Vegas Prime Magazine (V1.10) - August 25, 2024 Issue

AUGUST 25, 2024

USC and LSU face off at Allegiant Stadium

LATE-NIGHT DINING | WHISKEY HOTSPOTS | MIKALAH GORDON | MUSIC GALORE

Located on the Lower Level

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26

Cover Feature

USC and LSU face off in the

Modelo 2024 Vegas Kickoff Classic

at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 1.

10

That’s Hot!

Vegas Prime Magazine Editor-in-Chief

Don Chareunsy’s top to-do picks while

you’re in Las Vegas.

34

Showtime

Nas, Kathleen Madigan, Future + Metro

Boomin, Twenty One Pilots, Boyz II Men

+ Robin Thicke, Dane Cook, The Beach

Boys, Billy Currington and more.

12

16

22

Prime Picks

Our recommendations for the top whiskey

hotspots in Las Vegas and where to watch

the Modelo-sponsored 2024 Vegas Kickoff

Classic in town.

Out + About

“Purple Reign,” Rod Stewart, Morrissey,

Dustin Lynch and The Star Trek

Convention.

Celebrity Takeover

Las Vegas girl Mikalah Gordon, Top 12 of

“American Idol” Season 4, talks about life

in Sin City, L.A. – and Las Vegas again.

52

60

66

Attractions

Machine Guns Vegas, Hot Wheels

Monster Trucks Glow Party at The

Orleans Arena and Death Valley in

one day.

Time to Dine

Jose Andres opens Bazaar Mar and Bar

Centro at Crystals. Also: His other restaurants

in Las Vegas, 00 Pie & Pub and

Brewing News by Bob Barnes.

The Last Word

Vegas Prime Whispers: Celebrity and

Las Vegas gossip and sightings. Ssshhh!

6

VEGASPRIME.COM | August 25, 2024

JAMAL M. PARKER

Publisher

DON CHAREUNSY

Editor-in-Chief

ARTURO PERALTA

Art Director

BRIANNA KOURETAS

Senior Account Manager

DANIEL HOWARD

Account Executive

MICHAEL URIARTE

Account Executive and Events

NOE ALARCON, JEN AVISON SMITH,

BOB BARNES, PATRANYA BHOOL-

SUWAN, CHRISTIANA CINN, ED

CONDRAN, MARISA FINETTI, STACEY

GUALANDI, EMMY KASTEN, RANDY

SCHACHERL + TODD SCHACHERL

Contributors

DARIN FEINSTEIN

Founder/CEO

VEGAS PRIME MAGAZINE

3753 Howard Hughes Parkway, #200,

Las Vegas, NV 89169

www.vegasprime.com

Advertising and business inquiries

(702) 479-5022 | info@vegasprime.com

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Copyright 2024 by Vegas Prime Magazine. All rights reserved.

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Vegas Prime Magazine, 3753 Howard Hughes Pkwy, #200,

Las Vegas, NV 89169, vegasprime.com

Editor's

Letter

It’s been all about sports, and especially

Las Vegas sports, as of late.

Four players on the Las Vegas

Aces won gold in women’s

basketball at the 2024

Paris Olympics. (Are

we still talking about

the French pole

vaulter?) The Las

Vegas Raiders season

is underway. And now the 2024

Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic is on the

horizon at Allegiant Stadium.

Taking over the Death Star in the Desert on

Sept. 1, USC and LSU face off in one of the biggest

college football games to be hosted in The

Entertainment Capital of the World. Are you

ready for some college football – and Modelo?

Also in Issue #9: Prime Picks for late-night dining

and whiskey hotspots; Celebrity Takeover

guest Mikalah Gordon, Machine Guns Vegas,

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks and Death Valley

in a day; Jose Andres, 00 Pie & Pub and more!

And check out this music and entertainment

lineup: Nas at Encore, Kathleen Madigan at The

Venetian, Future + Metro Boomin at T-Mobile

Arena, Twenty One Pilots at MGM Grand, Boyz

II Men + Robin Thicke at The Cosmopolitan,

Dane Cook at Pearl Concert Theater, The Beach

Boys at The Venetian, Billy Currington at Pearl

Concert Theater and more. Day-um!

A belated congratulations, Olympic gold medalists

A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and

Kelsey Plum – cheers to y’all with an ice-cold

Modelo!

And speaking of Modelo, this issue of Vegas

Prime Magazine includes where to watch the

VKC if you couldn’t score a ticket at Allegiant.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Vegas Prime Magazine

2024 MODELO VEGAS KICKOFF CLASSIC

AllegiantStadium.com

The 2024 Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant

Stadium on Sept. 1 pits USC and LSU

in one of the largest college football games to

be played in The Entertainment Capital of the

World. If you couldn’t get a ticket to the game,

there are viewing parties aplenty in town.

THE KILLERS

Caesars.com

Somebody told me The Killers, with

charismatic frontman Brandon Flowers,

are performing 10 shows at The Colosseum

in Caesars Palace in celebration of the

20th anniversary of their album “Hot Fuss”

through Sept. 1. So awesome! Just call me Mr.

Brightside.

NEW CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH

PrimmValleyResorts.com

The Buffet at Buffalo Bill’s in Primm launched

a champagne brunch Aug. 11. Available from

7 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, unlimited champagne

and mimosas are $10.99, and the expansive

buffet (prime rib, seafood, desserts) is $29.99.

Timewise, it’s a faster drive from my home in

Henderson to Primm than it is to Summerlin!

More details to come.

BAZAAR MAR BY JOSÉ ANDRÉS

TheBazaar.com

It’s a good day when José Andrés opens a

restaurant in Las Vegas, and we now have two

new concepts by the celebrity and award-winning

chef at Aria: Bazaar Mar, a seafood and

tapas restaurant rooted in Spanish flavors,

and Bar Centro steps below for a chic and

upscale café experience.

VEGAS PRIME PICKS

VegasPrime.com

Vegas Prime Magazine has created lists of our

favorites in Las Vegas, from burgers, doughnuts,

dim sum, buffets and headliner shows to

tacos, beer pubs, fried chicken and pizza. We

want you to have the best experience while in

The Entertainment Capital of the World!

