Las Vegas 4 Ever

Las Vegas 4 Ever is a very comprehensive website set up as a messageboard forum but with many many categories such as bargains, maps, Vegas Pictures, coupons, news and more. There's a ton here
here's the link-
Las Vegas 4 Ever

Las Vegas Specials

Las Vegas Specials is another Hotel Promo Site.

Anyone that books a hotel at the regular rate nowadays is a fool IMO, especially with so many places offering deals. As dates get closer hotels have inventory of rooms to move and rates generally move down.
Las Vegas Specials will enjoy it's spot in the blog roll under the Hotel Promo Section which you can check daily for deals as your trip nears.

From the site-

LVSpecials.com is dedicated to bringing you the most current promotional offers, deals, and specials for Las Vegas. At the moment, the focus is primarily on hotel specials with some contests listed, too. There are plans to broaden the scope of the site to include shows, tours, and nightclubs in the immediate future. Thank you for your interest in the site!

Here's the link-
Las Vegas Specials

Vegas News

From The Site-
Bryan Eggers, a 20-year veteran publicist, web designer and photographer, welcomes you to VegasNews.com! We cover a wide variety of news about Las Vegas including celebrity sightings, upcoming shows and concerts, hotel & casino news, travel information, plus news on restaurants, conventions and tourist attractions.

If you're thinking about visiting "The Most Exciting City on the Planet" be sure to bookmark this page and check back often. Our site is updated at least once a day!

Here's The Link-

Vegas News

Anita Martini's Lounge

Anita Martini (aka Michele Dressen) has a blog which I just discovered. Michele is the better half :) of the most excellent Tim and Michele Dressen team who bring you FiveHundyByMidnight- One of the best Vegas podcasts out there despite the fact that Tim and Michele live in Minesoooota.

Anita Martini's Lounge is Michele's blog to occupy her time while not in Vegas but it has many references to Vegas and trip reports from Sin City.

Here's The Link-
Anita Martini's Lounge

Vegas Buzz

Vegas Buzz bills itself-
"Your Place for the Latest Vegas News, Gaming Strategy, Best Deals and Insider Information!"

The categories highlighted are- Casinos, Gaming, Dining, Entertainment,LV Info, and Deals.

Updated with new commentary daily, it's a worthy bookmark.

Here's The Link-
Vegas Buzz

Go Las Vegas Baby

Go Las Vegas Baby! has a daily list of Vegas freebies including movies, open bars, drinks and more.

From the site-

Sin City is a place like no other and as a former frequent visitor and current resident, I love to share with others all the cool things the city has to offer.

There is always something new to see and unique experiences lie around every corner.

Money no object? Then the sky’s the limit in Las Vegas and there are plenty of people who will be happy to help make your every fantasy come true.

If you’re existing on a budget like most of us, we’ve got you covered, too. Room deals, dining specials, show discounts and Happy Hours — lots and lots of Happy Hours. There are also plenty of special events that give you the opportunity to rub elbows with the beautiful people in some of the most elegant spaces the city has to offer.

And every day there are free things to see, do and get, so be sure to check out our daily listings and lounge act schedules.

Here's the link-

Go Las Vegas Baby!

I Love Las Vegas Magazine...Blog

I Love Las Vegas Magazine...Blog is another blog from a Vegas lover much like yourself. There are deals and news and other things to fill your Vegas fix.

Here's the link-
I Love Las Vegas Magazine...Blog

Battle Royal From Vegas Tripping

This from Chuckmonster at VegasTripping

Here's how Chuck describes it-
"The idea behind Battle Royale - pitting casinos against each other based on ratings and reviews added to MyVegas Faves - has been rattling around in my head for about a year or so. The point is to add a fun twist to the process of "comparing" joints and have the results of the bouts be mathematically generated based on the opinions of fellow VT readers."

Here's The Link-
Battle Royale

Casino and Gambling News

Casino and Gambling News is a Blog that assimilates a large number of news feeds having to do with.......Casinos and Gambling.

There is a general category with interesting news and then there are sections broken down further into Online Poker News and Online Casino News.

There is a ton of ads on the site but there's also a ton of information.

Here's the link-
Casino and Gambling News

The Vegas Flea

I was tipped off by Stevie The Pencil (an accountant maybe) to a blog from a Vegas Local called The Vegas Flea.
On the blog The Flea explains what the term Flea means to Vegas Dealers- "flea (noun)
: a derogatory term used by dealers pertaining to low-limit, no-tipping, local patrons that hang around the casino way too much."

Here's the link-
The Vegas Flea

Heard It In Vegas

Heard It In Vegas is a website that posts quotes overheard in Vegas. There are some pretty funny ones.

