AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
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Las Vegas Hotels

Bally’s Jubilee Tower Offers New Accommodations With Great Views At Affordable Rates – Bally’s new Jubilee Tower rooms encompass 450 square-feet and offer unparalleled views of the Las Vegas Strip. The renovated accommodations yield a modern and stylistic welcoming atmosphere. Various geometric patterns create a contemporary feel, set with neutral tones and striking pops of red visible throughout decorative accents and fashionable wall coverings.

• Full story/details/info: Bally’s Jubilee Tower – Great Views, Affordable Rates

• The Downtown Grand should become a major player (with photos)
• Bally’s – Checking Into The Most Boring Hotel In Las Vegas
• Reservations put rebranding of “The Hotel” to “Delano” on hold

Las Vegas Shows, Headliners, And Concerts

• Motley Crue inviting fans to spend ‘An Evening in Hell’

  Book Motley Crue Las Vegas Tickets Now

• Ain’t That A Kick In The Head – The Rat Pack is Back! at the Rio

  Book The Rat Pack Is Back Las Vegas Tickets Now

• Change proves for the better for Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas

  Book Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas Tickets Now

• Curtain comes down on nearly half of edgy skits at The Act nightclub

Everything Football

Cabo Wabo Cantina Inside Planet Hollywood Welcomes Football Fanatics With The Largest Projection Screen And Taco Buffet – Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is now offering food and drink specials during all college and regular season football games in the main dining room, as well as in the viewing room on the upper level.

The most popular football games of the season will be shown on multiple high-definition big screen televisions throughout the rockin’ Strip-side restaurant. Game time specials include $19 buckets of Dos Equis, $10 Waboritas, $8.95 Cotija Cheese Crusted Quesadillas and $14.95 Nacho Platters.

• Full story/details/info: Cabo Wabo Cantina Welcomes Football Fanatics With Big TV’s And Taco Buffet

• Heraea October Football Specials And Games Hosted By The Greats
• “The Atomic” pub church delivers heavenly pregame show
• What’s his line? Ask him and he might set odds

Las Vegas Attractions

• Valley mountaintop moves one step closer to becoming Mount Reagan
• Pinball Hall of Fame annex offers vintage arcade experience
• Just outside Las Vegas, kayaking through a canyon

  Book A Las Vegas Ground Tour Today

Zappos / Downtown Las Vegas

• Checking Up On Fremont’s Construction Projects (with photos)
• Container Park is taking shape; find out who is moving in
• Zappos’ new downtown headquarters a major step

Dinner And Drinks

• Las Vegas Foodie Fest Returns To Silverton With Ultimate Food Truck Experience
• Jump For Joy With New Food And Drink Specials At Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
• Flawed execution mars dining experience at Central Restaurant

Las Vegas Economy And Real Estate

• Las Vegas new home sales up 29 percent in August
• Nevada housing market graded D+ for stability and health
• Foreclosures surge in August; Nevada again No. 1 in U.S.
• Bigwig real estate investors starting to pull out of Las Vegas as home prices rise
• Replanted. Living in Las Vegas Ver. 3

More Las Vegas News

• NASCAR Chase Drivers Headline Las Vegas Motor Speedways’ Annual Fanfest On December 4, 2013

  Book NASCAR Las Vegas Events Now

• Where do the casinos put the slots that pay the most?
• Make the TSA just go away
• Strip retail thriving and becoming more competitive
• How Much to Tip Slot Attendants and When to Parley Bets in Craps
• Famous people who made Las Vegas great over the years
• Las Vegas Strip Tourist Crimes Unit busts purse snatchers

Neon Dream Helicopter Tour – Get ready to witness a few amazing landmarks on this Hoover Dam helicopter tour, which also includes a sunset trip down the Las Vegas strip. Get your camera ready for a once-in-a-lifetime view! Soar over the Hoover Dam – an architectural wonder, as you experience panoramic vistas of Lake Mead, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. Conclude your tour with intimate, sunset views of the Strip’s mega resorts and hotels including iconic landmarks such as the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Stratosphere Tower, Luxor, Eiffel Tower and historic downtown and the Las Vegas Strip as the city’s famous lights come on in the desert twilight.

Click To Book Neon Dream Helicopter Tour Now!

Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

• Football Season Las Vegas 2013

Top Tickets For All United States Events

Did you know that we not only sell premium concert and event tickets for Las Vegas, but also for the entire United States as well? If you can’t make it to Vegas, treat yourself to some great seats for something near you:

Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – Well, for those of you who avoid visiting during our scorching-hot summers, the coast is clear (at least until about May of 2014). Our 10 day forecast has highs in the 70’s and 80’s F. October’s average high is only 81, with it falling off quickly in November (67) and December (57). Also, keep in mind that those are highs. During the day, 65 with plentiful sun feels great! But here in the Mojave desert, it drops quickly at night. Pack accordingly.

Locals Casinos – Many of our readers rent a car and stay at various “locals” properties around town. I want to point out that this is absolutely NOT something we suggest unless/until you have visited numerous times and taken the time to check out some of these properties so that you know they are right for you. The upside? Easy and generous comps. The recession isn’t over here in Southern Nevada and these properties need business.

My suggestion? Take the free shuttle to the Orleans, M, or Sam’s Town (call each property for details) and give them some play. You’ll be downright surprised/shocked at how great the offers are that start to show up in your mailbox.

But for you first-timers who are just studying up or those who have only visited a few times (or only come for a week once a year), focus on The Strip with a non-weekend evening foray into the downtown Fremont Street Experience. Downtown is very competitive and the gaming odds and food specials are somewhat comparable to “locals” properties.