THE STEAKHOUSE ISSUE

VegasPrime.com

We featured 50 of our favorite steakhouses in

Las Vegas in the July 14 issue of Vegas Prime

Magazine. Our six Prime Picks: Bavette’s

Steakhouse, Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres,

Carversteak, The Steakhouse at Circus Circus,

Papi Steak and Scotch 80 Prime. So many

awesome steaks, so little time!

By Don Chareunsy

Editor-in-Chief | Vegas Prime Magazine

Here are five of

our favorite latenight

dining spots

in Las Vegas

By Don Chareunsy

Bramare

Bramare.com

I couldn’t have been more thrilled

when Bramare Inspired Italian – by

Partners + Owners Evan Glusman and

Constantin Alexander and Executive

Chef Joe Valdez – opened in July at

3900 Paradise Road, ushering a new

era of late-night dining in Las Vegas

post-pandemic.

Open 5 p.m.-3 a.m. (closed Sundays

and Mondays), Bramare offers

delicious and inventive Italian fare

(pizzas, pastas, pork) and excellent

cocktails, a specialty of Alexander,

who said business is booming after

midnight when industry workers are

off work and looking for great food and

cocktails.

Here are four more favorite latenight

dining restaurants. Criteria

for all five places: The restaurants

must be open until at least

midnight and serve a full menu.

As luck would have it, my five

off-the-cuff selections are Italian,

Mexican, Korean, Chinese and

American – one of each. Bam!

the Las Vegas Strip) – all of which

are open 24/7 (hooray!) – and

all three are fantastic. My go-to

menu items now are the tableside

guacamole, pozole, tostada

salad, Judi Siegel Platter, Chicken

Feinstein and flan. Be sure to ask

for the hot habanero salsa with

the chips and salsa.

Pre-pandemic, it was a common occurrence

to dine after a concert or show

beginning at 11 p.m. or midnight – and

not fast food. Grazie, Evan, Constantin

and Joe, for bringing late-night dining

back, yeah.

12


El Dorado Cantina

Multiple locations;

ElDoradoCantina.com

I’ve dined at all three locations

(Tivoli Village, Southwest Las

Vegas and Sammy Davis Jr. near

Top Korean BBQ +

Meat Salon

I’m cheating here because I

can. These two AYCE options in

Henderson are similar. Both offer

discounted late-night AYCE menus,

unlimited refills on soda and menus

with traditional Korean BBQ items

and appetizers, side dishes and

dessert. Top Korean is open 11:30

a.m.-2 a.m. seven days a week, and

Meat Salon, formerly Honey Pig, is

open 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. seven days

a week.

Hong Kong Garden

Seafood & Dim Sum

Café

HKGardenLasVegas.com

One of my favorite dim sum

restaurants in Las Vegas based on

food, pricing and hours offers a full

menu in the later hours, minus the

carts. The classic must-orders: fried

smelt, rice noodle rolls, chicken

feet, baked egg custard, baked

coconut buns, turnip cake, braised

beef tendon, sweet rice in lotus

leaves and more. Hours: 9 a.m.-11

p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 9

a.m.-1 a.m. Fridays-Sundays.

Born and Raised

Multiple locations; BornAndRaisedLV.com

The Southwest Las Vegas and

Henderson locations are both open

24/7 (hooray!), and I have so many

fond memories of Born and Raised

and late-night food and drinks

with good friends at both places.

Standouts: the (surprising) loco

moco, aloha breakfast sliders,

breakfast poutine, homemade mac

and cheese bites and Texas-style

nachos.

Courtesy Photos

Five Standouts

for Mega Whiskey

Selections

By Bob Barnes

Whiskey has long been on the rise

and in the U.S. is the top-selling

spirit category for on-premises consumption.

Here are our Prime Picks

of where to find a well-rounded and

voluminous selection of the popular

brown spirit. All also offer exclusive

one-of-a-kind pours you’ll find

nowhere else created from custom

wood barrels aged with carefully

selected barrel staves.

Delmonico Steakhouse

DelmonicoSteakhouse.com

This Emeril Lagasse steakhouse

in The Venetian is elegant and

luxurious both in cuisine and

atmosphere. It boasts one of the

top meat selections globally,

which is matched with its whiskey

selection, possibly the largest in

Las Vegas. Entering the restaurant,

you’ll encounter the front

bar, where the alcohol arsenal is

situated in its full glory. The menu

is so extensive, it is listed in the

47-page Whisky Book.

# of Expressions: 800

Rare Gems: The Macallan 25

yr Bottled by Signatory, Glendronach

29 yr 1992 Oloroso

Cask and Blanton’s Straight

From the Barrel

Exclusive/Available Only

Here: Emeril’s Weller Full

Proof Bourbon, Emeril’s

Rare Character Rye Whiskey

Finished with Brazilian

Amburana Wood and Emeril’s

Westward Single Malt

Whiskey

Ask For: Lead Bartender Erik

Kluever

14


Carversteak

Carversteak.com

This luxury steakhouse at

Resorts World has made a

name for itself for its dedication

to fine cuts of beef and

stellar whiskey selection. One

of Carversteak’s two private

dining rooms is the Whiskey

Room, where there are private

tastings and some of its rarest

bottles are stored in attractive

cabinets. The collection is one

of the city’s largest in terms

of rare, one-off creations. A

unique amenity is Timeless

Treasures, a leather trunk containing

rare and limited-production

spirits paired with a

water specially formulated to

blend with premium spirits.


Rare Gems: Banff 37 yr Cask

Strength, Bunnahabhain 43 yr

1975 Vintage Matured in Refill

Sherry Butt Cask and Craigellachie

33 yr

Exclusive/Available Only

Here: Carversteak Maker’s

Mark 46 Private Selection

Single Barrel

Ask For: Carver Road Hospitality

Vice President of Beverage

& Hospitality Culture and

Master Mixologist Francesco

Lafranconi

Double Helix Wine &

Whiskey Lounge

DoubleHelixWine.com

Located at Town Square, large

whiskey barrels at the entrance

give a clue to what awaits

inside. Here you’ll find the

largest selection off the Strip,

with nearly 500 unique labels

spanning a variety of regions

from around the world. Some

of the whiskies are so rare, they

are not kept at the bar but are

locked away (you’ll have to ask

for them). An excellent perk

is the Custom Flight: Choose

any number of whiskies on

the menu for half pours at half

price.