Here is one from HIIV so you can get an idea-
"Well, I got a Lap Dance in the Buffet Line

Posted on 21 February 2009

Girl 1:

Smell my face. Smell right here. Doesn’t it smell great? The stripper I got a lap dance from was wearing great perfume.

Girl 2:

It smells like pickles.

Location: Toby Keith’s Restaurant

Heard by: At least it doesn’t smell like tuna"

Here's The Link-

Heard It In Vegas

Video From The Shadow Bar At Caesars

Here is a short clip taken by my pal the Rabbit at The Shadow Bar at Caesars Palace

Vegas Links Q&A With Vegas Guru Mike E

Name or Alias

MikeE/Mike_E

Website URL to link back to

www.twitter.com/Mike_E and contributor to TwoWayHardThree.com

Best Hangover Food/Restaurant

Terrace Point Cafe Lobster Benedict AND pancakes.

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner

Picasso

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object
The Country Club: A New American Steakhouse (lunch menu)

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger

Anything off BLT's menu

Restaurant In Vegas To Eat Your Last Living Meal

Joel Robuchon at the Mansion

Best Value Hotel Room

THEhotel during slow seasons

Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room

Encore

Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure
ATVing outside Valley of Fire

Best On Strip Adventure

Surfing Imperial Palace's parking garage when it's raining.

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation

Eastside Bar at Encore

Best Place To Get Your Groove On

MIX Lounge

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own

Tough one. Will have to go with VegasTripping.com

Best Vegas Strip Joint

Sapphire... oh, you mean on the strip? Wynn/Encore hands down.

Best Vegas Show
Don't know yet. Have yet to see a show that I've been eager to go back to.

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping
Forum Shops at Caesars. They've got a John Varvatos there. I'm a sucker for his menswear.

Best Vegas Value Shopping

Forum Shops in June or November when the new arrivals are coming in and all the previous season's stuff is on sale.

Most Overrated Restaurant

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab at Caesars

Biggest Vegas Rip Off

Don't mean to keep bashing Caesars, but their room rates are almost always way more than anything else comparable in town. Suites are highway robbery.

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport

Town Car/Limo

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport

In one of their ten Rolls Royce Phantoms

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About

Get friendly with people working in higher end hotels. They get free or significantly discounted bottle service at nightclubs on industry nights.

Thanks for your responses- Joey

Vegas Links Q&A With Serena Denise From Single Girl In Sin City

Serena was an exotic dancer at Club Paradise across from the Hard Rock until she recently got fired. Now looking for new employment you can follow along and find out where she turns up next. Serena's blog, Single Girl In Sin City is updated regularly and she holds pretty much nothing back in her writing. If you want the real scoop on what it's like to be in her shoes, check it out.

Name or Alias Serena Denise

Website URL to link back to http://singlegirlinsincity.blogspot.com/


Best Hangover Food/Restaurant
Original Pancake House at GVR

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner
It's been a while since I've had a romantic dinner........But from what I remember, Alize at the Palms Casino or Drais

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object
Sierra Gold at Warms Springs and Stephanie.

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger
Sierra Gold....they have damn good food!

Restaurant In Vegas To Eat Your Last Living Meal
The Melting Pot......MMMMMmmMMMM

Best Value Hotel Room
Any Station Casino

Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room
Venetian

Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure
Red Rock Canyon

Best On Strip Adventure
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation
Fontana Bar's outside patio at Bellagio

Best Place To Get Your Groove On
Anywhere in The Hard Rock

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own
http://www.thelasvegascourtesan.com/

Best Vegas Strip Joint
Little Darlings (I'm a regular there...I know I of all people should know better LOL)

Best Vegas Show
Love at Mirage.....Love the Beatles and Cirque.

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping
Fashion Show Mall

Best Vegas Value Shopping
Las Vegas Premium Outlets

Most Overrated Restaurant
Stack at Mirage

Biggest Vegas Rip Off
Bottles in the club. People seriously spend $400 or more for a bottle of vodka. I know I'm in the industry but it's insane!

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport
Take a cab or limo....who needs directions? You can also take a shuttle from the airport. Its cheaper and not many people take them.

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport
See above

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About
If a cabbie drops you off at a strip club, you should not have to pay the fare or tip him. He's getting a kickback from the club. Usually $50 minimum for every person he drops there. Everything is Vegas is negotiable.

Thanks for playing along Serena!

Vegas Cabbie Interview Part II

Vegas Cabbie Interview Part I

Here is Part One Of The Vegas Cabbie Video Interview



To check out Vegas Cabbie's show page on VegasUndressed click this text

Kokomos Price Fixe Menu Review

During my last trip VegasConcierge on Twitter sent out a tweet promoting a $29.99 price fixe menu at four different restaurants at The Mirage. We chose the one at Kokomos, check out the video.

