This Entertainment Experience Will Wow You Plus...
Soak In OldSchool Vegas at This Restaurant
Features
Charlie Berens
The comedian performs at The Venetian Resort PAGE 32
The Great Outdoors
The weather is beautiful! Take the opportunity to experience what Southern Nevada has to offer PAGE 34
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
They’re ready to rock the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay PAGE 40
The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort
Check out the cool stores at this retail destination PAGE 42
Editor’s Note
PAGE 7
7 Days
Our publisher gives you everything you need to plan the perfect week PAGE 8
Spotlight
PAGE 11
Vanderpump à Paris PAGE 12
Jen Kramer PAGE 14
Lunar New Year Celebrations
PAGE 16
Tournament of Kings
PAGE 18
¡VIVA! by Ray Garcia
PAGE 20
Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios
A welterweight battle at T-Mobile Arena PAGE 22
Cheers
Mayfair Supper Club
This Bellagio restaurant has updated its experience, and from entertainment to dining and cocktails, it will seriously wow you PAGE 24
Friends With Benefits
Steve Ely
Meet the general manager of F1 Arcade Vegas at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace PAGE 26
Nosh
Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse
Soak in old-school Vegas at this Flamingo restaurant that celebrates the mob era PAGE 28
Your guide to everything in Las Vegas, from entertainment, attractions and gaming to health & beauty and resources
PAGE 49
Hitting the town tonight? Stop by your concierge to pick up a copy of our sister publication, VEGAS2GO
Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse photo by Anthony Mair, ¡VIVA! by Ray Garcia cover (where applicable) by Drex/Mark Mediana, Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios
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Food for Thought
One of the best aspects of Las Vegas (and one of my favorite things about this job) is the dining landscape. The number of world-class restaurants on the Strip alone is simply staggering, and the landscape is always changing. Honestly, we at Las Vegas Magazine can barely keep up with it sometimes. But darned if we don’t try!
This week’s issue is packed with fantastic options for that perfect meal, regardless of what kind of food you like:
• Carnivores will definitely enjoy Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse at Flamingo, a longtime favorite that hearkens back to the days when the mob ran Las Vegas. From the cuisine and decor to the cocktails and service, it’s a great way to celebrate old-school Sin City (“Vegas Dreams,” p. 28).
• Mexican food fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to check out ¡VIVA! by Ray Garcia at Resorts World Las Vegas, which takes your favorite classics and puts unbelievably flavorful twist on each and every one of them (“Modern Mexican Flavors,” p. 20).
• Dinner and a show? Oh man, are you in for a treat. One of the best on the Strip, Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio, just improved on what was already a showstopping experience with new acts, food and drinks (“Elevated Affair,” p. 24).
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Hitting the town tonight? Stop by your concierge to pick up a copy of our sister publication, VEGAS2GO.
• In the mood for a little French flair? Welcome to the over-the-top Vanderpump à Paris at Paris Las Vegas, which is a perfect extension of the personality of creator Lisa Vanderpump (“FullBlown French Fantasy,” p. 12).
Full? Now head to T-Mobile Arena, where Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios square off in a welterweight title bout (“Get Your Popcorn Ready!” p. 22).
Get your reservations now! And then prepare to create some great memories.
KEN MILLER
What to do in Las Vegas this week
Katie Dixon,
Publisher
Sunday
15
Bottled Blonde Las Vegas
Start your day with brunch, Strip views and a lively atmosphere. Pro tip: Download the Vegas2Go app for a bottomless mimosa offer to top off your Sunday fun day. Grand Bazaar Shops, bottledblondelv.com
Monday 16
Discovering King Tut’s Tomb—The Experience This exhibit takes guests back in time to explore ancient Egypt. See the incredible nested coffins and learn about mummification. Follow along with Howard Carter as he first discovered the lost tomb of King Tutankhamun. Luxor, kingtutvegas.com
Tuesday 17
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
This free Lunar New Year display is spectacular. Wander through arrangements celebrating the Year of the Horse, featuring symbols of prosperity and good fortune. bellagio.mgmresorts.com
Bottled Blonde Las Vegas photo by Dustin Revella Discovering King Tut’s Tomb—The Experience photo by Christopher DeVargas
Wednesday 18
Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge
Raise a glass to the Lunar New Year in style with specialty cocktails. Try the Crimson Horse Highball with Crown Royal, hibiscus tea and ginger ale, full of vibrant red hues. Resorts World Las Vegas, rwlasvegas.com
Thursday 19
Qua Baths & Spa
Experience signature treatments, unwind in the Arctic Ice Room, or soak in the steam room. This awardwinning spa sanctuary offers the perfect escape from the Vegas bustle. Caesars Palace, caesars.com
For Insider Tips go to lasvegasmagazine.com
Friday 20
New Kids on the Block
The boys are back in town, bringing their recently extended The Right Stuff residency to Park MGM. Sing along to classics like “Hangin’ Tough” and “Step by Step.” Park MGM, parkmgm. mgmresorts.com
Saturday 21
Andiamo Steakhouse
Enjoy authentic Italian excellence with this restaurant’s new $75 prix fixe menu, which showcases chefdriven dishes. From calamari fritti to chicken picatta, you can’t go wrong. The D, thed.com
Qua Baths & Spa photo courtesy of Caesars Entertainment
Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge photo by Christopher DeVargas, New Kids on the Block photo by Al Powers
Photo by Christopher DeVargas
Full-Blown French Fantasy
Las Vegas Strip restaurant is a direct reflection of its creator’s over-the-top style
Lisa Vanderpump doesn’t do anything halfway, so when the reality-TV mogul and restaurateur opened Vanderpump à Paris inside Paris Las Vegas, she built a full-blown French fantasy.
Every inch of the place demands your attention. Chandeliers drip from ceilings painted in Baroque florals, velvet banquettes invite lingering, and every corner offers another photo opportunity that’ll make your Insta followers jealous. It’s opulent without being stuffy, theatrical without tipping into camp. Very Vanderpump, in other words.
The menu leans French with enough familiar touchstones to keep things approachable. The truffle-stuffed Vanderpump baguette arrives like edible jewelry: triple crème brie oozing with black summer truffles, drizzled in truffle honey and dusted with pink peppercorns. The cast iron filet delivers exactly what you want it to, while the truffle mushroom pasta satisfies hungry vegetarians. And those Gruyére frites? Crispy, herbed perfection you’ll be thinking about for days.
The cocktail program deserves its own reality show. Expect theatrical presentations, house-made ingredients and drinks that taste as good as they photograph. Gather 11 of your besties for The Eiffel Tower, 12 shots of spicy hibiscus vodka, peach whiskey, blueberry vodka, black currant tequila, spicy apple tequila and mint and basil vodka. And don’t miss one of the signature cocktails, The French Poodle, which arrives as pink-poufed perfection, crowned with cupcake cotton candy and edible gold flakes, concealing gin, blackberry and rhubarb underneath. It’s extra, sure, but that’s exactly the point.
The crowd tells the story: bachelorettes clutching champagne flutes, birthday parties claiming corner banquettes, couples celebrating anniversaries that deserve something more memorable than the usual. This is where you come when the occasion calls for a little extra sparkle.
Is it over the top? Absolutely. But Vanderpump à Paris knows exactly what it is and delivers on that promise with style, flavor and plenty of drama to keep things interesting on any night of the week. – Genevie Durano
Paris Las Vegas. 702.946.4217
Photo courtesy of Caesars Entertainment
Photo by Christopher DeVargas
A Month to Remember
Popular magician celebrates 1,000 shows—and a wedding—at her host property this month
This is a huge month for Jen Kramer. In addition to celebrating the 1,000th performance of her show, The Magic of Jen Kramer, she’s getting married! And just like her show, the nuptials will be held at Westgate Las Vegas! Expect the property to celebrate the event on many levels.
Kramer has been a longtime favorite for her family-friendly show and engaging personality. She keeps everything fun, from her interaction with audiences to her public persona. And the saying is really true: Time flies when you’re having fun. It feels like only yesterday she visited Las Vegas for the first time. And her upcoming 1,000th performance arrived as quickly as her 10th anniversary.
“How could I have let a decade go by without throwing a party or something? I don’t know!” she told Las Vegas Magazine. “Missed opportunity there … It’s going to be 10 years from now in no time.”
Kramer was preoccupied with being in the moment at her 5 p.m. Westgate Cabaret shows, where her mix of magic and mentalism constantly creates new fans who line up after shows during meet-andgreets to share their enthusiasm about her signature quick-change trick illusion early in the performance and her new climactic trick.
