VegasChatter

CRISS ANGEL BeLIEve

Too easy to start with Cirque's biggest punching bag now that Viva Elvis has closed. VegasChatter has made no secret of our distaste for Criss Angel's (focus on the show... focus on the show) BeLIEve. Yet somehow enough tickets keep selling to keep the show going.

BRAD GARRETT'S COMEDY CLUB

Brad Garrett moved the laughs from Tropicana to MGM Grand this past March. After some initial grand opening buzz there hasn't been much of a peep from MGM's basement. With the closing of Empire Comedy Club, a laugh stop with an above ground location and respectable lineup, Garrett may want to remind Vegas he's still here for more than charity poker tournaments.

CSI: THE EXPERIENCE

Not to pick on MGM Grand, but how many of you forgot the interactive CSI exhibit is there somewhere way out in back? We've honestly been wanting to crack CSI cases since it opened, but it just plain continues to slip our mind. Ironically, at one point, there was a ticket special providing a free Brad Garrett ticket with CSI purchase. Or, maybe it was the other way around. Another mystery to solve.

THE CHUCK JONES EXPERIENCE

The Chuck Jones Experience at Circus Circus is 10,000 square feet of Chuck, Bugs, Porky, and Daffy. But, is it Vegas? The doors are still open so maybe it is. With summer vacation behind us and the experience's outreach program again reaching out to schools we'll be keeping an eye on this one.

HEART ATTACK GRILL

The Heart Attack Grill business plan is that anyone over 350 pounds eats for free and actual, real diner heart attacks is good publicity. (The latest visit by paramedics happened over this past weekend.) Do we need to say more of why we're surprised this downtown spot is still open?

PURE

In nightclub years, PURE is a dinosaur. At one time, the one and only club that mattered was hosted by the week's it celeb, now it's a monster among many. Time to reinvent or does PURE still have some time before its best by date comes up? Heck, let's throw LAX on the table, too, while we on the topic of super mega-sized nightclubs.

KISS MONSTER MINI-GOLF

Is it too early to paint our faces surprised Kiss Monster Mini-Golf is still putting along? After numerous delays, we finally got a look at the crazy, crazy holes, but it would surprise us if the crowds are any bigger than when we took these photos. Hello, Gene Simmons? Anthony Cools has some putt-putt supplies to sell you while you are open.

THE BOURBON ROOM

It actually would be a little surprising if Venetian's 80s themed Bourbon Room was defunct already after only opening in June. Surprising, if only because it couldn't possibly bust before the musical that inspired it Rock of Ages opens... can it? As much as it's an odd fit for Venetian and as dead as it has been when we've been by, those who have ventured in to rock with their 80s out have surprisingly enjoyed it. Here's to hoping it has enough hair spray to make it until December, and beyond, for the sake of head bands and mini jean skirts.

SIEGFRIED AND ROY'S SECRET GARDEN AND DOLPHIN HABITAT

Once the image of Las Vegas, Siegfried and Roy's show was cut short by a tiger nearly ten years ago already. Another casino's suits may have taken the opportunity to annex the space and fill it with restaurants, shopping or a nightclub. But, the Mirage still has lions, tigers, and dolphins, oh my.

MOB EXPERIENCE

As quickly as so many Trop attractions have come and gone while others believe the best comes to those who wait and wait and wait, the Mob Experience refuses to be buried. Sure, it had to shrink its ticket prices (more than once) and retool the exhibits, even change its name. All while vying for position in a turf war with another Mob family. Yet, it remains open a year after we first wondered when it would be buried. Flood waters, not withstanding.

BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS

Would you be more surprised to hear that the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is playing at the Plaza or that it's been running since March 31? Reviews have not been kind with comments including: has the "feeling of a community play," "better than I expected for a low budget show," and "got drunk for cheap." The show that preceded it closed between the time we saw it and finished writing a review so, yes, we are surprised to still see Whorehouse still in lights.

HAZE

When's the last time the gang said 'hey, let's go to Vegas, get a table and party in the basement of Aria?' That's what we thought.

THE BANK

Apparently, the Bank doesn't need Tiger Woods to keep it relevant. Even with the newer, shinier Hyde Bellagio nearby, the Bank keeps making bank (groan).

EXPOSED SALON

How often have you been at a strip club getting an eyeful and thought to yourself, 'I wish she had scissors to take a little off the top?' For the record, Exposed Salon's stylists aren't strippers, but you get the point. Put that thought not in plain view of a high traffic area, but tucked away on the second floor of the Plaza and walk-ins have to be a challenge. Call us partly intrigued, partly frightened, but mostly surprised.

HOOTERS

We admittedly have a soft spot for Hooters Casino, no double entendre intended -- for reals. Ok, maybe a little. But, the little guy on the block has survived on $15 rooms, cheap eats, and an auction. If we'd polled readers a year ago, we bet the majority would not have bet on orange.

What are you pleasantly surprised or downright shocked is still open? Let us know who's in your dead pool down below!

[Photos: Open: Webpress Utah; Exposed Salon: Exposed Salon; Others: VegasChatter]