Rare Gems: Kentucky Owl Rye

Bayou Mardi Gras XO Casks,

The Macallan 25 yr Sherry Oak

and WhistlePig The Boss Hog

VIII

Exclusive/Available Nowhere

Else: Elijah Craig Private

Barrel Uncut and Sonoma

Cherrywood Straight Rye Single

Barrel

Ask For: Manager Quentin

Reyes

Oak & Ivy

OakandIvy.com

This craft whiskey bar in the

Downtown Container Park just

celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Like everything else in the

park, the bar is made from

upcycled shipping containers,

which makes for an intimate,

cozy feel. The décor suggests an

opulence from years long ago,

and a rooftop patio provides

overflow space and room for

special events. Be sure to ask

for the Unicorn list of hard-tofind

bottles and check out the

Battle Born Flight (all made in

Nevada).


Rare Gems: Pappy Van Winkle

series, Noah’s Mill and Brook

Hill Rare Character


Else: Weller Full Proof Wheated

Bourbon

Ask For: Lead Bartender

Wesley Pride and Bar Manager

Russell Dow

Scotch 80 Prime

Palms.com

The name of this steakhouse at

Palms Casino Resort suggests

the numbers of scotch it carries,

but it is instead named for

an old Las Vegas neighborhood.

But that doesn’t mean whiskey

isn’t at the forefront. Although

the selection isn’t as vast as

when the restaurant opened

under different ownership,

it is a respectful amount

and steadily increasing. The

lion’s share are whiskies from

Scotland. Flights to consider:

Bourbon Trail, Scotch Explorer

and Secret Flavors of Japan.


Rare Gems: Pappy Van Winkle

15 yr, 20 yr and 23 yr, Royal

Salute 62 Gun Salute and Kujira

20 yr


Else: Elijah Craig Palms Single

Barrel Bourbon (also available

in other Palms restaurants)

Ask For: Director of Beverage

Nicole Canfield

OUT +

ABOUT

‘Reign’ on His Parade

Jason Tenner – star and creator of

“Purple Reign: The Prince Tribute Show!” –

received a proclamation on July 27

declaring it “Purple Reign Day” in

Las Vegas.

July 27 marked the 40th anniversary of

the premiere of the film “Purple Rain,” for

which Prince won an Academy Award,

and 27 years since “Purple Reign” started

entertaining audiences in Las Vegas.

Since then, the award-winning show has

entertained millions of people, celebrating

the music and legacy of Prince.

“Purple Reign” is now in residency at The

V Theater inside The Miracle Mile Shops at

Planet Hollywood and performs Tuesdays,

Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m.

16


Rod Stewart, at

The Barbershop,

celebrates milestones

Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sir

Rod Stewart surprised fans with an appearance

at The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails,

the swanky speakeasy and live music

hotspot at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas,

on Aug. 5. Joined by family and bandmates,

the British rock legend celebrated the first

anniversary of his award-winning Wolfie’s

Whisky and the 200th show and conclusion

of his 13-year “Rod Stewart – The

Hits” residency at Caesars Palace on

Aug. 7.

Unsuspecting fans were treated to an impromptu

a capella performance of “Have I

Told You Lately That I Love You,” and then

a singalong of “Ooh La La” joined by his

backup singers Holly Brewer, Becca Kotte

and JoAnne Harper and Radio XX, an allstar

rock band including Ben Carey (formerly

of Lifehouse and Savage Garden),

Bryce Soderberg (Lifehouse), Toby Rand

(“Rockstar Supernova”) and drummer Al

Seratto.

Stewart kicked off the evening by stepping

behind the bar alongside his business partner

Duncan Frew, CEO of Wolfie’s Whisky,

serving shots of their spirit. The rock icon

then joined his wife Penny Lancaster and

his family, including his children Sean,

Liam and Renee Stewart, as well as Liam’s

newlywed wife, Nicole Artukovich, and

Frew’s wife, Lauren.

Breaking news! So much for ending his

residency. Stewart has announced 12

encore shows in 2025: March 12, 14-15,

19 and 21-22, May 29 and 31 and June

1, 5 and 7-8.

Credit: Denise Truscello/Getty Images

VEGASPRIME.COM | August 25, 2024 17

OUT +

ABOUT

Morrissey sells out

shows at House of Blues

Morrissey kicked off his limited run of

Las Vegas shows at House of Blues in

Mandalay Bay with two back-to-back

sold-out performances July 26 and 27.

Performing to 3,600 guests over the two

nights, the setlists varied each evening.

Morrissey returned to Las Vegas the next

weekend for his final two shows Aug. 1

and 2.

The Las Vegas shows are in celebration of

“Beethoven Was Deaf ” (2024 remaster),

which was reissued for the first time since

its original release in 1993. The album

was recorded during the “Your Arsenal

Tour” in Paris at the Zenith in 1992 and

has now been remastered at Abbey Road

Studios. The two setlists:

Night 1 (July 26)

Night 2 (July 27)

1. Bigmouth Strikes Again

2. You’re the One for Me, Fatty

3. I Wish You Lonely

4. Ganglord

5. How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?

6. Sure Enough the Telephone Rings

7. If You Don’t Like Me, Don’t Look at Me

8. The World Is Full of Crashing Bores

9. Munich Air Disaster 1958

10. Half a Person

11. Let Me Kiss You

12. Girlfriend in a Coma

13. Why Don’t You Find Out for Yourself

14. The Loop

15. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want

16. Irish Blood, English Heart

17. Jack the Ripper

18. I Will See You in Far Off Places

19. Speedway

1. The Boy Racer

2. Sure Enough the Telephone Rings

3. You’re the One for Me, Fatty

4. I Wish You Lonely

5. Ganglord

6. How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?

7. Bigmouth Strikes Again

8. The World Is Full of Crashing Bores

9. Girlfriend in a Coma

10. I Like You

11. Why Don’t You Find Out Yourself

12. If You Don’t Like Me, Don’t Look at Me

13. Munich Air Disaster 1958

14. Half a Person

15. All the Lazy Dykes

16. The Loop

17. Shoplifters of the World

18. Jack the Ripper

19. I Will See You in Far Off Places

20. Speedway

18


Credit: Christian Hill for House Of Blues Las Vegas

Dustin Lynch Performs

Poolside at Red Rock

Country music star Dustin Lynch performed

poolside at the standing-room-only

The Sandbar Stage at Red Rock Resort

on Aug. 2. Despite the summertime heat,

Lynch donned a cowboy hat, shirt, pants

and boots in shades of tan and brown – to

match his guitar – and a white T-shirt.

