August 6Aug 6 I don't disagree and I'm not a heavy Vegas visitor, but it feels like people have been complaining about being nickel-and-dimed since at least the 90s. Domestically, they can probably live off of conferences, bachelorette parties, and the Instagram-obsessed (for whom high prices are a feature, not a bug) forever. I think it's the drop in international travel that's really hurting them.
August 6Aug 6 29 minutes ago, tokamak said: I don't disagree and I'm not a heavy Vegas visitor, but it feels like people have been complaining about being nickel-and-dimed since at least the 90s. Domestically, they can probably live off of conferences, bachelorette parties, and the Instagram-obsessed (for whom high prices are a feature, not a bug) forever. I think it's the drop in international travel that's really hurting them. I've probably been damn near every year since the early 2000's (and back in my 20's and early 30's multiple times per year). Most of my favorite Vegas trips were when I was younger and poor. You could definitely do Vegas on a budget back then. That seems harder now. I've personally noticed a big difference post Covid. I remember my first trip back in 2021 and table game minimums were absurd all down the strip (damn near impossible to find even a $25 minimum). I think they started pushing it then when people had excess spending money (and Vegas had lost a ton during peak Covid) and just decided to see how far they could push it. Just wonder if they might have hit the tipping point (and I don't disagree international travel a big part of the issue as well). Will be interesting to track. Edited August 6Aug 6 by Skipper
August 7Aug 7 18 hours ago, tokamak said: I don't disagree and I'm not a heavy Vegas visitor, but it feels like people have been complaining about being nickel-and-dimed since at least the 90s. Domestically, they can probably live off of conferences, bachelorette parties, and the Instagram-obsessed (for whom high prices are a feature, not a bug) forever. I think it's the drop in international travel that's really hurting them. Pulled off of a different message board, but the analogy works for Vegas. Quote To use a different analogy I've long viewed the Vegas market as a three legged stool Gamblers, Conventions and Value seekers For a while it can balance on 2 legs but not long term
August 7Aug 7 Gymkhana is a 2 Michelin starred Indian restaurant in London and will be opening a location in Aria this fall. I am real excited about this one. It will be in the spot where Julian Serrano's was at.
August 7Aug 7 Gymkhana is a 2 Michelin starred Indian restaurant in London and will be opening a location in Aria this fall. I am real excited about this one. It will be in the spot where Julian Serrano's was at.Loved Serrano’s back in the day, but this is a massive upgrade. If Dishoom takes off in NYC I’m expecting a Vegas expansion as well…
August 7Aug 7 I wonder how big it's going to be because Serrano's was small, at least the seating area was. The new place will be enclosed from what I've read. Catherdrale has also closed, so maybe they're combining the spots. Edited August 7Aug 7 by kevwun
August 7Aug 7 Author Wynn now says they anticipate hotel rooms refresh at Encore starting spring 2026 with limited disruptions. Expected to take a year to complete.
August 7Aug 7 4 hours ago, kevwun said: Gymkhana is a 2 Michelin starred Indian restaurant in London and will be opening a location in Aria this fall. I am real excited about this one. It will be in the spot where Julian Serrano's was at. 4 hours ago, Party_Taco said: Loved Serrano’s back in the day, but this is a massive upgrade. If Dishoom takes off in NYC I’m expecting a Vegas expansion as well… Yeah, I'll crush this one day. But if they ever close Javier's CTJ is going to kill some people. We'll see him on the news.
August 8Aug 8 5 hours ago, SydneyCarton said: Yeah, I'll crush this one day. But if they ever close Javier's CTJ is going to kill some people. We'll see him on the news. Why the hell would they ever close Javier’s? That place is always packed and also beloved. And, yes, a killing spree would be in order. Starting with you.
August 8Aug 8 Javier's is so packed they strictly enforce 2 hours at the table. Food is consistently excellent - those Dungeness crab enchiladas...