Observations From The Latest Trip

Highlights-

Fix at Bellagio

Fontana Lounge For Drinks In Front Of The Fountains

Wynn Buffet

Kokomos on Mirage $29.99 price fixe dinner special

Vegas Concierge Updates on Twitter

Placed Third In The Vegas Rex Poker Tourney

Video Interview With Vegas Cabbie

VegasMate

Encore Was Amazing

Wynn Buffet Rocked

Pleasure Pit Dealers at Planet Ho were extremly friendly and fun while the Pussycat Doll dealers at Caesars all looked miserable dealing with long looks on their faces.

Bellagio $10 2-1 blackjack tables

Harrahs 6/5

$10 Blackjack at Palazzo and Venetian

Still love Venetian for value/location/rooms, but will look to stay elsewhere next year to broaden horizons.

After walking through Encore I now understand what the fuss is all about. You have to understand that I was a critic of all the folks that blew Steve Wynn and shit on Venetian as if it was a motel 6. While I still think the Venetian is very nice, Wynn is clearly a notch above and Encore is at least two notches above. The place is stunning and I can no longer defend Venetian as being in the same league even though I was a fierce proponent of that notion until I spent time touring Encore and Wynn this past trip.

Bad-Ah sin sushi at Paris all you can eat deal. What they don't tell you in the ad is that there is a limited selection of sushi available in the all you can eat deal and it is not prepared by the sushi chefs at the counter, it is prepared in the kitchen way in advance which made for mushy rice in the hand rolls. I've had better pre-prepared sushi at supermarkets.

TI's breakfast buffet at $17 is no way near the value of Wynn's $20 breakfast buffet- take the short walk across the street, well worth it

Canyon Ranch Spa pass @$40 is not as good as Qua at Caesars and it all has to do with the service. Spa attendants routinely spoke in loud voices and made loud noises in spaces that should have been peaceful tranquil areas (like in the hot tub area). Also a teeny tiny indoor jacuzzi at Canyon Ranch that would be full with 4 men. Mandalay bay's spa facility is older but way better run and with way better wet facilities. Qua at Caesars blows Canyon Ramch out of the water.

TI's smaller spa provides far greater and professional attendants.

Horrible horrible horrible- the expansion in front of Palazzo/Venetian that has been halted with the cranes still up and abandoned. Creates major eyesore for hotel guests and from the street as well.

Not a fan of Wynn sportsbook as the entire space is made up of those cubby like desks which takes away from that party like atmosphere that you get at Mandalay Bay with thier comfy chairs or Caesars where you can sit in a circle in the chairs and bullshit with your buddies. Because Wynn's sportsbook is made up entirely of those desks with the high partitions , you lose that.

CASINOVAC from VegasTripping

Chuck from VegasTripping has found yet another way for us to waste a few moments researching and sharing the Vegas Love. Check it out to find the right spot to hang your hat in Vegas.

From VegasTripping-

"Welcome to CASINOVAC™!
CASINOVAC™ is the first intelligent* robotcomputer ever specifically built to help Las Vegas tourists choose a hotel based on their likes and dislikes. Our patented (and unbelievably complex) algorithm uses advanced calculus, physics and hither-to-unheard of artificial artificial intelligence (that's not a typo) to provide users with a listing of Las Vegas hotel/casino resorts which are guaranteed** to satisfy your every need. Coupled with the amazing room rate comparison engine provide by Kayak.com, preparing for a Las Vegas trip has never been easier.
So, without further adieu, we open the doors of the VegasTripping secret laboratory and invite you to experience the wonder filled world of CASINOVAC™ - The Worlds Only Intelligent* Las Vegas Casino Finder."

Here's The Link-
CASINOVAC From VegasTripping

VegasLinks Q&A with PS Love

From PS Love

"The stats say people keep clicking on this page looking for something, so here ya go.
I live in Las Vegas and write. And write and write. Well, sometimes I do something around this fabulous town and then I come home and write."

Name or Alias
PS Love

Website URL to link back to
PSLoveBlog.com

Best Hangover Food/Restaurant
You'd think a old drunk like me would be the expert on that, but given I haven't had a drink in 17 years, I'm a bit out of touch.But I'd bet it would be anything Mexican and oozing with cheese and beans. Do we have a Roberto's or Alberto's here? I think I just saw one somewhere when I was driving around in the bloggermobile.

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner
I would have to Charley Palmer's. But having not had a date since shortly after I quit drinking.... I may not be qualified to answer that one.

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object
I finally found one! AWESOME burgers at the Yard House! They are the best I've had since those olive burgers on Long Lake in Portage, Michigan.

