Las Vegas Mega-Project Back on Track

Posted on May 7, 2009 by admin

May 6, 2009

After several months of uncertainty, MGM Mirage’s massive CityCenter project has secured the funding it needs to open as originally planned, by the end of this year. After making peace with its partners in Dubai and securing a needed $1.8 billion in financing, CityCenter is now fully funded and on track to open in December 2009. With doubts surfacing about the planned October opening of Fontainebleau, CityCenter now appears to be the odds-on favorite to be Las Vegas’ next resort opening.

French Toast: Or make that a chocolate-bacon waffle with warm maple syrup. Paris Las Vegas’ Mon Ami Gabi has initiated breakfast service, from 7 to 11 a.m. daily. Along with the good food, the restaurant features one of Las Vegas’ best Strip-sidewalk dining areas.
 
19ers: Downtown’s Golden Gate has been running a consistent $19-per-night room rate, even on weekends. The rooms are smallish, but recently renovated, making this a great bargain play. The casino also serves great food, including the city’s best shrimp cocktail for 99¢.
 
99ers: Also downtown, the spruced-up Western casino has added a nine-item 99¢ menu in the coffee shop, including a cheese quesadilla, two hamburger sliders, and a baked potato with the works. Drink specials in May are Corona in the bottle for $1.50 and Corona and a shot of Sauza Gold tequila for $2.50.
 
Gans Gone: Sadly, the great Strip singer-impressionist Danny Gans passed away last week. His unexpected death of a so-far unknown cause leaves the Encore showroom empty and Las Vegas mourning one of its all-time showroom legends.
 
Question: It seems like I’ve been reading this column for years. How long have you written it?
Answer: This question was held till this week for a reason: It marks the completion of 13 years of consecutive weekly submissions. Las Vegas might be the only city in the world that could provide that much to write about on a weekly basis. Cool!
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Las Vegas Fontainebleau Latest to Feel Sting

Posted on April 29, 2009 by admin

April 29, 2009

 

The shoe may have finally dropped for the one Las Vegas megaproject that had so far dodged the slings and arrows of an outrageous economy. The $3.2 billion Fontainebleau condo-hotel-casino complex has come under pressure from its lenders and may face a fight in obtaining the remainder of its financing. The problem is in the “condo” part of the equation. Casino-based residential offerings have been particularly susceptible to the downturn and that’s put a crimp in F’bleau’s plans. While there appears to be little concern that the project faces a prolonged postponement, it now seems possible that a planned October debut will be delayed (though the company still denies it). 
Lion King Opens: The Lion King opens at Mandalay Bay for preview performances May 5-14; ticket prices for the previews (and after) are $63-$168.50.
Passport: New York-New York offers a package called “Passport to the Big Apple” for $25 that includes a drink at Nine Fine Irishmen, Pour 24, the Center Bar, and the Bar at Times Square, plus a roller coaster ride and a line pass and admission to the nightclub Rok Vegas.
Eat All Day: Two more casinos have added a one-price multiple-meals option to their buffets. At MGM Grand, you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner for $29.99, a whopping $28 off the rack rate for all three. At Stratosphere, it’s unlimited access for $19.99 every day except Friday, when it’s $24.99. That’s a $21 saving on three meals.
 

Question: Last week you wrote that a dozen Las Vegas pools allow topless sunbathing. Quit holding out. Which?

Answer: Here they are: Caesars Palace (Venus), Encore, Flamingo (GO), Golden Nugget, GVR (Pond), MBay (Moorea Beach), Mirage (BARE), Red Rock (Cherry Cabana Club), Rio (Sapphire), Stratosphere (Beach Club 25), Venetian (Tao Beach), Wynn (Sunset). Only Encore and Wynn are restricted to hotel guests only.

For more information on these and all of Las Vegas’ other Cool Pools, just click the link. And don’t forget to sign up for our new Topless Vegas Twitter feed! The Topless Vegas guide book will be released imminently …

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Annie Duke: Games beat reality

Posted on April 28, 2009 by admin

 

April 28, 2009

("Movable Buffet" blogger Richard Abowitz references Anthony Curtis and the feature he’s currently writing about him in relation to Annie Duke’s game-playing strategy on "Celebrity Apprentice.")