The latter is the latest creation made possible by maintaining a fertile imagination. “That flow state is so real,” she says. “Sometimes when you’re exploring a different realm of magic like with the new finale that we’re doing in the show—it’s more grand illusion style— your brain starts thinking, ‘How can I apply this idea or that idea?’”
Not that Kramer is going to retire her oeuvre of card tricks, but an evolution into grand illusions would be a natural next step. She’s a veteran of the Strip’s magic scene now. The tricks she brought to Westgate Cabaret are increasingly enhanced by the possibilities she’s able to visualize based on the venue’s dimensions and capabilities.
It’s also the next step in Kramer’s goal of creating human connection through magic. “It’s all about making people feel like they’re 5 years old again, looking through that lens of wonder,” she says. –Las Vegas Magazine Staff
Westgate Las Vegas, 5+. westgateresorts.com
Lucky Time
Lunar New Year celebrations showcase dances, parades and dining
Although Lunar New Year starts Feb. 17 this year, find activities throughout February to enjoy, like lion and dragon dances and special dining menus.
At Aria on Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the main valet, Yau Kung Moon performs a dragon and lion dance in the southern Shaolin Kung Fu system. And on Feb. 21, Resorts World Las Vegas holds a lion and dragon dance and parade, firecracker finale and more starting at 4 p.m.
On Feb. 22, FSLV—Fashion Show Las Vegas hosts a Lunar New Year afternoon festival from noon-5 p.m. with a lion dance procession, lantern-making station, martial arts demonstrations and more. In the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort, a lion blessing on Feb. 19 kicks off at 3 p.m. in St. Mark’s Square and will wend its way through the center. From Feb. 20-22, St. Mark’s Square hosts cultural performances.
Find special menus Jasmine, Noodles and The Garden Table at Bellagio; Blossom at Aria; The Noodle Shop at Mandalay Bay; Joël Robuchon, Morimoto Las Vegas and Grand Wok Noodle Bar at MGM Grand; and La La Noodle at Park MGM (dates and times vary). Genting Palace at Resorts World Las Vegas offers a Lunar New Year dinner menu through Feb. 22, and an extensive Lunar New Year buffet from Feb. 20-22. –Nina King
Photo courtesy of The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort
The Thrill of Sport
Long-running Las Vegas Strip family-friendly production combines medieval merriment with a delicious meal
You haven’t really done Vegas until you’ve eaten roasted chicken with your bare hands while shouting “Huzzah!” at a knight in chain mail. Welcome to Tournament of Kings, the gloriously over-the-top dinner show at Excalibur that’s been battling it out for an impressive 35 years. Long before bottle service, giant LED orbs and EDM residencies took over the Strip, Kings was serving up galloping horses, clashing swords and medieval mayhem in a dirt-filled arena. And guess what? It’s still absolutely crushing it.
What began in 1990 as a throwback fantasy experience based on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is now a true Vegas institution—part Renaissance faire, part live-action video game and 100% committed to its bit. Audiences are divided into color-coded sections representing a specific country (Austria, France, Hungary, Ireland, Romania, Spain and Sweden), handed a hearty feast and plunged into a world of noble steeds, fire-breathing villains and battle cries that’ll get your fist pumping in the air (while clutching that chicken leg, of course).
Crowd participation is highly
encouraged. After all, you’re not just watching a Middle Ages battle— you’re part of the round table (er, arena). And this is a show that takes authenticity to the hilt: That aforementioned roasted chicken? Dinner comes straight to the table, served medieval-style with no utensils. That’s right. Dig into that fowl— along with the roasted lemon pepper red potatoes, corn, dinner roll and dessert—with your bare hands like a true lord or lady of the realm. It’s messy and fun in the best way possible. (Vegetarian and gluten-free options, requested in advance, are available.)
In a city that constantly reinvents itself, Tournament of Kings is the rare show that’s lasted, not because it changed, but because it didn’t. It stayed true to its sword-swinging, fire-spewing, horse-galloping roots, betting everything on real stunts, real steeds and real audience energy. For families looking for all-ages entertainment, couples craving something quirky or nostalgia-hungry tourists who just want to yell “Long live the king!” with gusto—this show delivers. – Genevie Durano
Excalibur. 702.597.7600
Modern Mexican Flavors
This Strip restaurant excels at bold versions of the classics
Ray Garcia doesn’t chase trends. The chef behind Broken Spanish and B.S. Taqueria built his reputation on deeply personal cooking that honors tradition while pushing boundaries, and ¡VIVA! by Ray Garcia delivers exactly that: a Mexican-American narrative rooted in flavorful creativity and passion.
Tucked inside Resorts World Las Vegas, this isn’t your standard Strip Mexican restaurant. Garcia draws from coastal Mexican traditions—particularly the Alta California region’s bright, bold flavors—
creating a menu that feels both familiar and surprising. The ceviche arrives pristine: yellowtail with cucumber and leche de tigre, topped with puffed rice for textural contrast. The snapper zarandeado gets wood-grilled with citrus adobo and chile toreado. And the Cadillac fajitas live up to its name: wagyu skirt steak with peppers, onions and a Grand Marnier flourish that justifies the upgrade.
The dynamic space transports diners with ceilings decorated with plants and floral arrangements, a striking mural and
an indoor promenade patio that flows into a bar and lounge. Snag a seat on the outdoor patio if people-watching is your sport. The atmosphere here is date-night polished but comfortable enough for a casual dinner with friends, the kind of place built for shareable plates and memorable nights out, fueled by a cocktail program that leans into agave spirits with gusto. Viva indeed! – Genevie Durano
Resorts World Las Vegas. 702.676.6020
Photo by Drex/Mark
Get Your Popcorn Ready!
Welterweight bout has evenly matched fighters squaring off
In case you were wondering if the upcoming welterweight title bout between Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios was going to have plenty of drama and excitement, consider that the fight is being titled “The Ring: High Stakes.” It will be broadcast on DAZN, but seriously, if you’re in Las Vegas this week, this is one you will probably want to see in person.
For one thing, it promises to be a very even matchup, as both fighters sport very similar records (Garcia is 24-2 with 20 knockouts, while Barrios
is 29-2-2 with 18 knockouts). For another, both fighters use the orthodox style of fighting. And both are similar in height and age, with Barrios age 30 and an even 6 feet tall and Garcia age 27 and 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Garcia, who returned to fighting following a WBC ban in 2025, said at the press conference that he was “honored” to be part of the bout, adding, “I’m ready to put a beating on somebody. I’m hungry.”
Barrios, meanwhile, who, since becoming the WBC welterweight
titleholder in 2023 has gone 0-0-2, added, “The boxing fans are going to get a great fight and this ain’t a fight that you want to miss.”
Garcia remains one of the sport’s biggest attractions, and he is confident he will be the new champion. But be sure that Barrios won’t be backing down one inch once that bell rings. Get ready! –Ken Miller
T-Mobile Arena, 2 p.m. Feb. 21, starting at $238 plus tax and fee. axs.com
&DINNER SHOW
A PERFECT PAIRING
Elevated Affair
This dining experience gets a refresh to both the menu and entertainment
Mayfair Supper Club welcomes some new food, cocktails and entertainment, but the core fabulousness of the dining experience remains. This is where dining and drinking collide and every corner of the space buzzes with a feelgood, party energy.
“This is the Mayfair that everyone has loved for the last six years … but just like anything, people deserve to see new and fresh and bright and beautiful, and there was nothing wrong with what we were doing but doing the same thing isn’t always the right thing,” says Warren Richards, executive director of food and beverage at Bellagio. “… This is a modern version of the supper club experience. It’s still gonna have that energy and vibe, but more elevated.”
One of the biggest changes to Mayfair Supper Club is the entertainment with the hiring of new theatrical production company Outside the Box Amusements, which brings in its troupe of distinct performers, musicians and singers. Throughout the evening, the dinner party will unfold all with a look and feel that is very avant-garde, film-noir dreamscape. You’ll see unique specialty acts like a woman on point that balances on champagne bottles and a woman that performs aerial acts from a harness hooked to her hair. There’s singing, music, magical acts, DJs, come-
dy—a cornucopia of entertainment happening throughout the entire dining room and the unforgettable backdrop of the iconic fountains show aiding in the visual feast.
“Every corner of the venue comes to life,” Richards says. “It’s not a production show, though. It’s 15 entertainers over a course of six hours of time. Whenever you come in, you see a
High Heel
chapter of a show that’s progressing. … There’s this undertone of things that are happening, a lot of unexpected things happening.”
With fresh entertainment comes fresh food and cocktails, too. Dig into the globally inspired menu with new specialty dishes from land and sea as well as new sushi options; but the guest favorite, various tableside preparations, remain. Don’t skip out on new dessert options, as some come with a cool
Don’t-Miss Dishes!