The night before Lynch’s Friday night

concert, he threw out the first pitch at he

nearby Las Vegas Aviators game against

Albuquerque. Lynch has achieved eight No.

1 hits, four Top Five albums and 10 goldand

platinum-certified singles and amassed

more than 5.4 billion global streams.

His sixth studio album, “Killed the

Cowboy” from Broken Bow Records, was

released Sept. 29, and his hits include

“Where It’s At,” “Seein’ Red,” “Small Town

Boy,” “Thinking ’Bout You” and “Party

Mode.”

Credit: Edison G/Stardust Fallout


OUT +

ABOUT

Star Trek Convention

Lands for 58th time

at The Rio

By Randy Schacherl

Another weekend ended, another year marked

down on the 58th voyage of Creation Entertainment’s

Star Trek Las Vegas at The Rio. The

biggest and longest-running annual Star Trek

convention, Trekkies the world over bid adieu

and left the simmering heat of their host city.

Some things you might have missed were the

varied and excellently executed cosplays. You

might have seen a few Borgs, assimilated beings

now part of the collective consciousness. Another

guest was rolling around as Captain Pike

from “Star Trek: The Original Series,” futuristic

wheelchair and all.

One could not turn left or right without seeing

someone in a Starfleet uniform of one generation

or another. From the original series to “The

Lower Decks” animated show, every Star Trek

show was represented.

Panels on The Leonard Nimoy Stage featured

actors from “The Original Series,” “The Next

Generation,” “Space Nine” and “Voyager”:

William Shatner, Walter Koenig, Jonathan

Frakes, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden, Armin

Shimerman, Nana Visitor, Terry Farrell, Jeri

Ryan, Tim Russ and Robert Picardo.

Autograph booths seemed to outnumber

vendor stalls this year. In fact, those hoping to

meet actors and get autographs were absolutely

spoiled in the opportunity to talk and listen to

the plethora of actors whose stories and answers

to fan questions made it feel more like a family

reunion than a convention.

No matter where you come from in the world

or where you entered the Star Trek fandom, you

were among like-minded individuals, a Trekkie

family.

20


Credit: Todd Schacherl

10 Years

in the Loop

CUE THE VIEWS

SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS

CELEBRITY TAKEOVER

22 VEGASPRIME.COM | August 25, 2024

Las Vegas girl

Mikalah

Gordon’s

full-circle moment and

‘Idol’ life at home and in L.A.

Vegas, baby! That’s me –

a girl born and raised in

a city where everyone

dreams of being a showgirl.

Well, maybe that was

just my dream. Unfortunately,

with a bad knee

and a height of barely

5’2,” I had to reconsider.

Instead, I honed my

singing skills and became

the youngest contestant

on “American Idol.”

People often ask how long

I’ve been a singer, and the

truth is, my whole life! My

father, a jazz musician,

passed down his passion

for music, inspired by

artists including Billie

Holiday and Miles Davis.

My grandfather, also a

jazz artist, shared stories

of playing with Holiday.

While I now appreciate

those artists, I have vivid

memories of begging my

dad to turn the car radio

to 98.5 KLUC. I loved his

jazz, so why couldn’t he

love The Spice Girls and

Nelly?!

By age 6, I had a vocal

coach, Ms. Helen Wray,

who believed in me so

much that she didn’t

charge my family for lessons.

At 8, I was performing

at top Las Vegas hotels

with entertainers including

Charo, Tony Sacca and even

Tony Bennett (sorry, Gaga, I

did it first, lol!).

At 16, I auditioned for

“American Idol” and landed

in the Top 12 of Season 4.

After the show, I moved

to L.A., appeared on Fran

Drescher’s “Living With

Fran” and hosted “American

Idol Extra” for four seasons.

I discovered a love for making

people laugh, leading

me to standup comedy,

headlining at The Laugh

Factory and The Comedy

Store.

Social media opened new

doors, and I developed a

Melania Trump characterization,

gaining 1.6 million

followers on TikTok! My

partner in crime was John

Di Domenico (as Trump),

also from Las Vegas.

In 2016, I moved back to

Las Vegas for my residency

at Rose.Rabbit.Lie. inside

The Cosmopolitan, but soon

enough L.A. called again. I

returned, began a career in

radio, where I hosted a national

morning show for five

years. I also recorded my

first album, “Vivian,” named

after my grandmother.

Now I’m back in Las Vegas

and wouldn’t change a thing.

I am engaged to the love of

my life, DJ Lisa Pittman, and

surrounded by friends, family

and Las Vegas nightlife. I’m

thriving.

Recently, I announced my

singing residency at Nowhere

Lounge inside Fontainebleau

Las Vegas and at Delilah

at The Wynn. I created a

podcast, “So Funny It Hurts,”

interviewing comedians and

exploring the trauma that

makes them hilarious (laughter

is the best medicine).

In a full-circle moment, I

landed a job as the co-host of

“The Chet Buchanan Show”

on 98.5 KLUC. Remember

when I begged my dad to play

KLUC? When I got the job,

I called my dad, and we just

cried and laughed.

I love being from Vegas, growing

up here and seeing the

city’s incredible transformation.

If I’ve learned anything

from Vegas, it’s to always bet

on yourself.


By Ed Condran

USC and LSU

face off

at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 1

26


It’s the beach vs. the bayou when two of college

football’s most legendary programs battle at

Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 1. USC will face LSU in

the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic.

LSU, ranked No. 14 in the pre-season ESPN

poll, is coming off a solid 10-3 season.

Expectations are high for the LSU Tigers

even after losing Heisman-winning

quarterback Jayden Daniels. The perennial

powerhouse features the return of six

starters on both sides of the ball and boasts

the No. 9 recruiting class.

Redshirt junior Garrett Nussmeier should

put up numbers, and the LSU defense should be more

productive than the disappointing 2023 unit thanks to

a coaching change and infusion of talent.

