Vegas News April 6, 2023

The Biggest News

The biggest news in Las Vegas surrounds The Mirage/Hard Rock. Clark County approved Hard Rock’s (Hard Rock Las Vegas) plans to build a guitar-shaped hotel tower in front of the existing property.

“Steve Says”

As planned, Hard Rock will add the new 600 all-suite hotel where the volcano currently sits. The new hotel on the Vegas Strip will be HUGE. Steve says it will be the fourth tallest building in Las Vegas. I should be able to see this all the way from the burbs.

The existing property will eventually see a makeover. Construction should start by early next year but there’s no official timeline yet.

New Baccarat Lounge

In the meantime, Hard Rock is making some simple changes to The Mirage. There’s live music nightly and a six-table blackjack pit in the sportsbook. A new baccarat lounge will open at the end of the month.

The company is finally walling off the closed buffet and adding slot machines in new parts of the property. You can find some more info here.

When The Mirage becomes Hard Rock, the property should have an entirely new look at feel. I’ve had great times at The Mirage, but I can’t wait for the Hard Rock. Other than the gorgeous atrium, the casino feels dark and dated. 

F1 and Hard Rock – Mirage Zone Grandstand Seats

Last week, F1 announced that Hard Rock became a partner for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This week the company announced The Mirage Zone grandstand seats. 

The new F1 ticket map shows the seats right above the volcano. The map uses photoshop skills similar to mine so I wouldn’t be so sure the volcano will be gone before the race in November. We should hear news sooner than later.

Lots To Look Forward To – Hard Rock Las Vegas

Plans for the new Hard Rock are coming along slowly but surely. Stay tuned for more updates as the company starts to finalize plans over the next few months.

Let’s get to the rest of what’s happening in and around Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

• Jonathan Jossel, the head honcho at Plaza and all-around good guy, shared a new rendering of Pinkbox donuts under construction. Other than wanting a donut, what do you think?
• The Linq is getting a Spiegelworld (Absinthe) show next year. Read more here.  
• Paris Las Vegas finally finished renovating its sportsbook. The new screens and design brightens the space. Read and see more here.
• Wahlburgers is opening its second Las Vegas location at Mandalay Place inside Mandalay Bay. It replaces Burger Bar which should have closed years ago. Read more here.
• Adele confirmed the rumor of more shows at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. She also mentioned she’ll be recording the show for those who can’t make it to Las Vegas. Read more here.
• Bellagio is renovating the hotel rooms in the Spa Tower. Rooms will be available as soon as July. The rest will be ready by Oct. Read and see more here. 
• Kelly Clarkson will do a 10-show limited engagement at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort in July and Aug. Read more here.   
• 65% of fans at the final 5 Raiders home games last season were from out of town. This isn’t a surprise but it’s different than most football games around the country. Read more about attendance at Allegiant Stadium in 2022 here.  
• Construction on Dream Hotel Las Vegas being built near Mandalay Bay has stopped. The developer says they should secure financing in two to four weeks. I’d like to see the construction resume because I like new casino hotels. Read more here.  
• Station Casinos dropped STN Charms this week. It’s a collectible/NFT concept. Read more here and get specific info here.  
• The CEO of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas stepped down. Read more here.
• Interesting use of the word “might” with regards to the MSG Sphere at The Venetian opening in six months. Read more here.
• The BetMGM Poker Championship will take place at Aria in June. Read more here.  
• Dinosaurs are coming to Horseshoe Las Vegas! Read more here.
• You may be aware that the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament took place in Las Vegas last week. One team, UConn (University of Connecticut) was booked to stay at Luxor but the room conditions “apparently looked like the boys from ‘The Hangover’ had been there the night before. Dirt, vomit … and worse.” Read more here.  
• UConn moved to Resorts World Las Vegas. Read more here.
• The Huskies went on to destroy Arkansas in the Sweet 16. Read more here.
• The Strat will be charging for self-parking. Read more here.  
• The Punk Rock Museum is near The Stat and is now open. Find more info here.
• That luxury shopping plaza between Aria and Cosmopolitan will have a Fat Tuesday and Ross Dress for Less. See the tweets here. ​ 
• Golden Nugget is purchasing Hard Rock Lake Tahoe. Read more here.
• I’m not quite sure how this will work or who will use it but IGT just announced Gift & Go. This will allow players to collect players club gifts from “an array of goods that are fulfilled via Amazon Business.” Can’t be any worse than watching people stand around for a complimentary pie, dishware, or six-pack of beer. Read more here.  
• There’s a new restaurant with a nightclub opening at the end of the month on Fremont Street across from Downtown Container Park. Read more here.
• The first small batch of Life Is Beautiful tickets are sold out. The lineup for the festival will be announced this week. Read more about the early bird passes here.
• Life Is Beautiful also announced the 2023 lineup. You can see who’s performing here.  
• Jose Andres is opening two restaurants in two different malls. Read more here.  
• Binion’s had a poorly worded “Color” policy. Read more here.  
• Binion’s no longer has a poorly worded “Color” policy. Read more here.
• Banger Brewing at the Fremont Street Experience is closed. Read more here.
• The very mediocre Hearthstone at Red Rock Casino has closed. Read more here.
• It might be a coincidence but my visits to Red Rock dropped a lot when LBS Burger closed to make way for Hearthstone. Read more about the burger joint here.
• DraftKings opened a fancy new office in Las Vegas last week. You still can’t gamble with the company in Nevada. Read more here.  
• Tom Brady is now part owner of the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA. Read more here.  
• Zappo’s Theater at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort is now Bakkt Theater. Read more here.
• Transfix is an art thing coming to Resorts World in April. The company announced its artist lineup. Read more here.