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger
Wouldn't the gourmet part of that equation really mess up the burger part of the equation?

Restaurant In Vegas To Eat Your Last Living Meal
There used to be a place called Mircado or something like that. It was fabulous Japanese. I loved that place. It is gone now. I guess I can't die.

Best Value Hotel Room
The Orleans. Very comfortable, adequate rooms, GREAT DEALS, and friendly, helpful staff. Definitely the best over all value.

Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room
I'm not sure, but I really enjoyed staying at the Wynn once. Big fluffy bed with even fluffier pillows. Concierge was so friendly and went well beyond the call of duty to help me. The bathroom was to die for. They actually have BIG tubs. With jets!

Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure
Can I say Fremont Street Experience here? It is so much fun down there... or is it up there? I guess it is up there.

Best On Strip Adventure
Any time Karen from Denver is in town. The strip turns in to quit an adventure for anyone near by!

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation
Now that is really hard to find!Probably the best kept secret for that is that lounge at the top of the Stratosphere. It is like walking in to the 1960s, complete with jazz bad and cozy tables. Some of them even have veils around the table! It is small, quiet, quaint and really pretty romantic actually with the view and all.

Best Place To Get Your Groove On
My groove died with the turn of the century. Pity.

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own
http://www.lvol.com/lvlc/events.html if you're looking for what's going on. Other than that, I dunno. Everyone is in to something different, you know?

Best Vegas Strip Joint
LOLI haven't a clue.

Best Vegas Show
I'm partial to Blueman. I love the blue guys! I laughed so hard I cried.

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping
Probably any of those casino malls would do the trick in an upscale shopping emergency.

Best Vegas Value Shopping
Fashion Show Mall. I hate malls, but I love that one! It is SO cool and I got a lot of great deals in there.I wish they would ban those overly aggressive Israeli kiosk salespeople though. Man, I can't stand them. There should be a law.

Most Overrated Restaurant
That BLT Burger at the Mirage comes to mind. But the hype is probably done by now.I don't know. Does anyone rave about any of them really?

Biggest Vegas Rip Off
Voodoo Lounge at the Rio. What a rip. The food is really good, don't get me wrong, but the prices are absolutely ridiculous for what you are served and speaking of serve... the service sucks big time.

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport
Twitter vegascabbieHe'll get ya there, without a trip through the tunnel. ;)

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport
Seriously, twitter vegascabbie. Don't waste your time trying to get places on your own. You're on vacation! Hire a driver! Behave like a spoiled Princess! Make memories, not traffic.

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About
We know what you did here.You don't think we know, but, oh, we know.....And I will put it in virtual print if I ever find out about it!

Thanks for your responses- Joey

VegasLinks Q&A With Michelle Dressen From Five Hundy By Midnight

Next up on the VegasLinks hit parade is Michelle Dressen the fun loving partner of Tim on Five Hundy By Midnight. The Dressens won best Vegas podcast in the Trippie Awards once again for 2008. Five Hundy Rocks!

Name or Alias
Michele from Five Hundy (although I have to admit I'm neither a Vegas webmaster nor an insider)

Website URL to link back to

http://www.fivehundybymidnight.com/

Best Hangover Food/Restaurant
Bagels from the nearest coffee shop (usually Seattle's Best in Wild Bill's Saloon and Shootery). Not that I have any experience with this whatsoever.

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner
Anywhere Tim happens to be

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object

Bradley Ogden (bar menu)

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger

Bradley Ogden (bar menu)

Restaurant In Vegas To Eat Your Last Living Meal
Michael's at South Point

Best Value Hotel Room
Any room that's free

Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room

Wynn

Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure
Double Down Saloon

Best On Strip Adventure
Attempting to have a drink in each hotel, starting at the Stratosphere and working your way south, or Mandalay Bay and working your way north. My advice? Don't rush it.

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation
Peppermill (Fireside Lounge) or Trader Vic's (when the weather allows)

Best Place To Get Your Groove On
Karaoke in the lounge at Bill's Gambling Emporium

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own
Vegastripping.com

Best Vegas Strip Joint
No idea

Best Vegas Show
With tickets? Love. For free? The array of costumes (or lack thereof) at Bill's when Drai's lets out

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping
The Esplanade at Wynn (host to one of two Manolo retail outlets in the U.S.)

Best Vegas Value Shopping
Las Vegas Premium Outlets

Most Overrated Restaurant
Hofbrauhaus

Biggest Vegas Rip Off
Most video poker pay tables on the Strip, and 6:5 blackjack

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport
By taxi (not through the tunnel, unless you're in a huge hurry and price is no object)

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport
By limo (you might as well splurge on transportation as well, right?)