Why avoid downtown on weekends now (if you can)? Fremont Street and Fremont East have gotten so popular, that you’re dealing with some serious crowds, packed tables, and many of the video poker bars are pretty much completely full. In addition, downtown is the home of events like First Friday. Plus, more and more big-name concerts and TV events that really clog up the area. Visit downtown during weeknights (and earlier in the week if possible) and you’ll be able to enjoy it with some elbow room.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley

What We’re Watching – Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

• Siegfried & Roy Kicked Off 10th Annual Oktoberfest At Hofbrõuhaus Las Vegas 2013 – Magicians of the century, Siegfried & Roy kicked off Oktoberfest as honorary keg tappers for the ninth year. The six-week celebration continues through October 31. Hofbrõuhaus Las Vegas offered guests the chance to party as if they were in Munich, Germany for a night as the beer flowed and the Oktoberfest spirit abounded. Hofbrõuhaus Las Vegas is the first German/Bavarian beer hall and restaurant in Las Vegas and is located across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel/Cafe.
• Siegfried & Roy: A Video Tribute To The Famous Magic Show In Las Vegas – Long before Cirque or Celine, Siegfried and Roy was the must-see show in Las Vegas, selling out at The Mirage night after night at a reported salary of over $1 million per week (combined). If you were lucky enough to see them back in the day, relive the memory with this video montage. If you never saw them, now is your chance to brush up on Las Vegas history.
• American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks Headline’s Show At Paris Las Vegas – Take a peek at the American Idol winner and headliner, Taylor Hicks, show at Paris Las Vegas.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Just read your article on Britney Spears and her deal with Planet Hollywood. I can’t believe anyone would pay her so much to lypsinc her recordings. Every time I’ve seen her perform on TV, she doesn’t sing live, just lyp syncs.

Anyone who has a halfway decent voice can have their voices enhanced and then backed up by background singers and sound very professional. Given her past exploits, is she really to be relied upon to fulfill her obligations??

Bill from Connecticut

Ted Responds:

Good notes and questions.

I confess that Britney isn’t my taste in music (which ranges from the 80’s pop-metal which I grew up with to both traditional and smooth jazz depending on my mood). However, I’m obviously familiar with her hits, her antics (including a quickie Vegas marriage and shaving her head) and all the rest. And yes, I have seen her perform on TV a number of times, which did seem to involve lip-synching.

For those wondering: Lip-synching is when an artist pretends to sing while the vocals are actually pre-recorded. This is often done by performers who do a very physically active show with lots of dancing, leaving them a little too breathless to sing properly. It is also done with artists whose voices are “doctored” in the studio and who simply are not the best live singers.

Legal disclaimer: We’re not saying that either specifically applies to Spears.

For the record, couple of recent articles indicated that Britney has been in vocal training and will be doing live singing.

Will Britney be able to hold it together and not miss any performances? Will her fan base turn out over the course of 100 shows over two years (hoping to fill around 4500 seats for each show)? As we’ve noted, her demographics somewhat fall in between traditional show-goers and the club crowd. This is a group of fans who grew up with dance-enhanced concerts and should enjoy the show.

If she’s successful, will she put a hurt on club attendance (which some note is waning a bit), or will people see her show then head straight for a club?

We have read recent reports that ticket sales are below expectations early on. But she may draw a nice walk-up crowd as the younger demographic living in neighboring states are know to just pack up and come here on a whim (as opposed to planning their trip ahead of time, buying show and concert tickets well in advance to get good seats, etc).

Lots of questions. We’ll watch it unfold. Caesars Entertainment has quite a bit riding on The Linq, Britney, and their Gansevoort (Bill’s/Barbary Coast) projects. None of which really seem aimed at the traditional Las Vegas visitor.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

• Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
• Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
• Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

The Eiffel Tower Experience At Paris Las Vegas Celebrates Its 10 Millionth Visitor With 5,000 Balloon Launch And Headliners Taylor Hicks And Jersey Boys

The Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas celebrated its 10 millionth visitor today with the launch of 5,000 red, white and blue biodegradable balloons and a special performance by Paris Las Vegas headliners. Martin Layton, the lucky guest visiting from the United Kingdom, was awarded a seven-day trip for two to Paris, France.

Atop the 460-foot high observation deck, Paris headliners including Taylor Hicks and Jersey Boys caught Layton and his bride-to-be off-guard when they broke from their tourist disguises and performed a celebratory song penned by the musicians themselves with the refrain, ôYou’re our guest, you’re our guest, you’re our 10 millionth guest!ö A boarding pass was then presented by Regional President David Hoenemeyer, Hicks, Jersey Boys and BallyÆs Jubilee! showgirls.