August 8Aug 8 We were there once during a big conference and I think we got maybe an hour at the table. They brought out or mains like 2 minutes after we got our appetizers. The waiter was actively trying to get us out.
August 8Aug 8 46 minutes ago, kevwun said: We were there once during a big conference and I think we got maybe an hour at the table. They brought out or mains like 2 minutes after we got our appetizers. The waiter was actively trying to get us out. Went there a few years back, and while the food was outstanding....we had the same experience. Seems like a swat team of waiters/waitresses were just standing behind us, ready to evict us as soon as possible. We might have spent less than an hour as well. Once the plates were cleared, a check was brought out before anyone asked us if we wanted to see a dessert menu. We paid and left. I'd happily go back if I could get assurances that we weren't going to be eating with a hand on our back shoving us to the door.
August 8Aug 8 the enshittification of vegas is the coal-mine canary for the decline of american civilization they've taken the parasitic business model from the airlines and have yet to find bottom multi-hour lines to check in and check out is 3rd world i could bitch for days about how much i hate vegas
August 19Aug 19 28 minutes ago, tokamak said: What's his surly username? What kind of question is this? It's obviously @Burt
August 20Aug 20 If you want a piece of the Mirage, here is your chance: https://prime-auctioneers.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/371792_historic-mirage-collection-hits-the-auction/ Quote Hard Rock Las Vegas Hotel & Casino will host an online auction featuring artwork and decor from the iconic Mirage Hotel & Casino. Collectors and enthusiasts can bid on over 300 unique Mirage exclusive pieces. The collection includes historic pieces synonymous with The Mirage including its famous mermaids, dolphins, tigers, lions and other statues previously seen throughout the resort. The auction will also include one original Chihuly glass artwork, a wide range of framed photography, art prints and design elements central to the resort’s signature style. Absentee bidding is available now through September 19 with live bidding beginning September 20 at 10:00am. For 34 years The Mirage Hotel & Casino captivated guests from around the world. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Las Vegas’ first mega-resort. Bidding is at $17,000 for this piece of memorabilia:
August 21Aug 21 4 hours ago, Francisco 2.0 said: If you want a piece of the Mirage, here is your chance: https://prime-auctioneers.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/371792_historic-mirage-collection-hits-the-auction/ Bidding is at $17,000 for this piece of memorabilia: Great find. I’ve been looking to spend $380 on a fucking rock and finally I get my chance.
August 21Aug 21 Cote Korean steakhouse is supposed to open in Venetian in October. went to the one in Miami last week and it was fantastic. https://www.cotekoreansteakhouse.com/ headed out for first proper week of college football over labor day weekend. sucks that TX-OSU game starts at 9am there but such is life. i'm not a high roller but do gamble a bit. most MGM properties were comping Thu, Fri, Sun and Monday (no Sat) and FB was super desperate and comping whatever.
August 21Aug 21 1 hour ago, WBT said: Can I buy Mirage's central atrium or the fish tank behind check in? Those were cool. The auction is like 90% art that looks exactly like it belongs in a mid-range hotel room. Unless you're looking for a 7 ft statue of an Asian lion, or a $380 rock, you can probably do better down at your local Hobby Lobby.
August 25Aug 25 On 8/21/2025 at 5:59 AM, tokamak said: Unless you're looking for a 7 ft statue of an Asian lion
August 25Aug 25 On 7/14/2025 at 8:35 PM, CowboyFred said: I’m going August 21-24 staying at palazzo. Really hoping Bazaar Meats is open by then. I noticed this was taking reservations now, looks like you might have just missed the opening?
August 25Aug 25 2 hours ago, hornbri said: I noticed this was taking reservations now, looks like you might have just missed the opening? Yea we missed it as they open in 2 weeks I believe. Likely going back December/January for wizard of oz at sphere (gf idea) so look forward to trying it out. I did hit up Bouchon and Lotus of Siam (fanfuckingtastic!!!). Lotus has this fucking ribeye that is amazing that I’d never tried but the waiter was adamant we needed to try that.
