February 5Feb 5 3 hours ago, royiv said: Add to my last post that a bachelor party with 25 guys is a seriously bad idea. With a group that large, the chances that there’s a Cayden or Chad that can’t keep his mouth shut is incredibly high. He’ll go home to his girlfriend Mackenzie and tell her all about Aidan doing coke off a stripper’s ass and then losing $10k on the roulette wheel when he put it all on 00. Any chance we can get pictures of Mackenzie or the stripper’s ass?
February 5Feb 5 I was at one probably 12 or 13 years ago that probably had around 20 and we had a large private room at the steak house in Planet Hollywood for the main dinner. I either planned it or help plan it and even back then it basically required a set menu per person with a drink package and had to book either entire dinner or like 50% on my card to reserve room. That ended up being a blast of a dinner but if actually trying to plan something for a group that large, while possible, it's going to be more like hosting a party or corporate event and it's going to require $$ up front, and like others have said, you have to account for inevitable no shows when budgeting. There is still some jackass friend of a friend of a friend that is apparently a doctor now that still owes me like $500 for a 2007 era Vegas trip that still irks me.
February 5Feb 5 You will be calling or emailing to update the reservation number weekly the last few weeks before the trip with a group that big. Edited February 5Feb 5 by kevwun
February 5Feb 5 If this is an older group with money to spend, rent a private room at one of the restaurants. You can usually pick out a custom menu. I’ve been staying at Cosmo mainly the past 5-6 years and just there alone there are private rooms to rent and Beauty and Essex, Zuma, Jaleo and STK. that’s also the order I would recommend them.
February 5Feb 5 Also with a group that big, try to get a large table and a nightclub and/or cabana at a day pool party and just tell everyone where to go to meet up. Waiting for that many people to walk in will be a nightmare. And don’t be the person that puts their credit card down, you’ll never collect from everyone.
February 6Feb 6 Thank you all for the advice so far, although a lot of it sounds like my fiancé on the other end lol. She also told me the group is too big and I realized that once I started adding people to the group but the deed is done and there’s no turning back without some real awkward conversations. Planning to get rooms at Caesars just to stay near the middle of the strip (friend’s recommendation) and everyone kind of understands that since the group is that big, other than dinner and golf there are no real set plans. Maybe a pool day somewhere but other than that it’s up in the air for right now. And it’s a good group of guys so not too worried about anyone getting into real trouble, but I’ve also been proven wrong before.
February 6Feb 6 You’ll probably be disappointed with Caesar’s, if you haven’t booked, try Cosmo w/ a fountain view.
February 6Feb 6 11 minutes ago, thunderlounge said: You’ll probably be disappointed with Caesar’s, if you haven’t booked, try Cosmo w/ a fountain view. I looked but it’s like 2-3x more there and at Bellagio compared to Caesar’s on those dates and I’m trying to keep the cost reasonable for most guys. Even if I kept the group small i would’ve had to do the same thing. Everyone’s getting married or having kids so we’re working with what we’ve got. The main focus is golf and that was easy to set up thankfully. also, not planning on spending much time in the rooms. Edited February 6Feb 6 by theBigHen
February 6Feb 6 31 minutes ago, theBigHen said: Thank you all for the advice so far, although a lot of it sounds like my fiancé on the other end lol. She also told me the group is too big and I realized that once I started adding people to the group but the deed is done and there’s no turning back without some real awkward conversations. Planning to get rooms at Caesars just to stay near the middle of the strip (friend’s recommendation) and everyone kind of understands that since the group is that big, other than dinner and golf there are no real set plans. Maybe a pool day somewhere but other than that it’s up in the air for right now. And it’s a good group of guys so not too worried about anyone getting into real trouble, but I’ve also been proven wrong before. Caesars=no Shadow Creek Damn shame
February 6Feb 6 Just now, Litig8r said: Caesars=no Shadow Creek Damn shame I would’ve been publicly executed by the group if I suggested paying $1k+ for a round.
February 6Feb 6 I’ve booked a terrace one bedroom suite for 3 nights at the Cosmo in March. Is it hard to get upgraded to fountain view? $50 handshake still a thing?
February 6Feb 6 14 hours ago, theBigHen said: Thank you all for the advice so far, although a lot of it sounds like my fiancé on the other end lol. She also told me the group is too big and I realized that once I started adding people to the group but the deed is done and there’s no turning back without some real awkward conversations. Planning to get rooms at Caesars just to stay near the middle of the strip (friend’s recommendation) and everyone kind of understands that since the group is that big, other than dinner and golf there are no real set plans. Maybe a pool day somewhere but other than that it’s up in the air for right now. And it’s a good group of guys so not too worried about anyone getting into real trouble, but I’ve also been proven wrong before. Caesar’s is a dump. You need to make a hard pivot away from that, especially if your plans include a pool day.