General K’s hot and sour lobster. This behemoth is for the whole table—2 1/2 pounds of lobster, cooked tempura style.
Dover sole Veronique, prepared tableside.
Surf ‘n’ Turf roll with tempura softshell crab and Mishima wagyu.
Dubai Disco Ball, a trendy Dubai dessert that comes out in a large sphere of chocolate, melted tableside.
Mayfair’s Rose. This dessert is a fun one! A bouquet of real roses is brought to your table and you get to find the one rose that is made of dark chocolate mousse, Kirsch cream and brandied cherries. The rose theme continues with a caviar option—the rose petals are made of potato, with caviar in the center.
experiential component.
Let’s talk cocktails, new specialty options that add to the fun factor of the Mayfair Supper Club experience. Three of our faves, all with cool vessels and delish recipes, include the Corset, made with Cincoro blanco tequila, raspberry, lime and egg white; the High Heel with Tito’s vodka, Aperol, Harry’s
Berries strawberries and a small bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne that you pour on top tableside (if you love Cosmopolitans, you’ll love this cocktail); and the Pipe, made with Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scotch, demerara, Cherry Heering, orange juice and vapor. (You sip it as if you’re smoking a pipe!)
“You get everything in one place,” Richards says. “You can come here and have the best of both worlds—you’ll have fantastic food, fantastic cocktails. We have a huge wine list, too; it’s a great list. The quality of the performances while you’re having dinner is pretty unique. We’re not the first venue to do this, but I’d say we’re the freshest, and right now this is something that everyone should come see. If you enjoy the supper club, you’ll enjoy the changes we have here. … This is about showcasing this incredible production. If you want to see world-class entertainers up close and personal, there are very few places that do it better than here.” –Kiko Miyasato Bellagio. 702.693.8876
Cocktail photos by Christopher DeVargas, interior courtesy photo
Pipe Corset
Friends With Benefits
Steve Ely
General manager has reached the pinnacle of his career
Call Steve Ely the “king of openings in Las Vegas.” This man has spent more than two decades working in the food and beverage industry in Vegas, running various resort restaurants and programs as well as helping to open and run immersive hot spots like Play Playground at Luxor, Flight Club at The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort, and now F1 Arcade Vegas at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, where he serves as the general manager.
He joined the company as it broke ground last summer. “This really is
one of those places where luxury and service combine,” Ely says. “We provide a high-energy, immersive environment for everybody—kids, families and adults alike.” Based on the popularity of F1 racing, you get to enjoy multiple levels of cutting-edge F1 racing simulators plus elevated food and beverage, all set within a sleek environment.
“F1 Arcade is really the pinnacle of my career,” Ely says. “It brings it all together under one roof for me. … As the GM, I help control the vibe and make sure everyone is having a great time. The favorite part of
• Libation • My Night In Vegas
Think of this signature cocktail as a mix of two popular ones—a Penicillin meets a New York sour. It’s slightly sweet and slightly spicy and is well-balanced with rye, ginger, yuzu, celery bitters and a sweet-andsmoky blueberry peat foam. –KM
my job is seeing the smiles and excitement when people come. When you can create a memory for someone, especially when it’s unexpected, when they’re blown away by the venue and we’re able to provide a level of service they weren’t expecting, so they walk away saying, ‘This was an amazing experience, an amazing venue.’ That’s super exciting for me—I find joy in that.”
When not on the clock, Ely works his little farm filled with chickens, ducks and dogs, as well as being the king of DIY projects for his home. –Kiko Miyasato
Photos by Christopher DeVargas
Benefit F1 Arcade Vegas’ signature cocktails are created by LP O’Brien, winner of the first season of Netflix’s Drink Masters.
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Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse captures old-school glam and modern flavors
Steakhouses have been popular in Las Vegas since before the town was a town, when rough and tumble was the order of the day. Paying homage to Vegas’ great history is Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse at Flamingo Las Vegas, where the movers and shakers behind the Vegas resort’s mobster past get a nod. Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse has a gorgeous exterior based off a ’40s-era bakery; you’ll enter through a hall on one side to the back, where the lush dining room invites you to take your time.
You might want to start with a Kentucky Old Fashioned to get yourself in the mood for the evening. It’s a simple but delicious concoction of Bulleit bourbon, house-made demerara syrup and Angostura bitters. (For fans, there is even an Old Fashioned tableside cart.) Once sipping, turn your attention to the appetizers for sweet and smoky bacon with maple-bourbon candied glaze; coconut shrimp; a jumbo lump crab cake with Meyer lemon emulsion, plus pickled carrots and a small frisée salad. Other great options include Nonna’s meatball, with marinara and pesto burrata, and the truffle beef carpaccio with shaved Parmesan, truffle oil and anchovy aioli.
If you’ve got a group, order the grand seafood tower, which is tier on tier of seafood, from East and West Coast oysters, poached shrimp, Alaskan king crab, Maine lobster and accompani-
By Nina King
ments such as champagne mignonette, cocktail sauce and dijonnaise. It’s a showstopping presentation.
A good soup or salad introduces the entrée, and both the beet salad and the 17th century onion soup fill that role. The beet salad, with arugula, radicchio and cheese, is gently dressed with a
light vinaigrette while the onion soup has deep flavors, a Gruyère gratin and toasted sourdough to dip.
When you are contemplating the mains, you’ll find difficult decisions ahead. Classic steakhouse dishes like diver scallops, here with basil-fennel purée and blood orange, fight it out
with apple-brined pork chops with spiced sweet potato purée and Brussels sprouts. Chicken Parmesan, short rib pappardelle with truffle Mornay sauce, Chilean sea bass and pan-seared Scottish salmon round out your choices. For steak, will you choose a 20-ounce bone-in ribeye? Accent it
with truffle butter, hollandaise sauce, béarnaise sauce and more, or add on a lobster tail or Alaskan king crab leg, and be sure to get sides like Yukon Gold potato purée, maple-bourbon glazed carrots or tender asparagus. If you need a little more meat, the tomahawk ribeye is an impressive 32 ounces.
Dessert is never a bad idea—the banana split cake is very banana-y, with banana cake, banana mousse and torched bananas, plus vanilla bean and cherry mousse, namelaka pastry cream and chocolate sauce. The berry cheesecake is simply gorgeous, with glazed mixed berries and micro flowers. Sweet!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS
Charlie Berens brings his distinctive humor to the Strip
By Genevie Durano
Charlie Berens doesn’t just understand the Midwest, he’s bottled its essence—one “Keep ’er movin’” at a time—and turned it into a comedy phenomenon that resonates far beyond America’s heartland. Now the Emmy-winning journalist-turned-comedian is bringing his distinctive brand of flannel-clad humor to the Strip, proving that you don’t need to abandon your roots to make it big in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Since launching the web comedy series The Manitowoc Minute in 2017, Berens has transformed regional quirks—the passive-aggressive goodbye that lasts 45 minutes, the culinary reverence for cheese curds, the unique ability to find something “different” instead of actually disagreeing—into viral gold. His social media following of over 10 million represents a diaspora of Midwesterners who finally have someone articulating their particular brand of polite awkwardness.
Like another Midwestern comedian, Kathleen Madigan, growing up in a
large Catholic family has given Berens plenty of comedic material. In his 2025 special Neighborly, he jokes about the large brood from which he came. “Do you know what it’s like being the second oldest of 12 kids? I’ll tell you. You’re the second oldest and then you’re seeing another kid come and then another kid come and then another kid come, and you just watch your inheritance go down and down and down and down.”
The special, filmed at Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, Wis., features heartfelt, funny tributes to the family members who shaped him. His parents sit in the audience as he affectionately roasts their parenting style and the chaos of running a household that could field its own baseball team. His Grandma Sue even makes a cameo appearance, offering her own commentary from her seat, a moment that captures the collaborative, good-natured spirit that defines Berens’ approach to family humor. Rather than simply mining his relatives for punchlines, he celebrates the quirks and wisdom that come from growing up surrounded by people who know you too well to let you get away with anything.
His three sold-out tours, including 2024’s 127-show Tour across 88 cities, demonstrate the kind of Midwestern determination
Photo by Todd Rosenberg
his act celebrates. His New York Times bestseller, The Midwest Survival Guide, is being developed for TV, a natural evolution for someone who’s been perfecting the art of sketch comedy since his Manitowoc Minute days.
Berens’ Vegas appearance is part of his current Lost and Found Tour and follows his 2023 debut special, Midwest Goodbye. He’s also expanded his platform through the Cripescast podcast, where he explores Midwest connections with diverse guests, and the Bellied Up podcast, co-hosted with “Myles The You Betcha Guy.” The latter captures the spirit of small-town bar conversations, taking live calls every Thursday from Midwesterners and fans worldwide who want to belly up to the virtual bar.