August 25Aug 25 52 minutes ago, CowboyFred said: Yea we missed it as they open in 2 weeks I believe. Likely going back December/January for wizard of oz at sphere (gf idea) so look forward to trying it out. I did hit up Bouchon and Lotus of Siam (fanfuckingtastic!!!). Lotus has this fucking ribeye that is amazing that I’d never tried but the waiter was adamant we needed to try that. Nice I have a reservation for bazaar meat for November. lotus of course, I absolutely love that place, have not tried the ribeye but I will try that for sure on the same trip.
August 26Aug 26 Last time I hit vegas was on the house through the fountainbleu people when they opened. That was only reason I went. It’s really gone to shit imo but part of that is my snobbery of hitting Europe and the f1 circuit all over. But I’ll say this…for me f1 and Europe doesn’t cost much more than vegas and it’s a fuckload more fun with an infinitely better crowd. First time since I was 20 that I didn’t hit vegas at least once in a year. I hope they turn things around but they make you feel like a sucker visiting these days.
August 27Aug 27 We quit our Vegas jaunts in 2018 after 35-40 trips out there over the previous 25 years. Their crowd numbers are down because the “little people” are waking up to the nickle & dime gouging - paid parking, resort fees, and…. Edited August 27Aug 27 by Armybrat
August 27Aug 27 I watched a "How to save in Vegas" video the other day and it was hilarious. Sure you can buy a Modello tall boy for $18 at the bar. But if you walk a few steps to the C-store you buy the same thing for $15! Totally ignoring the fact a tallboy is $15 fucking dollars. Parking has become outrageous, traffic is horrendous, autogratuity along with Hospitality and Resort fees are just milking money with nothing in return.
August 27Aug 27 I know I'm yelling at clouds, but vegas was so great during the 95 to 05 Renaissance. It fucking blows now. I used to make 3 or 4 trips a year. Been there once in the last 5 years and it made me remember why i don't go back.
September 1Sep 1 Wife informs me this morning that she would like to see The Wizard Of Oz at The Sphere. She knows Sphere is my new "favorite" building in Vegas, as I worked in the city 4-5 different times in 2024. I told her," Don't be daring me to do shit that you know I will do." LOL Looks like we are going in February and she'll be happy as fuck to boot. Woo-hoo!!! Did not have that on my September bingo card, at all. Edited September 1Sep 1 by Iceman
September 2Sep 2 I emailed my host about a New Year's Eve trip. He told me holidays are an event and I couldn't use an offer for that day. It would be $600+ for NYE night and then we would have free rooms the rest of the trip. I said let's just change the dates to Jan 1 - 3. I wasn't real keen on being their for NYE night anyway.
September 2Sep 2 Author I saw a video clip from the Sphere of the Wizard of Oz show and it looked pretty cool.I’m not a huge fan of NYE in Vegas. It’s a pain in the ass to get around with the Strip shut down at night and the prices for everything are up for the same food and experiences. I did enjoy it once as an invited guest for a “private dinner” which was in a ballroom but the food and entertainment were solid.
September 5Sep 5 26 minutes ago, RPM said: New marketing campaign Saw that last night during the football game. My comment to the wife was “that should fix everything!”
September 8Sep 8 On the plane back from my first Vegas trip in 12+ years. Spent three nights there. Probably did around twenty LV trips from 2000-2010. The place is a disaster, hundreds of things went wrong to get to this point. But if I tried to succinctly sum it up, it’s that the casinos stopped giving a fuck about the customer. What used to be a fun, generous, and communal experience turned into “I literally don’t give a single fuck about you” attitude from top to bottom. Employees are miserable, bettors are miserable. The fun is gone. The joy is gone. Corporations destroyed it and Vegas will be a wasteland in 10 years without a miracle turnaround in customer retainment strategy.
