Date: Nov. 1, 2020
BY: Jackie Brett
REITERATING SAFETY
It cannot be emphasized too much, while shows, restaurants, lounges, etc. are slowly reopening in Las Vegas, they are all following strict state regulations. One of the biggest guidelines is limited seating to comply with social distancing requirements. Reservations and advance ticket buying online are now the norm.
OPENING AGAIN, CROMWELL IS FIRST ADULTS-ONLY HOTEL-CASINO
The Cromwell, part of Caesars Entertainment, reopened last week as the first adults-only hotel and casino on the Strip. The boutique hotel and gaming floor is now open daily for guests 21 and over. Guests of all ages are welcome at GIADA, the restaurant of notable chef Giada De Laurentiis.
While closed to guests, The Cromwell was home to the U.S. version of the international reality sensation, “Love Island,” which filmed its second season at Drai's Nightclub sequestered in a “bubble” for five weeks over the summer. After finding love and receiving the top prize on the show, it was only fitting that season two winners, Justine Ndiba and Caleb Corprew, returned to Las Vegas to help reopen the boutique hotel and casino in a countdown, which culminated in a spectacle of confetti cannons and cheers.
DRAI’S LOUNGE IS OPEN AGAIN AT THE CROMWELL
Nightlife destination Drai’s After Hours inside The Cromwell reopened as Drai’s Lounge over Halloween weekend. Drai’s Lounge is now open from 10 p.m. to closing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday by reservation only, with a maximum of six people per party. Reservations can be made on the Drai’s website.
Drai’s Lounge is a sleek, sexy lounge with multiple rooms where DJs play chart-topping songs of today, including top 40, EDM and hip hop. In addition to bottle service, Drai’s Lounge serves craft cocktails including the club’s famed Drai’s Lemonade. Food selections include a signature grilled cheese sandwich and a dessert tray.
‘THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER’ RETURNS TO EXCALIBUR
Australia’s “Thunder from Down Under” sexy male revue is back on the Las Vegas Strip starting Friday, Nov. 6 at the Excalibur. Tickets are now on sale for nine shows each week. Performance are Sunday-Monday, Wednesday-Thursday at 8.30, Friday at 8.30 and 11p.m., and Saturday at 6, 8.30, and 11p.m. Preferred Seating tickets are $70.95 and VIP $80.95.
The “Thunder from Down Under” production was created in 1988 by Billy Cross, CEO of Cross Promotions International and proved to be a hit in his native Australia. After touring the world, Cross brought the show stateside in 1993 to the former Stardust, where it remained for seven years. It was then that Cross met SPI Entertainment Founder and CEO Adam Steck in 1999 and the two joined forces. The show has since become entrenched in American culture with dozens of national television appearances.
THE COMEDY WORKS REOPENS NOV. 20 AT THE PLAZA
The Comedy Works will reopen at the Plaza with nationally acclaimed headliners, Nick Di Paolo on Nov. 20 at 9 p.m. and Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Kevin Farley on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Shows will be held in the Plaza’s classic Vegas showroom with red velvet booth seating, full bars and table cocktail service. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online.
Di Paolo has performed on the late-night talk shows and was twice nominated for an Emmy for his writing on HBO’s “The Chris Rock Show.” He had three stand-up specials on Comedy Central and most recently the controversial “A Breath of Fresh Air.” On film, Di Paolo has been featured on FX’s “Louie,” “Inside Amy Schumer,” “The Sopranos,” “Cop Show” and CK’s “Horace and Pete” as well as many other sitcoms. He can currently be heard hosting “The Nick Di Paolo” show on YouTube, Monday through Thursday.
After studying at the famous Second City in Chicago, Farley starred in films such as “Black Sheep” with his brother Chris Farley and “The Waterboy” with Adam Sandler. He is a regular comedian at notable comedy venues. His TV guest appearances include “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “Just Shoot Me,” “VP,” Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” and “Hawaii Five -O” to name a few.
The Comedy Works has been producing stand-up comedy events since 1981. It is now owned by Tommy Nicchi who grew up in stand-up comedy given he was three years old when his father founded the company.
COSMOPOLITAN WILL BRING BACK HOLIDAY SEASON ICE RINK
Some happy news, the Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan will return on Wednesday, Nov. 18 for its ninth consecutive holiday season and run daily through Jan. 3 of the new year. Upholding tradition, the Boulevard Pool will transform into a rooftop winter wonderland featuring a 4,200-square-foot skating rink made of real ice, seasonal culinary cocktails and fare, socially distanced fire pits for s’mores making, and classic holiday films projected high above the Las Vegas Strip on the resort’s 65-foot marquee.