What makes Berens particularly suited for Vegas is his ability to make regional comedy universal.
“You’re either from the Midwest, or you know people in the Midwest,” he recently told Revue West Michigan. “So a lot of people are familiar with it, and I don’t have
Mount Charleston
The weather’s great— go and experience Southern Nevada’s outdoor paradise
By Genevie Durano
Photography by Christopher DeVargas
Some of the most spectacular outdoor adventures in the American West are hiding in plain sight, just beyond the Strip’s glittering lights. From towering red rocks and snow-capped mountains to ancient petroglyphs and natural hot springs, the Las Vegas area offers an embarrassment of riches for those willing to trade the casino floor for a trail. Whether you’re looking for a morning hike or a multiday expedition into some of Nevada’s most remote wilderness, there’s a surprise at every turn.
to find world-class outdoor recreation. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area sits just 17 miles west of the Strip, offering over 20 hiking trails that range from leisurely family strolls to challenging scrambles up towering sandstone formations. The 13-mile scenic drive provides awesome photo ops around every curve, while serious climbers tackle routes that have attracted adventurers from around the globe (hello, Free Solo -er Alex Honnold). Don’t miss the Calico Tanks trail—the panoramic views of the Vegas Valley from the top are simply incredible.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
Lee Canyon
For a dose of history, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park , adjacent to Red Rock, offers a glimpse into Old West ranching life at the historic ranch where Howard Hughes once lived. You can explore preserved buildings, tackle easy hiking trails and occasionally catch living-history demonstrations in this picturesque mountain setting.
When summer temperatures soar past 110 degrees in the valley, locals know exactly where to go: Mount Charleston. This high-elevation oasis boasts more than 60 miles of hiking trails winding through fragrant pine and aspen forests. Cathedral Rock is a must-do hike for all levels, but for those feeling ambitious, the 18-mile Charleston Peak—at 11,916 feet and the highest point in Southern Nevada—is a bucket-list feat. When the snow comes, these mountains are a sledding playground for kiddos and adults alike.
Speaking of snow: Lee Canyon, adjacent to Mount Charleston, serves as Nevada’s premier ski destination. During winter months, you can hit the slopes for skiing and snowboarding, then return during warmer seasons for world-class mountain biking trails and chairlift rides that offer awesome views.
Back in the valley, the Wetlands Nature Preserve is an unexpected urban oasis where boardwalks and trails wind through a thriving desert wetland ecosystem. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise: Bring binoculars to spot herons, ducks and migratory birds—more than 200 species have been recorded. The miles of paved paths make it perfect for cycling, too.
Wetlands Nature Preserve
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
For prehistory buffs, check out Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, one of the Southwest’s most significant petroglyph sites. More than 300 panels contain thousands of ancient rock art images, and the easy 1.1-mile interpretive trail leads to spectacular red sandstone formations—all just a short drive from Las Vegas.
Water lovers should head to Willow Beach, where you can launch kayaks for a scenic paddle toward Hoover Dam or the stunning turquoise waters of Emerald Cove. The Colorado River here offers excellent rainbow trout fishing, while the beach area provides picnic spots and easy access for swimming.
Of course, no discussion of Las Vegas water recreation would be complete without mentioning Lake Mead America’s largest reservoir offers endless possibilities: Rent houseboats for multiday adventures from Callville Bay Marina; explore the lake by powerboat or jet ski from Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Hemenway Harbor; paddleboard in protected coves; swim at Boulder Beach; or explore hidden hot springs tucked into canyon walls. For a land-based adventure, hike or bike the Historic Railroad Trail. Five massive tunnels carved through the mountains in the 1930s during Hoover Dam’s construction now form a spectacular 3.7-mile trail with panoramic views of the lake below.
Lake Mead
Willow Beach
Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
the adventures get even more spectacular. Valley of Fire State Park , Nevada’s oldest, showcases otherworldly landscapes of brilliant red sandstone formations and ancient petroglyphs. Key trails include Fire Wave for those Instagram-worthy shots, Mouse’s Tank for impressive rock art and White Domes for slot canyon exploration that feels like stepping onto another planet.
For a genuine Wild West experience, head to Nelson, a ghost town where original buildings, vintage cars and mining equipment lie scattered throughout the landscape. The nearby Techatticup Mine offers fascinating underground tours into the area’s mining past.
the rewards are extraordinary. China Date Ranch serves as your gateway to Death Valley, where you can sample fresh dates, learn about desert agriculture and stock up on supplies before heading into one of America’s most extreme national parks. (The delicious date shakes alone are worth the trip.)
Death Valley National Park itself offers experiences found nowhere else on Earth. Drive through Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at
282 feet below sea level. Explore the colorful mineral deposits of Artist’s Palette, hike through dramatic Golden Canyon and slide down massive sand dunes. Camping under Death Valley’s star-filled skies ranks among the best outdoor experiences anywhere.
For art lovers, stop in Beatty to visit the outdoor Goldwell Open Air Museum, featuring large-scale installations including the famous “Last Supper” sculpture. The small town also serves as another gateway to Death Valley.
Road trip enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the ET Highway, Nevada’s most famous stretch of asphalt. This 98-mile section of Highway 375 cuts through desolate, weirdly beautiful desert landscape. Stop at the quirky Little A’Le’Inn in Rachel for a burger, keep your eyes peeled for UFOs and experience the vast, empty beauty of the Nevada desert. The highway runs along the infamous Area 51, the top-secret military installation that’s fueled decades of speculation and conspiracy theories. the lights of Las Vegas take on a different glow. Sure, the city knows how to put on a show, but the real spectacle lies just beyond the neon—in slot canyons and dark skies, ancient rock art and endless desert horizons.
Finally, there’s Great Basin National Park , arguably Nevada’s crown jewel. Yes, it’s a five-hour drive from Vegas, but experiencing some of the darkest skies in the continental U.S. makes every mile worthwhile. During the day, explore the otherworldly Lehman Caves, hike to pristine alpine lakes or summit Wheeler Peak, Nevada’s second-tallest mountain. Fair warning: It’s a butt-kicker. Pack a tent—Wheeler Campground might just be the most beautiful campground in the entire state.
Nelson
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts return to the Strip
By Genevie Durano
When Joan Jett & the Blackhearts arrived at House of Blues Las Vegas last week, the city welcomed one of rock’s most enduring forces. The series of shows marks the band’s return to the Mandalay Bay venue following a successful June 2025 run.
Jett grew up during a time when rock ’n’ roll was largely off-limits to girls and women, a reality she rejected almost immediately. As a teenager, she didn’t wait for permission to play loud, aggressive music. Instead, she helped redefine who was allowed to make it. That defiance has fueled a career
spanning more than four decades, eight platinum and gold albums, nine Top 40 singles, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
What makes Jett’s longevity remarkable is the intensity she maintains with her audience. “To me, it’s really about connection: musician eyeballs to audience eyeballs,” Jett has said. “You connect. You see each other… There’s
understanding.” That philosophy remains the backbone of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ live shows, which are high-voltage and intensely personal.
Few artists can open a set with a song that begins with “I don’t give a damn ’bout my reputation” and have it land as both a throwback and a present-day mission statement. “Bad Reputation” still resonates because its sentiment hasn’t aged out, especially in an indus-
try that once rejected Jett outright. After forming the Blackhearts in 1979, she and longtime producer and creative partner Kenny Laguna were turned down by 23 labels before launching Blackheart Records from the trunk of Laguna’s Cadillac. Forty years later, Blackheart has grown into a thriving entertainment company producing mu-
sic, film and television while continuing to champion emerging artists.
As a producer, she helped preserve punk history, overseeing albums by Bikini Kill and producing the Germs’ landmark GI. “We’ve become so conditioned to measuring our music’s impact in dollar signs,” Jett has said, “that we can forget what it’s really about:
emotion, expression, giving a voice to those that aren’t satisfied fitting into whatever box they were given.”
That mindset continues to shape her recent work. Changeup (2022), the
band’s first acoustic album, stripped familiar songs to their emotional core, while 2023’s Mindsets EP offered new material forged by reflection and resilience.
8:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and 20-21, starting at $76.50 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com
Onstage, the Blackhearts still deliver the hits with ferocity. “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” ignites the room the moment Jett sings, “I saw him dancing there by the record machine,” while “I Hate Myself for Loving You” offers a sonic catharsis with its instantly recognizable opening. The group continues to tour worldwide, sharing stages with fellow rock icons including The Who, Green Day, Heart, Foo Fighters and Alanis Morissette. The band’s sto -
ry was captured in Bad Reputation, the acclaimed documentary that premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.