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About
Low rollers can have just as much fun as high rollers -- that's what makes this place so great.

VegasLinks Q&A With The Boneman

This installment of VegasLinks Q&A is with "The Boneman", the man behind NextShooter.com

NextShooter.com bills itself as "The Ultimate Las Vegas Craps Directory" with minimums, maximums, and table odds at every damn casino in Vegas.


Name or Alias

The Boneman

Website URL to link back to

Nextshooter.com

Best Hangover Food/Restaurant

Roma Deli on Spring Mountain (West Side)

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner

Steak House at the Top of Binion's (Downtown, Fremont Street)

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object

Triple Play Sports Bar (Decatur and W. Oakey, West Side)

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger

Angus Sliders at Sammy's Woodfired, West Sahara at Torrey Pines

Restaurant In Vegas To Eat Your Last Living Meal

Steak House at Circus Circus

Best Value Hotel Room

Casino Royale, Mid-Strip

Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room

All Suites at The Rio

Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure

Red Rooster Adult Parties off of Boulder Highway

Best On Strip Adventure

The Fountains at Bellagio

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation

Firelite Bar at The Peppermill (Just South of The Riviera)

Best Place To Get Your Groove On

The Sand Dollar Blues Bar (Spring Mountain Blvd. about 1/2 mile West of
Treasure Island

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own

wizardofodds.com

Best Vegas Strip Joint

Saphire

Best Vegas Show

Le Reve at The Wynn

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping

Magic Mile at Planet Hollywood

Best Vegas Value Shopping

The Swap Meet at Decatur and W. Oakey (West Side)

Most Overrated Restaurant

The Olive Garden(s)

Biggest Vegas Rip Off

Strip Craps Tables with 3,4 and 5 Times Free Odds

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport

Taxi

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport

Taxi

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About

Best Beef Ribs at Tony Roma's (3 Locations)

Anything Else You Would Like To Add

Best Craps Odds are at Casino Royale (100X) Mid Strip

Thanks for your responses- Joey

Las Vegas US Twestival 2009

12 February 2009, 19:00, The Beatles REVOLUTION LOUNGE, Mirage Resort & Casino, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas NV 89109

On February 12th Vegas twitterati will meet at the Revolution lounge for a charity event to help bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

Here's the link-

Las Vegas US Twestival 2009

VegasLinks Q&A Dave Schwartz From The Die Is Cast

Dave Schwartz is the man behind The Die Is Cast Blog and from his blog-" a writer, historian, and Director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Schwartz’s areas of specialty include the history of gambling, casino surveillance and security, gaming and technology, and related issues."

To say David is qualified to partake in the VegasLinks Q&A is an understatement.

Name or Alias:
Dave Schwartz

Website URL to link back to: http://www.dieiscast.com and http://gaming.unlv.edu

Best Hangover Food/Restaurant: Hash House a Go Go

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner: Chicago Joe's

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object: Stripburger

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger: Stripburger

Best Value Hotel Room: Today, everywhere's a value Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room: Wynn Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure: Turtlehead Peak climb at Red Rock

Best On Strip Adventure: I'd say it's catching a shuttle down to Sam's Town to see "Sunset Stampede." Why anyone would want to waste their time looking at the Bellagio fountains when you've got bears, wolves, and shrieking eagles just five miles away is beyond me. Extra props to the wolves laser eyes scaring the poop out of everyone under six. The whole thing is really a meditation on the moral ambiguity of the gaming business.

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation: Carousel Bar at Circus Circus

Best Place To Get Your Groove On:

My groove is permanently on.

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own:

Vegastripping.com

Best Vegas Strip Joint:

never been to a Vegas Strip Joint, so my opinion doesn't matter

Best Vegas Show:

Love

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping:
Forum Shops
Best Vegas Value Shopping:

Town Square

Most Overrated Restaurant:

Piero's

Biggest Vegas Rip Off:

$25 "non-optional" resort fee at Green Valley Ranch

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport:

a cab?

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport:

a limo? Beats catching teh 109A to the SSTC and then getting on the Deuce

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About:

Reading Room at Mandalay Bay--buy some cool books and support an independent book-seller.
Thanks for your responses- Joey

Las Vegas Beer and Blog

Las Vegas Beer & Blog is a chapter of bloggers who meet regularly over beers to discuss blogging. Sounds like a freaking fantastic idea to me! The Las Vegas chapter meets regularly on Thursday nights at the Freaking Frog across from UNLV at 4700 South Maryland Parkway from 6-8PM.

From the site-
"Las Vegas bloggers meet up at to help each other with their blogs. Good times are had by all.