LSU coach Brian Kelly hired former Missouri defensive

coordinator Blake Baker to transform a surprisingly porous

unit, which ranked 81st in scoring defense and 118th in pass

defense in 2023.


However, much is expected of defensive end

Gabriel Reliford and transfer defensive tackle

Jay’viar Suggs. It wouldn’t be surprising to find the

Tigers in the national championship mix.

USC also lost a Heisman-winning quarterback. The

top pick of the NFL draft, Caleb Williams, is in the

rearview, and the Trojans, who are ranked No. 25

in the pre-season ESPN poll, have potential.

Quarterback Miller Moss should develop under

head coach Lincoln Riley. The offensive line has

been revamped. There’s some hype

around Mississippi State

transfer Jo’Quavious Marks,

who is expected to be the

featured running back.

The offense should be

fine, but the focal

point will be on the Trojans defense. Riley hired

UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to

reconstruct a unit that was ranked 121st in the

Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring defense and

119th in total defense.

Expect safeties Akili Arnold and Kamari Ramsey

and cornerbacks John Humphrey and DeCarols

Nicholson to make a difference.

Experiencing the start of the college football

season with two dynamic teams with considerable

tradition is a great way to kick off the 2024

campaign at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The hope is that the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic

will live up to the hype. At the very least, the game

should be entertaining, and the potential is there

for offensive pyrotechnics in a game coached

by two of the finest in college football.

Will LSU be in the running for another

national championship? Will USC’s young

quarterback lead his team farther than

Williams? Much will be known after the two

titans clash over Labor Day Weekend.

LSU and USC battle in

THE 2024 MODELO VEGAS KICKOFF CLASSIC

at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 1


FORE! FOR FUN

Swingers Las Vegas to open crazy golf experience at Mandalay Bay on Nov. 8

It’s par-tee time in Las Vegas, as Swingers Las Vegas – the

adults-only crazy golf club and high-end entertainment

experience – is set to open its flagship location at Mandalay

Bay on Nov. 8.

Marking the largest venue for the global entertainment brand

Swingers and becoming its flagship, the 40,000-square-foot

destination will include four crazy golf courses, multiple bars

and eateries and the Swingers Carnival arcade concept and

introduce a new design distinct from other locations worldwide:

an English country estate with an English country house.

“As one of the world’s premier entertainment destinations, Las

Vegas is the perfect place for the next chapter of Swingers,”

said Co-CEO and Co-Founder Matt Grech-Smith. “We believe

life’s most enjoyable moments are fueled by a blend of friendly

competition, exceptional food and superb cocktails.

“Swingers will bring this unique mix to the Strip with our

whimsical golf courses, Swingers Carnival, vibrant bars and

electric party scene. In true Vegas style, our flagship location

will be grander and more thrilling than ever.”

Founded in London by Grech-Smith and co-CEO Jeremy

Simmonds, Swingers pioneered what is termed “competitive

socializing” and the renaissance of what the Brits call “crazy

golf” – by taking the classic game of mini golf and reinventing

it for a 21-and-over audience with DJs, street food and cocktails

served by caddies.

Located steps away from the Mandalay Bay parking garage

entrance, highlights of Swingers Las Vegas include:

Credit: SHIFTMEDIA

CRAZY GOLF COURSES: The Las Vegas location will house four

crazy golf courses across three floors, each featuring their own

layout. Custom created in London, these are the Clocktower and

the Hot Air Balloon courses – located in the heart of the venue

– and the Carousel and the Meteorite courses on the upper

levels. All of Swingers’ courses include obstacles with moving

installations (such as windmills, waterwheels and carousels),

jumps and loops.

CADDIES WITH COCKTAILS: Crazy golfers looking to quench their

thirst can order anything from wine and beer to craft cocktails

with premium spirits.

BARS AND BEATS: On the main level, Swingers’ Sunken Garden

will feature a parasol-covered cocktail lounge, DJ booth and two

private rooms for events. The Estate Bar will span the length

of the venue offering the perfect vantage point to watch

the action, sip on cocktails and enjoy tunes from

Swingers’ DJ booth. Guests on upper

levels can head to The

Clubhouse split-level cocktail bar and the elevated Carousel

Lounge for drinks in between rounds.

STREET FOOD EATS: Swingers Las Vegas will debut a street food

restaurateur where hungry guests can grab a bite while relaxing

in between rounds.

SWINGERS CARNIVAL: Guests can test their luck in a variety of

old-school games and sideshows within the Swingers Carnival.

Inspired by a bygone era and the grandeur of the Belle Epoque,

the space will be decked out in vintage décor, vibrant lights and

the nostalgic charm of traditional games. Points can be earned

at the Swingers Carnival and used to redeem prizes.

NEW LAS VEGAS NIGHTLIFE: Guests can swap the nightclub for

a golf club at this new alternative to nightlife.

“The opening of Swingers Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay marks an

exciting milestone as we continue to roll out a new wave of engaging

and interactive entertainment offerings,” said Mandalay

Bay President + COO Travis Lunn.

Swingers.Club

Adult performer

CHRISTIANA CINN

shares how to have a great time

in a Las Vegas strip club

Christiana Cinn is a fourtime

Penthouse cover model

and frequent adult performer

in Las Vegas. Las Vegas is one

of her Top 10 cities to perform

and visit. Cinn is a foodie

at heart and appreciates

superior quality and

creativity. Cinn also

loves sour licorice

and No Doubt and

enjoys natural

mineral spas in

nature.

While visiting a strip club in Las Vegas can be an exciting and adventurous

experience for couples looking to spice things up, it’s important to keep a few

key things in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable evening. As an adult

entertainer who is well-versed in the industry, I’ve gathered some tips to

help couples have a great time at strip clubs in Las Vegas.

First and foremost, it’s essential to be aware of the dynamics at play

when it comes to dancers interacting with couples. Dancers often

pay more attention to the female in the couple, as she is typically

the one who matters most in the situation. It’s common for

dancers to approach the woman first and engage with her before

turning their attention to the male partner. This is all done to

make the female feel comfortable and respected in

the environment.

When it comes to touching, it’s important to ask for consent

both ways. While some dancers may be more comfortable

with touch than others, it’s crucial to always respect their

boundaries and ask before making any physical contact.