The classic holiday films featured on Mondays and Tuesdays will run Monday, Nov. 23 starting with “The Nightmare Before Christmas” through Tuesday, Dec. 29 with “Jack Frost.”
The Ice Rink will be open to the public daily. All day skating access for non-hotel guests is $30. Monday through Thursday, all day skating access for Nevada residents, hotel guests and military is $20. Skate aid seals and reindeers are available for $15 an hour. Admission to the winter wonderland atmosphere surrounding The Ice Rink is complimentary. Hours vary and reservations encouraged.
RED ROCK’S MERRY CRIMSON WILL BE A POPUP HOLIDAY BAR
Red Rock will be celebrating the holiday season this year with Merry Crimson, a festive indoor and outdoor poolside lounge and terrace that will deck the halls with an extravagant display of over-the-top holiday décor. The pop-up holiday bar will open Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. and happen every Thursday–Sunday night through Jan. 3 with cocktails, desserts crafted by the talented pastry team at The Bake Shop at Red Rock, live atmospheric entertainment and music. The festive space will also feature an array of photo moments and cozy fire pits for socializing and sharing festive fun.
Merry Crimson will have a live DJ playing an upbeat mix of top 40, holiday carols and nostalgic hits Thursdays and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. as well as a live lounge act on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
CORNER BAR MANAGEMENT WILL DEBUT MUSEUM FIASCO AT AREA15
Corner Bar Management will unveil Museum Fiasco, a reimagined museum designed to cultivate an immersive sound and light experience, at AREA15 on Friday, Nov. 13. Museum Fiasco will come to life through technology with “Cluster,” an installation by Playmodes Studio, which will run through 2022. The 360-degree experience explores the chaotic feeling of being inside the kernel of a glitchy computer processor.
Located on the mezzanine of AREA15, the 5,000-square-foot blank canvas gallery conceptualized and designed by Corner Bar founder Ryan Doherty will showcase futuristic exhibits, audio-visual experiences, art and hospitality in a space which will foster a sense of connectivity for visitors.
Museum Fiasco is one of four new imaginative concepts revealed by Corner Bar this year, which include Oddwood at AREA15, plus Lucky Day and DISCOPUSSY in Fremont Street’s East Entertainment District. Corner Bar will unveil two new concepts, We All Scream and Cheapshot, in early 2021.
Museum Fiasco will be open 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available on the AREA15 website for $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 12 and under, and $20 for Las Vegas locals, military and seniors.
VEGAS TEST KITCHEN OPENS AT FERGUSONS DOWNTOWN
Slated to open later this month, Las Vegas’ first test kitchen, Vegas Test Kitchen will make its home at Fergusons Downtown. Taking over the former CHOW by Natalie Young space at 1020 Fremont Street, the incubator kitchen will offer rotating restaurant test concepts, popups and special events all under one roof.
Sectioned into different vendor hubs, Vegas Test Kitchen brings together chef residencies and popups with each operating independently around the central dining room. With a variety of great food options always available, guests can choose to dine in, take their food to-go, or enjoy next door on The Yard at Fergusons.
Offering three-month chef residencies, Vegas Test Kitchen offers a low-risk opportunity to develop and fine-tune their menus, branding, price points, and more with the ability to get real-time community feedback.
Kicking off his residency with the launch of Vegas Test Kitchen is Chef Lanny Chin, “Chopped” winner, Chef de Cuisine for The Slanted Door Las Vegas, Greene Street at The Palms and more. Chef Chin will test out his ramen concept, Slurp Society, offering a variety of ramen flavors including Tankatsu Ramen, Miso Ramen and Maze-Men, as well as his Chin Family Eggrolls, Sticky Pork Belly and Chili Garlic Wontons.
Following Chef Lanny’s, other chefs on the docket are Chef Roy Ellamar and Chef Chris Conlon, both of whom have concepts slated to launch at Platform One at UnCommons, Las Vegas’ first neighborhood food hall, in early 2022.
Resident chefs will be in the Vegas Test Kitchen Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for walk-in experiences.
In addition, Vegas Test Kitchen offers space for daily pop-ups with local chefs. Bodega Bagel by Rooster Boy Café owner Chef Sonia El-Nawal and Banichka by Forte Tapas owner Nina Manchev will be the first two pop-ups. Other pop-up chef concepts in the pipeline include Yukon Pizza, PopNPies and Sliced Sushi. Hours will vary depending on the pop-up.