 

I don’t usually watch television, and so I missed Sunday’s moment when Melissa Rivers called poker player Annie Duke "a whore pit viper." Her mother, Joan Rivers, then apparently used shameful comparisons to those who commit genocide to equate her daughter’s losing a game show meant to raise money for charity to a professional poker player…

 

…So how do I know this?

 

First, I am reporting and writing a feature for Las Vegas Weekly on Anthony Curtis, the owner of the gamblers’ consumer newsletter Las Vegas Advisor as well as the publisher of Huntington Press [which has a title by Annie Duke in the works].

 

To read the complete article, click here.

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“Day Life” Begins at Las Vegas Pools

Posted on April 24, 2009 by admin

 

April 22, 2009

 

It’s not just a fad. The extension of Las Vegas’ vibrant nightclub/nightlife scene to the casino pools that has picked up steam over the past few years is already underway for the summer of 2009. The phenomenon—christened "Day Life"—is now one of the city’s hottest entertainment elements. The season officially begins on Memorial Day weekend, but several of the bigger venues have already opened, including the Hard Rock Beach Club, MGM Grand’s Wet Republic, the Venetian’s Tao Beach, Mandalay Bay’s Moorea Pool, and the new Daydream Pool Club at M—all accessible to the public (though there’s usually a fee to enter). Among the 30 or so casino pools that offer some type of nightclub element, almost a dozen now allow topless sunbathing.
 
Summer Sirens: Summer hours are in progress for the "Sirens of TI”"pirate show at Treasure Island. Weather permitting, the shows run nightly at 7, 8:30, 10, and 11:30 p.m. It’s free to view.
 
Elton Done: After a run of more than 250 shows, Elton John has concluded his "Red Piano" show in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. No replacement for Elton has been announced.
           
Trop Adds Shows: Following the closing of Folies Bergère, the Tropicana has added two new shows: Soprano’s Last Supper and Hypnosis Unleashed. Both have ticket prices below $60.
 
Question: I’ve noticed casino coffee shops being replaced with chain restaurants. What’s the strategy?
 
Answer: The main conversions have been T.G.I. Friday’s outlets showing up at Gold Coast, Orleans, and Sam’s Town, and Denny’s restaurants replacing the cafes in the three Wildfire Casinos and the Wild Wild West (not yet open). It’s a business strategy designed to reduce overhead in lean times, but it’s also turning up some good deals for the customers, such as the Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast being offered for just $1.99 around the clock.
 
For more information about the summer ’09 pool season, visit our ever-expanding Cool Pools feature.
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Shortcuts to Gambling Nirvana

Posted on April 21, 2009 by admin

 

No less than three LVA/Huntington Press authors/affiliates are featured in the June issue of Cigar Aficionado in an article sub-titled "Englighten your path to enlarged winnings at poker, sports, blackjack, and golf by gambling writer Michael Kaplan.

 

Kaplan talks about  "easy" steps players can take to get an edge in gambling. Kill Phil author Blair Rodman discusses the all-in move for poker tournaments, Knock-Out Blackjack author Olaf Vancura explains a simple version of the K-O count, and Fezzik (who’ll be returning to the LVA stable soon) promotes line-shopping in sports betting.

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Poker Delay to Remain Intact

Posted on April 15, 2009 by admin

 

 

April 15, 2009

 

Harrah’s must have been happy with the results of delaying the final table of last year’s World Series of Poker main event, because they’re doing it again. This year’s main event will begin on July 3 and reach the final nine players on July 15. At that point, play will cease for four months, before the finalists reconvene on November 7 to determine the champion (on the 10th). This year marks the 40th anniversary of the WSOP. Play will begin May 27 and there will be a special $40,000-buy-in no-limit hold ’em event to celebrate the milestone.

 

Skeelz: While on the subject of poker, the skills and gamesmanship that define the game’s top players are on display every Sunday night by way of Annie Duke’s deep run on the TV show “Celebrity Apprentice.” Annie, considered one of the world’s best poker players, is still going strong, with the field that began at sixteen competitors now down to eight.

 

New Joint: After a two-month closure, the Joint at the Hard Rock reopened this weekend with concerts by the Killers and Paul McCartney. The casino has announced that it will aggressively seek big-name bands for its revamped live-music venue.