Additionally, couples should be prepared for the fact that

everything at a strip club will likely cost double, so it’s

important to budget accordingly.

It’s also worth noting that not all dancers may be

comfortable dancing for couples, as they might find it

challenging to manage the attention of two people at

once. However, couples should not be discouraged

by this and should feel free to approach dancers and

express their interest in a dance or conversation.

If a dancer shows interest in the female partner or

begins flirting with her, this can be seen as a green

light for the couple to engage further. Encouraging

the female partner to flirt back can help make

her feel more comfortable and can lead to a

more enjoyable experience for both parties.

When it comes to choosing a strip club in Las

Vegas, there are several options that cater to

couples. Some popular choices include Spearmint

Rhino, known for its VIP host services; Palomino,

the only full nude strip club in Nevada that serves

alcohol; and Hustler, which offers great customer

service and a fun atmosphere.

Ultimately, the key to having a great time at a strip

club in Las Vegas as a couple is to communicate

openly, respect boundaries and embrace the

experience with an open mind. By following these

tips and choosing the right venue, couples can

enjoy a sizzling evening filled with excitement

and adventure.


SHOWTIME

The Race Is On

Alesso, OneRepublic, Ludacris to

headline during F1 Las Vegas Nov. 21-23

Ludacris, Alesso and OneRepublic are set to headline the

T-Mobile Zone at Sphere Stage during the Formula 1

Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix from Nov. 21-23.

Chromeo, Drama, Kaleena Zanders, Meute, The Beaches,

Too Many Zooz and more also will take the stage for

performances throughout the weekend.

Guests can step into a festival-like atmosphere underneath

the glow of Las Vegas’s newest landmark, Sphere, and

engage in fan activations along with unobstructed views

of some of the most challenging turns of the race,

including Turn 5G and through the chicane spanning

Turns 7 through 9.

“Las Vegas is The Sports and Entertainment Capital of the

World, so we knew we needed to bring an all-star lineup for

this year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix,” said Renee Wilm, CEO of

34


Las Vegas Grand Prix. “Fans can expect an extraordinary

set of live acts, with performances from major names in

entertainment to electrifying sets by beloved DJs and many

more.”

The T-Mobile Zone at Sphere Stage lineup includes:

Thursday, Nov. 21: OneRepublic

Friday, Nov. 22: Alesso

Saturday, Nov. 23: Ludacris

“I’m excited to celebrate the Las Vegas Grand Prix and

welcome fans from all over the world to my home away

from home,” Alesso said. “It’s going to be another great

weekend in Vegas!”

Courtesy Photos

Fans with ticketed experiences in the T-Mobile Zone

at Sphere will have access to headliner performances,

fan activations including Club Magenta by T-Mobile and

complimentary food, water and soft drinks. Ticket options

available in the T-Mobile Zone at Sphere include:

T-Mobile Grandstands: Three-day ticket with assigned seats

in the T-Mobile Zone at Sphere.

T-Mobile General Admission: Three-day ticket with standing-room-only

views and access to viewing platforms on a

first-come, first-serve basis.

Additional entertainment, such as the Heineken Silver Stage

acts, The Liv on the Grid DJ lineup and other performance

offerings will be announced later.

More: F1LasVegasGP.com

Kathleen Madigan Brings

‘Potluck Party’ to The Venetian

By Ed Condran

Kathleen Madigan enjoys riffing about the

aggravation of travel, but that’s part of the deal

for a standup comic. “It’s the hardest part of my

job,” Madigan said while calling from her Nashville

home. “I love performing.”

When lockdown commenced, Madigan enjoyed

being able to just hang out in Music City or in The

Ozarks.

“It was so nice to stay home for a year,” Madigan

said. “Ron White said something hilarious to me,

which was, ‘Isn’t it funny how the one thing that

got in the way of our fun were those shows we did

at night?’

“I love my job, but I got to do all of these other

things in my life, like play golf, fish and go walking

in the woods. Ron White also said, ‘Isn't it amazing

how we seamlessly slipped into retirement? ...

For me, there is nothing I would rather do than

standup.”

Madigan, who brings her “The Potluck Party 2024

Tour” to The Venetian on Aug. 30 and 31, isn’t

just blowing smoke. The quick and unpredictable

humorist had plenty of TV offers over the years.

The gigs Madigan turned down range from being

an ESPN anchor to acting and writing for sitcoms.

“I never wanted a sitcom. Asking me to become a

sitcom actor would be like asking me to become a

veterinarian. I have no concept about how to treat a

dog or act. How arrogant would I be if I could pretend

that I can do what Patricia Heaton does?”

Some of her peers would have jumped at the chance

to have joined ESPN just due to the national face

time. “I can see that because you would have great

exposure as an ESPN reporter,” Madigan said. “The

job I turned down went to Suzy Kolber, who has had

a heck of a career. I love sports. But there were

a few big reasons I passed on ESPN.

“I don’t like every sport. ESPN isn’t going

to pay much for new talent because they

can get away with it. Everyone would

sacrifice to work there. Hey, I studied

journalism, but it was evident early

on that I could make more money

as a bartender than as

a journalist.

“But I didn’t want to

do that, either. I

always wanted

to be a standup

comic.”

“Ever since the ’80s when they started giving out

sitcoms to standups like Robin Williams, there

have been comics that are really actor people

looking to get acting gigs but trying to do standup,"

Madigan said.

36


If You Go

VenetianLasVegas.com


Empowering

Legacy

Celebrating the

Life’s Work of a

Passionate Artist.

RESERVE

YOUR TIME

By appointment

only, a typical visit

is two hours. Scan

the code to book

your tickets.

5850 North Park Street,

Las Vegas, NV 89149

(702) 658-5097

rdamuseum.org

info@rdamuseum.org

By Appointment Only

Mon.-Wed. Closed

Thurs.-Sun. 10:00am-5:00pm

Nas + Las Vegas Philharmonic headline

Encore Theater for three nights

Grammy Award-winning rap legend Nas has announced

his venue debut at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas

with three performances featuring the Las Vegas

Philharmonic over Labor Day Weekend.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of his debut

album, “Illmatic,” Nas will perform his chart-topping hits

in the exclusive-to-Las Vegas collaboration Aug. 29 and

31 and Sept. 1.