• Full story/details/info: The Eiffel Tower Experience Celebrates Its 10 Millionth Visitor With 5,000 Balloon Launch
• Buy Tickets Now: Jersey Boys

Las Vegas Shows, Headliners, And Concerts

• M÷tley Cr³e begins its final chapter with a Hard Rock Hotel residency
• Vince Neil Marks Countdown To M÷tley Cr³e At The Joint With A Visit To The Famed “Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegasö Sign
• Hard Rock Offers Limited-Time-Only M÷tley Cr³e Theme At Restaurants And Bars
  Book Motley Crue Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Colosseum performing greats, Celine Dion and Elton John, deliver new songs
  Book Celine Dion Las Vegas Tickets Now
  Book Elton John Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Carlos Santana captures the essence of the Woodstock generation in his House of Blues run
  Book Carlos Santana Las Vegas Tickets Now
• A Night to Boogie – Groove to some of the catchiest tunes around in Dancing Queen
  Book Dancing Queen Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Comedy more than just a show for stand-up Eddie Griffin
  Book Eddie Griffin Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Piano Legend Joe Vento Performs Nightly At The Barrymore
• Pia Zadora Announces Residency At Piero’s Restaurant
• ‘Superstars of Magic’ full of personality but illusions ordinary
• Owners pushing to edit “The Act”

Las Vegas Art And Attractions

Hotel Art: Hidden Treasures in Las Vegas Resorts – Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and James Turrell. Each a master of art, and all on display on the Las Vegas Strip. Priceless art can be found throughout many Las Vegas resorts û think lobbies, award-winning restaurants and even within guest rooms and suites. Below are a few examples of the breathtaking art located at Bellagio, Aria and Mandalay Bay.

• Full story/details/info: Hotel Art: Hidden Treasures in Las Vegas Resorts

The Who Coming To Las Vegas Via Viva Vision« Show At Fremont Street Experience Downtown – Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who and Jeff Victor, president of Fremont Street Experience announced at a joint press conference held at Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas that The Who will get its own Viva Vision« show. The light and sound show, titled The Who û Miles Over Vegas will contain stunning graphics built around three iconic songs: ôMy Generation,ö ôI Can See for Milesö and ôPinball Wizard.ö

ôItÆs quite exciting to get our own Viva Vision show, seven minutes of 3D video animation from our early period done in that Pop Art style and using vintage footage. I am very intrigued to see the final show,ö stated Daltrey.

• Full story/details/info: The Who Viva Vision Show At Fremont Street Experience

• What happens in Vegas: Boudoir photography (with photos)
• 50 Greatest Photographs Of National Geographic Extends Through January 2014

Las Vegas Hotels

• At Opposite Ends Of The Strip, Change Marches On (with photos)
• El Cortez September 2013 Promotions, Deals, and Events
• At Rio, Which Tower Should You Book?
• Checking Into The Casino Royale’s Best Western Plus
• Downtown Grand on schedule for fall opening

Gambling, Gaming, Sports Books, And Football

Delmonico Steakhouse Inside The Venetian Football Season Game Day Menu And Drink Specials – Football fans looking to watch the game and still eat like a champion will want to head down to Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse in The Venetian Las Vegas for their Game Day menu and drink specials on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the bar and lounge area. The menu includes Emeril’s signature New Orleans spin on tailgating favorites and specialty cocktails to toast a victory or drown sorrows of defeat.

• Full story/details/info: Delmonico Steakhouse Football Season Game Day Menu And Drink Specials

• $1 Blackjack Now At Riviera
• NFL wagering can be risky business
• If you bet colors at roulette, should you pick the same or opposite whatever just hit?
• Why Do Slot Machines Hit Jackpots Less Frequently Today?
• G2E Bringing A Whole Lotta New Slot Machine Themes You Already Know
• Executives from Boyd Gaming, MGM and Caesars picked for UNLV stadium board

Zappos / Downtown Las Vegas

• New headquarters for Zappos reflects company’s growth and atmosphere (with video)
• 5 ways Zappos is reshaping downtown Las Vegas
• Zappos HQ: Business brings money and presence to revitalize downtown
• Housing available for Zappos workers remains scarce

Dinner And Drinks

Old Homestead Steakhouse, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, And Serendipity 3 Inside Caesars Palace Unveil New Flavors On Their Cocktail Menus – Delectable new cocktail creations are now available at three popular restaurants within Caesars Palace. Old Homestead Steakhouse is delighting guests with seasonal tastes and inventive infusions in its list of refreshing drinks just added to its menu. Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and Serendipity 3 have also added fresh new mixtures, offering a plentiful supply of thirst-quenching options.

Old Homestead Steakhouse revealed new additions to its cocktail menu right in the heat of the season debuting brisk libations with delicious flavor profiles. The menu features a variety of new drinks created by master mixologists James Demas and Carl Salisbury. From martinis to traditional concoctions with a twist, each cocktail has its own distinctive taste.

• Full story/details/info: Caesars Palace Unveils New Flavors On Its Cocktail Menus

James Beard FoundationÆs Taste America ôLocal Flavor From Coast To Coastö Traveling Food Festival Comes To Las Vegas This Fall – Tickets are now on sale for The James Beard FoundationÆs Taste America«: ôLocal Flavor from Coast To Coast,ö a national traveling food festival which will visit Las Vegas on Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28.

The five-weekend festival will visit 10 cities from September 20 through October 19, 2013. Taste America will showcase culinary all-stars and public events exploring the nationÆs unique range of local cuisines in Las Vegas along with nine other cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington D.C. Taste America is presented by the James Beard Foundation (JBF) in partnership with Chase Sapphire Preferred« Visa Signature«.

• Full story/details/info: James Beard FoundationÆs Taste America Comes To Las Vegas This Fall

• Tom ColicchioÆs Steakhouse ushers in a new era of dining
• Nick Hetzel – Sage advice from one of the cityÆs top wine pros
• Pink Taco brings a modern edge to Mexican cuisine

More Las Vegas News

• Severe Weather Rolls Through Las Vegas (with video)
• Renovation continues at former estate of Wayne Newton
• Las Vegas lands nonstop Zurich flights on Edelweiss Air
• Demand for Elvis impersonators isn’t what it used to be
• Las Vegas: An LGBT Town If There Ever Was One
• Stop Walking, Rent A Car

Grand Canyon Day Ground Tour û Your first stop on this Grand Canyon day trip will be the awe-inspiring Sedona, the second-most visited destination in Arizona. The lush green forest at the rim descends into Oak Creek Canyon which are comprised of rugged wilderness cliffs. Shimmering Oak Creek, a scenic byway that winds through 2,000 vertical feet of red walled canyon and the red rock monoliths that define the landscape of Sedona. You will have a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy the town’s picture-postcard views.