And when Joan Jett & the Blackhearts take the House of Blues stage, audiences can expect more than a greatest-hits set. They’ll witness an artist who still believes rock ’n’ roll is about honesty and connection, and who has spent a career proving that rebellion is a lifelong practice.
Courtesy photo
The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian offers many distinctive shopping experiences
Stroll the cobblestoned streets of Venice, or cruise along the waters of the canals. Wait, you’re in Las Vegas—not Italy! Oh, but we can pretend! The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian transports guests to the boot-shaped country, complete with re-creations of famous landmarks like the Rialto Bridge that stretches across the famed Grand Canal, the largest channel in Venice. Within this immersive world is an extensive collection of restaurants, attractions, nightlife and retail—everything from Italian, seafood, Mexican and bakeries to fashion, specialty gifts, lounges and virtual-reality experiences. Among the retail options are some standout
IN THE KNOW
By Kiko Miyasato
Regis Galerie
Some of the museumquality pieces for sale at Regis Galerie include two Japanese samurai suits of armor from the 18th century Edo period (battle-worn) and various samurai swords.
Don’t miss the newest exhibition at Animazing Gallery—works of art from more than 30 rock stars will be on display and for sale. Browse and purchase pieces by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Steve Vai, Robby Krieger, Steven Tyler, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and more.
Photos by Christopher DeVargas
stores that deserve a little extra attention—whether you just browse or decide to buy, they’re worth the visit just for the experience.
Make your first stop at Animazing Gallery, where pop art and classic art collide in a cool retail space that has such interesting pieces it’s like walking through a museum filled with iconic cultural references. Animazing Gallery first found fame in Soho, New York, more than four decades ago. Over that time, owner Nick Leone has amassed a massive collection of art, including the paintings of John Douglas (pictured). Douglas, the drummer for Aerosmith, travels with a blank canvas and acrylic paint. When touring, he’ll use his hotel room as his studio, mixing the paints inside a drum head. He’ll then tack the canvas up, paint and, when finished, lets them drip dry in the bathroom shower.
Jump from one gallery to the next. One can spend serious hours browsing through Regis Galerie. This store is more gallery and showroom than retail, but everything is for sale. “These are not mass-produced pieces, everything is high quality,” says director Lorne “LG” Gostfrand. “What we really base our gallery on is high-quality pieces that you can only find here in Vegas. We display 1,000 different artists from around the world and we’ve been in this spot at Grand Canal Shoppes for 25 years. We’re definitely a destination spot.”
It’s such a destination that celebrities galore have paid a visit—just check out the wall with tons of pictures of famous faces that have made an appearance. Besides museum-quality pieces for the home with everything from bronze statues, furniture and pop art paintings to Disney-in-
Animazing Gallery
spired figurines and Western art, Regis Galerie also offers one-of-a-kind fine jewelry with gems like sapphires, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, gold, silver and jade. And don’t forget to look up! This retail store has
IN THE KNOW
one of the most amazing and widest selections of chandeliers and other stunning lighting fixtures.
The next stop on your shopping adventure will surely satisfy any sweet tooth as
IT’SUGAR offers candy that has gone viral on TikTok, including Guppers, Silky Gem crystal candy, chamoy pickle kit and a huge, huge assortment of freeze-dried confections. IT’SUGAR also stocks stuff for some adult fun like candy bras and G-strings, penis-shaped pops and a gummy sutra game. So get naughty! It is Vegas, after all.
well as lovers of social media and pop culture. While there are a bajillion candy stores on the planet, IT’SUGAR is mindblowingly amazing. The selection stocked by this retail chain leaves any visitor wanting for nothing when it comes to all manner of treats. A big draw for the store is its bulk candy selection. Grab a Chinese takeout carton, zip-top baggie or candy jar, and mix and fill to your heart’s content. Go crazy packing in
goodies like gummy fried eggs, gummy cola bottles, Swedish fish, gummy bears (a massive selection), gummy sharks, spicy chili pepper gummies, sour candies, licorice, chocolates, jelly beans, gumballs, taffy, hard candies and more … and more and more.
Relive your childhood candy fantasies with IT’SUGAR’s selection of nostalgic candy including Razzles, Fun Dip, Bubble Tape, candy cigarettes and Nerds and a huge
selection of Pez dispensers like Barbie, Marvel superheroes and Super Mario Bros. The store also imports a wide array of Japanese candy and snacks, as well as offering tons of toys, including Hello Kitty merchandise, themed gifts, Funko Pop toys and the cutest selection of plushies.
From sweet to sparkly, it’s always a good time to gift jewelry. You’ll be amazed at the phenomenal selection at Miner’s Gems. This is more than
a jewelry store, it’s a treasure chest of stunningly beautiful pieces. Owner Meeta Jethani and her husband opened Miner’s Gems in Las Vegas after the pandemic shut down their storefronts on cruise ships. Since then, they’ve found great success with their shop at The Venetian. The beautiful pieces and rare stones they carry are worth a look, even if you don’t decide to buy. “Our gold selection is our crowd puller,” Jethani says. “But we have a huge selection of diamond baguette jewelry and specialty stones and one-ofa-kind pieces. We have stuff from a reasonable $500 to like half a million.”
Some of Jethani’s favorite pieces (pictured; however, pieces are subject to be sold at
any time) include a light blue natural aquamarine necklace, with diamonds set in 14-carat white gold; a 100-carat tanzanite necklace with diamonds all around; a hand-fabricated gold tourmaline set in 18-carat gold that can be used as a pendant or pin; a tanzanite and diamond bracelet; an
18.24-carat royal blue sapphire ring set in 18-carat gold with custom-cut trapezoid and half-moon stones; a natural green diamond ring (a very, very rare diamond); a diamond bracelet with emerald and round cut diamonds; a gold necklace with morganite, rubies, emeralds, sapphires
–Meeta Jethani, owner of Miner’s Gems
Miner’s Gems
Spirits & Spice
and diamonds; in-house designed blue and brown diamond earrings; a 10-carat baguette and round diamond ring with matching earrings; and a blue and white diamond ring for men.
From something special to wear to something special to drink, head to the unique Spirits & Spice. Cocktails and liqueurs and spices and oils, oh my! The store lets guests mix, match, try and buy small-batch alcohol like whiskey, tequila, rum, vodka and liqueurs. You can create your own recipes or just buy the spirits straight. When it comes to cooking, browse a selection of oils, balsamics and seasonings, and select, bottle and take home your favorites. “The best part about the store is we let you try before you buy,”
says River Pizzimenti, sales associate. The store stocks cocktail-making supplies and tools so you can bartend to your heart’s content. And don’t miss the selection of bottled wine from all around the world.
Currently, one of the best-selling whiskies at Spirits & Spice is the Two Bitch Bour-
bon out of Eureka, Nev.; the company is named after the owner’s two rescue dogs, Sage and Scarlet. Price points for many of the small-batch spirits start around a reasonable $34 and can go all the way up to $1,000.
The last distinctive store is Bauman Rare Books
SPIRITS & SPICE FLAVORS TO SAVOR
Liqueur flavors include horchata, s’mores, mango pineapple cream, pink lemonade, tart cherry and the best-selling coffee cake tiramisu.
Olive oil flavors include citrus habanero, garlic and chili, jalapeño, chipotle, basil, Italian herb, rosemary, ginger sesame, lemon pepper, dill and more.
Spice flavors include Indian spices, Greek spices, barbecue, turmeric, bacon sea salt, black truffle, pineapple curry, Alderwood smoked salt, siracha salt, barbecue rubs, spices for veggies, chicken and steaks, Hawaiian hibiscus salt, sweet apple pie, chai, el pastor, Mexican chipotle, magic mustard and more.
Balsamic flavors include mango, hickory smoke, key lime, white garlic, lemon cucumber, raspberry, apple, caramelized onion, black cherry, fig and more.
Bauman Rare Books
–Pamela Raia, salesman at Bauman Rare Books
It’s another shop where one could spend hours browsing the merchandise, especially lovers of the written word.
“Three things that determine the value of the rare book: the condition and completeness
(is it as close to original as possible?); the scarcity (How many still exist?); and lastly, the title has to be interesting to collectors,” says salesman Pamela Raia. “Bauman Rare Books is very much a bespoke
service. We always say, ‘You’re not only buying a book, you’re buying someone to assist you with your collection over the long term.’ We help with book care, how to build your library, the environment to keep books in, the storage.”
One of the most treasured books is Thomas McKenney’s and James Hall’s North American Indians, early edition, second octavo edition from 1854 ($25,000). The illustrations are of indigenous leaders who traveled to government offices to have their portraits painted. (This was prior to photography.) The original portraits burned in a fire, but luckily McKenney and Hall preserved the images by making illustrations of each of the paintings. “They made
the illustrations based off the original paintings and without them doing this, we would not have these images of very important Native American chiefs,” Raia says.