September 8Sep 8 11 minutes ago, Hank Kingsley said: On the plane back from my first Vegas trip in 12+ years. Spent three nights there. Probably did around twenty LV trips from 2000-2010. The place is a disaster, hundreds of things went wrong to get to this point. But if I tried to succinctly sum it up, it’s that the casinos stopped giving a fuck about the customer. What used to be a fun, generous, and communal experience turned into “I literally don’t give a single fuck about you” attitude from top to bottom. Employees are miserable, bettors are miserable. The fun is gone. The joy is gone. Corporations destroyed it and Vegas will be a wasteland in 10 years without a miracle turnaround in customer retainment strategy. My wife and I were having a conversation about Vegas a couple days ago after we saw that stupid new commercial for the first time. When we lived in PHX, we would periodically hop a flight up to Vegas for the weekend to gamble a bit, get a cabana at the pool and lounge, eat at great restaurants, etc. It was never a cheap weekend, but it also didn’t feel like you were being viewed as a rube whose sole purpose for living was to get screwed by the entire hospitality industry. It has been years since we’ve been back and we periodically talk about doing a weekend to relive old times, but then we realize that we’ll just be pissed off the entire time and it will ruin the nostalgia.
September 8Sep 8 8 minutes ago, royiv said: My wife and I were having a conversation about Vegas a couple days ago after we saw that stupid new commercial for the first time. When we lived in PHX, we would periodically hop a flight up to Vegas for the weekend to gamble a bit, get a cabana at the pool and lounge, eat at great restaurants, etc. It was never a cheap weekend, but it also didn’t feel like you were being viewed as a rube whose sole purpose for living was to get screwed by the entire hospitality industry. It has been years since we’ve been back and we periodically talk about doing a weekend to relive old times, but then we realize that we’ll just be pissed off the entire time and it will ruin the nostalgia. Yeah, it’s quite the bold strategy to go from being generous and hospitable to actively despising your customers.
September 9Sep 9 A little old lady friend & her husband from Ketucky (not big gamblers) still like to go out there 3-4 times a year. Hates the Strip but likes staying at Red Rock & Green Valley Ranch to play VP. She’s there right now and hit these the first two days at GVR….so she’s happy enough: Edited September 9Sep 9 by Armybrat
September 9Sep 9 On 9/8/2025 at 1:26 PM, Hank Kingsley said: On the plane back from my first Vegas trip in 12+ years. Spent three nights there. Probably did around twenty LV trips from 2000-2010. The place is a disaster, hundreds of things went wrong to get to this point. But if I tried to succinctly sum it up, it’s that the casinos stopped giving a fuck about the customer. What used to be a fun, generous, and communal experience turned into “I literally don’t give a single fuck about you” attitude from top to bottom. Employees are miserable, bettors are miserable. The fun is gone. The joy is gone. Corporations destroyed it and Vegas will be a wasteland in 10 years without a miracle turnaround in customer retainment strategy. So basically it’s a microcosm of the rest of America? hopefully they haven’t found a way to ruin sports gambling and Pieros.
