VegasChatter

Tags: Labor Day Weekend / Beer Pong / McFaddens / Rio Las Vegas / Rock & Rita's / Circus Circus / Monte Carlo / Max Brenner / → All Tags

Labor Day Weekend: Beer Pong, A Bull, And Sweet Chocolate Love

We obviously played beer pong in the wrong basements.

Labor Day Weekend is already here. Hopefully you’ve scored a reasonable room rate and know what not to do this weekend. But there’s also plenty going on that you should do to say goodbye to summer. We'll bring you a roundup of the club and pool scene later on, but for now, here's what you can do that doesn't involve celebs or bikinis.

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Tags: Openings / Minus 5 / Ice Bars / Monte Carlo / Bars / Only in Vegas / → All Tags

Monte Carlo Gets Cool With an Ice Bar Opening Tonight

One quarter of Mount Rushmore and the bar, as it looked on Friday

It may have cooled down a bit since the permanent roasting that was July, but compared to most other places, Vegas is still hot right now. What do you do when it’s hot in Vegas? Well, you could step in front of an air con machine, or you could drink until you forget about it. Or you could do both at the Minus5 Ice Bar.

There’s already one at Mandalay Bay, of course, but we at VegasChatter are fickle creatures and we’re all about the new – so we’re excited that a brand new branch will open inside the Monte Carlo today at 4pm.

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Tags: Deals / Room Rates / Cheap Vegas / Monte Carlo / → All Tags

The Monte Carlo Wants You to Stay Three Ways

No smutty three way jokes here

It’s always nice to feel wanted. The Monte Carlo knows this, and to pander to the basest part of our ego, it’s offering three different deals to persuade us to stay there this summer.

The cheapest: the Summer Offer. Rooms from $39 – a saving of 30 percent – depending on when you book it. Book 90 days ahead for the full 30 percent off, 61-90 days ahead for 25 percent off, 31-60 days ahead to get 20 percent off, or 15 percent off rates within the next 30 days. There’s a two night minimum stay, but they’ll throw in two for one deals for the buffet, drinks at Brand and appetizers at d.vino or Dragon Noodle. Book here by July 19 for stays up to January 5.

The funnest (yeah, we’re making that a word): 20 percent off Strip view rooms, Sunday through Thursday. In July, these are coming in as low as $53. Book here by July 19. Valid for stays until January 5 again.

The crappest: suites from $80, which sounds like a deal, but we can’t see any difference to this offer than going by the rack rates. And again, it’s a minimum two night stay, but it looks like you can get the same rate for a one night stay through the normal rezzies system. Although a suite for $80 is not to be sniffed at, however you come across it. Book the offer here - you get two for one on the buffet as well.

Tags: Drinking / Beer / Dudes in Vegas / PUB / Monte Carlo / → All Tags

Where to Go When It's Hot, Sports Are On, and Dudes Are Thirsty

When beers are a nickel we don't care what or how many are on the menu. Otherwise, we like choices with our beer.

With the temperature breaking 100 degrees this week in Vegas we got thinking about watering holes where dudes can keep hydrated.

For the beer drinker, there are obviously plenty of restaurant and casino bars to get your Bud and Miller on. Or for the gambling beer drinker, the waitress droning “cocktails….drinks…cocktails….drinks” will be happy to deliver your free Coors. Don't forget to tip.

But when we think about beer spots we picture a menu just for the beer. No sliders, no chicken wings, and definitely no pink cocktails. Organized somehow, whether by region, type, or color, we just want to drool at the choices. In the end, we may still opt for Miller but at least we had options.

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Tags: Deals / Room Rates / Cheap Vegas / Monte Carlo / → All Tags

Monte Carlo Has Rooms From $40 If You Book By Tomorrow

It’s not somewhere we spend a lot of time in, but when we do go to the Monte Carlo (usually to walk to Aria), we’re always struck by how understatedly nice it actually is, and how decent the room rates normally are.

And now they’re even more decent than normal – because yesterday, they started a 72 hour sale with rates starting at $40.

There’s a two night minimum stay, unfortunately, but you do get a 2 for 1 buffet offer, if that swings it. And the savings are pretty decent – this weekend, for example, rooms in the sale cost $112, whereas the rack rate will set you back $150.

If you want to book, you have until the end of tomorrow. Click here.

Tags: Aria / CityCenter / Monte Carlo / Valets / Parking / Driving / → All Tags

Is Monte Carlo The Solution to Aria's Valet Blues?

So far we haven’t been a big fan of the valet situation at Aria but we’ve given them a couple passes as they sort out the kinks. The self-park garage is a whole ‘nother story as it’s harder to locate and navigate than a Courtney Love interview. Whether you’ve given up on parking at Aria altogether or just don’t want the valet lifting that El DeBarge cassette buried under the passenger seat, what are your options?