Other special selections to explore include a third edition of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, a 1862 Civil-War era document signed by President Abraham Lincoln and a first edition of John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. You can also find familiar names in literature, including works by Charles Dickens (a first edition of Oliver Twist), Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson (all subject to prior sale).
The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian grandcanalshoppes.com
Several of Thomas Paine’s collected works and individual writings are available from Bauman Rare Books, including the Rights of Man with Common Sense, published in 1791 and 1792.
Photo by Christopher DeVargas
VEGAS IN
A Master Showman Returns
Donny Osmond has been performing almost since he was able to walk, and he brings more than 60 years in show business to a Las Vegas Strip production unlike any other. You’ll see dancing, rapping, an audience-request segment and some truly amazing technological achievements that bring an earlier version of Osmond to life. Harrah’s Las Vegas. ticketmaster.com
“O” This Cirque du Soleil production is an accomplishment of many feats. The centerpiece of the show is a 25-foot-deep pool that holds 1.5 million gallons of water. It serves as a stage to showcase high-divers and synchronized swimmers. Hydraulic-powered platforms rise to create a solid surface on which acrobats, fire dancers and contortionists perform Bellagio. 702.693.7068
Photo
Donny Osmond photo by Denise Truscello
GET YOUR TICKETS!
Def Leppard When this legendary band returns to Las Vegas for its third residency, it’s not about proving anything but simply showing up for the fans who’ve been there since Pyromania. Expect to hear “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and Love Bites,” as well as some more recent material.
Caesars Palace, 8 p.m. Feb. 17, 19 & 21, starting at $110 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com
New Kids on the Block One of the most influential boy bands of all time returns to its Vegas residency. The production that began in 2025 was so successful the band extended its run of 2026 shows to 24! Get ready to get the goose bumps going while enjoying classics like “Step by Step,” “Tonight,” “You Got It,” “Please Don’t Go Girl” and “Bring Back the Time.” Park MGM, Feb. 18, 20-21, 25 & 27-28. ticketmaster.com
Eagles A band with nothing more to prove brings one of the most impressive discographies to the technological marvel known as Sphere. Incredible songs like “Hotel California,” “New Boy in Town” and “Desperado” become so much more amid the visual splendor that surrounds the band. Sphere, Feb. 20-21 & 27-28. thesphere.com
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
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Mat Franco—Magic Reinvented Nightly Ever since winning season 9 of America’s Got Talent in 2014, Franco has been enjoying immense success at his host property, which named the theater after him. His mind-blowing illusions involve objects like an egg, a smart phone, and a wine bottle and a cardboard tube.
The Linq Hotel. ticketmaster.com
Success Is No Illusion
Family-friendly show The Magic of Jen Kramer is headed toward its 1,000th performance in Las Vegas this month, and its affable, upbeat performer constantly creates new fans who line up after during shows during meet and greets to share their enthusiasm about her signature illusions. Westgate Las Vegas, 5+. westgateresorts.com
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Blue Man Group One of the Strip’s longest-running shows, this blend of percussive music, humor, mime and food is a surreal experience from start to finish in the most wonderful way possible. This is a fantastic example of how music unites us. If you feel the need to dance, don’t worry—it’s completely expected of you. Luxor. 702.262.4400
3
BattleBots: DestructA-Thon Odds are you’ve caught this extremely popular “sport” on TV over the years, and trust us: It’s so much more fun live! Watch some of the best-designed mechanical warriors ever created duke it out.
Caesars Entertainment Studios at Horseshoe Las Vegas. ticketmaster.com
Dita Von Teese courtesy photo
Carrot Top, Soul of Motown and The Magic of Jen Kramer photos by Christopher DeVargas
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Junior’s For breakfast, find two-egg platters with home fries, grits or tomato, toast and bacon, ham or sausage; omelets; classic eggs Benedict plus smoked salmon Benedict; steak and eggs with a 6-ounce New York strip steak; French toast, griddlecakes and cocktails like the Junior’s Bloody Mary. Resorts World Las Vegas. 702 676.6963
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Mon Ami Gabi A great place for lunch, this Stripside restaurant features a patio across from the Fountains of Bellagio, and dishes like the croque monsieur with ham, Gruyère cheese and Mornay sauce; a mushroom tarte tatin with Madeira cream sauce; and deviled eggs with smoked white fish caviar and a black pepper aioli. Paris Las Vegas. 702.944.4224
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Nobu Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened his first Nobu in Vegas in 1995, and in 2013 introduced what was the largest Nobu in the world, along with the first Nobu hotel. Enjoy sushi and sashimi choices like yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, wagyu tacos and big eye tuna crispy rice. There is even a great vegan menu. Caesars Palace. 702.785.6628
Le Cirque This celebrated French restaurant offers two degustation menus, with a four-course menu ($265 per person plus tax and gratuity) featuring choices like California rabbit and wagyu filet mignon; and an eight-course menu ($395 per person plus tax and gratuity) with grilled wild venison and roasted Long Island duck (both available with wine pairings). Bellagio. 702.693.8100
Dry-Aged Tomahawk
At BOA Steakhouse, an impressive, inventive California import in the Grand Canal Shoppes, enjoy this signature Creekstone Farms 21day dry-aged tomahawk for two—so flavorful (and huge!). Other great options include the 15-day dry-aged ribeye, wagyu cigars with black garlic yuzu aioli and chili crisp, and goat cheese baklava.
The Venetian Resort. boasteak.com
Wally’s Wine & Spirits At this California import, order a selection off the caviar and cheese menu like Wally’s Reserve osetra (from $230-$1,800) with a premium spirit, like the recommended Remy Martin Cognac Louis XIII (from $163-$650), or go big (literally) with a whole roasted chicken ($109) or 48-ounce dry-aged bone-in tomahawk ($300). Resorts World Las Vegas. 702.676.6966
GLOBAL
Genting Palace
Old-world glamour, Cantonese cuisine, seafood and dim sum. Resorts World Las Vegas. 702.676.8888
Brasserie B
Parisian Steakhouse
Bobby Flay’s French-inspired dishes. Caesars Palace. 866.227.5938
Morimoto Las Vegas
The famous Japanese cuisine. MGM Grand. 702.891.3001
Off the Strip
Vic & Anthony’s Get things started with delightful appetizers like steak tartare, featuring filet mignon and served with puffed rice chips, pickled shallots and a horseradish aioli, all topped with a cured egg yolk. For a main, the 20-ounce chateaubriand or the lobster mac and cheese, prepared with a 5-ounce lobster tail, cavatappi pasta and lobster cheese sauce, will both thrill you.
Golden Nugget.
702.386.8399
1228 Main Order delights such as the croissant French toast, a ham and Gruyère croissant sandwich, or a rustic grilled cheese on sourdough (two types of cheddar) and tomato soup. Especially amazing is the crème brulée croissant, with caramelized vanilla custard. Snag a loaf of bread, muffins or pastries while you’re there. 1228 S. Main St. 702.602.0531
Thief & Butcher This new steakhouse from Carson Kitchen owner Cory Harwell features steakhouse faves with a twist, developed by chef Scott Simon. Enjoy peanut butter bacon, steelhead trout, sausage rigatoni, ribeyes and banana cream pie with Nutter Butter crust. Oh, yeah! 8670 W. Sunset Road, Ste. H100. 702.665.6315
BITES & BEATS
Mayfair Supper Club This vibrant restaurant overlooking Bellagio Lake recently got a new nightclub vibe, produced by Outside the Box Amusements. Expect several chapters of live music, choreography, acrobatics and more, plus new menu items like the caviar frites—fried potato petals with caviar, crème fraîche and lemon—and Dover sole Veronique with brown butter, grapes and capers. Bellagio. 702.693.8876
Executive chef Srikant Kumar leads the kitchen in this trendy Vegas import, offering signatures like tandoori masala lamb chops, chicken butter masala and venison biryani. For the first time, Gymkhana has beef on its menu, with wagyu keema naan and beef short rib pepper fry. Plus, enjoy an exclusive goan lobster curry created for Vegas. Aria. aria.mgmresorts.com
Photo
HOT PICK Gymkhana
Nightlife Redefined
Dancing underneath the 11-ton kinetic chandelier at Omnia nightclub is an only-in-Vegas experience you can’t pass up! This 75,000 square-foot, multilevel club also offers posh VIP booths, world-renowned DJs, an intimate lounge experience and aerialist servers that descend from the ceiling to deliver bottles to your table. Caesars Palace. 702.785.6200
CALENDAR
Friday, Feb. 20
Phoreyz
Jewel Nightclub at Aria
Friday, Feb. 20
Zedd
Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace
Insider Tips
Who remembers vinyl?