September 9Sep 9 1 hour ago, SydneyCarton said: So basically it’s a microcosm of the rest of America? hopefully they haven’t found a way to ruin sports gambling and Pieros. Hate to break it to you, and maybe things won't change, but be prepared: https://www.pieroscuisine.com/blog/amazing-brands-acquires-pieros Quote Las Vegas Italian restaurant Piero's sold to Pinkbox, Bagelmania owner June 13, 2025 Piero's Italian Cuisine, a Las Vegas dining institution, has been sold to the ownership group behind Pinkbox Doughnuts and Siegel's Bagelmania. A publicist said Amazing Brands, led by Stephen Siegel, acquired Piero's from Freddie Glusman. Quote Amazing Brands will take over full operation control, while Glusman will retain an ownership stake and "remain an active presence at the restaurant,"according to the announcement. "Piero's isn't just a restaurant—it's part of the fabric of Las Vegas," Siegel saidin a statement. "I'm honored Freddie has entrusted me with this legacy. I’m committed to preserving everything that makes Piero’s—and what Freddie has built—so special: the charm, glamour, atmosphere, and that old-school Vegas experience that’s become so rare." So, while all the right words and phrases have been uttered, color me skeptical that the purveyor of doughnuts and bagels will keep the legacy of an Italian place alive. Also, Mr. Glusman is 88, so...not sure how much longer he will be around to remain an "active presence". And this is unrelated news from April, maybe: https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/las-vegas-restaurateur-son-of-pieros-founder-accused-of-loan-fraud-shooting-threat/ Quote The son of the owner of prominent Las Vegas restaurant Piero’s Italian Cuisine is accused of taking out an unauthorized loan against the business and then threatening a shooting, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. Evan Glusman, 46, faces charges of making terroristic threats and harassment, records said. He is listed as the operating manager of the restaurant, which his father, Fredrick “Freddie” Glusman, 88, founded in 1982. Quote Piero’s, located on Convention Center Drive near Paradise Road, was featured in the 1995 movie “Casino” and is known as a classic Las Vegas mainstay. Evan Glusman is also a managing partner at Batch Hospitality, a restaurant group, according to its website. Last September, Evan Glusman allegedly took out a $1.5 million loan against his father’s business, documents said. Then, in mid-April, Freddie Glusman began receiving phone calls about selling his business. Freddie Glusman later suspended his son’s employment, which made Evan Glusman become “extremely irate at his father’s decision,” documents said. Quote On Friday, April 25, Evan Glusman texted a Piero’s manager, “I hope you realize I’m drinking and I’m going home to get a gun and [expletive] kill them in the middle of Piero’s,” according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. Metro officers responded to the restaurant on Convention Center Drive. While there, Evan Glusman called the restaurant to speak with officers, they said. Metro’s investigation into the $1.5 million loan was continuing Sunday. Documents reveal investigators suspect “Evan Glusman provided outdated, inaccurate, and/or altered trust documents to the financial institution in support of the loan application, thereby misrepresenting his legal authority over the trust and the property,” documents said. Evan Glusman will likely face further charges related to the loan, police said. In another text message about the loan, Evan Glusman told an attorney for his father that he “didn’t do anything wrong,” documents said. Edited September 9Sep 9 by Francisco 2.0
September 9Sep 9 29 minutes ago, Francisco 2.0 said: Hate to break it to you, and maybe things won't change, but be prepared: https://www.pieroscuisine.com/blog/amazing-brands-acquires-pieros So, while all the right words and phrases have been uttered, color me skeptical that the purveyor of doughnuts and bagels will keep the legacy of an Italian place alive. Also, Mr. Glusman is 88, so...not sure how much longer he will be around to remain an "active presence". And this is unrelated news from April, maybe: https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/las-vegas-restaurateur-son-of-pieros-founder-accused-of-loan-fraud-shooting-threat/
September 10Sep 10 5 hours ago, Armybrat said: A little old lady friend & her husband from Ketucky (not big gamblers) still like to go out there 3-4 times a year. Hates the Strip but likes staying at Red Rock & Green Valley Ranch to play VP. She’s there right now and hit these the first two days at GVR….so she’s happy enough: RR and GVR are solid from game offerings and food and drink. The steakhouse and Italian/pizzeria restaurants at GVR are very good Biggest negative to me is you can’t just stroll over to another casino for a change of scenery or luck. So it’s kind of like going to one of dozens of Indian Casinos around the country Edited September 10Sep 10 by Incredulity
September 10Sep 10 22 minutes ago, Incredulity said: RR and GVR are solid from game offerings and food and drink. The steakhouse and Italian/pizzeria restaurants at GVR are very good Biggest negative to me is you can’t just stroll over to another casino for a change of scenery or luck. So it’s kind of like going to one of dozens of Indian Casinos around the country Yep, they primarily cater to Vegas locals and visitors/tourists who don’t like the Strip or Fremont Street.
September 10Sep 10 sphere + the harry potter movies = i break my LV cherry same if metallica takes up a residency there
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