Entertainment in Las Vegas
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A
Men of Sapphire
You can get one-on-one action with the Men of Sapphire, including Mr Nevada and other beefy men who strip and give lap dances upstairs at Sapphire.
reviewed
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B
Zumanity
A sensual and sexy adult-only show at New York-New York.
reviewed
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C
Blue Man Group
A bizarre trio of iconic blue-headed, non-speaking, comedic percussionists mix mind-bending audiovisual displays with extraordinarily juvenile behavior. Sit in the front rows to be the recipient of catapulted Jell-O tubs, hurled marshmallows or paint splattering off the tops of snare drums. The show may be a family crowd-pleaser, but the talent leaves a lot to be desired.
reviewed
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D
Carrot Top
Even if his TV commercials annoyed you to death, this wild and curly orange-haired comedian’s shtick could leave your side split and your gut busted. The fast-paced show runs the audience ragged with physical props, some dark and twisted stand-up humor and merciless skewering of pop stars, Hollywood celebs and politicians.
reviewed
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E
Beauty Bar
Swill a cocktail, watch the weekly manicure demonstrations or just chill inside the salvaged innards of a 1950s New Jersey beauty salon. DJs and live bands rotate nightly here, spinning tiki lounge tones, ’80s garage rock, punk, funk and soul. Make sure you wear your coolest vintage threads.
reviewed
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F
Tryst
All gimmicks aside, the flowing waterfall makes this place ridiculously (and literally) cool. Blood red booths, and plenty of space to dance ensure that you can have a killer time even without splurging for bottle service.
reviewed
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G
Mandalay Bay
The tropical-themed ‘M-Bay’ fails to match the grandeur of Vegas’ more famous mega-resorts, although high-stakes gamblers will appreciate a classy casino that seems as limitless as the credit line needed to play here. Everything can be a spectacle here, if you only know where to look.
Big-name bands electrify the House of Blues and M-Bay’s events center, catsuit-clad ‘angels’ scale the wine tower at Aureole, and sable fur coats are loaned to enter the frozen vodka locker inside Red Square. Stylish boutique extras include Mandalay Place, a skybridge shopping promenade, and the minimalist modern THEhotel with its lofty Mix bar and bathhouse spa.
M-Bay’s aquatic…
reviewed
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H
Fremont
The Fremont casino hotel has been packing ’em in since 1956, when it opened as downtown’s first high-rise and the tallest building in Nevada. Separating it from the motley pack was wall-to-wall carpeting –almost all of the other nearby casinos still had sawdust floors then. It was here that legendary lounge singer Wayne Newton (aka Mr Las Vegas) launched his career. Despite these firsts, the Fremont has since slipped into mediocrity these days. With its weak tropical motif, the 32,000-sq-ft casino is nothing special, except for its purple felt tables and location in the middle of the Fremont Street Experience which has made it a favorite with many gamblers, not to…
reviewed
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I
Unlv Performing Arts Center
The university’s performing arts center hosts a kaleidoscopic variety of events, with hundreds of performances happening year-round on three main stages. The 1832-seat Artemus Ham Concert Hall has great acoustics, while the 550-seat Judy Bayley Theatre stages everything from classical ballet to experimental music fests. The 175-seat Black Box Theatre presents more-intimate theatrical, music and dance productions. The box office is on the south side of the campus parking garage, off Cottage Grove Ave. Also recommended: Cashman Center Theatre Major touring productions stop at this 1900-seat performing-arts space downtown. Cockroach Theatre Experimental theater group…
reviewed
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J
Riviera
The Riviera was the first high-rise on the Strip when it opened in 1955. Liberace did the ribbon-cutting honors. Film auteur Orson Welles appeared on stage the next year performing – of all things – magic acts. A host of big-name entertainers have starred at the Riviera ever since, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Tony Bennett. But that Hollywood glamour has been almost entirely lost by now. Inside the dimly lit, confusingly laid-out casino, Penny and Nickel Town are faves with the old-as-the-hills clientele, who love the hot, hot slot tournies. Outside the front entrance, a bawdy bronzed statue of the Riv’s showgirls is fondly fondled by drunk…
reviewed
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K
California
At many Vegas casinos, a lucky spin of a slot machine will earn you a brand-spanking-new BMW, a racy Jaguar or a red-hot convertible. At the downtown ‘just-call-me-Cal’ California, one very lucky nickel-slots player will someday ride home in – drum roll, please – a brand-new PT Cruiser! That simple fact tells you a lot about the 1970s-era Cal, ‘the hotel with aloha spirit, ’ where even the dealers wear Hawaiian shirts, because over 80% of the Cal’s guests hail from the 50th state. On the skybridge connecting to Main Street Station are photos of the Cal’s Golden Arm Club, which immortalizes lucky shooters from the craps tables.