February 6Feb 6 14 hours ago, 3adays said: I’ve booked a terrace one bedroom suite for 3 nights at the Cosmo in March. Is it hard to get upgraded to fountain view? $50 handshake still a thing? It just depends on how full they are. If it is during march madness it is going to be tough if not impossible to get a free upgrade.
February 6Feb 6 10 minutes ago, royiv said: Caesar’s is a dump. You need to make a hard pivot away from that, especially if your plans include a pool day. Yep. Hell, Cromwell across the street would be better, and should be similar in price.
February 6Feb 6 I was in Cosmo the other day. Just asked for a fountain view nicely and they hooked it up.
February 16Feb 16 Social media commentators are highlighting how dead Vegas is these days. Is that accurate? I went twice in 2024: NYE and mid-week April for a conference. I wouldn’t call it empty but it wasn’t slammed. i had fun on both trips but a decade ago, i would almost start planning the next trip immediately. Not anymore. Part of the change is definitely me being older but much of the Vegas experience is being diluted with having similar experiences elsewhere. And Vegas diluting Vegas. Blackjack is unplayable even at $50/hand. Don’t the old rules usually start at $100?
February 16Feb 16 Author Pretty good summary of how we got here. Also if you want $5 table minimums with the old school rules for craps and BJ try Ellis Island casino. https://www.casinoreports.com/las-vegas-fees-charges/
February 16Feb 16 20 minutes ago, bigup2dahorns said: Pretty good summary of how we got here. Also if you want $5 table minimums with the old school rules for craps and BJ try Ellis Island casino. https://www.casinoreports.com/las-vegas-fees-charges/ No mention that Gen Z and millennials prefer to gamble on their phones (crypto, meme stocks, sports betting).
February 16Feb 16 Pretty good summary of how we got here. Also if you want $5 table minimums with the old school rules for craps and BJ try Ellis Island casino. https://www.casinoreports.com/las-vegas-fees-charges/“They’re going to stick to more local and regional casinos, and not taking quite as many trips to Las Vegas.”Damn straight… my old Vegas crew is already looking at Biloxi for March Madness… there’s just so much more value.The rest of my friends only travel to Vegas for work. Granted, we’re in our 40’s, but even for younger folks it seems like it’s hard to have fun these days without setting an outsized pile of cash on fire.
February 16Feb 16 I've been four times, all different properties, over the last year. While I never wanted to be one of those "it ain't like it used to be" guys, I don't know what else to say. It used to be so fun to be at a craps table with a small bachelorette party or group of young soccer fans. Now it's bitter middle agers (myself included) without a woman under 40 in sight, even at the other table games. The bubble games are cheaper but not social. The sports books can still be fun given you don't have to wait in line thanks to the betting kiosks. And the asshole horse players can stay in their corner, not pushing through to make last-second bets. Flat screens are everywhere to buy a drink and watch games. To me, it seems like the conventions and major events are going to have to keep the fire burning out there. I'm lucky to get some work trips, otherwise it's a waste of my budget.
February 16Feb 16 Gambling has lost its appeal to us these days, we have a casino 10 minutes from the house and we've been twice. Hell, our main goal driving down to Mohegan Sun is for Pepe's pizza and Krispy Kreme, we'll drop a bit of coin on slots or such. We'd still like to hit LV again just to see the changes since our last visit(2007) but gambling would be further down the list of things to do there.
February 16Feb 16 for me it's the table minimums for gambling being stupid high. yeah I'm a cheapass, but I know I'm not the only one.
February 16Feb 16 for me it's the table minimums for gambling being stupid high. yeah I'm a cheapass, but I know I'm not the only one. I don’t care how much dough you have… $100 craps is not enjoyable.
February 16Feb 16 28 minutes ago, Bill Brasky said: for me it's the table minimums for gambling being stupid high. yeah I'm a cheapass, but I know I'm not the only one. I’m not a cheapass and I agree. I go to Vegas several times a year. The past few years, most of the big casinos are setting the craps minimums at $50 during the busier periods. Fuck that. 4 minutes ago, Party_Taco said: I don’t care how much dough you have… $100 craps is not enjoyable. Yep. The second the table goes cold, it’s pretty easy to lose $1000 at a $25 table. Quadrupling that would be a problem.
February 16Feb 16 One of my friends is there this weekend and said Cosmo was very crowded, but that's probably because it's Valentine's Day weekend.
February 17Feb 17 Author Interesting https://x.com/john_mehaffey/status/1891295775604297818?s=46&t=w0pY-Fs4VAfKwHrB_iAkXw
February 18Feb 18 On 2/16/2025 at 10:10 AM, kevwun said: One of my friends is there this weekend and said Cosmo was very crowded, but that's probably because it's Valentine's Day weekend. Oh wow, I guess that makes sense from a casino perspective.
February 24Feb 24 No Hotel Is Worth a 7-Hour Wait: Furious Hilton Guests Miss Half Their Vegas Trip Just Standing In Line To Check In https://x.com/LasVegasLocally/status/1893360531395715575
February 24Feb 24 I've never understood that. It takes 1 minute to check in at every other hotel in the country. But it's a 10-15 minute process in Vegas.