If you remember the days of turntables and records now there’s a place that brings back those vibes, Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den and its weekly party, High Fidelity Fridays. Don’t miss DJs spinning old-school style! Resorts World Las Vegas. rwlasvegas.com
Good country eats might be the draw but the star here is the live country music every day. on two different stages at the four-story Old Red Las Vegas. Up-and-coming bands, local favorite singers and A-list stars (you never know who might pop-up onstage) play the main stage inside and the Ghost Stage up on the vibing rooftop lounge.
Horseshoe Las Vegas. 702.967.4222
Saturday, Feb. 21
James Hype
Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas
Moody, dark and witchy are the groovy vibes at Dark Sister. This craft cocktail bar offers apothecary- and zodiac-inspired drinks along with alternative music and offerings like tarot card readings and workshops for candle making, magic spells and vision boards. 1410 S. Main St. darksisterlv.com
With the iconic and vintage Vegas Vickie neon sign overseeing all the boozy fun at this bar named after her, this is a must-visit for photos and handcrafted cocktails. Vegas Vickie’s Cocktail Lounge offers an impressive menu of elevated and unique cocktails like Grandissimo Espresso Martini with tequila infused with Madagascar vanilla bean, cold brew liqueur, espresso, saffron and gold leaf.
Circa Resort & Casino. 702.247.2258
WHERE TO PLAY
Live music and drink specials are available every day at Level Up but the real fun comes with the games you can play at this adults-only lounge. Arcade games, shuffleboard, billiards and more combine with the Virtual Reality Powered by Zero Latency arena—virtually fight zombies or explore magical lands.
MGM Grand. 877.800.0880
Games and cocktails pair up at Arcade at Horseshoe. Craft cocktails and beers on tap are available in the 21+ only bar area. When you’re done drinking a cocktail or two, have some fun playing more than 90 different games including VR adventures, pinball, Skee-ball and modern consoles. Every Wednesday all games are 50%!
Horseshoe Las Vegas. 702.967.4222
Ube Espresso Martini
By day, guests can sit at Nomikai ’s sushi bar, but when the sun sets, look for the door to the left and a small hostess stand. You’ll need to make a reservation for Nomikai’s speakeasy, but it’s so worth checking out for its cocktails like the Ube Espresso Martini (it’s to die for!) made with Haki vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew, ube and sweet milk. The Venetian Resort. 702.414.3474
Enjoy two fun-filled mini golf courses at PopStroke. The mini-golf adventure features synthetic fairways, tricky bunkers and rough patches, so it makes for a fun competition among friends. When done playing enjoy specialty cocktails, like winter hot picks like the spiked hot cocoa and sugar cookie martini.
Town Square. 702.680.0105
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Just head to Proper Eats Food Hall and look for the Easy Donuts stall. If it’s after 5 pm., look for the small podium and guests seemingly walking through a wall that opens—this is where you’ll find the speakeasy Easy’s Cocktail Lounge. This intimate space has live music and showstopping cocktails, all set in a bougie atmosphere. Aria. easysvegas.com
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Hidden behind one of the vending machines inside Luchini’s Slice Shop is the speakeasy, Chez Bippy. It opens at 6 p.m., and ask a server at the pizza shop how to get in. Once inside, you’ll enjoy a dark-lit space dripping in opulence with velvet. Cocktails here are made with high-end spirits and fresh-made mixers, syrups and garnishes. MGM Grand. 702.891.7600
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You’ll easily spot the lounge of Caspian’s Rock & Roe but behind that huge painting of a captain did you know it opens into the secret speakeasy? It’s a late-night, high-energy hang with live music and cocktails with bumps of caviar. Enjoy themed nights like ’80s rock ’n’ roll Caesars Palace. caspianslv.com
Phoreyz and James Hype courtesy
Showbiz Weekly Shopping
Miracle Mile Shops
What’s New
Vancouver-based women’s clothing and lifestyle brand, Aritzia recently opened an outlet shop in Las Vegas. High-quality materials combine with ultimate comfort and luxury for women’s clothing with styles for comfort, work and play. Aritzia style advisors and signature styling suites will be available at the outlet shop, helping clients find the perfect outfit.
Las Vegas North Premium Outlets.
702.474.7500
Puma recently opened its second flagship store in Las Vegas and upped the ante in retail experiences. Guests to the 25,000 squarefoot store can browse multiple levels of fashion including only-inVegas designs as well as play in the Puma interactive arcade with racing games and golf simulators as well as customize apparel at the instore studio.
BLVD Las Vegas. blvdlasvegas. com
Nostalgic candy brands line the walls of Rocket Fizz Soda & Candy Shop. The newly opened shop offers all the sugary goodness you remember from yesteryear including a massive selection of saltwater taffy. Viral candy and snacks are also available as well as a wide selection of unique sodas like pickle and peanut butter and jelly flavors. Miracle Mile Shops. rocketfizz.com
Photo by Christopher DeVargas
Showbiz Weekly Health & Beauty
WORK IT OUT
Canyon Ranch Spa + Fitness
Get your fitness on with the 40-foot Rock Climbing Wall, where you can book 20 or 50 minutes
The Venetian Resort. 702.414.3610 or venetianlasvegas.com
Bellagio Fitness Center
Enjoy free weights, elliptical machines and fitness classes (temporarily located on the Promenade across from Tutto).
Bellagio. 702.693.7472
Golden Nugget Fitness Center
Go for your personal best on a treadmill. Golden Nugget. 702.385.7111
Fitness Studio
Take advantage of plenty of cardio machines with personal plasma TV and music options.
SAHARA Las Vegas. 702.737.2111
Manscaping
For a truly old-school experience, head to the Speakeasy Barbershop. You’ll find a full lineup of the classic treatments— shave ($65), haircut ($55), beard trim ($30, clippers only), line-up ($11, clippers and straight razor), facial ($25) and scalp therapy ($25). El Cortez. 702.385.5200
Amina Spa
For the ultimate in massage nirvana, opt for the 80-minute Amina Custom Massage. Experts spend plenty of time applying the right amount of pressure—deep tissue, traditional or a softer touch—to the areas that need it the most. You can also add on aromatherapy, fire and ice muscle relief or a scalp massage for an additional fee.
SAHARA Las Vegas. saharalasvegas.com
TREAT YOURSELF
Voie Spa & Salon The manicure and pedicure packages here run the gamut, and all are guaranteed to have your hands and feet feeling their best. Try the CBD and lavender-infused manicure (from $95) that uses a CBD-infused coffee exfoliation and an eco-hydration treatment. Or opt for the Winder Wonderland pedicure (from $110) that uses holiday aromas and festive nail hues.
Paris Las Vegas.
702.946.4366
Four Seasons Spa Choose from services that can last up to 75 minutes. The Aroma Oasis manicure lets you choose the scent you soak your nails in, as well as the scrub and lotion used during your service. The Rescue Me pedicure includes a rich mud scrub combining notes of coffee and sarsaparilla.
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas.
702.632.7777
Oleksandra
Courtesy photo
HOT PICK
Showbiz
BUCKET LIST
The Wizard of Oz at Sphere One of the most beloved films of all time has been turned into one of the most mind-blowing cinematic experiences of all time. Through 4D technology, artificial intelligence and the Sphere’s immense video and audio capabilities, this 1939 film comes alive before your eyes. No matter how many times you’ve watched this classic, you’ll feel like you’re seeing it for the first time. 255 Sands Ave. thesphere.com
High Roller How many people can say they’ve taken a spin on the tallest observation wheel in North America? Inside these panoramic pods, you’ll find a plethora of experiences from Happy Half Hour, which comes with an open bar for you whole ride, or the self-guided S.T.E.M. Family Field Trip Guide, a learning experience that teaches about architecture, technology, geography, science, math and more. The Linq Promenade. 855.234.7469
Family Friendly
Las Vegas is a great place to spot celebrities, but if you want to ensure you get a picture with today’s A-listers, head to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas , where hundreds of ultra-realistic wax figures await. Head to the Viva Las Vegas zone to meet the stars that make this city special, or head to Club Tussauds for photo ops with A-List celebrities. The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort. 702.862.7800
Plan Your Perfect Day
1Play Playground Enjoy largerthan-life-size versions of nostalgic games and interactive challenges. See if you can stick the landing on Bullseye before displaying your surgical precision on Doctor! Doctor! And best of all? There’s bars for the adults. Luxor. 13+ until 7 p.m. 21+ after 7 p.m. playplayground.com
2
Arcade at Horseshoe This 7,000-square-foot space is a gamer’s paradise, complete with more than 80 supersized games, from classics like Skee-Ball and air hockey and virtual reality games like Mission: Impossible and King Kong to shooting hoops at a Rock the Rim and a Big One Extreme claw machine. Horseshoe Las Vegas. 702.967.4222
3
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition We’re guessing you’ve seen the film (more than once). Now take an even deeper dive into one of history’s most famous disasters. More than 250 artifacts are on display, plus re-creations of the ship’s cabins and Grand Staircase. The Big Piece, a huge chunk of the side of the ship, is worth the price of admission alone Luxor. 702.262.4400
Tussauds
Off the Strip
Gray Line If you want to see the sights, and you want someone else to do the driving (or the flying), then a guided tour is what you want. Gray Line offer a range of tours throughout the Southwest that depart right from Vegas. Visit Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon and Lake Mead on sightseeing tours led by trained guides. Air, land and water adventures are all available. Free hotel pickup and return.