We meet at the Freakin Frog, a non-smoking bar with free wi-fi, 400+ different beers, and bar food. Happy hour is until 7pm with 2-for-1 on selected beers. Located at 4700 S Maryland Pkwy, across from UNLV.

Join the Beer & Blog Las Vegas flickr photo group."

Here's the link-

Las Vegas Beer & Blog

VegasLinks Q&A With Vegas Rex

Warning- easily offended folks may want to click elsewhere now.

Vegas Rex the man who I'd call pretty much anti-establishment runs his Blog VegasRex.com and although he is portrays himself as laid back his website is Raw and fantastically honest. Rex doesn't sugarcoat things. Things he likes you'll hear about but he doesn't try to pretend that Vegas is all glitz and glamor. He will take you down the back streets of Vegas with some of my favorite footage-his videos of driving around or walking around with minimal editing.

Here's Rex's take in the VegasLinks Q&A-

Best Hangover Food/Restaurant:

Hydrocodone. Watson 10/325's at Walgreens near MGM Grand.

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner:

Trick question. How is she going to eat with my dick in her mouth?

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object:

In-N-Out Double Double

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger:

In-N-Out Double Double with extra lettuce, extra tomatoes, and ketchup and mustard instead of special sauce.

Restaurant In Vegas To Eat Your Last Living Meal:

Mon Ami Gabi, so your death will be witnessed by thousands of horrified tourists, possibly scarring them for life … or at least requiring a few years of expensive therapy which should, in turn, help stimulate the economy.

Best Value Hotel Room:

Sahara/Strat/IP/Trop … anyplace on The Strip that metrosexual posers pretend to hate.

Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room:

If you're having fun, all rooms are “upscale”.

I've stayed in every hotel on the Vegas Strip at least twice and the rooms I remember most fondly have been on the top floor of the Luxor Pyramid, view rooms at Rio, MGM Jacuzzi Suites, glass-elevator rides to rooms in The Trop, and balcony rooms in the Alexandria Towers at the Sahara. Yes, the Sahara. Fuck you. When you're asleep, Motel 6 and The Bellagio are identical, and nobody should come to Vegas to watch a plasma television in a plush bed.

That being said, if I were a non-gambling quadriplegic with OCD, I guess I would want them to park my ass in a Venetian or Wynn room.

Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure:

Sydney. It's only thirteen hours each way by air, which means that you have a complete hour to discover all that Australia has to offer, yet still be back in Vegas in time for checkout.

Best On Strip Adventure:

Simultaneously being blown by a miniature Madonna impersonator, while getting a prostate massage from a stripper dressed as a nurse, while while giving a reach-around to a rhesus monkey … all while play $5 Jacks-or-Better at the Venetian.

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation:

As far away from me as possible.

Best Place To Get Your Groove On:

Carnival Court when I have a video camera. Preferably to a song by Captain and Tennille.

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own:

There are other Las Vegas websites? What kind of pathetic loser would make a Las Vegas Website?

Best Vegas Strip Joint:

The Hard Rock Pool.

Best Vegas Show:

The Annual Steve Wynn Whore-Choking Extravaganza.

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping:

The 99 Cent Store on Flamingo Ave.

Best Vegas Value Shopping:

The 98 Cent Store on Cheyenne Ave.

Most Overrated Restaurant:

Any restaurant who's food has ever been described as “amazing”.

Extra-terrestrial encounters are amazing. Nuclear explosions are amazing. Landing an airplane intact in the Hudson River without injuries is amazing.

Food is not amazing. Ever.

Biggest Vegas Rip Off:

Anything with the word “fee” or “surcharge”.

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport:

Commandeer a sightseeing helicopter with an AK-47, and demand that the pilot fly you to Bolivia. When the pilot tells you that he does not have enough fuel to make it to Bolivia, shove the gun in his mouth and yell “Look motherfucker, you're going to fly this thing to Bolivia or die trying!”

When the pilot turns the helicopter southeast, he will pass over McCarran airport.

Once over your airline's terminal, grab your carry-on and remove the homemade parachute that you fashioned out of two queen-sized bed sheets from your Mandalay Bay room. Throw the pilot a $20 bill, drop the gun and say “sorry about all of this” … then, while holding opposite ends of the massive sheets, jump out of the helicopter and gently glide down to your gate.

It works every time.

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport:

Hold on to Steve Wynn's cape as he flies you there Superman-style.

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About:

Pretending to be an undercover cop means the happy ending is free.

Thanks Rex. I think :)

VegasLinks Q&A With Hunter Hillegas From RateVegas (and a whole shitload of other projects)

The second installment of the Vegas Insider/Webmaster Q&A Series features Hunter Hillegas who operates the Trippie winning Best Vegas Blog TwoWayHardThree also known as the RateVegas Blog. Hunter also developed the iPhone app VegasMate and is part of the team that brought you EncoreOpening. To say that Hunter is a Vegas freak is putting it mildly.