reviewed
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L
Imperial Palace
The blue-roofed pagoda facade and faux–Far East theme are hokey, but the zany atmosphere at what was once the Flamingo Capri is quite alright. The always-packed casino is decked out in bamboo and rattan under a dragon-motif ceiling. If you liked the indie movie The Cooler, you’ll love it here. There are lots of low-minimum table games to be found here, but avoid the bad-odds blackjack in the pit. Time your visit to coincide with the evening shift change of the ‘dealertainers’, celebrity impersonators who do double duty as dealers, or catch the sham stars performing in Legends in Concert at Harrah’s.
reviewed
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M
Binion’s
Opened in 1951 by the notorious Texan gambler, Benny Binion, who sported gold coins for buttons on his cowboy shirts, this casino became famous for its ‘zero limit’ betting policy, and as the place where the World Series of Poker was born. Now that Benny has gone ‘all in’ in the sky, the ex-Horseshoe casino is struggling to live up to its legacy. But it’s worth swinging by the poker room to witness nail-biting, around-the-clock Texas Hold’em action. On the main casino floor is Binion’s Cafe with fresh, never-frozen beef burgers piled high with crackling onions, iceberg lettuce and huge tomato slices.
reviewed
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N
Plaza
Built on the site of the old Union Pacific Railroad Depot, Jackie Gaughan’s Plaza is a 1970s time capsule. Like most downtown joints, the down-at-heel Plaza is made for low-rollin’ gamblers. Its tacky decor doesn’t correspond to any known theme, unless the theme is cheap. And that’s just fine with the Plaza’s patrons, who are hypnotized by the penny slots, nickel video-poker machines and $1 blackjack tables with sarcastic dealers. Feisty blue-haired ladies play for keeps upstairs in the 400-seat bingo room. Also upstairs is Firefly, a tapas bar with cockpit views of the Fremont Street Experience.
reviewed
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O
Rio
The name of this wildly popular casino hotel says a lot about the Rio. The corny Masquerade Village, the center of the action, offers an ongoing carnaval atmosphere. In the free ‘Show in the Sky, ’ Mardi Gras floats suspended from tracks in the ceiling parade above the gaming tables while racily costumed performers dance and lip-synch to pop rock and jazzy numbers, and toss shiny beaded necklaces to the crowds. The rambunctious fun is infectious. You can even ride along in one of the floats while having your souvenir photo taken for a fee (reservations required).
reviewed
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P
Bally’s
Unless it’s ‘bigger is better, ’ there’s no real theme at the Strip’s most staid megaresort, with a football-field-sized casino overhung by twinkling chandeliers and overstuffed blue-velvet chairs. But Bally’s biggest attractions are not about gaming. Jubilee! is one of Vegas’ long-running showgirl extravaganzas. After performances, the leggy dancers often pose for their over-the-hill admirers at the casino’s Indigo lounge. Or visitors can peek behind the curtains on a backstage tour. The monorail station is at the back, and an interior walkway connects to Paris Las Vegas.
reviewed
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Q
Harrah’s
Though it’s not nearly as rambunctious as Vegas’ carnaval casino hotel, the Rio, Harrah’s may be the brightest, friendliest and most playful casino on the Strip – and it’s swimming with gamblers. An enormous backlit mural over the hotel’s front desk depicts the greatest Las Vegas entertainers of all time, and entertainment is still the name of the game here, with the Improv comedy club and other headliner comics and magicians. After dark, try out for TJ’s All-Star Karaoke at the piano bar or get soused in the outdoor Carnaval Court, where flair bartenders juggle fire.