680 E. Pilot Road. 702.739.7777
Ethel M Chocolates
Factory & Cactus
Garden Go on a selfguided factory tour and see how the proverbial magic is made and then check out the retail store with cases filled with individual, specially made chocolates—it’s like a buffet of goodness. The cactus garden is a must. 2 Cactus Garden Drive. 702.435.2608
Nevada State Museum
Explore the fascinating natural and anthropological past of Nevada and its neighbors at this everchanging history hub. The 70,000-square-foot facility contains everything from a Flamingo share purchased by Bugsy Siegel to Howard Hughes’ enema bag!
309 S. Valley View Blvd. lasvegasnvmuseum.org
FEEL THE RUSH
Adventuredome
This indoor theme park features top attractions plus some circus acts. Circus Circus. 702.794.3939
The Big Apple Coaster
This ride twists and dives around and through the center of the hotel. New York-New York. 702.740.6969
FLY LINQ Zipline
Soar over the Linq Promenade at speeds up to 35 mph. The Linq Promenade. 702.777.2782
F1 Arcade
Feel the rush of the race. The Forum Shops. f1arcade.com/us/vegas
FlyOver Las Vegas
Take flight and explore the world in a whole new way.
3771 Las Vegas Blvd. 866.498.2023
Skydive Las Vegas
Mojave Desert views will leave you breathless, especially while free-falling. 1401 Airport Road, 18+. 702.759.3483
Beat the High Score
The Cove Bar & Arcade There’s no end to the fun to be had at this 7,367-square-foot space. Bring the kids (all children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult) to enjoy simulations of golf, soccer, football and much more, as well as virtual reality games like King Kong of Skull Island There’s also air hockey, claw machines, champion shuffleboard, foosball and classic arcade games like Pac-Man’s Pixel Bash Treasure Island. treasureisland.com
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical
Gardens
This incredible space that changes with the seasons (all under the watchful eye of designer Ed Libby and the Bellagio horticultural team) features flowers, special structures and so much more. Currently you can view its Lunar New Year installation, which will be on display until Feb. 28. You can also reserve the Garden Table, featuring dinner and brunch menus. Bellagio. 702.693.7111
Showbiz Weekly Gaming
Luxury Scene
At The Venetian Resort , high-limit gaming comes in multiple forms, with an elegant room on the Venetian side of the resort with more than 100 slot machines. On the Palazzo side lies the sleek high limit-gaming room with areas for table games like baccarat, blackjack and more than 60 slot machines, plus a sweet bar. 866.725.2990
WATCH & WAGER
Stadium Swim
Like to watch sports poolside? This rooftop pool complex features a 40-foot-tall high-def screen, plus tons of seating; the capacity is 4,000. There’s plenty of food and drink, too. Circa Resort & Casino. 702.247.2258
Yahoo Sportsbook powered by William Hill
This venue features a 1,700-foot screen, a bar and lounge with tabletop gaming and plenty of tables, private fan caves and areas with plush seating. The Venetian Resort. 855.754.1200
Resorts
Arizona Charlie’s Decatur This property’s huge bingo room on the second level features odd-hour sessions starting at 9 a.m. with the last session of the day starting at 11 p.m. There’s tons of seating, and players receive up to two free drinks per session. Prices start at $4, with paper, portable and stationary electronic machines (device fee extra). Side games are also available. 740 S. Decatur Blvd. 702.258.5200
World Sportsbook
Adjacent to Dawg House Saloon & Sports Book’s restaurant and bar, with massive screens and couches, plus betting windows on one side. Resorts World Las Vegas. 702.676.6964
BetMGM Sportsbook
This cozy venue features overstuffed armchairs, couches and 220-inch TVs, plus multiple betting kiosks. Aria. 702.590.7111
Games to Try
Baccarat: In this card game, try to determine and bet on which players’ hands, or the dealer’s hand, come closest to a total of nine (not over).
Roulette: Bet on which slot a ball will drop into; or split bets on numbers, colors or even/odd numbers.
Craps: If you’ve never played this dice game, a class can ensure a fun night at the tables.
Ante Up!
Aria Poker Room Sit down for a variety of daily no-limit hold ’em or pot limit Omaha hi cash games with buyins starting at $100, or try your hand at a tournament at this 23-table room near the resort’s sportsbook. The resort also periodically hosts special tournaments as well. In addition, a snack bar and self-parking are close to the poker room as well. Aria. aria.mgmresorts.com
Golden Nugget Poker
Room If you think this room looks familiar, you may have seen it on High Stakes Poker or Poker After Dark. The nonsmoking room features 13 tables with comfy seating, low lighting and a variety of no-limit hold ’em cash games daily. And there are tournaments scheduled for extra excitement.
Golden Nugget. 702.385.7111
The Venetian Resort courtesy photo
Stadium Swim photo by Christopher DeVargas
Showbiz Weekly Resources
TRANSPORTATION DISPENSARIES
Limousine/Coach Rentals
AWG 702.740.3434
Bell Trans 702.739.7990
Kaptyn 702.688.7351
Presidential Limo 702.731.5577
Rental Cars
Alamo 844.354.6962
Budget 800.331.1212
Dollar Rent a Car 866.434.2226
Enterprise 800.736.8222
Fox Rent a Car 702.964.1320
Hertz 800.654.3131
National 800.227.7368
Payless Car Rental 800.729.5377
Sixt 888.749.8227
Thrifty 800.367.2277
Trams
Bellagio-CityCenter-Park MGM Stops at Crystals and Aria. 8 a.m.-4 a.m. daily, every seven minutes
Excalibur-Luxor-Mandalay Bay 10 a.m.midnight, daily, every three to seven minutes
Curaleaf One of the top health and wellness cannabis operators in the United States offers a variety of inventive products. 1736 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 21+. curaleaf.com
Medizin Shop top-quality products from an everchanging catalog. 4850 W. Sunset Road, No. 130. 702.248.0346
MedMen First-class facilities offering the latest in marijuana products. 823 S. 3rd St., recreational 21+, medical 18+. 702.527.7685; 4503 Paradise Road, recreational 21+, medical 18+. 702.405.8597
Oasis Cannabis Dispensary This 24-hour marijuana dispensary serves the community with quality cannabis products. 1800 Industrial Road, Suite 180, 21+. 702.420.2405
Planet 13 Medical and recreational cannabis, plus cannabis extracts and infused products. 9 a.m.-3 a.m. daily, 2548 W. Desert Inn Road, recreational 21+, medical 18+. 702.815.1313
SCAN TO PURCHASE
Showbiz Weekly Map
LAS VEGAS STRIP AND BEYOND
Hotels
Ahern Hotel (H1) 725.214.4800
Aliante Casino & Hotel 702.692.7777
Aria (D3) 702.590.7111
Arizona Charlie’s Boulder 702.951.9000
Arizona Charlie’s Decatur 702.258.5200
Bellagio (E3) 702.693.7111
Buffalo Bill’s 702.386.7867
Caesars Palace (E2) 702.731.7266
Cannery 702.507.5700
Casino Royale (E3) 702.737.3500
Circus Circus (G2) 702.734.0410
The Cosmopolitan (E3) 702.698.7000
The Cromwell (F2) 702.777.3777 Emerald Suites 702.948.9999
Encore (G2) 702.770.7171
Excalibur (C3) 702.597.7777
Flamingo (F2) 702.733.3111
Fontainebleau (G2) 702.678.7272
Fortune Hotel & Suites 702.732.9100
Four Seasons Hotel (B5) 702.632.5000
Gold Coast (D1) 702.367.7111
Harrah’s (F2) 702.369.5000
Horseshoe
JW
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MARCH 14 | 1PM-4PM
Savor the sweet and bold notes of wine as you sip and socialize with stunning views from the 60th floor. Enjoy selections from renowned vineyards, a keepsake glass, artisanal charcuterie, and live music for an unforgettable evening.