So here we bring you another version of what someone that prides themselves and is a sponge of all things Vegas thinks are the best and worst of the town we love.


Name or Alias

Hunter

Website URL to link back to

RateVegas

Best Hangover Food/Restaurant

Tied: either the Caribe Cafe at The Mirage or The Peppermill

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner

Country Club at Wynn Las Vegas or Sinatra at Encore Las Vegas

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object

Not sure that money makes the burgers better - I still think In N' Out is just as good as places like BLT or Burger Bar.

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger

BLT is my favorite of these kinds of places.

Restaurant In Vegas To Eat Your Last Living Meal

Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian

Best Value Hotel Room

These days, just about anywhere.

The Mirage is a good mix of modern amenities and decent value.

Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room

Encore Las Vegas

Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure

Red Rock

Best On Strip Adventure

Probably depends on how adventurous you are.

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation

If you don't mind the prices, Parasol Up at Wynn Las Vegas

Best Place To Get Your Groove On

If you saw me groove, you'd agree it was a bad idea.

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own

VegasTripping.com

Best Vegas Strip Joint

Haven't been to some of the newer ones, even though they're not new anymore...

Anything but Glitter Gulch I guess.

Best Vegas Show

So many different shows, hard to say... For Cirque, I say 'Mystere', 'O' or 'LOVE'.

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping

Via Bellagio

Best Vegas Value Shopping

Value in Vegas? Miracle Mile actually has a bunch of non super-trendy upscale shops.

Most Overrated Restaurant

Olives at Bellagio

Biggest Vegas Rip Off

Anything at a Wynn gift shop.

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport

A big freaking limo.

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport

A big freaking Rolls Royce Phantom.

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About

Never wait in any line to eat - most places have a bar you can sit and eat at if you don't care about getting a table.

Thanks for your responses- Joey

Single Girl In Sin City

Single Girl In Sin City is a blog from Serena, an exotic dancer who works at Club Paradise across from the Hard Rock. Now before any of you degenerate Vegas freaks thinks I'm going out of my way stalking Vegas Strippers on the internet, I found Serena's blog from the comment she left in the Chuckmonster's Q&A segment in the post just below this one, LOL.

Serena talks about stripper names, happenings at work, and a bunch of other Vegas goodness.

From her blog-
"I am a 28 year old single girl living in Las Vegas, NV. I have lived in Las Vegas for 18 years. After cocktailing for years and getting layed off I decided to give dancing a try. I currently work at Club Paradise across from the Hard Rock. I hope to share my experiences with you as well as review everything this wonderful city has to offer."

Here's the link-
Single Girl In Sin City

VegasLinks Q&A With Chuckmonster From VegasTripping

Here's a new feature from VegasLinks. We will be featuring a series of questions answered by Vegas site webmasters or insiders.

I know the "Best of" thing has been done by many many great websites in which polls are held and votes are tallied. VegasTripping, VegasRex, The LVRJ, LV Weekly and others have Best of Vegas polls which I love to read.

What we aspire to do here is just a bit different and I hope you enjoy reading the responses. Most people that run Vegas websites all have a passion for the place. I'm sure a few make money but the real motivation for the good ones all come down to a fanatical desire to learn more about Vegas and where to go and what to eat and how to share that info with the online Vegas community. The thing that will differentiate the VegasLinks "Best of" Q&A is that it will be broken down by individual and not just any schmo from Idaho(no offense to any schmos from Idaho). Strictly Vegas Webmasters or Insiders will be showcased.

To start out we have Chuck from VegasTripping who puts together The Trippies, a Best of Vegas poll for which VegasLinks was nominated in the Best Blog category.

Name or Alias

Chuckmonster

Website URL to link back to

VegasTripping

Best Hangover Food/Restaurant

Room Service > Pancakes

Best Romantic Spot For Dinner

Room Service > In Bed

Best Vegas Burger -Money No Object

Carson Street Cafe / Golden Nugget (Turkey burger... I'm allergic to beef)

Best Vegas Gourmet Burger

Turkey Burger at Carson Street Cafe / Golden Nugget

Restaurant In Vegas To Eat Your Last Living Meal

Sinatra, Encore

Best Value Hotel Room

Right now or 6 months ago? Now - Wynn | Encore. 6 months ago - TI.

Best Upscale Standard Hotel Room

Encore

Best Off Strip Day Excursion Or Adventure
Driving around the desert at dawn, rolling on x, listening to 'Damnation' by Opeth

Best On Strip Adventure

Food court at Excalibur

Best Place To Drink And Hold A Conversation

Anywhere the conversation is interesting

Best Place To Get Your Groove On

My groove is always on

Must Visit Vegas Website Not Including Your Own

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=vegas instant vegas w/o the filter or b.s.

