coin(s)
https://vimeo.com/107946075
Great arcade/DJ bar. Owned by a guy from NY. Unlike DJ's on the strip, they play a much wider variety of music. Thursday nights are worth checking out for their Future Funk series.

- Naked City Pizza
Appeared on Diners Drive Ins & Dives. Buffalo style pizza (thick crust, cut in squares). This is probably my favorite pizza in Vegas, and I'm a Chicago guy. It's on Paradise not far from the Hard Rock. Small hole in the wall but worth the trip.

- The Griffin'
Sometimes a rock bar, sometimes a hip hop bar. Depends on the DJ. Real chill spot.

- The Heart Attack Grill
Yes, if you weigh over 350lbs, you eat free. It's a gimmick, but people are intrigued. Never had the food before but it's part of the charm of Vegas. I'm sure it helps that twice in the past year people have had heart attacks in the restaurant.

- Casa Don Juan
Best Mexican food in Vegas. Hands down. Homemade. I always take people here when the come in from out of town. Not exactly downtown, but close.

- Fremont St.
A walkable section of downtown filled with lights, casinos, street performers and just random crazy stuff. Plus all the casino properties on Fremont St. have way lower minimums ($5 blackjack, etc). Again, if you haven't been it's worth checking out.
12740371, this is good stuff. Thanks
Posted by John Forte, Tue Mar-03-15 05:25 AM
12740372, Good list
Posted by blkprinceMD05, Tue Mar-03-15 05:36 AM
12740290, These are some of the places I've eaten at (google assisted)
Posted by PoppaGeorge, Mon Mar-02-15 11:25 PM
Within walking distance north of Stratosphere is a lil Venezuelan joint that serves some bomb ass arepas called Viva Las Arepas.

There's an pretty decent Indian joint with a lunch buffet between Riviera and Wynn/Encore called Bombay Indian Cuisine. It's in a lil plaza right across from a Walgreens and 7-11.

Off the strip in a seedy looking area is a good Ethiopian joint called Merkato Ethiopian Market and Cafe (it's a straight shot down the street from Venetian or Wynn/Encore)

If you head into Chinatown from the Strip, there's a Filipino spot called Kapit Bahay Filipino Fast Food. In fact, Chinatown in general has some bomb ass food there, especially the plaza the Filipino joint is in and the one right before you get to it.

---------------------------

forcing myself to actually respond to you is like bathing in ebola virus. - Binlahab

Like there is stupid, and then there is you, and then there is dead. - VAsBestBBW

R.I.P. Disco D
12740791, Thanks
Posted by John Forte, Tue Mar-03-15 01:23 PM
12740301, I'll be in Vegas at the end of this month
Posted by Playa_Politician, Tue Mar-03-15 12:01 AM
for a bachelor party. been a few years since the last one. also staying at a MGM property. time share joint but they rent em out apparently. they've already started hitting me up about presentations, i read on the site reviews that they're pushy about that. we aint fallin into that trap tho
12740395, Easily the most overrated city in America
Posted by Amritsar, Tue Mar-03-15 07:59 AM
And it ain't even close
12740414, Is it, though?
Posted by John Forte, Tue Mar-03-15 08:32 AM
I think the general perception is "Disney World for adults" and that's pretty accurate
12740418, Only by amateurs.
Posted by SoWhat, Tue Mar-03-15 08:35 AM
Ppl who know nightlife, lodging, shopping and dining rate it just right.
12740472, Lol I'll give u the shopping and dining
Posted by Amritsar, Tue Mar-03-15 09:38 AM
Especially the dining spots the locals hit up --someone already alluded to it above

But there's plenty of other cities in America with a better or comparable nightlife scene. Cities with actual culture not made of plastic
12740485, no better gambling
Posted by ShawndmeSlanted, Tue Mar-03-15 09:45 AM
12740491, Of course
Posted by Amritsar, Tue Mar-03-15 09:51 AM
Especially the sports betting.

Nothing like being in Vegas during a major sporting event with the other degenerates
12741127, duh.
Posted by SoWhat, Tue Mar-03-15 04:16 PM
again - only amateurs would claim that Vegas has THE BEST __.

ppl go there on vacay anyway not b/c THE BEST __ is in Vegas but for the whole atmosphere.