Click To Book Grand Canyon Day Ground Tour Now!

Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

• Football Season Las Vegas 2013

Top Tickets For All United States Events

Did you know that we not only sell premium concert and event tickets for Las Vegas, but also for the entire United States as well? If you can’t make it to Vegas, treat yourself to some great seats for something near you:

Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – September is flying by. Temperate weather is coming our way. By temperate, we look to be in the 80’s next week. This will sound crazy to some of you, but many locals I know (including myself) start to get a little nostalgic for summer once it starts to slip away. A couple more months and we’ll have to start figuring out which closets our jackets and sweaters are in before we go hit Fremont Street.

As someone who lives in short-sleeves, shorts, and flip-flops — nice ones, not the 2 for $3.99 drugstore variety — much of the year, I’ll have to dig out my long pants. I’m down nearly 20 pounds since May 1 (and dearly missing my buffet ventures, but it is worth it). So, I’m looking forward to wearing some winter clothes that have been dormant for the past few years, and donating the “too big” stuff to charity.

Britney – Well, if you poke your head into a newspaper, TV morning shows, or have simply been awake the past few days, you may know that Britney Spears finally announced her 2 year run here. Want tickets? Check out Britney Spears Las Vegas Tickets. Her reported take per show? $310,000, although it isn’t known if that also has to cover dancers and any musicians. We have a video promo of the announcement in our What We’re Watching segment.

What we’re going to be watching unfold? To date, the thought has been that people under 40 are not as likely to attend live shows, including Celine, Elton, and similar. They prefer the clubs and DJ’s. On the flip side, has Las Vegas simply not been offering headliners who appeal to a younger demographic?

The club scene is pretty much maxed out, with the number of venues hitting the limit of the numbers of patrons. Las Vegas is continually looking to cater to new audiences, and some of the club people who grew up with Britney may be looking for new things to do. Also, her show is said to try to have a club vibe to it. Everyone is watching how this one will turn out!

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley

What We’re Watching – Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

• Britney Spears – Piece Of Me In Las Vegas – Britney’s back! Queen B announced her Planet Hollywood Resort residency, “Britney: Piece of Me” with a dramatic stunt in the Las Vegas desert. Go behind-the-scenes and see how it all came together the night of the big reveal-plus the surprise card flip spectacle that left her speechless.Click to Book Tickets Now: Britney Spears – Piece Of Me
• SkyJump Las Vegas At The Stratosphere – Are you up for the big jump? The wind’ll go whoosh. You’ll go $#!@%. Or yippee. Or yeah. Or yikes. Chances are you’ll be screaming something close to blood curdling when you free fall from the 108th floor. But the Stratosphere’s SkyJump will be the trip of your lifeùno matter what you might be yelling.
• Fremont Street Experience Downtown Las Vegas 1997 Light Show – Long time Las Vegas visitors will remember this show as it was one of the very first (if not the first) shows ever shown up on the 4 block long canopy!

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

We were in Las Vegas in early June…we were going down the strip when we saw something being filmed…. the couple was in a 1968 or 69 red Ford convertible. It was very neat to see something being filmed right there on the strip but now we have been curious as to what it was for. Do you know if it was a movie or what? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mary Denny

PS I believe the very date was June 5, 2013 that they were filming…

Ted Responds:

I was downtown late into the evening when they were shooting Ma$e’s “Feel’s So Good” video (which ended up getting tons of MTV play). Even if it isn’t your type of music, fun to see downtown.

I was at the old Klondike when they were setting up to film Vegas Vacation later in the evening. (I didn’t stick around as I didn’t have an entire overnight to devote to catching a few scenes).

I’ve seen car commercials and plenty of other similar productions just by happenstance. Some people made it a mission to seek out Hangover III production spots.

As you can imagine, news of these shoots is generally NOT released to the public as they like to avoid crowds. When it is, they do it on short notice and only put out a note saying they need people for crowd scenes. Your best bet is to keep your eyes open when you watch TV and make sure to go see (or Netflix) movies that are shot in Las Vegas.

Hi, just visited Las Vegas and had a fabulous time. We were a party of four and ate in many places during our stay. We were particularly looking forward to sampling the food at Gordon Ramsay’s Bar and Grill. I had beef cheeks which were very tasty and the remaining three had fish and chips.

The fish and chip meals were disappointing. The chips were soggy and the batter on one guest’s piece of fish was so salty he could not eat it. Unfortunately he did not stay until we left otherwise I would have commented to our server.

The service was good and the staff seemed knowledgeable about the food they were serving. The complimentary breads and dips were tasty and a nice touch.

We thought the menu was limited and some of the choices were expensive as were the drinks.

All in all we had much better meals during our stay particularly the ones we had a Wolfgang Puck’s and unfortunately feel that we could not recommend Gordon Ramsay’s Bar and Grill.

Richard from England

Ted Responds:

We’ve always been fans of Wolfgang Puck properties and he took the time to give us a great interview a number of years ago. Considering as a UK resident you were not impressed by the fish and chips, it sounds like their work is cut out for them.