With Saturday and Sunday nights open, Mannina will have the flexibility to host special events, rent out the space for private events and more.
THE LAUNDRY ROOM HAS EXPANDED ROOFTOP OFFERINGS
The Laundry Room at Commonwealth has unveiled an expansive menu of craft cocktails and a rooftop expansion. Found in the heart of the Fremont East Entertainment District at 525 Fremont St., Corner Bar Management’s popular cocktail bar serves a menu of more than 40 elaborate craft cocktails.
The Laundry Room has taken over the rooftop at Commonwealth, which has been transformed into a sultry rooftop lounge accentuated by 360-degree views of Downtown. Vintage performances bring a touch of old Vegas glamour with burlesque dancers, lounge singers, jazz bands and DJs. Conceptualized by Corner Bar founder, Ryan Doherty, The Laundry Room occupies a historic building that was once the laundry room for the legendary El Cortez Hotel & Casino.
Reservations are required for The Laundry Room and may only be made via text message to 702-701-1466.
HASH HOUSE A GO GO WILL OPEN IN SUMMERLIN
Hash House A Go Go is going to open in Summerlin in mid-December, making it the company’s sixth location in the valley. Located at the space formerly occupied by Islands Restaurant at 10810 W. Charleston Blvd. in The Shoppes at Canyon Pointe, the 5,339-square-foot space will accommodate 150 guests. The restaurant and bar will initially be open for brunch 8 a.m.–2 p.m. daily and open for dinner service from 5–8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Delivery and curbside pickup, complete with its own separate entrance, will also be available.
The Summerlin outlet will offer the restaurant’s signature generous, over-the-top menu including such popular dishes as their signature house hashes and scrambles; oversized flapjacks and waffles; homemade biscuits and jam; multiple varieties of their twisted burgers and famous sage fried chicken and waffles; accompanied by signature Bloody Marys, Kiwi Watermelon Lemonade and more, in addition to a full service bar.
VSIN AND BETMGM LAUNCHED NEW ‘BETTING ACROSS AMERICA’ SHOW
VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, and leading sports betting platform BetMGM, have a collaboration which includes the launch of the sports betting show “Betting Across America.” The multi-year partnership, which includes a major cross-platform BetMGM marketing investment, brings together unmatched industry expertise and insight to create a first-of-its-kind broadcast, providing the most authentic sports betting data and analytics available.
VSiN is broadcasting “Betting Across America” live from BetMGM Sportsbooks and studios in large sports betting markets across the country, pending regulatory approval, on weekdays from 3-5 p.m. ET/Noon-2 p.m. PT and weekends from 1-3 p.m. ET/10-noon PT. BetMGM oddsmakers and experts will join VSiN hosts live to deliver unique perspectives as the odds and lines move at BetMGM Sportsbooks across the country. The show features Tim Murray, former host of NBC Sports’ “The Daily Line,” former NFL player and Las Vegas legend Mike Pritchard, former journalist and renowned sports better James Salinas, and other VSiN personalities.
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT IMPLEMENTS NEW SELF-PARKING POLICY
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. on Oct. 30 implemented an updated plan for its self-parking policy at its seven reopened Las Vegas properties. Self-parking will remain free for Nevada residents with valid identification, registered hotel guests, and Caesars Rewards loyalty members rated Platinum and above.
All other guests will be charged to self-park at Caesars Palace, Paris, Bally’s, Flamingo, The LINQ Hotel + Experience and Harrah’s. Caesars Entertainment will donate all parking fee profits collected to several charitable organizations who support Caesars team members and local communities in need, through the end of the first quarter in 2021.
All guests who enter Caesars self-parking garages are afforded a 60-minute grace period before parking rates apply. Self-parking at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will remain free for all guests.
DUNKIN’ HAS FREE COFFEE WEDNESDAYS FOR DD PERKS® MEMBERS
With 10 locations in the Las Vegas area, Dunkin’ is featuring free Coffee Wednesdays for members of the DD Perks Rewards Program, Nov. 4 until Dec. 23. DD Perks members can get a free medium cup of the brand’s renowned hot or iced coffee with no purchase necessary.
Coffee lovers can become a DD Perks member by downloading the Dunkin’ app to join and they will receive this limited time offer. The app can also be used as an easy, contactless way to order and pay.