but it's not for everyone - if you don't like it that's fine. but plenty of us enjoy it for what it is and not b/c we think we're getting the absolute best __.
12740686, RE: School me on Vegas
Posted by jon_o, Tue Mar-03-15 12:16 PM
I live in Vegas, and was born here. These days, you can have as much, if not more fun downtown for half the money. Don't sleep on the area around Freemont street, all of the progressive movement in this city is down there, as is the best food spots.
12740690, I prefer Final Cut Pro X.
Posted by b.Touch, Tue Mar-03-15 12:18 PM
12741079, Can I party Downtown in sneakers?
Posted by John Forte, Tue Mar-03-15 03:42 PM
This no sneakers thing bothers me. I stopped going to clubs where I can't wear sneakers over 10 years ago. Downtown seems more like my scene anyway.
12741082, u can party downtown without even going inside lol
Posted by cgonz00cc, Tue Mar-03-15 03:43 PM
12741130, ^ i did this.
Posted by SoWhat, Tue Mar-03-15 04:17 PM
after i left some strip club at 6am i just hung out on Fremont w/the freaks and watched the show.
12741138, yep. get a 80 oz football shaped cocktail and go with the flow
Posted by cgonz00cc, Tue Mar-03-15 04:22 PM
12741143, LOL
Posted by SoWhat, Tue Mar-03-15 04:26 PM
i'd had so much red bull i couldn't sleep yet and was tired of blowing money on strippers plus 2 of my homies had disappeared in the 'champagne room' so i was like 'fuck it' and hung out on the street for about 30 minutes. and i finally got one of the main things i'd wanted in Vegas - SHOWGIRLS. a gaggle of showgirls just walked down the street randomly and we took pix. it was great.
12741144, thats actually pretty fucking cool
Posted by cgonz00cc, Tue Mar-03-15 04:28 PM
Havent seen any showgirls in any of my 3 trups
12741153, i hadn't expected to see any up close and personal.
Posted by SoWhat, Tue Mar-03-15 04:32 PM
they were totally decked out - heels and makeup and head dresses and titties...the whole 9.

it was my 3rd trip to Vegas (to party - not counting the time i spent living there as a kid) and i had never seen any show girls either. i'd wanted to see a show that featured them and since that was my last night in town i knew it wasn't going to happen. so when they showed up at 6am i figured they were JUST FOR ME and had to have a pic. damn, i was wasted then. lol.
12741158, im being totally serious here...sometimes LV hits u with a little magic
Posted by cgonz00cc, Tue Mar-03-15 04:36 PM
In the right place at the right time, Vegas can conjure up exactly what you want, and the very time you need it.

I love that place.
12741161, agreed.
Posted by SoWhat, Tue Mar-03-15 04:40 PM
12741128, yup.
Posted by SoWhat, Tue Mar-03-15 04:17 PM
you can party downtown in your underwear.

well, okay. maybe not. but MAYBE. lol
12741470, Yes.
Posted by LeroyBumpkin, Wed Mar-04-15 12:46 AM
There aren't any mega clubs downtown, more bars and lounges.

This spot actually called 'downtown' used to have a tight house DJ on the weekends.
'downtown' is kinda hidden, but on the corner of Las Vegas blvd and Fremont.

But Fremont St. and Downtown Las Vegas isn't as uptight as the strip.
Might be hard to explain unless you see it.
And SoWhat is right, on spring nights you can just hang out ON Fremont St.
12752375, yeah you'll be fine. the places downtown don't worry about that
Posted by Rjcc, Mon Mar-16-15 02:06 AM

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at
12741471, overrated
Posted by GirlChild, Wed Mar-04-15 12:54 AM
don't do any more than 2-3 days
the shopping is great, the food is over priced and just so so
there are a handful of good restaurants
12741472, is hash house still a thing?
Posted by gusto, Wed Mar-04-15 01:03 AM
12751491, Did you go yet? because......
Posted by jeanlouis61, Fri Mar-13-15 05:19 PM
D Nice is starting a residence at Hakkasan.




12751591, No one mentioned Lotus of Siam? I will.
Posted by ChiBrownSkinLady, Fri Mar-13-15 08:01 PM
That and the Mexican spot Donnie took me and RJCC to were the best things I ate while I was out there. It's off the strip in a really random strip mall, but totally worth the cab out there. Make a reso or plan to get there early otherwise you'll hafta wait a while for a table. It's also a way better bang for your buck than just about anything on the strip. I mean, you can get a glass of wine for $9. And it's good stuff. The food was awesome and I see why it's hyped. I wanna go back if I ever find myself in that corner of the desert again.
12751616, Yes, yes, yes. Thank you.
Posted by John Forte, Fri Mar-13-15 08:31 PM
12751625, I've been going 2+ times a year for 10 years now, but I'm boring
Posted by KosherSam, Fri Mar-13-15 08:39 PM
I still have no sense of direction around the strip.
12775028, Anyone eaten at Hot and Juicy Crawfish?
Posted by John Forte, Wed Apr-08-15 09:03 AM