BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Dec. 16, 2018
FLAMINGO DEBUTS DEDICATED BUNK BED ROOMS AND SUITES
The second phase of the Flamingo’s $156 million room renovation to date features 976 redesigned rooms with 14 being new spacious Bunk Bed Rooms along with several larger Bunk Bed Suites. One of the suites is the largest dedicated Bunk Bed Suite in the United States. Ideal for group and family travel, the new accommodations will be available Feb. 1. Bunk Bed Rooms start at $115 per night and suites at $310.
The new 515-square-foot Bunk Bed Room has two queen beds, each equipped with its own overhead full-size bunk. The upgraded rooms feature modern décor, sleek furnishings in a spacious living area, a separate wet vanity area, bedside USB ports, a rain shower in a stylish bathroom, and 55-inch HDTV.
The upscale nearly 1,000-square-foot Bunk Bed Suite consists of a 430-square-foot bedroom with two queen bunk beds, connected to a 550-square-foot parlor with oversized lounge furniture and a full kitchenette with a refrigerator.
The first phase had 1,270 rooms and suites completed last April with an initial $90 million investment. Once the second phase is completed by the end of this month, two-thirds of the room product at the Flamingo will be new or will have been remodeled in the past two years.
FAVORITE BISTRO IS OPENING AT THE LINQ PROMENADE
French restaurant Favorite Bistro is slated to open its doors and patio at the LINQ Promenade on Dec. 20. It is the first U.S. location from pedigreed restaurateurs Thierry Bourdoncle and Ariane de Senneville of Group Bourdoncle.
The 2,500-square-foot Favorite Bistro is replacing the French white tablecloth look with a lively ambiance including social banquettes, bistro tables, and patio dining space. The menu will feature a variety of options as well at the Hangover Burger. Brunch will be served on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dining hours will start with breakfast from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and dinner 4-10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The bar will remain open until 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Friday-Saturday and offer a 3-5 p.m. Happy Hour and a late-night Happy Hour from 10 p.m. to closing.
HOLIDAY-THEMED AQUARIUM DEBUTS AT ETHEL M CACTUS GARDEN
Ethel M Cactus Garden is celebrating its 25th Annual Holiday Cactus Garden Lights display by adding a holiday-themed aquarium. Animal Planet’s hit TV Show, “Tanked®,” has had the Las Vegas-duo of Wayde King and Brett Raymer of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing construct a custom aquarium to be displayed in the garden until Jan. 6. The tank debuted last week on Dec. 14 in the TV show’s holiday episode, “A Merry Fishy Christmas.”
The brothers-in-law and business partners behind Acrylic Tank Manufacturing wanted to create a holiday, cactus-themed tank with fake cacti to replicate Ethel M Chocolates’ cactus garden, freshwater plants, and GloFish® to simulate the holiday lights. The tank exhibit stands seven feet tall and six feet wide with 520 gallons of fresh water and weighs in at close to 6,000 pounds. The tank is in the heart of the Cactus Garden Holiday Light display.
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS® IS NEW NAME FOR PRO-BASEBALL TEAM
The Howard Hughes Corporation®, owner of the Las Vegas 51s®, the city’s professional Triple-A baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), last week announced the team’s new name - the Las Vegas Aviators®. While the Aviators name was well received, the new logo has met with resistance. Time will tell because newly branded merchandise and apparel are available for purchase at the Las Vegas Ballpark Sales Center at Downtown Summerlin, as well as online.
The Las Vegas Aviators name was chosen from hundreds of names submitted by the general public through a competition in which the community participated. Aviators was a popular nominated name.
TOPGOLF DEBUTS FIRST TCL ESPORTS LOUNGE IN JANUARY
Topgolf and television brand TCL have a national partnership now to generate esports entertainment starting in early January, aligning with the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 8-11. Designed for gamers from all walks of life, the first TCL esports Lounge will open at Topgolf Las Vegas.
Topgolf will add esports lounges to six Topgolf venues nationwide creating an inclusive guest experience and offering daily esports play. Guests will be able to play esports games, participate in special events, coaching sessions, viewing parties, and meet pro gamers.
In addition, Topgolf is partnering with national esports leagues to host events, qualifiers, local and weekly leagues, and attract gamers, influencers and celebrities to compete in tournaments at Topgolf venues. TCL and Topgolf expect the partnership to reach more than 63 million guests annually over the multi-year partnership.
CUT BY WOLFGANG PUCK REVEALS NEW LOOK AND MENU
CUT restaurant by Wolfgang Puck after 10 years at The Palazzo • The Venetian Resort has a new look with an expanded bar and lounge and enhanced food and beverage offerings. At the expansion forefront is the bar and lounge, which doubled in size. The lounge now seats 90, while the extended bar seats 20 and has a newly added shellfish and crudo bar on ice at one end.