No question that you are paying for both the Caesars location and the celeb chef name. But, one should expect the food to match the price.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

• Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
• Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
• Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Bacchanal Buffet At Caesars Palace Celebrates Its First Birthday

Bacchanal Buffet inside Caesars Palace was one of the most anticipated openings in the country in 2012. Its nine kitchens under one roof helmed by a team of classically-trained, Michelin-starred chefs redefined the Las Vegas buffet experience. In the first year, Bacchanal earned numerous awards including best buffet in Las Vegas by USA Today, Las Vegas Review Journal, Eating Las Vegas and Las Vegas Weekly; best desserts in the city by Vegas Seven; Stone-Cold Stunner by Eater Las Vegas and Surprise of the Year by Desert Companion.

• Full story/details/info: Bacchanal Buffet Celebrates Its First Birthday

Las Vegas Shows, Headliners, And Concerts

Striptease Spectacular Peepshow Concludes Four-Year Run At Planet Hollywood – On Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, the sexy cast of Las VegasÆ only striptease spectacular, Peepshow at Planet Hollywood bid farewell to the audience as they tantalized the crowd with their sizzling performance one last time, receiving tremendous applause as they took their final bows. Alongside previous Peepshow performers, the cast received red roses and listened to heartfelt speeches given by headliner and TV reality vixen Coco, ôPeep Divaö Cheaza, vocalist Josh Strickland and Peepshow Associate Director and Co-Choreographer, Nick Kenkel. Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images

Peepshow came to a close after its 9:30 p.m. performance on Sunday with more than 1,500 performances completed during the four-year run.

• Full story/details/info: Striptease Spectacular Peepshow Closes

• Rock of AgesÆ wild child wants to pay it forward
  Book Rock of Ages Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Zumanity celebrates a decade, emerging as the prevailing symbol of sexy Vegas entertainment
  Book Zumanity Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Still Talking to Himself – Terry Fator throws even more into show
  Book Terry Fator Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Jan Rouven flirts with death-defying acts in Illusions
  Book Illusions starring Jan Rouven Las Vegas Tickets Now
• æPeepshowÆ was unique and ambitious in its run at Planet Hollywood

Las Vegas Attractions

• Zowie Bowie Headlines New Show At Heraea Inside The Palms Each Saturday
• Las Vegas welcome sign to go solar by New Year’s
• KingÆs Ransom: Fremont StreetÆs Best Kept Secret
• DISCOVERY ChildrenÆs Museum û Interactive, Hands-on Fun!

Las Vegas Celebrates
Mexican Independence Day

SHe By Morton’s Spices Up Mexican Independence Day – SHe by MortonÆs, located just steps away from the main entrance of Aria at The Shops at Crystals, will offer a prix-fixe menu to celebrate Mexican Independence Day available from September 13-16, 2013. Diners may enjoy a Mexican-inspired three-course meal, priced at $65 per person.

• Full story/details/info: SHe By Morton’s Spices Up Mexican Independence Day

• Hussong’s Cantina Brings Baja Stateside In Celebration Of Mexican Independence Day
• Rhumbar At The Mirage Celebrates Mexican Independence Day With Drink Specials
• La Comida Downtown Hosts Celebratory Weekend In Honor Of Mexican Independence Day

Gambling, Gaming, And Sportsbooks

Rockhouse And PBR Rock Bar Tackle Football Season With Open Bar Specials – Pigskin-loving partygoers will get psyched-up for football season with open bar access at Rockhouse, located at Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian | The Palazzo, and PBR Rock Bar & Grill, inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

• Full story/details/info: Rockhouse And PBR Rock Bar Football Season Open Bar Specials

The Quad’s Record-Breaking Mega Beat Progressive Poker Jackpot Hits – At 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, 102 players in poker rooms across Las Vegas celebrated as a king high straight flush beat quad jacks inside the Quad Resort & Casino Las Vegas poker room. This is the fourth time the jackpot has hit since its January launch and the first time the jackpot hit at The Quad Resort & Casino. In what was one of the most exciting Texas HoldÆem hands, Micah Kreischer from Lexington, Ohio had pocket jacks while Omar Abu-Eid from Las Vegas, Nev. had the king and queen of clubs.

• Full story/details/info: The Quad’s Record-Breaking Mega Beat Progressive Poker Jackpot Hits

• Are Slot Machines “Controlled?”
• The machine blackjack versus the live blackjack
• Las Vegas sports books hit pro football running

Downtown Las Vegas

• Park On Fremont Downtown Las Vegas Gets Saucy During Friday Barbecues
• Downtown Grand on schedule for fall opening
• Weekend curfew to be proposed for kids downtown

Dining In Las Vegas

Tom ColicchioÆs Heritage Steak Brings Open Flame Cooking To The Mirage – Tom ColicchioÆs Heritage Steak, the newest restaurant from the James Beard Award-winning chef, presents open flame cooking, the culinary art of preparing meats using wood-burning ovens and charcoal grills. Now open at The Mirage, the warm and inviting 230-seat restaurant showcases ColicchioÆs passion for cooking with fire, as each dish is prepared to bring out the rich flavors in the cuisine while using the freshest ingredients available. Located within the iconic resortÆs lush garden atrium, the restaurant is open daily for dinner.

