Five times a year, I lead Vegas News with details about the newest display at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden. As usual, the fall display is my least favorite. It’s beautiful as always, but not my preference. Christmas is my favorite if you’re curious. See pics below and read about it here.
The process for Las Vegas to host another Super Bowl started before the last “Big Game” in “Sin City,” but it’s official now. Get the details here.
High Steaks is opening at Rio on October 18. The restaurant operated by the great James Trees (Esther’s, Al Solito Posto, etc.) will occupy the space where Voodoo was atop the property. I already made my reservation, and you can do that and read more here.
Sphere has sold more than 500,000 tickets for The Wizard of Oz. The average ticket price is around $200. Read the press release here.
The week before the press release, Bloomberg shared details on the finances of the Sphere as well as other potential film partnerships, like Star Wars. Read more here.
Have not seen an official statement, but it would be rad if the Mirage mermaid statues stay at Hard Rock. See the tweet here.
The mermaids are no longer available, but dolphin statues are still on the auction block if you’re looking for that Vegas swag at home. See the auction items here.
Nightly open bar at Golden Gate starts tonight!
The Oasis ice skating rink at Fontainebleau opens Nov. 24. There’s no charge for admission. Get the details and make reservations here.
Resorts World loves locals and hates tourists with cars. Since you love parking, read more here.
Wynn is letting hotel guests park for free and giving them water at check-in. The property also dumped triple zero roulette. Cool. Read more here.
Mariah Carey is back in Las Vegas for a limited engagement at Park MGM for the holidays in November and December. Read more here.
In the last edition of Vegas News, I shared the first TV commercial from the new LVCVA marketing campaign. I wrote about it before all of the details were released. You can check it out here.
You can see the press release about the minimal upgrades made to the LAS rideshare area here.
The LVCVA has a slew of “deals” like free parking at Virgin, a casino that doesn’t charge for parking. I didn’t notice any exclusive offers that you wouldn’t find at any travel affiliate site. Read more here.
Both of these elements of the marketing plan are underwhelming (if that’s a word). The rideshare upgrades are new lights and seating, not the overhaul of the space that is a mess. The deals aren’t above and beyond other offers or exclusive to this program. Who cares about prices they can get anywhere? Something is better than nothing, I guess. Rant paused.
Construction for the Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 course is underway. Feel free to start your own rant. Read more here.
The bi-monthly look at A’s MLB stadium construction looks different from the last edition of Vegas News. See below.
The commissioner of MLB says he doesn’t understand why people have doubts that the stadium will be built. Read more here.
XS at Wynn is closing for renovations that might last a full year. Read more here.
The world’s largest F1 Arcade is opening at Caesars Palace on Oct. 17. Check out the website here and read more here.
Duran Duran is returning to Fontainebleau for a couple of shows to start the new year. Read about the shows here.
The closure of Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay for renovations came as a surprise to everyone I know. I haven’t heard any rumor, and neither has this jabroni.
John Fogerty’s new residency will be Creedence Clearwater Revival hits at Planet Hollywood next year. He was previously at Wynn. Read more here.
Both Vegas and boxing are dead. Here’s a look at the record-breaking crowd at Allegiant Stadium for the Crawford vs. Canelo fight last weekend.
This press release title about bourbon and Caesars is way too long. I’m protesting long headlines and not reading them, but I will pass it on because I like bourbon, and some people like Caesars’ properties. Feel free to get the details yourself.
Sammy Hagar is returning to Park MGM for another run of shows next year. I also just learned he has an album coming. Get the dates and album info here.
Illenium will have a limited engagement at the Sphere next year. If the name is vaguely familiar, it’s because he was the first concert at Allegiant Stadium. Get the dates and details here.
G2E is less than three weeks away, and I haven’t seen enough product previews. It’s amazing that the gaming association keeps using the same speakers for keynotes. Read about that here.
This Boring update below could be significant if it opens. It would be great for the service to go beyond the square mile it currently covers. Stay tuned.
The taxi union is saying the industry will die if the above Boring update comes to fruition. They said the same about rideshares, but the cockroaches survived. Read more here.
There COULD be a new casino built near M Resort in THREE to FIVE years. This is the kind of way-too-early info I’d expect from social media or a blog, not the newspaper of record in Nevada. Read more here.
The Rise festival released its ambitious schedule here.
I was a little late to learn that Horseshoe has $5 beers. See the post here.
Who’s down for a $200 brothel tour? Before you ask about the length of the tour, it includes the drive to and from Las Vegas. Get the details here.
A casino you’ve never been to and probably won’t visit was sold and will be renovated for next year. Read about Poker Palace here.
In trying to understand the business side of visiting Las Vegas, I’ve been following international travel news. You can read the transcript of a recent chat with Tony Capuano, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott, here.
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.