Vegas News December 12, 2021

A Perfectly Simple Plan

Last week I mentioned that I was enjoying a few days away from my computer with my crew in town when Vegas News was published. The long weekend was over shortly after Vegas News was published last Sunday.

The schedule for the long weekend was perfectly simple. Outside of at least one meal per day and/or an event to enjoy for a few hours, there wasn’t much on the agenda. This long weekend seemed like it would be how Vegas 2022 will be with people visiting Las Vegas for the first time in a couple of years.

---

---

My Vegas Vacation – Overview

Here’s a very quick overview of the four days. I had one of the best meals of my life at Carbone inside Aria. The bourbon and company had a lot to do with that but the food and service were great as usual. Everything was so perfect that I didn’t take a single picture.

Dinner at Bazaar Meat inside Sahara was different but also great. All together the meal lasted about 2.5 hours. We created our own tasting menu and it was just perfect. This was a great time spent with the crew.

Another amazing lunch with the crew at Ping Pang Pong @goldcoastcasino. 👍 Hit two 4OAK in a row (7’s,K’s) at Pai Gow Poker but was told I couldn’t take pics so you get the sportsbook. pic.twitter.com/09KGIF8Hae

— Marc (@MeltzVegas) December 8, 2021

Those meals were pricey. While they were great not every meal has to be expensive. The total price for a massive lunch at Ping Pang Pong inside Gold Coast costs the same as the per-person cost at the other restaurants. It was also delicious.

Between concerts and sports, we had something to do outside of the casinos. This was great but noticeably different from previous years where we’d gamble for hours every day and night.

Outside of an afternoon at gambling at El Cortez, it wasn’t much of a thought. I imagine many group trips to Las Vegas have been this way. We just enjoyed seeing each other for the first time in almost two years. 

This was the December work break I remember from a couple of years ago. Spending a few days at Delano for this time last year doesn’t quite compare. 

Enjoying Vegas The Way I Used To

I still enjoy my quiet midweek days and nights in the casino but it was great to enjoy Las Vegas the way I used to. I’m sharing all of this to say that Las Vegas is still here and rocking. The return to normalcy will continue next year with conventions, shows, and more international tourists visiting. 

It was great to experience Las Vegas like a tourist again. The inconvenience of wearing a mask around a group of people was minimal. That’s probably because we eat and drink often when we’re together. Masks aren’t required during either activity. 

Enough about my winter break. Let’s get to the news!

Las Vegas Quick Hits

The year is winding down and much of the news is looking forward to next year. As I’ve mentioned before this is usually a mellow news period. Having said that, there’s still plenty of information that will impact future visits to Las Vegas.

• The Miracle Mile Shops at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort will be renovated throughout next year. Everything should be done in time for the opening of new competition across the street next to Crystals Mall and Aria. Read more here.
• The Nevada Gaming Commission released the agenda for its next meeting. San Manuel should get approved to operate Palms and its sportsbook. There’s also a mention of semi-private gaming at a few MGM Resorts properties. Read more here.
• New Year’s Eve fireworks are returning this year. Specifics will be revealed on Dec. 16. Read a little bit about it here.
• It looks like there are quite a few late sign-ups for CES in January. Attendance will still be behind 2019 but this seems to be at a satisfactory pace. Read more here.
• McCarran International Airport will Harry Reid International Airport become on Tuesday. Read more about LAS (the code remains the same) here.
• Remember deadmau5? He now has a residency at Resorts World. Read more here.
• Michael Bublé also has a residency at Resorts World starting next year. Read more here.
• I’ve been to Resorts World a lot and forgot about Marigold until I saw it was closed for renovations last week. Read more here.
• John Legend will have a residency at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort next year. Read more here.
• Mohegan Sun reported earnings this week. The company had a lot to say about Las Vegas. See the press release here.
• Spirit Airlines will have more direct flights from Philadelphia to Las Vegas. Read more here.
• David Lee Roth added a few more shows to his residency at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Read more here.
• There’s a ton of Classic Rock coming to Las Vegas next year. Read more here.

Adele Residency Tickets Flying

• You’ve probably heard a lot about Adele’s tickets for the residency at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. She had more than $50 million in ticket sales on Wednesday. Retail prices ranged from $85 to $5,000. Use “read-only” to see more details here.

• The Venetian is done with 2021. The casino is ready for the Year of the Tiger in 2022. Read more here.
• Arizona State is playing Wisconsin in the first Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Read more here.
• Emmit Smith formerly of the Dallas Cowboys is opening a restaurant at the Fashion Show Mall. Read more here.
• Freed’s Bakery is open in downtown Las Vegas. Read more here.
• Golden Nugget was going to go public. That’s no longer the case. Too bad, I’d like to hear more about their business. Read more here.
• Las Vegas tops the list of cities for an expansion Major League Soccer team. Read more here.
• The I-15 freeway is being widened. Read more here.
• Last and least, Waldorf Astoria charges for fancy ice. I first wrote about this topic at least six years ago for a website that no longer exists. See prices here.

---