• Full story/details/info: Tom ColicchioÆs Heritage Steak Brings Open Flame Cooking To The Mirage

Fungi Is A Federal Flavor This September: Mushroom Grits At La Cave Wine And Food Hideaway Inside Wynn Hotel – The gritty life isn’t just celebrated at breakfast in the South. When you combine a tapas-sized clay pot of ground corn, Pecorino cheese, truffle oil and a loving amount of mushrooms, you are ready to indulge in the epitome of comfort food… with class.

La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway inside The Wynn Hotel also embraces mushrooms in its beguiling cuisine with:

• Full story/details/info: Fungi Is A Federal Flavor This September: Mushroom Grits At La Cave

• Hash House A Go Go “Celebr-8-s” Eight Great Years In Las Vegas With Week Long Specials
• P.J. ClarkeÆs û Best Steak Special in Las Vegas
• Bacchanal BuffetÆs general manager has options for you
• Seafood Shack reels in dishes from across the nation

More Las Vegas News

• The Cold War Bunker That Offered Subterranean Suburbia Below Las Vegas (with photos)
• For LGBT Pride, (Almost) Everything Is Coming Up Rainbows
• Las Vegas golf: 36 holes, one day, one resort, no problem
• Choosing The Right Tower At Caesars Palace
• Las Vegas Gambles On Unique Business Incubator
• Stationed on the Strip: The crazy never stops at Las VegasÆ busiest firehouse (with photos)

Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon Tour û Come experience the thrill and beauty of a Las Vegas zipline with Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon. Located in the historic town of Boulder City. Bootleg Canyon Park is home to over 40,000 big horn sheep, 36 miles of mountain biking trails and centuries of history.

Click To Book Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon Tour Now!

Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

• Football Season Las Vegas 2013

Top Tickets For All United States Events

Did you know that we not only sell premium concert and event tickets for Las Vegas, but also for the entire United States as well? If you can’t make it to Vegas, treat yourself to some great seats for something near you:

Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – Monsoon season won’t let up, and The Strip (plus those of us who live near it) got absolutely pounded by rain recently. A big storm in a long line of days with clouds and occasional showers. Certainly not our normal weather! If there is an upside, it has taken the bite off of the heat. Evenings have been rain free with unusually comfortable temperatures in the 70’s F.

The Linq-Mobile Cometh – Staffer Rick Ziegler caught these photos of the Linq project’s “High Roller” wheel (AKA The Linq-Mobile) just a couple of days ago. Ironically, just before the circumference of the wheel was completed and parent company Caesars Entertainment blasted the media with the news.

It will be the tallest of its kind in the world when it opens, but we’re obviously still a ways away from that (we’ll keep you updated as always). Pods — each holding up to 40 riders — still have to be brought to the site and attached. The enclosed ride will take about 30 minutes and the ride is projected to cost $30.

Our concern? From our calculations (and what we can see now), your view of The Strip will be obstructed during about half the ride by the hotels it sits behind. The view from the top should be pretty cool, though.

It appears that the Linq project will have a mix of upscale shopping along with a fair amount of dining and a hipster bowling alley which will also host big-name concerts. I believe it will be a bellwether regarding whether dining and shopping is more the future of Las Vegas now that gambling is legal in so many areas.

Closing Time? – I’m getting ready to close on a great mid-century home located toward the center of the Las Vegas valley (knock on wood). I like the charm of some of our older neighborhoods and the proximity of both The Strip and Downtown. Wish me luck.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley

What We’re Watching – Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

• Pub Crawl #111 On The Vegas Video Network: All Aboard For a Monorail Crawl! – David & Alicia Ivy hop a ride on the monorail for this weekÆs Pub Crawl Adventure on the Vegas Video Network. They experience overpriced drinks and some of the best burgers in Vegas. Hey Bartender throws us a curve ball with a viewer question that takes us out of usual Vegas cocoon and proves challenging to answer.
• Encore Las Vegas Resort Tour By Steve Wynn – Last week, Steve Wynn took you for a tour of his Wynn Las Vegas Resort. This week, enjoy Mr. Wynn giving you a tour of the sister property Encore.
• The History Of Las Vegas 1990s – Long time visitors can take a walk down memory lane. Those newer to Las Vegas will enjoy seeing what it was once was like in the 1990s.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

My wife and I made our first visit to Las Vegas in 1965 on our way to Sacramento where I began my Air Force career at Mather AFB. Since then we have made many trips back and in the last few years have been staying in town longer and longer. We are beginning our annual journey next week and will be in Las Vegas for 30 days staying at several different casinos (4 Queens, Main Street Station, Rio, Flamingo, The Quad, and Silver Sevens) with all rooms comped.

We are not high rollers, but with players cards have managed to get the summer offers for many years. We each get offers so we are able to stay for such an extended time by moving around. This year we are even entered in 5 separate slot tournaments, compliments of the casinos.

We retired for good back in 2006 and have been traveling ever since. We do a lot of cruises because they are a great way to see the world at an affordable price and while on them we completely relax without a care in the world. Las Vegas is our cruise in the desert, and we get the same sense of relaxation without a worry in the world. We love your newsletter, and find it to be the most informative source of information about what is going on in Las Vegas.

Don & Marguerite Marburger

Ted Responds:

What a great story and thanks for sharing. In this issue (as we’ve done off and on over the past few months), we’re included a link to a video of Las Vegas from the past.

We have a fair amount of readers who do come for 2, 3, or even four weeks at a time just like you. Those who just come for a few days, hit it hard, and practically go home in a body bag probably wonder how one can spend weeks at a time here. But, it allows you to enjoy pacing yourself because you are not under the pressure to do everything in such a short amount of time. You can get out and enjoy the “local’s” casinos where the odds are better and the food is cheaper.