Some new design elements include a rich and leathered stone bar, new custom plush seating paired with sophisticated acrylic top tables, textured walls and ceilings, wood flooring and a redesigned banquet room.
The bar has an expanded whiskey and brandy selection with a dramatic whiskey display behind the bar, new barrel-aged cocktails, a roving cocktail cart with bottle service, and a more extensive wine list with 1,400 selections.
ROB LOWE MAKES VEGAS-DEBUT AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD
Actor and author Rob Lowe will make his Las Vegas-debut on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood as part of his “Stories I Only Tell My Friends: LIVE!” tour. Tickets begin at $59.
The show is inspired by his success with two New York Times Best-Selling memoirs, “Stories I Only Tell My Friends” and “Love Life.” Lowe has created a peek behind the Hollywood curtain of fame, fatherhood, marriage, and his four-decade career. In addition to storytelling, the show includes a Q&A and insider film clips and photos. The charismatic Lowe has gone from the Brat Pack to “The West Wing,” to “Parks and Rec,” and beyond.
THE ROOTS WILL VISIT THE JOINT AT HARD ROCK
For one night, Friday, Feb. 22, the official house band on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” will headline at The Joint at Hard Rock at 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $47.50.
Away from the TV show, The Roots have become one of the best known and most respected hip-hop acts nominated for 12 Grammys and winning four, including Best R&B Album for “Wake Up!,” Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for “Hang in There,” and Best Group or Duo R&B Vocal Performance for “Shine.”
The Roots recently announced they are developing an animated and live action children’s series in partnership with Amazon.
HOZIER WILL HEADLINE THE PEARL AT THE PALMS
Irish musician, singer and songwriter Andrew Hozier-Byrne, known professionally by the mononym Hozier, will make a stop at The Pearl inside The Palms on his spring North American Wasteland Baby! Tour on Sunday, April 7 at 8 p.m. with special guest Jade Bird. Ticket range is $45.95 to $139.95.
Hozier’s tour is in support of his forthcoming album, “Wasteland, Baby!” Every ticket purchased online for the just-announced headline dates will include a CD copy of his new album. Fans will also have the option to upgrade their CD to a standard LP copy of the album for an additional charge.
Last month, Hozier released his new song “Movement” as well as the official video.
HALL & OATES WILL VISIT CAESARS PALACE IN MARCH
American pop rock duo Daryl Hall and John Oates, the No. 1 selling duo in music history since 1987, will return to Las Vegas for three exclusive U.S. dates on March 20, 22 and 23 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performances start at $59.95.
This year, Hall & Oates had a top 10 hit on the AC charts with “Philly Forget Me Not” featuring Train. From the mid-70s to mid-80s, the duo scored six No. 1 singles from their six consecutive multi-platinum albums. The era also produced and additional five Top 10 singles: “Sara Smile,” “You Make My Dreams,” “One on One,” “Say It Isn't So” and “Method of Modern Love.”
‘HELLO, DOLLY!’ NATIONAL TOUR VISITS STARRING BETTY BUCKLEY
Tony Award®-winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley will star in the National Tour visiting The Smith Center March 19-24. Tickets for the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival are on sale now. The show, which began in 2017, ended its historic Broadway run on Aug. 25 this year.
This topnotch production is led by four-time Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle. The entire creative team of the Broadway production will reprise their roles for the National Tour including four-time Tony Award winner Santo Loquasto (scenic and costume design), six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (lighting design), Tony Award winner Scott Lehrer (sound design), naming a few.
VAN MORRISON ADDS TWO SHOWS TO RUN AT CAESARS PALACE
Due to overwhelming demand, legendary singer-composer Van Morrison has added an additional two show dates, Feb.8 and 9, to his Jan. 25 through Feb. 2 run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for a total of seven nights in 2019. Morrison just released his 40th studio album, “The Prophet Speaks.” Tickets start at $59.50.
Morrison has six Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. By age 13, he was a travelling musician playing guitar and saxophone in several bands. In 1964, he formed the group Them, which made the hits “Gloria” and “Here Comes the Night.” A few years later, he released the Top 40 pop sensation “Brown Eyed Girl” and began his career as a successful solo musician.
MANSION54 IS NEW EVENT SPACE
Formerly known for years as the Hart Mansion located in the Downtown-area off Charleston and Las Vegas Blvd., the estate-like setting has been remodeled and renamed Mansion54. The venue offers 25,000 square feet of collective elegant spaces including an outdoor terrace, dramatic stairway entry area, huge pool-reception space, plus more.