Best Vegas Strip Joint

Whichever one Nomi Malone is working at.

Best Vegas Show

Rope line douchebags outside of various clubs.

Best Vegas Upscale Shopping

Ha!

Best Vegas Value Shopping

The Cosby Sweater Store + The Gift Shop at Flamingo

Most Overrated Restaurant

Spago @ Caesars

Biggest Vegas Rip Off

Venetian/Palazzo's advertised room rates

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Mandalay Bay From The Airport
Skateboard

Best Way For A Tourist To Get To Wynn From The Airport

Limo

Best Vegas Secret That Everyone Should Know About

I'm fresh out. Ask me tomorrow.

Thanks for your responses- Joey

Packing Light Resources

With the recent charges for checked baggage that has gotten completely out of control I bring you a list of resources for traveling light to avoid those fees. These links were forwarded to me by William Beem of William Beem Photography.

Thanks Beem.

Here Are The Links-
www.onebag.com
www.packinglight.net
http://lifehacker.com/software/travel/l ... 239066.php
http://www.verber.com/mark/travel/packing.html
http://www.travelite.org/
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlight.htm
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/public ... appy.shtml
http://www.wikihow.com/Travel-Light
http://www.howtotravellight.com/
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3778440n

Smarter Vegas Hotel Promo Codes

Here is another Vegas Hotel Promo Code page- SmarterVegas. Anyone that books a trip without looking at all teh different Vegas Hotel Promo's are crazy. You can save substantial amounts of money. In the links section to the right we have a whole category to sites that provide promo codes for different Vegas Hotels. It's a good jumping off point for planning your stay.
Here's The Link-
Smarter Vegas Hotel Promo Code Page

Whats-On Vegas

What's On Vegas is another Vegas Info site. The categories include- dining, nightlife, gaming, entertainment, shopping and spas. There is also a printable coupon page for free. Vegas pictures and videos can also be found here.

Here's the link-
What's On Vegas

Today In Las Vegas Coupons

Today In Las Vegas printable coupon page offers many new coupons for your Vegas trip. They are all free and all right here for you, ready to print out. There is a coupon for a free buffet, gun rental discounts, grand canyon and hoover dam tour discounts and more.

Here's the link-
Today In Las Vegas Coupons

Vegas Made Easy Nighclub Guide

The quintessential guide to the Vegas Nightclub/Lounge Scene. Vegas Made Easy has charts, insider info, and recommendations on where to go on what nights, and how to get in to the best joints. There are many sites out there that brush over details and just give you lists of places. If you are lucky they list the locations and hours of operation. Vegas Made Easy takes it to a whole new level with a grading system and what spots are hot on what nights, also what type of clubs cater to a slightly older demographic.

I personally think the charts put it over the top!

This is the true insider, informed guide to the Vegas Nightclub scene-
Here's the link-
Vegas Made Easy Nightclub and Lounge Guide

That Show With Those Guys

That Show With Those Guys is a video podcast with three guys from Vegas. It is hosted by the Vegas Undressed Network which also hosts, VegasCabbie, G.Spot and Stripper Method.
From the site-"Each week Those Guys invade a random Las Vegas hotel suite to record That Show for you the viewer. While the topics vary week to week, you can almost guarantee a discussion of the hotel, a segment or two on poker and the occasional reference to 80's TV or sports figures.

There is a HD version and a low res, make sure if you are subscribing for an ipod or iphone, you select the low res version for syncability.

Here's the link-
That Show With Those Guys

Travelzoo Las Vegas

Travelzoo Las Vegas Maintains an excellent database of the latest Las Vegas Deals and breaks them down in what they consider to be the best to worst. Its another excellent resource for you to check teh best rates around. Many times you can see what the best deal is offered here and then call the hotel directly to see if they will match the price (if the offer is through a third party site). I like to try to book directly with the hotel because more often than not they will allow you to cancel your reservation within 72 hours of your stay. That way if a better offer pops up you simply cancel the first one and rebook the better one.

I'll add this in the blogroll to the right under the Hotel Promo Link Category.

Sweet!
Here's the link-
Travelzoo Las Vegas

VT&T Ratings,Stats, #s and URLs

Vegas Today and Tomorrow has put together a pretty comprehensive list of Vegas Hotel Rankings, Ratings, Locations , Standard Room Sizes, Hotel Operator Telephone #s, and URLs. This is a pretty handy chart and packed with a ton of information.

Here's the link-
Vegas Today & Tomorrow Hotel Rankings, Ratings and URLs