reviewed
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R
Hard Rock
The world’s first rock ’n’ roll casino, the hot, hot, hot Hard Rock embraces what may be the most impressive collection of rock-star memorabilia ever assembled under one roof. Among the priceless items being watched over by the ‘eye in the sky’ and eagle-eyed security guards suited up like bouncers are some of the more bodacious fashion statements by Elvis and Britney Spears; a custom motorcycle (donated by Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe) that once belonged to the Hell’s Angels gang; and Jim Morrison’s handwritten lyrics to one of The Doors’ greatest hits.
reviewed
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S
Tropicana
Built in 1957, the Trop has had half a century to sully its shine, lose its crowds and go the way of the Dunes and the Sands – ashes to ashes, dust to dust. But thanks to a massive new facelift, it just keeps hanging in there. The sleek, new Miami-meets-Havana theme is a spirit-lifting change, especially in airy, light Paradise Tower rooms. Investigate the casino’s mini mob museum for more vintage Vegas atmosphere. Out back, the tropically inspired pool complex has multilevel lagoon pools, streaming waterfalls and classic swim-up blackjack tables.
reviewed
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Sam’s Town
It’s such a landmark on the local Vegas scene, the Killers named their sophomore album after it. Ranchers, cowboys and RVers flock here, and there’s a helluva lot to keep ’em all amused. It’s a rip-roarin’ place to get your feet wet at table games, including some single-deck blackjack and electronic roulette. Or you can just peruse the country-and-western outfitter Sheplers, go bowling and take in a flick at the cinema, or feed your inner glutton at Billy Bob’s Steak House and Saloon, which dishes up a foot-long Grand Canyon chocolate layer cake.
reviewed
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Orleans
A mile west of the Strip, this N’awlins-themed casino hotel has done a so-so job of re-creating the Big Easy. Among its many diversions are the 70-lane bowling alley, 18-screen cineplex and specialty bars like Brendan’s Irish Pub, which has live music some nights. Entertainment legends such as Willie Nelson and LeAnn Rimes have performed in the Orleans showroom, while megaconcerts and sports events take place in the arena. The high-ceilinged casino is an airy, rectangular room filled with thousands of ho-hum slot machines and table games.
reviewed
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U
Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon
Lavish Tiffany-styled stained glass, stately chandeliers and polished dark wood dominate this pint-sized neo-Victorian casino. Only downtown’s Main Street Station evokes turn-of-the-20th-century Nevada better. Opened as the Barbary Coast, this 1970s-era casino claims 650 slot and video poker machines and precious few table games. Downstairs, Drai’s draws a hip post-clubbing crowd, while lounge acts like ‘Big Elvis’ play upstairs. Parking is almost impossible here; try walking over from the monorail line instead.
reviewed
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V
Monte Carlo
Fronted by Corinthian colonnades, triumphal arches, petite dancing fountains and allegorical statuary, this not-so-elegant casino is still bustling and spacious. A magnificent marble-floored, crystal-chandeliered lobby with Palladian windows is reminiscent of a European grand hotel, but otherwise this is a poor person’s Bellagio rather than an evocation of the grandeur of its namesake in Monaco. For entertainment, there’s live music at the Pub and tacky, trashy Diablo’s Cantina towering over the Strip out front.
reviewed
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W
El Cortez
A classic dive dating back to 1940, El Cortez is choked with smoke but has vintage Vegas appeal in spades. In the crowded casino, rough-edged local gamblers grudgingly allow accidental tourists like yourself to buy into the low-limit action on roulette, craps and other table games aimed at cheapskates and gambling novices. El Cortez is the kind of place where it’s almost impossible to lose your shirt, but you’ll need a few stiff drinks first. It’s a few too many blocks east of the Fremont Street Experience.
reviewed
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X
Palms
Designed to seduce Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers, the ultramodern Palms catapulted into the limelight with a starring role on MTV’s Real World reality-TV series and Bravo’s Celebrity Poker Showdown. Today it’s Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Club that calls the shots, and you’ll have to cough up some cash to peek inside his hybrid casino-nightspot atop the Palms’ Fantasy Tower, where flashy Moon nightclub has a retractable roof that opens up to the desert’s starry skies.
reviewed