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Tags: Cashing Out / Lance Burton / Monte Carlo / Magic Shows / → All Tags

Lance Burton to Disappear from Monte Carlo on September 4

There was speculation last year at this time that magician Lance Burton was out at Monte Carlo but he magically pulled a six-year contract out of his hat.

But today it was announced that Burton will be out as of September 4. And it appears to be have been a not-so-nice parting. We wonder if he will even make it until September? Are you lining up to buy your last Lance tickets or not? Let us know in comments below.

Here's what else is on in Vegas:
· The Frank Sinatra musical will not be coming to Las Vegas [NY Post]
· Could there be a Wynn Mexico be our future? [HotelChatter]
· Why are there bomb-sniffing drugs at the Luxor? [@VegasBatman]
· If it smells good in town today, it's because The Pizza Convention is on! [SF Chronicle]
· Holly Madison and Benji Madden. Discuss. [LV Sun]

Tags: Cheating / Crime / Scandals / Do Not Do / Casinos / Blackjack / Monte Carlo / → All Tags

Don't You Forget: Casino Security Will Mess You Up Quick

"The real crime here is not having Kate Bosworth is this picture, Larry."

You’ve seen how Hollywood plays out the scene. Casino security monitors the blackjack table from the eye in the sky, confirms the savvy gamblers cheaters are counting cards, then sends Larry Fishburne down for a loooooooooong, slow walk to the table. Then either a calm discussion convinces the heroes culprits to follow security to the “office”, or chips are jammed into pockets before the winners scoundrels head for the exits. In both cases, security never breaks stride or works up a sweat.

While we believe most things we see in movies and are anxiously awaiting our turn to fly to another world and hang out with hot, blue skinned chicks, Hollywood seems to underestimate just how quickly casino security can move.

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Tags: Snapshot / Monte Carlo / Lance Burton / Do Not Do / Magic / → All Tags

Lance Burton Knows How To Stop You Taking Photos

Well, here’s one way of stopping those pests who like nothing better than to spend an entire concert/show/speech taking photos (unless, of course, those pests are us, taking entirely necessary snaps for this website. Ahem).

We noticed this strict little sign at the Lance Burton Theater at the Monte Carlo last night. It says that not only are cameras etc prohibited during the performance (like anyone takes any notice of those signs) but that if you do do as everyone else does and break the rules, your equipment will be seized and your film destroyed.

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Tags: Cashing Out / Sweets / Cupcakes / Monte Carlo / → All Tags

The Cupcakery is Now Giving Out Sugar Shots at Monte Carlo

Just after the CityCenter Grand Opening madness, another opening of the sticky sweet variety was happening inside The Monte Carlo--The Cupcakery opened.

Located near what might be the fanciest Starbucks in Vegas, the cupcake shop sells gourmet cupcakes (duh), coffee and even, shots:

The Cupcakery has become a favorite of locals and tourists alike with signature flavors including Kir Royale, a raspberry cake with champagne frosting; Tickle Me Pink, a classic white cake with pink buttercream frosting; and the award-winning Southern Belle, a moist red velvet cake smothered in cream cheese frosting.

The bakery also offers frosting shots for those seeking a quick dose of sugar without the cake. Customers on-the-go can enjoy the Monte Carlo Travel Special which includes one cupcake and a large coffee for $6.

The shop is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Check out the goodness to be had here.

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Tags: Starbucks / Monte Carlo / Coffee Shops / → All Tags

Is This The Fanciest Starbucks in All of Las Vegas?

Last week on the eve of the CityCenter Grand Opening, we found ourselves meandering through Monte Carlo so we could ride the tram from MC to The Crystals.

And just before the tram station, right next to The Pub, we spotted the fanciest Starbucks of all of Vegas.

Check it out! Look at those modern red couches and what about those grey leather chairs? Don't forget the pretty calligraphy art on the wall that is actually a subliminal device to get you to buy more Starbucks. Even better, the line is only two people deep!

We're quite shocked a casino-hotel would go for this sort of eye-pleasing and comfortable Starbucks location. Don't they want people out gambling instead?

Got a favorite or a worst Starbucks location in Vegas? Tell us where it is here.

Another shot of "The Fanciest Starbucks" is after the jump.

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Tags: Vegas Snapshot / Mexican Food / Restaurants / Monte Carlo / → All Tags

What's Under The Table at Diablo's Cantina?

Why it's a half-empty giant bottle of Ocean Spray cranberry juice. We found this interesting "souvenir" dining at Diablo's Cantina at The Monte Carlo the other week. The Mexican food was good and the drinks got us drunk but we still prefer Dos Caminos at the Palazzo for Mexican food on the Strip. We're suckers for their guacamole, their classic margaritas and the fish tacos.

What's your favorite place for Mexican food on The Strip? Let us know here.