We often hear from people who enjoy getting down to Laughlin, where you can gamble with a view of the beautiful Colorado River (and winter temps in the 70’s F). Or take the time to do a tour (or two or three). Enjoy a show or two every week instead of having to just pick one out of a town with such a great menu of live entertainment.

Here’s to many great Las Vegas vacations in your future!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

• Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
• Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
• Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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Miracle Mile Shops Inside Planet Hollywood September 2013 Events, Deals, And Promotions – Caring, Giving, Changing at Miracle Mile Shops

Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is collecting donations in its fountain for Nevada PEP, as part of the centerÆs Caring, Giving, Changing community campaign. Throughout September, all change tossed in the popular water feature and the centerÆs indoor rainstorm will assist the statewide nonprofit that offers education and encouragement to families of children with disabilities.

• Full story/details/info: Miracle Mile Shops September Events, Deals, And Promotions

Las Vegas Shows, Headliners, And Concerts

• ‘Le Reve’ lives up to its nature of a dream
  Book Le Reve Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Catching Country Superstars, Just Not Those Country Superstars
  Book Country Superstars Las Vegas Tickets Now
• ‘Defending the Caveman’ with new Homo sapien
  Book Defending The Caveman Las Vegas Tickets Now
• Is LVH’s D*Word Delightful Or Disappointing?
• Sex and the (Sin) City: Sisters are doing it for themselves in The D WordùA Musical
• Eydie Gorme thrilled fans, whether at FelliniÆs or the last night of the Stardust
• Pete Vallee adds new dimension to the legacy of the Elvis impersonator

Beer And Cocktails

Siegfried & Roy Kick Off The 10th Annual Las Vegas Oktoberfest At Hofbrõuhaus – The wonderful aroma of quality malt and perfect hops is quickly filling the air and that can only mean Oktoberfest is approaching! Magicians of the century, Siegfried & Roy« will kick off the six-week German celebration at Hofbrõuhaus Las Vegas. Every weekend local celebrities will do the honors of tapping a keg, including Claire Sinclair, Frankie Moreno, the sultry cast of Jubilee! and many more.

Hofbrõuhaus Las Vegas offers guests endless Bavarian fun, food and, of course, Oktoberfestbier. The full-bodied lager is brewed to perfection and is the ultimate centerpiece for the exciting festivities that compare to the real Oktoberfest revelry held in Munich, Germany. Patrons can test their strength during the stein holding competitions and Jõgermeister spankings, or watch the nightly almond and pecan glazing process, adding the finishing touch to an authentic experience.

• Full story/details/info: Siegfried & Roy Kick Off The 10th Annual Oktoberfest At Hofbrõuhaus

La Comida East Fremont Introduces Happy Hour – íSalud! La Comida, Downtown Las VegasÆ vibrant, new Mexican eatery, has added a dash of spice to the daily routine with the introduction of happy hour specials, available from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

La ComidaÆs dynamic bar, dining room and patio provide a fun setting for guests to enjoy fresh fruit margaritas and beers, each available for just $5. Margarita selections include the passion fruit margarita, prickly pear margarita, guava margarita, pomegranate margarita and tamarind margarita; all made with freshly made fruit purÚe, tequila reposado, sour mix, and garnished with a salted rim and lime wheel. La ComidaÆs bottled beer assortment includes a variety of Mexican, import and domestic favorites such as Bohemia, Negra Modelo, Dos Equis Amber, Stella, Amstel Light and Coors Light.

• Full story/details/info: La Comida Happy Hour

Commonwealth Downtown Las Vegas Stays Golden With September 2013 Cocktail Of The Month – Commonwealth will go for the gold with SeptemberÆs featured cocktail, ôGolden Grove.ö The refreshing concoction will be offered all month, beginning Sunday, September 1, 2013 priced at $10.

The thirst quenching cocktail, created by Master Mixologist Juyoung Kang, mixes Grey Goose Orange, fresh orange juice, Triple Sec and Orgeat Syrup and served with an orange slice. Guests will sip on the tasty libation while mingling in the pre-Prohibition era inspired cocktail bar.

• Full story/details/info: Commonwealth Stays Golden With September Cocktail Of The Month

• Drinking at the Bellagio: How booze travels from a secret room to your glass
• Toasting Two More Fave Bars On The Strip
• For Fresh Brewed Beer, Head To Ellis Island

Gambling, Gaming, And Sports Books

• Crash Course in Blackjack Part I
• Playing Games You Like
• Top-10 airport prop bets
• What will casinos look like in 2033, and will they still be fabulous?
• Slot Expert: Why Do I Win Fewer Jackpots Today?
• Odds of Winning the Fire Bet in Craps
• Best Las Vegas Sports Books û 5 Great Places to Watch NFL & NCAA Football in Las Vegas
• Top-10 ways to bet on the NFL season
• Crash Course in Blackjack Part II

Las Vegas Attractions

• Don’t Put Off Experiencing The Eiffel Tower At Paris Las Vegas
• Vortex and Quad Lighting Up The Day, And Night
• The Neon MuseumÆs New Gold Standard: Twilight Tours
• C.I.A. Acknowledges Area 51 Exists, but What About Those Little Green Men?
• National GeographicÆs 50 Greatest Photographs at the Venetian
• The Big Wheel Getting Closer to Finish