AMBER SAUER HEADLINES AT THE SMITH CENTER
Amber Sauer, “The Voice” contestant and Kelly Clarkson’s discovery, will make her Las Vegas-debut in Myron’s Jazz Cabaret at The Smith Center on Friday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2 and 7 p.m. Her show is aptly named “A Tribute to Paradise California: Starring Amber Sauer.” She was raised in Paradise, Calif., and her parents lost everything in the recent devastating fire. Her shows will help to raise funds for the victims. Tickets are $35.
HOLIDAY MAGIC AT THE LINQ PROMENADE
Now through Dec. 31, there is nightly entertainment with Holiday Magic programming at The LINQ Promenade complete with candy-themed décor, a nightly snowfall and the scent of fresh cut pines.
Monday through Wednesday, carolers are singing holiday hits from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, the “Twas the Night Before Christmas” dance spectacular provides a modern twist on the classic with shows at the top of every hour from 6 to 9 p.m.
CANNERY FEATURES HEART BY HEART AND TINA TURNER TRIBUTE
The Club showroom at the Cannery in North Las Vegas will welcome rock band Heart By Heart and a Tina Turner tribute with singer Cookie Watkins in January.
Steve Fossen and Michael Derosier, former Heart rock band members and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, put together Heart By Heart to create music authentic to the original group’s sound and style. Heart By Heart’s impressive current lineup includes: bassist Fossen; drummer Derosier; powerhouse vocalist Somar Macek; guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Lizzy Daymont; and veteran guitarist Chad Quist. Tickets for their Saturday Jan. 19 show start at $24.95.
Cookie Watkins, known for her high-energy and powerful vocals, will recreate legendary singer Tina Turner’s hits including “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Better Be Good To Me,” and “Higher,” on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. With Watkins’ talent, she has been the hand-selected Turner tribute artist for “Legends in Concert” in Las Vegas, the TV Show “The Next Best Thing,” and several other shows nationwide. Tickets start at $19.95.
NEVADA PUBLIC RADIO STARTS TRIVIA NIGHT AT BROOKLYN BOWL
Nevada Public Radio (NPR) and Brooklyn Bowl will hold the first installment on Wednesday, Jan. 16 in a new series of trivia, conversation and cocktails. Nevada Public Radio’s Trivia Night will be hosted by NPR’s Sam Sanders, who is known for his radio show “It’s Been A Minute.” All the ticket proceeds will benefit NPR. General admission tickets are $10.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for a mix and mingle, with half-priced drinks and appetizers. At 7:30 p.m. the trivia will start with Sanders emceeing three rounds. First-place winners will receive a Bowling Lane and eight tickets to the upcoming Brooklyn Bowl show of their choice; a $100 food and beverage credit; swag bag; and bragging rights. Second place winners will receive show tickets.
ENTERTAINMENT CLIPS
“Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream” show in the Sin City Theatre at Planet Hollywood is offering a free VIP seating upgrade from Tuesday, Dec. 25 through Monday, Dec. 31. The French magician’s production is at 7 p.m. Saturday through Thursday with tickets starting at $49 and $69 for VIP.
Gentlemen’s club, Sapphire Las Vegas, has had the male revue “Men of Sapphire’s” playing Thursday-Saturday. On Jan. 6 the sexually-charged show will add weekly Sunday performances at 10 p.m. General admission is $50; must be at least 21 years old.
DINING • BEVERAGE NEWS
Cabo Wabo Cantina inside the Miracle Mile Shops will celebrate National Sangria Day on Thursday, Dec. 20. Red and white sangria will be served in 45-ounce souvenir glasses, priced at $19 during happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m.
Morton Group’s funky Mexican downtown restaurant La Comida is now serving happy hour daily from 3 to 5 p.m., with offerings including $5 shots and margaritas, $4 beers, and select $5 appetizers.
QUICK TIDBITS
The Mint 400 off-road race will return to Las Vegas, Wednesday-Sunday, March 6-10 with racing on both Saturday-Sunday, March 9 and 10. For the first time since 1976, The Mint 400 will have motorcycles competing on a challenging single-track course.
Discovery Children’s Museum and Junior League of Las Vegas are combining forces again to host the fourth annual fundraising Night at the Museum on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. The museum will be transformed into a tropical paradise for a party. Tickets are $60 general admission, which includes one drink.
If you’re already missing warm weather, the Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas water park will open for its seventh season on Saturday, March 30. Mark your calendars.
The Tarkanian Classic basketball tournament, named after legendary UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, will return to the Orleans Arena Dec. 19-20 featuring top boys and girls high school basketball teams competing. Adult tickets are $15 and $10 for students and seniors each day.
