There really isn’t a need for a deep introduction to this week’s Sunday News. There was only one piece of news out of Las Vegas that matters. Well, at least, it seems that way. First, Ikea announces that Las Vegas will be getting its first store, then it’s announced that Las Vegas is getting 2 Cracker Barrel restaurants and now it was confirmed that Las Vegas will be getting its very first Crate & Barrel store. Crate and Barrel! Okay, maybe Crate & Barrel isn’t a big deal to everyone.
In-N-Out Burger Headlines New Dining At The Linq
Seriously, the biggest news in Las Vegas seems to be that In-N-Out Burger will be opening its first restaurant on the Vegas Strip. This week Caesars Entertainment announced details on a handful of new restaurants coming to The Linq promenade this year with In-N-Out Burger probably being the most famous name. They’re a fast food burger chain but they’re only located in the west coast and that’s helped make In-Out Burger somewhat legendary. The famous double double is delicious for being a fast food burger. Remember, it’s a fast food burger and costs just over $3 so make sure you’re comparing it to other $3 cheeseburgers to keep your expectations in line.
Other restaurants opening at The Linq this year include Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, Canter’s Deli and Virgil’s Real Barbecue. Other businesses opening at The Linq this year include Amorino (gelato shop), Basin White (bath and body products shop), C&E Studio Tony Vegas (souvenir shop) and a new Purple Zebra (self-serve daiquiri bar). There’s even a rumor that the Star Trek Experience will be opening at The Linq.
Specific opening dates for each business haven’t been released yet but Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and Canter’s Deli will open this summer and In-N-Out Burger will open sometime in the fall. Expect more news for each as opening dates approach.
Riviera Implosion(s)
Las Vegas nostalgists may be more interested in catching the next implosion on the Vegas Strip than another burger joint. Plans have finally been revealed for the demolition of the Riviera. The process of razing the Riv is probably more complicated than anyone would think. The property is actually much larger than some single tower casino-hotels that have been imploded in the past. Smaller buildings like the parking garages and the convention center will be demolished by construction crews and there will be two separate implosions to take down the taller buildings. Pending approval the implosions are being planned for June and August. If you’re in Las Vegas before June you might want to stop by and take one last look and a photo in front of the Riviera while it’s still standing.
Mr. Las Vegas Returns
Last week it was a rumor and as the week ended Wayne Newton’s new show at Bally’s was confirmed by Caesars Entertainment. “Wayne Newton: Up Close and Personal” will be part performance and part conversation. The intimate show will take place in the second-floor Windows Showroom (which coincidentally has no windows) and begins on April 21. Ticket prices start at $75. If you’re a Total Rewards member keep your eye out for an email with pre-sale information. If you have a host, you might want to put in a request for tickets.
MGM & T-Mobile Arena Parking Update
MGM Resorts is preparing their hotels for paid parking by installing payment kiosks but the fees won’t begin until late June. However, there will be parking fees at New York-New York, Monte Carlo and part of the Aria garages during events at T-Mobile Arena. Parking fees for events are as follows: Advanced pay self-parking is $10, day of show parking at each garage will be $20 and valet on the night of the events will be $30. Parking at other MGM Resorts hotels is still free. MGM Resorts representatives are intimating that the charge is a “proximity fee” since these are the closest garages to the arena. Hotel guests won’t have to pay event fees for the time being. If you find parking interesting you can read more at the Washington Times.
Read Beyond The Headline
The headline in reads “Smoking now banned at the Westgate sports book.” This sounds great for non-smokers and the policy is definitely an improvement over the very smokey old sports book at the Westgate (formerly LVH and Hilton) but it’s not entirely true. You can still smoke at the 40 foot long sports book bar (which is obviously located inside the sports book) and other designated locations like nearby video poker and slot machines. Good thing smoke doesn’t travel. I’ve reached out to see if Westgate added a new filtration system but haven’t heard back. The renovated sports book at the Westgate looks great and is worth checking out but it’s not entirely smoke-free as the headline suggests.
Free Concerts On Fremont Street Leaking
Last but not least, details on some of the best free entertainment in Las Vegas has started to leak out. Every summer the Fremont Street Experience offers free concerts featuring national touring bands. The first major free concert with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts on May 28th was announced last year but Fremont Street hasn’t released their official schedule for the summer just yet.
However, when booking agents for bands send out schedules for their bands we can sometimes find information before it’s actually released to the public. Music industry trade magazine, Pollstar, confirms the following free concerts on Fremont Street this summer.
June 11: 3 Doors Down
July 2: Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
September 3: Smash Mouth
Bookmark those Vegas Experience and Pollstar sites if you’re looking to make summer plans around free concerts at the Fremont Street Experience. Expect an official concert listing to be released by the Fremont Street Experience soon.
Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. He learned about gambling at a young age working down the street from a bookie who took action on anything from the mainstream sports to the last three digits of the purse for certain horse races. Yeah, that's a thing. Today Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant which allows him to work anywhere there's a wifi signal. This allows him to work from the sportsbook at Red Rock Resort or the food court at The Venetian where you’ll find fast and free wifi. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.