 

All-Day Dollar: Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, on the east side of Las Vegas, runs a 24/7 happy hour, with $1 beers at all bars.

 

Free Drinks: In a Las Vegas first, the new M Resort has three drink kiosks where you can get free juice, soft drinks, and water. You don’t have to be gambling to partake of the self-serve beverages.

 

Question: Which casino has Frank Sinatra’s Oscar on display?

Answer: Sinatra’s Oscar for From Here to Eternity is displayed in the restaurant Sinatra’s at Encore. The restaurant is pricey, but the statue—along with a Grammy and a gold record—is positioned at the front of the restaurant. All three awards can be viewed easily from the outside, even when the restaurant is closed.

 

Anthony Curtis’ weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.

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HP Author on ABCNews

Posted on April 9, 2009 by admin

 

April 8, 2008

 

A feature on Huntington Press author Matt O’Brien’s Beneath the Neon title appeared on ABCNews’ "World News Now" and "America This Morning" nationwide overnight newscasts this today.  The item will also play prominently on ABCNews.com over the weekend, and possibly on additional newscasts as like “Nightline.”

 

The book is a narrative of the author’s five year stint exploring the storm drains beneath Las Vegas. Armed only with a tape recorder and flashlight, he followed the footsteps of a psycho killer, braced against a raging flood, partied with naked crackheads, learned how to make meth, and discovered that art is most beautiful where it’s least expected…

 

Here’s a link to the "City Secrets" video, in case you missed it

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Las Vegas Numbers Remain Bleak

Posted on April 9, 2009 by admin

 

April 8, 2009

 

Nevada casinos continue to cope with double-digit decreases in year-over-year comparisons of key revenue and tourism numbers. The latest bleak gambling numbers are from February, showing an 18% drop statewide, which included a 23% decline on the Strip. February visitor counts were off 8% and hotel occupancy was down to just 84% of capacity. The poor figures continue to fuel bargain pricing, especially in room prices, which were down 23% from February 2008 rates.
 
Happy Hours: Another form of discounting is showing up in numerous happy hours around town, in casino and non-casino restaurants and bars. For example, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Japonais at the Mirage, you can get seven different appetizers for $7 each; LBS: A Burger Joint at Red Rock is selling beer for 75¢ with the purchase of an entree until April 15; and Stoney’s North Forty at Santa Fe Station offers free beer from 7:30 p.m. to midnight on Fridays (after you pay the $5 cover).
 
Aria Restaurants: Six new restaurants have been announced for the high-end Aria, scheduled to open this year in the new CityCenter complex. They are Masayoshi Takayama’s Shaboo and Bar Masa, the Chicago restaurant Sage, Michael Mina’s American Fish, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Sirio Maccioni’s Sirio, and the eponymous Julian Serrano. Along with a group of five others named earlier this year, the Aria line-up is shaping up to be one of Las Vegas’ best.
 
Question: With the closing of Folies Bergere, how many old-time topless shows are there now in Las Vegas?
Answer: Jubilee! at Bally’s is now the only one of that ilk. However, eight shows in all currently feature topless dancers. The other seven are Crazy Horse Paris (MGM), Zumanity (NY-NY), Crazy Girls (Riviera), X Burlesque (Flamingo), Bite (Stratosphere), Fantasy (Luxor), and Peepshow (Planet Hollywood). Also, Sin City Kitties plays at Whiskey Pete’s in Primm and a sister show, Sin City Kittens, is poised to open at the Las Vegas Hilton.
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Math tricky for show tickets

Posted on April 2, 2009 by admin

 

April 2, 2009

 

Repeat after me: Never, ever pay full price. Unless, of course, you get to meet Marie.

 

That’s the basic message of an annual tally of show ticket prices conducted by the Las Vegas Advisor, a publication that sniffs out the best values in town with Consumer Reports-like intensity.

 

In the 18th annual attempt to crunch hard numbers, publisher Anthony Curtis finds the average show price has gone up again, by almost $6, to $76.18.

 

(LasVegasAdvisor.com’s annual in-depth review of show-ticket prices is highlighted by Las Vegas Review-Journal entertainment columnist Mike Weatherford. Click here to read the rest of the article.)