February 24Feb 24 Bachelor party with 25 dudes in Vegas sounds fucking terrible, especially if youve never been to Vegas.
February 25Feb 25 Was in LV at the Fontainebleau, hotel was great. We had tickets for Keith Urban which is a great concert. Favorite meal this weekend was at Piero’s. Had the sea bass, so damn good.
February 25Feb 25 I've never understood that. It takes 1 minute to check in at every other hotel in the country. But it's a 10-15 minute process in Vegas.~20 seconds in the MGM app. I always glance, puzzled, at the lines checking in. More so on the lines checking out. What the actual fuck are you people doing?!
February 25Feb 25 If Cosmo is fully integrated now, I'm gonna try it that way on our next trip. Last time were were there at the beginning of December, you still couldn't pull up Cosmo reservations in the MGM app.
February 25Feb 25 18 minutes ago, kevwun said: If Cosmo is fully integrated now, I'm gonna try it that way on our next trip. Last time were were there at the beginning of December, you still couldn't pull up Cosmo reservations in the MGM app. Here for a conference now and still the same. Couldn't check in on the app Sunday. Line sucked. Also for anyone coming in near term, we went late night over to Ellis Island yesterday and currently under renovation. At least half of the gaming floor is walled off. They only had one craps table and closed it right as we got in and only like 3 blackjack tables which were full. Pretty disappointing. Supposed to last another couple of months for the gaming floor portion apparently.
February 25Feb 25 57 minutes ago, Lurch said: ~20 seconds in the MGM app. I always glance, puzzled, at the lines checking in. More so on the lines checking out. What the actual fuck are you people doing?! The last 2 times at the Wynn I had to check out at the desk because they fucked up my comps.
February 28Feb 28 Just heard the palms has removed all 6/5 BJ tables and we,, have one $5 BJ table and one $5 craps table 24 hours a day.
March 20Mar 20 Busiest Thursday of the first week of MM I have ever seen and it is early. Been to Cosmo, Caesars and Bellagio and you can’t move around.
March 20Mar 20 8 minutes ago, Dr. Teeth said: Busiest Thursday of the first week of MM I have ever seen and it is early. Been to Cosmo, Caesars and Bellagio and you can’t move around. Great for vegas, the exact reason after about 20 years we decided to pass on that specific weekend, we still go in march just not for the madness.
March 30Mar 30 I’m at the M this week for work. Nice place. They had at least 3 $10 3/2 blackjack tables on Saturday night.
April 9Apr 9 Anyone have some suggestions for a really nice dinner for four (2 olds, 2 young adults)? Looking at Primal Steakhouse. Never been to Vegas, don't gamble, and we're making a family trip of my daughter's MCAT. Don't ask about the circumstances, weird all around, but want to do a fun dinner.
April 9Apr 9 We're going in May. I've had the worst 1.5 months of my life at work, so I am looking real forward to this one. I'm going to be popping gummies like m&m's. Edited April 9Apr 9 by kevwun
April 9Apr 9 16 hours ago, Hefeweizen said: Anyone have some suggestions for a really nice dinner for four (2 olds, 2 young adults)? Looking at Primal Steakhouse. Never been to Vegas, don't gamble, and we're making a family trip of my daughter's MCAT. Don't ask about the circumstances, weird all around, but want to do a fun dinner. "really nice" doesn't imply Lotus of Siam to me. Excellent dinner, not really nice though. "really nice" could be almost any steakhouse on The Strip. Hard to go wrong there. "really nice" could also mean somewhere like Le Cirque in The Bellagio. I've had amazing dinners there. French, dressy, expensive, but also absolutely terrific. Same can be said for Bouchon at The Venetian or Restaurant Guy Savoy at Casear's, but I think Le Cirque wins by several lengths, personally. Those are all truly upscale, hoity toity restaurants, to be clear.
April 9Apr 9 I thought Bouchon was extremely blah but I'm told the brunch there is out of this world.
April 9Apr 9 31 minutes ago, closetojumping said: "really nice" doesn't imply Lotus of Siam to me. Excellent dinner, not really nice though. "really nice" could be almost any steakhouse on The Strip. Hard to go wrong there. "really nice" could also mean somewhere like Le Cirque in The Bellagio. I've had amazing dinners there. French, dressy, expensive, but also absolutely terrific. Same can be said for Bouchon at The Venetian or Restaurant Guy Savoy at Casear's, but I think Le Cirque wins by several lengths, personally. Those are all truly upscale, hoity toity restaurants, to be clear. Thanks for the recommendations. Lots of food for thought.
April 9Apr 9 Author We can recommend just about any type of restaurant but the choices are all over the place. Do you want an experience at a big Strip hotel with a view or something more low key and are you mostly asking for a steak restaurant recommendation or another specific type? If you narrow that down a little bit someone on here will give you a few winning choices
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