Tag: hard rock
View All TagsDining / Eating / Restaurants / Mr. Lucky's / Hard Rock / Red Rock Resort / The Cosmopolitan / Ellis Island / Cheap Vegas / → All Tags
Shhh… This Is Special
Everyone likes to know more than the person next to them. There are advertised specials all over Vegas for the best this and the best that. There's nothing very special about reading an ad that's available to anyone with two eyes. What you won't see shared very often are the unannounced specials at many casino restaurants.
The other day we were fixin' to get a simple salad at the Grand Cafe at Red Rock Resort; but, before we ordered a $12 salad, we decided to check with the waitress to see if there were any specials. Lo' and behold, our plans for a relatively healthy lunch went down the drain when we found out that the special was a burger and fries for $6. Not bad. They also had a $10 steak special, but that didn't feel right for 1 p.m. These specials change pretty often and in this case saved us 50% on lunch. Nice!
Drinking / Beer Pong / Hard Rock / → All Tags
Relive Your Collegiate Glory This Summer In Vegas
While all other subjects are up for debate, we know one thing's for sure: college taught us how to play beer pong, and it taught us really well. This July, Vegas wants to help us prove it.
The "Masters of Beer Pong Tournament" (name needs work) is coming to the Hard Rock July 1-3 with a prize purse of up to $250,000 and players are expected from 48 states and a dozen countries. Ahem, aren't you glad you got all that practice back in the day?
You can read all about the specific rules here (our favorite is the "Dipshit Not Paying Attention Rule") and, apparently, you don't have to play with beer. We'd certainly recommend it, though, for the sake of everyone's entertainment. If we remember our collegiate days correctly, half the battle was staying sober enough to see the cups, and the drinking was more for the spectators than the competitors. Seriously, who wants to watch a bunch of sober people stand around and shoot balls into solo cups? Not us... so fill'er up!
Art In Vegas / Construction / MGM Grand / Hard Rock / → All Tags
Which New Art Gallery Would You Prefer? Nature or Noise?
We've word on a of couple of new art galleries coming to town, aimed to let you take home a souvenir more substantial than a dice clock.
Nature and landscape photographer Jeff Mitchum is adding a sequel to his Bellagio gallery. The one next door to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Mitchum is heading down the street to the MGM Grand and setting up a second store near the Garden Arena entrance. It's a 4000 square foot, "glass encased" design and they are aiming for a June opening.
We've seen paperwork that lists the construction budget at $900,000. But in Jeff Mitchum's world, he only has to sell this one photograph entitled "Third Day" to recoup the loss. It took him fifteen years to get this perfect shot. Price to you to hang it on your wall? $1.2 million. Honest - we checked.
The average price for Mitchum's large work is in the low thousands, but it costs nothing to window shop and enjoy the views.
We also have heard very early word on construction on another art gallery slash store, this time coming to the Hard Rock Hotel. Surprising considering the whole casino floor is one great gallery of rock history.
Our early, and still unconfirmed research, leads us to believe a less than 1000 square foot space will host Rock Paper Photo, a company that specializes in limited edition prints of a very broad of musical artists. Whether in repose or on stage. From The Beatles to The Beastie Boys. But much broader than that sounds. A $3800 Stiv Bators photo anyone?
Based on some further, but un-scientific research, (i.e. it looks like they are building something,) it might be going into the space next to Culinary Dropout. We randomly poked around Rock Paper Photo's online catalog and found unframed prints for $135. Others hit a serious five figures. But they did come framed. Just so you are warned.
[Photos: Jeff Mitchum Gallery Facebook, Kirvin Doak]
Memorial Day / Bellagio / New York-New York / Palms / Golden Nugget / The Cosmopolitan / Hard Rock / Venetian / Wynn / → All Tags
Checking Out Rates For Memorial Day Weekend
Most of the country is battling the back and forth weather that comes along with April and the transition from winter to spring, but it's never to early to start thinking about summer. Memorial Day is the official kick off in our eyes, and those making plans to visit Sin City in celebration should begin to stake their claim before you'll need to go with plans B, C, or even, D. The Golden Nugget, for example, is already sold out on Sunday, May 26.