“Las Vegas has always served as a creative outlet for

my music, and these performances will take that to the

next level,” Nas said. “I am excited to partner with the

Las Vegas Philharmonic to bring this first-of-its-kind

performance to Encore Theater and to showcase my

music to my fans in Las Vegas in a whole new way.”

WynnLasVegas.com | Ticketmaster.com

40


Credit Nas/AEG Presents Las Vegas

Future + Metro Boomin’s ‘We Trust You Tour’

at T-Mobile Arena on Aug. 30

Three-time Grammy Award-winning artist Future and

Grammy-nominated record producer Metro Boomin’s

“We Trust You Tour” makes a stop at T-Mobile Arena on

Aug. 30.

The tour supports Future and Metro Boomin’s most

recent collaborations, “We Don’t Trust You,” which was

released on March 22, and “We Still Don’t Trust You,”

which dropped April 12 via Freebandz, Epic Records,

Boominati Worldwide and Republic Records.

“We Don’t Trust You” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard

200 following the release of their track ‘Like That’ with

Kendrick Lamar that topped Billboard’s Hot 100.

T-MobileArena.com

Courtesy Photos


Twenty One Pilots bring

‘The Clancy World Tour’

to MGM Grand

Grammy Award-winning duo Twenty One Pilots

announced details of their massive global

headline “The Clancy World Tour” and shared

“Next Semester,” a new song from their highly

anticipated album “Clancy” released May 17 via

Fueled By Ramen.

Twenty One Pilots bring “The Clancy World Tour”

to MGM Grand Garden Arena on Aug. 31 in their

biggest headline tour ever.

Twenty One Pilots returned with news in February

of “Clancy” and released the album’s lead single

“Overcompensate” alongside an accompanying

official music video directed by Reel Bear Media.

Having amassed more than 33 billion streams

worldwide and more than 3 million tickets sold

across global headline tours, the Columbus,

Ohio-based duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun

have established themselves as one of the most

successful bands of the 21st century.

Co-produced by Joseph and Paul Meany, Clancy

marks the final chapter in an ambitious multialbum

narrative introduced in the band’s 2015

multiplatinum breakthrough “Blurryface.”

MGMResorts.com

42


Boyz II Men + Robin Thicke take

Chelsea stage for four shows

Boyz II Men, the bestselling R&B group of all time,

are returning to Las Vegas for a four-night, exclusive

engagement at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las

Vegas. The shows are Aug. 23, 24, 30 and 31 and will

feature guest Robin Thicke.

Boyz II Men redefined popular R&B and continue to

create timeless hits that appeal to fans across all generations.

The band has penned and performed some of

the most celebrated classics of the past two decades,

including “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,”

“One Sweet Day,” “Motownphilly” and many others.

Thicke skyrocketed to solo success with 2013’s “Blurred

Lines,” featuring T.I. and Pharrell, the RIAA diamond-certified

single that spent 12 weeks at #1 on the Billboard

Hot 100 and cemented him with the first record to take

the top spot on five radio charts simultaneously – Top

40, Rhythm, Urban, Hot AC and Urban AC. Thicke joined

Fox’s “The Masked Singer” in 2021.

CosmopolitanLasVegas.com


Dane Cook Brings ‘Fresh New Flavor’

to Palms on Aug. 31

Comedy trailblazer and actor Dane Cook has announced

“Fresh New Flavor,” a 36-city tour that makes a Las

Vegas stop at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino

Resort on Aug. 30 at 8 p.m.

Cook is known for his standup comedy specials, stage

presence and observational humor. Having had his

catalog of content streamed more than 1 billion times,

Cook is in a league of his own.

He has released record-breaking comedy specials,

including “Vicious Circle,” “Isolated Incident,” “Harmful

If Swallowed,” “Retaliation,” “Tourgasm” and “Rough

Around the Edges: Live from Madison Square Garden.”

In addition to standup comedy, Cook is known for his

acting roles in movies including “Mr. Brooks,” “My

Best Friend’s Girl,” “Dan in Real Life,” “Employee of the

Month,” “Good Luck Chuck,” “Waiting ...” and more.

Cook was the second comedian to ever sell out multiple

shows at Madison Square Garden.

Palms.com

44


Chelsea Handler makes history

at The Chelsea

Comedienne, TV host and bestselling author Chelsea

Handler made Las Vegas history when she announced

“Chelsea at The Chelsea,” the first comedienne residency

at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Shows begin Sept. 1, with six performances scheduled

through April.

All shows are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. The six

performances are Sept. 1, Nov. 2 and 30, Jan. 18, March

21 and April 18.

After a seven-year run as the host of E!’s “Chelsea

Lately,” a tenure in which she was the only female

late-night talk-show host on-air, Handler launched her

documentary series “Chelsea Does,” followed by her

talk show “Chelsea” on Netflix in 2016. She has penned

six New York Times bestselling books.

Following the success of her 2020 HBO Max comedy

special “Evolution,” Handler made her return to Netflix

with her 2022 comedy special “Revolution.” Handler is

currently on a standup tour.

CosmopolitanLasVegas.com

Credit: Denise Truscello


The Beach Boys are at

The Venetian on Sept. 4 and 6-7

As The Beach Boys mark more than 50 years of making

music, the group – who have become synonymous with

the California lifestyle and an American icon to fans

around the world – continues to ride the crest of a wave

unequalled in U.S. music history.

The Beach Boys will bring their “Endless Summer: An Exclusive

Vegas Engagement” to The Venetian with three

shows in September. Celebrating the 50th anniversary

of The Beach Boys’ iconic “Endless Summer” album, the

shows are Sept. 4 and 6 and 7 at 8:30 p.m.

You can capsulize most pop music acts by reciting how

many hits they’ve had and how many millions of albums

they’ve sold. But these conventional measurements fall

short when you’re assessing the impact of The Beach

Boys.

This band has birthed a torrent of hit singles and sold albums

by the tens of millions. But its greater significance

lies in the fact that The Beach Boys’ songs have forever

changed the musical landscape, profoundly influencing

countless performing artists to follow.


