Mirage Las Vegas Finds New (Yet Old) Ground

Don’t be fooled by the article’s headline. The thatched pits are still gone, the ceiling is still stark white and the carpet electrically colored tropical madness. But much like the good things The Mirage Las Vegas has been doing with their restaurants, including reintroduction of a 24 hour restaurant a la Caribe Cafe in The Pantry (try the mashed carrots and potatoes, you won’t be sorry), the Mirage has been quietly yet very heavily rearranging it’s gaming floor and the results finally seem to have been completed bringing back a bit of the original layout, portions of which Steve Wynn would carry on to Bellagio. And I apologize in advance for the un-great photography, as I was being stalked by a security guard for some reason like I was casing the joint.

The first major change you’ll notice (other than the crappy 6 to 5 odds on any blackjack under $25 a hand, cause MGM isn’t making enough money) is that the abundant poker room has been downsized and the cashier’s cage has been moved to prominent corner it used to inhabit. The look is dark and sleek, modern and light, much like Mirage has moved to over the years, and creates much less of a traffic jam than the original cage’s location. So far so good.

Now, in place of the old cage is a new venue, Center Bar. Ironically, the design is much like TI’s Breeze Bar, only elevated, a dual sided bar on a platform with lower dark yet lit ceiling panels. The mood is nice and brisk, and keeps there from being a buildup of people waiting in the middle of a major pathway through the casino. Drinks are priced on par with what you’d expect, but unfortunately due to the fact the place was so busy I was unable to give it a try although it is on my list.

The rest of the space behind Center Bar is still enclosed, as it was when it hosted the Casino Host office and high limit slots. However the high limit slots have now been moved and take up the room which formerly housed the baccarat tables. Don’t fret though, some have been moved into the High Limit Lounge with the blackjack tables that were there. There’s less of everything, but the benefit comes in what’s taking up the rest of the floor space.

This is the Parlor Lounge. And much like the high limit bar that was there when the Mirage first opened, this venue channels that energy. The room is dark and intimate in dark wood and warm light with black sheet drapes at each bay. On the menu are crafted cocktails and the Mirage’s first major foray (that I can remember) into true mixology. A little late to the game, but exciting nonetheless. And as if that weren’t enough to get you in the mood, there’s also live piano music. That’s right, it’s almost like the sassy kid of Allegro at Bellagio.

The result of all of these changes is that for the first time in years, combined with the new cage location and Center Bar, the Mirage’s floor has proper flow rather than feeling like someone put the Berlin Wall down it’s center. And not just flow, but life and fun, something the Mirage always had at heart, but now is putting to practice. I guess MGM really has figured out how to use those parking and resort fees for something, right?

Other MGM articles:
Hotel Review : MGM SKYLOFTS Las Vegas
Hotel Review: MGM SKYLOFTS Las Vegas 2.0
Las Vegas | MGM Resorts Announces Self Park and Valet Parking Fees Beginning in April 2016
L’Atelier at MGM : A Culinary Performance

Photocredit Featured Image MGM Mirage