Dining In Las Vegas

• Tender Steak & Seafood Inside Luxor Introduces Mid-Summer Menu Selections
• LuckyRice Festival Returns For A Weekend Of Asian Culture Celebrations
• Everything old-school is new again at N9NE Steakhouse
• Five50 Pizza Bar joins quality ingredients with chefÆs flair for exceptional pies

Downtown Las Vegas

• A Downtown Las Vegas Wedding (with photos) (with photos)
• Chef Ludo Lefebvre to Bring New Oyster Bar Downtown
• A Downtown Roundup, After Hours
• Businesses breathing life into Neonopolis

Las Vegas Hotels

• William Hill to be race and sports book operator at SLS Las Vegas
• Why Hawaiians Love The Cal And We Do, Too
• At New York-New York And Monte Carlo, Tearing It Down, Building It Up

Las Vegas Economy And Real Estate

• Condition upgraded: Health of Nevada housing slowly improving
• California buyers scooping up æcheapÆ Strip condos
• British buyer plans to restore Liberace’s Las Vegas mansion

More Las Vegas News

• Color Salon By Michael Boychuck At Caesars Palace Named One Of 100 Best Salons In The Country By Elle Magazine
• RÝ Rß Inside Mandalay Bay September 2013 Listings And Specials
• Las Vegas water chief seeks disaster aid for Colorado River drought
• New interstate freeway could mean riches for Las Vegas, but itÆll cost you
• Valentino added to stellar lineup of retailers at The Shops at Crystals
• Saying I do: Trend is down, but wedding chapels still thrive

Mini Baja Buggy Half-Day Tour û This sun buggy tour adventure is definitely not tailored for the weak at heart. You will get behind the wheel of a true desert racing machine for a 30-minute ride that takes you somewhere between 10 and 15 miles over challenging terrain. On this advanced buggy adventure we want you to think of it as a roller coaster.

Choose a one or two-seater dune buggy for this tour. All buggies are custom built for NevadaÆs rugged terrain, and come equipped with roll cages, seatbelts and helmets for your safety. The buggies are similar to your regular car, has a steering wheel, brake pedal, and gas pedal. Be responsible operate the buggy safely. Highlights: 3.5 hour (approx.) door to door, 30-minute dune buggy ride, Drive 10 to 15 miles over challenging terrain, Choice of one and two-seater buggies, Choice of morning or afternoon departures, Pick-up and drop-off from Las Vegas hotels

Click To Book Mini Baja Buggy Half-Day Tour Now!

Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

• Football Season Las Vegas 2013

Top Tickets For All United States Events

Did you know that we not only sell premium concert and event tickets for Las Vegas, but also for the entire United States as well? If you can’t make it to Vegas, treat yourself to some great seats for something near you:

Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – I’ve been off for about 10 days house-hunting. This is a very tight, fickle market here right now (which I’ll discuss in future issues). So, just a few brief notes from me and we’ll get this issue out. Fortunately, it is super-packed with all the helpful information you need to get your fix of Vegas, keep up on what is going on, and help you consider what you want to do on your next visit.

We posted on our Access Vegas Twitter page last week that we may have seen the end of the 100 F degree days. We may sneak just into the triple digits for a few more days, but September’s average is 94 F so even if we go a little higher, the super-scorching days are coming to an end.

ALSO, keep in mind that sunset is around 7:30 PM here right now. (We sit on the very eastern edge of our time zone, so we always get earlier sunsets than most places). If you are thinking about watching the sun set and The Strip light up from the top of the Stratosphere Tower or the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower, arrange to have yourself up there by 7 PM. Highly recommended, especially from Stratosphere. Worth the cab ride to catch sunset from up there!

Football Bars – As promised, here is the link to the list of all the NFL teams who have local bars devoting themselves exclusively to that team. This means they show every single game, showing it on every single one of their TV’s, and also offer food and drink specials. Is this for the average tourist? Probably not. The cab ride could run you a bit and obviously, the casinos have all games that are live on multiple TV’s.

However, if you are the kind of visitor who rents a car, gets out and about, checks out the off-strip casinos (plus Hoover Dam, Red Rock and similar), you might find hunting down a bar for your team tons of fun! You’ll be among a throng of like-minded people all rooting for your team. Check out the entire list: Las Vegas Valley bars pour on the enthusiasm to support their teams

Vegas Facebook – Just a reminder for you Facebook users: You can follow our Vegas-related feed at VegasFacebook.com. No, we’re not going to post photos of little children or kittens. And we’re not going to clutter your feed to death with a zillion stories every day. We post an average of 2-3 times per day with some fun photos and news stories about Vegas that help keep you in the loop. Some of which don’t make publication deadline for the newsletter.

So head over to VegasFacebook.com, “Like” our feed and make sure to Comment and Like the posts you find interesting. We value your feedback.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley

What We’re Watching – Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

• Million Dollar Quartet At Harrah’s Las Vegas – Meet the cast of Million Dollar Quartet, enjoy a sample of the performance, and hear about this fantastic show that re-creates a magical night in the history of rock ‘n’ roll now playing live at Harrah’s Las Vegas.
• A Tour Of Wynn Hotel By Steve Wynn – Steve Wynn takes you on a tour of Wynn Las Vegas. Enjoy it through the eyes of the man who brought the vision to life.
• Audio Podcast – GamblinÆ On The Strip VS Downtown VS Locals’ Casinos – Jason and Tony of Vice Lounge Online discuss the relative merits of gambling at Las Vegas Strip vs. the Fremont Street Experience vs. the Clark County localsÆ casinos in the first segment of this show. Highly informative.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

• Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
• Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
• Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.