Here's a glimpse at the starting rates at a selection of hotels. All rates are as of April 9 and, as always, are subject to change:
VegasChatter Reviews / Andrew Dice Clay / Vinyl / Shows / Entertainment / Hard Rock / → All Tags
The Diceman Cometh To Hard Rock: No Surprises, No Surrender
He’s over here now.
Andrew Dice Clay has jumped from the Strip to the Hard Rock Hotel. And, feels right at home. Tanned, rested and ready this is old-school Dice, energized and loaded for bear. He does the smoke thing. The insult thing. The nursery rhymes. All nicey nice. Been thinking about seeing him in concert? This is how to do it. But, be ready for some sticker shock.
Recently at the Riviera, a club room like Vinyl fits this sort of act. If you don't know what sort of act Andrew Dice Clay offers, we are pretty sure you do not want to go. If you can be offended, you will.
Gambling / The Cosmopolitan / Identity / Players Clubs / Marriott / Hard Rock / Loyalty Rewards / → All Tags
Cosmo Partners With Hard Rock Biloxi... Say Whaaa?!
The Cosmopolitan is like no other casino in the world. They're an independently owned casino and, unlike many of the Vegas Strip casinos, they don't have partner gaming properties in or out of Las Vegas. Well, that's about to change in a very strange way. The Cosmo and Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Biloxi have announced a partnership for gamblers.
Cosmopolitan already has an agreement with Marriott, but it is specifically for the hotel portion of the property. This team-up with Biloxi's Hard Rock is strictly for gamblers. While the press release says this union is "formalized" there is no information about it on either website. There's also no mention on Cosmopolitan's Identity players club or anywhere on the resort's website. And, it's not on the Hard Rock Biloxi website, either. (Warning: Autoplay is set to YES when you visit.)
Shows / Entertainment / Vegas Residencies / Andrew Dice Clay / Hard Rock / Vinyl / → All Tags
Oh F*ck, Now Andrew Dice Clay Has A Vegas Residency?
A few weeks ago, Rolling Stone wrote about the "surprising comeback" of foul-mouthed comedian Andrew Dice Clay. After fading into obscurity, he's now set to co-star in Woody Allen's newest flick Blue Jasmine, was just featured in his own Showtime comedy special and is writing his memoir. And, he's about to rock his renewed popularity even harder.
The Hard Rock has announced that Clay will perform a 20-show residency (with more dates to come) inside its new Vinyl performance space:
VegasChatter 2012 Awards / Culinary Dropout / Hard Rock / Honey Salt / Off Strip / Eating / Dining / Restaurants / → All Tags
Best New Restaurant of 2012
It felt like if you threw a stick on The Strip this year, you'd hit a new restaurant. But, would you hit the VegasChatter 2012 Best New Restaurant? It's hard to go horribly wrong at a decent dining spot in this town, but it's rarer to stumble upon a location that elevates the meal to truly special. Do some research and you can enjoy an experience you'll be talking about for years. But, what of the 2012 newcomers to the Vegas mix? Who will last? Who are a flash in a pan? Who missed the mark? And, with all the choices, which of these resto rookies drew us back for a second, third or even fourth tasting?
We like to ask Vegas cabbies who they recommend to visitors. They frequently tell us they inquire where the guest is staying and ,9 times out of 10, they recommend a place in that resort. The choices can be overwhelming. We talk a lot about food with other locals. A lot. A common key we noticed this year was taking middle-of-the-road concepts, giving them a twist and adding bonus visual trimmings. It's a Denny's, but super fancy. It’s a buffet, but the size of airplane hangar. It’s a steakhouse, but the chef is on the telly. Sometimes, the food can get lost in the mix. So, we saw some amazing spaces this year and were frequently blinded by the showbiz. Here’s a quickie look back:
We like to cover the waterfront with food. We had a great hot dog at American Coney Island, though we were bigger fans of the chili fries. Great ice cream at the Cosmopolitan's cool, chilly corner bar. Rattlecan brought burgers, pickles and in turn added a new museum to The Strip. They need to create a docent to help you tour the artwork in the space. (They do have a free, small guide listing the artists.)
Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse wowed with hutzpah. And, while folks enjoy the menu, we've yet to meet anyone who has gone back to eat a second time. Sit at the bar, enjoy the cocktails and the scene. Mizumi is 'mazing. The room as wonderful as the food, but it is pricy and we only recommend it for special occasions. We highly praised Allegro which we feel has the best meatballs in town. Others were fans of Carla Pellgerino's creations at Meatball Spot after her shock shift from the Tropicana. And, at the Trop, we've yet to meet anyone who actually paid to eat at Bagatelle.
Bacchanal Buffet is excess incarnate, huge lines, huge choices, but we still prefer Wicked Spoon. Tetsu, slotted into Aria, is extraordinary, but expensive. And, a place best shared with fellow gourmands and aficionados. Aria also brought us Javier’s this year. You'll not see them on anyone's "best of" list.
Downtown, Chef Natalie Young became a pioneer with Eat, the place in 2012 that clued-in locals most wanted to succeed.
But, to our surprise, the place we most returned, enjoyed and made us consistently happy, was Culinary Dropout at the Hard Rock. There are plenty of fancier joints that we could name, but their consistency and comfort goes a long way. It did exactly what it promised to do, arrived on time, looked great, and delivered an up-graded pub menu. The staff are incredible and they do wear their own clothes so it can be be tad confusing. But, the super laid-back atmosphere makes spending extra time here a pleasure. You will see a really interesting mix of folks. From casino wanderers to folks in business meetings and genuine hipsters. While you'll be very close to the pool via the spacious outside patio; inside, it feels very cut-off from the casino floor.
New Year's Eve / Hotel Rates / Sweet Suites / Signature at MGM / Golden Nugget / The Palms / The Cosmopolitan / Hard Rock / → All Tags
Five Sweet Suites Still Available (For Now) For New Year's Eve
Yesterday, we took you through what it would cost to get a semi-last minute standard room at various Vegas hotels on New Year's Eve, but we know you've got more flash in you than two beds and a sink.
New Year's Eve rates at Circus Circus ($478) might incite a raise of an eyebrow so how about a one-bedroom balcony suite for two nights at Signature for a few dollars more? Given that rates for the 1st of January always drop way low, you can easily come out on top if you play your cards right. Time is running out to get creative, but here are a couple sweet suites that are still available:
New Year's Eve / Hard Rock / Body English / → All Tags
It's Begining To Look A Lot Like... New Year's Eve
It's nearly Thanksgiving already and that means two things: many of us will soon be tired of turkey and then stressed about the next upcoming holiday. But, scores of others are already focused on planning the next next big holiday. That would be New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. Since the holidays are often a time to reflect and feel nostalgic the Hard Rock is bringing back the option to party like it's...2010.
Body English re-opens for good Friday, December 28 for a weekend warm-up before the year's last big amateur night bash. Long term, the new old nightclub promises to showcase indie, electronic, rock and pop music across two distinct rooms and a private parlor decked out in leathers, vintage chandeliers and rich dark woods.
Events / Vegas Residencies / Hard Rock / Def Leppard / The Joint / Music / → All Tags
Def Leppard To Bring Hysteria To The Joint
First, it was a Mötley Crüe. Now, they're feeding our Appetite for Democracy. But, what's next for the hard rockin' residencies of The Joint? Full on hysteria.
The Hard Rock has announced that Def Leppard will launch VIVA Hysteria starting March 22. The nine-week engagement will have the band performing every single song from their HYSTERIA album, as well as some of their greatest hits not found on said album. And, yes, that means you'll be able to sing along to "Pour Some Sugar On Me."
Events / Hard Rock / Music / Guns N' Roses / → All Tags
Guns N' Roses Inspire Exhibits, Apologies And The Culinary Dropout Menu
Hard Rock's hard rockin' residents Guns N' Roses recently caused a flap by reviving a 25-year-old controversial painting to promote their series of 11 gigs at The Joint.
When the robot rape scene artwork (yes, you read that right) was initially used on the cover of their 1987 debut album, "Appetite for Destruction," it was swiftly moved inside the LP jacket after some record stores refused to stock it. (Yeah, those round, black plastic things for our younger readers.) When the Las Vegas City Council saw the art was being used in promotions for these "Appetite for Democracy" concerts, they were none too happy. They'd recently permitted Paradise Road to be renamed Paradise City Road. (On account of the song. You know the one.)