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Las Vegas Goes Dark

Posted on April 2, 2009 by admin

 

 

It was an eerie sight last Saturday night when the Las Vegas Strip shut off its lights at 8:30 in support of the worldwide observance of "Earth Hour." The hour-long "dark" period included almost all of the Strip casinos (Wynn, Encore, and Circus Circus were notable exceptions), as well as several off-Strip casinos. Perhaps the most pronounced effect of the blackout came when the lights came back on, as the magnitude of lighting in force every night on the Strip became abundantly evident.
 
Closed Book: And speaking of dark, Bally’s has closed its race and sports book, pending a reopening prior to football season. Customers are being directed to the sports book at Paris.
 
Closing Kane’s: In another surprise announcement, Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce nightclub at Mandalay Bay closed abruptly last week. MBay says a new bar and lounge will open in "late summer" to take its place.
 
Carlos in the House: In what’s being called a "resident" gig, rock icon Carlos Santana will play a 20-month engagement at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino that will result in about 35 dates per year. Supernatural Santana: A Trip opens May 27 and will cover 40 years of Santana’s music; tickets are $79-$299.
 
Early-Bird Buffet: One of Las Vegas’ best buffets, Cravings at the Mirage, has lowered its dinner price by $5 if you dine between 3 and 5 p.m. The $19.99 early-bird dinner buffet is available every day and qualifies as one of Las Vegas’ best deals.
 
Question: Does Nevada have a lottery?

Answer: Believe it or not, lotteries are illegal in Nevada, due to a constitutional ban that’s been in place since 1864. Lottery backers have brought up the issue for debate 27 times since 1975, including a recent effort that seems to have a chance of amending the Nevada Constitution. But even if it’s approved, it couldn’t get through the entire legalization process until 2013.

 

 
For video and slideshow images of Earth Hour in Las Vegas, check out the current Spotlight feature at lasvegasadvisor.com
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Van Vechten Meets Zagat

Posted on March 26, 2009 by admin

Ken Van Vechten, author of Golf Las Vegas, is among the contributing editors of Zagat‘s America’s Top Golf Courses, which hit shelves yesterday. Drawn from the experiences of over 6,000 golfers, the book rates and reviews 1,149 courses. A "Golf by Zagat" companion software is being simultaneously launched for iPod and iPhone users. Among all U.S. golf courses, Cascata received top marks in the "Facilities" category and was rated #2 for "Service" PGA Golf Club Coyote Springs got an honorable mention in the "Top Newcomers" division.

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Las Vegas Show Prices Take Big Jump

Posted on March 25, 2009 by admin

 

The Las Vegas Advisor’s annual comparison of show prices in Las Vegas indicates that the average cost of a production-show ticket (touring headliners not considered) is now $76.18. That’s a big $5.97 increase over last year’s average, rendering show tickets about the only thing in Las Vegas that’s getting more expensive these days. The average price of an A-List show (which doesn’t include lower-priced afternoon shows and comedy clubs) is $80.06, which is $4.62 more than last year. The most expensive show ticket in town is $280.50, the “VIP” option for Donny & Marie at the Flamingo. The least expensive is $19.95 for magician Dixie Dooley at the Royal Resort. There are now 25 shows with a top ticket price of $100 or more (up from 21 last year).

Free Play: How do you combat the high prices? Seeking out discounts—such as half-price outlets in Las Vegas and magazine coupons—is one way. But taking advantage of the city’s many free-entertainment options is even better. One of the best is a new free show in the lounge at Texas Station, where Skip Martin, a former lead singer with Kool & the Gang, performs from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. The first set is jazzy and instrumental, then the second delivers the hits you’ll remember. No charge! Great play!

Dinner Show: And here’s one more. Though it’s not a traditional dinner show, you can be entertained while you eat at the Las Vegas landmark, restaurant, the Marrakech. For $39.95, you get a six-course menu of Moroccan food (that you eat with your fingers) while belly dancers perform.

Question: I’m curious to know if statements from various politicians that Las Vegas is an inappropriate place to hold a convention in these tough times has affected business?

Answer: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports that 340 Las Vegas trade events have been cancelled so far this year, costing the local economy more than $130 million in lost spending, including the loss of 111,800 guests and 236,700 room nights. Judge for yourself.

For more information about current Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons, and good deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.

Anthony Curtis’ column is syndicated weekly to all the above publications

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