46


Jim Breuer brings his ‘Breuniverse’

to The Venetian

Standup comedian and actor Jim Breuer returns to The

Summit Showroom at The Venetian for two performances

Sept. 6 and 7 at 8:30 p.m.

Breuer is an American actor and comedian from New

York. He was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live”

from 1995 to 1998 and starred in the film “Half Baked!”

He has a hit weekly podcast titled “The Breuniverse,”

where he brings people from all walks of life together.

Breuer’s standup tackles many subjects, from marriage

and relationships to current events to love and loss

(and so much more) all with one goal in mind – to leave

people with a little more hope than when they arrived.



Billy Currington at

Pearl Concert Theater on Sept. 7

Country singer-songwriter Billy Currington is set to

perform at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort

on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m.

Currington has spent nearly two decades topping the

country charts, parlaying his rich, emotion-laden tenor

and unerring song sense into some of the format’s most

memorable hits.

platinum “Good Directions,” three-time platinum “Must

Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” and platinum hits “Do I Make

You Wanna,” “We Are Tonight,” “Don’t It” and more.

Equally skilled at delivering upbeat summertime

anthems as well as exploring the complexities of life

and love with a ballad, Currington most recently joined

Jessie James Decker on the duet “I Still Love You."

The Georgia native has tallied 12 No. 1 singles, including

four-time platinum hit “People Are Crazy,” three-time

BillyCurrington.com | Palms.com

48


In search of a premier

shooting range in

Las Vegas? Machine

Guns Vegas is the

only Las Vegas lounge

experience that lets

participants fire the

kick-ass artillery seen

in the hands of highly

skilled SEAL and Delta

Force teams.

MACHINE

GUN

VEGAS

OFFERS

TOP-NOTCH

SHOOTING RANGE

EXPERIENCES

““This was my fifth visit to

MGV. Each and every time, I

am greeted by friendly and

knowledgeable staff. The

prices are reasonable, and

the experience is always

great,” says Kiran Q. on the

MGV website.

“The prices are reasonable,

and the experience is always

great. I strongly recommend

this location to anyone

looking to fire guns during

their stay,” Jordan B. says.

“

From modern-day

machine guns to

historic handguns,

Machine Guns Vegas

patrons receive the

real feel of what it’s like

to clear a room with

just a pull of the trigger.

Machine Guns Vegas

isn’t a walk-in gun store

or dimly lit shooting

gallery – it is a sensory

experience that will

rock your thrill index

with every shot you

take.

Popular shooting

experiences include

The Full Auto ($399),

Seal Team 6 ($229),

Femme Fatale

Experience ($149),The

Compound ($975),

Gamers Experience

($199, down from

$220), Urban Assault

($99) and Outdoor

Experience ($299 and

in the Mojave Desert).

MachineGunsVegas.com

REVS UP AT

ORLEANS ARENA

The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

Glow Party returns to Las Vegas for

the second consecutive year at The

Orleans Arena on Sept. 7 and 8.

The event will feature a spectacular

laser light show, mindblowing

theatrical effects, dance parties and

toy giveaways at Orleans Arena.

Hot Wheels Monster Truck favorites

scheduled to appear include Mega

Wrex, Tiger Shark, Demo Derby,

Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, Gunkster

and the brand-new HW 5-Alarm,

the firetruck hero of Hot Wheels

Monster Trucks.

Tickets start at $10 for children ages

2-12 and $22 for adults, plus taxes

and fees.

OrleansArena.com

54


FURNACE

CREEK,

the heart of Death Valley,

is about 140 miles from

the Las Vegas Strip,

which is about 2 hours of

driving. This makes Las

Vegas a great base camp

for exploring Death Valley.

There are a few different routes

to get there, but most people

will take NV-160 to Pahrump

and then to Death Valley

Junction. From there, just take

CA-190 into Death Valley.

The best time to visit Death Valley

is between late October and April

as the temperatures otherwise are

just insane. If bagging a record-breaking

temperature is your thing, head directly

to Furnace Creek. Just make sure that your

vehicle is in tip-top shape.

DEATH VALLEY JUNCTION &

AMARGOSA OPERA HOUSE

Known as the gateway to

Death Valley, this sports a

small hotel, which has been

going through renovations,

as well as the Amargosa

Opera House built by

Marta Becket in 1967. It’s

well worth 20-30 minutes

of walking around and

exploring this beacon of

culture in the desert.

DANTE’S PEAK

This is a short detour from

CA-190, about 13 miles

each way, and goes to an

overlook that is directly

over Badwater Basin. From

this vantage point, one can

see much of Death Valley.

Look across the valley and

one can find Telescope Peak,

the highest peak in Death

Valley at just over 11,000

feet. Beyond that on a good

clear day, Mount Whitney

in California at 14,005 feet

is visible.

ZABRISKIE POINT

This is a turnoff

parking area where

one can get a close-up

view from above of

Golden Canyon, Gower

Gulch and Manly Beacon.

It’s a great place to view the

beauty and desolation of

Death Valley.

GOLDEN CANYON AND

GOWERS GULCH

The parking lot for this

trailhead is small, so get

there early. This is most

often hiked as a loop hike

that can include Zabriskie

Point. The hike goes by the

Red Cathedral and Manly

Beacon, as well as Golden

Canyon and Gowers Gulch.

This hike can be anywhere

from just over 4 miles out

and back to Red Cathedral

or as much as 7 miles if

doing the full loop and

hiking to Zabriskie Point.

MARS HILL

At the entrance to Artist’s

Pallet across the street is

the lowest named high

point in Death Valley. It’s

called Mars Hill, and with

18 feet of prominence and

a top elevation of -194 feet,

it’s one of the easiest high

points ever. It only takes

about 20 minutes to hike to

the top and back This hill

was used by NASA to test

rovers for Mars.

Artist’s Pallet

Dante’s Peak

ARTIST’S PALLET

This is a one-way loop that

goes to one of the most

colorful areas in Death

Valley. Give yourself at least

an hour if you are driving

and 2 to 3 hours if planning

on doing any hiking.

BADWATER BASIN

No trip to Death Valley is

complete without stopping

at Badwater Basin, the

lowest point in North

America at -282 feet below

sea level. The salt-covered

boardwalk provides a great

view of the basin. However,

one can walk out onto the

salt flat to get an amazing

view of the basin. Until

recently, this was Lake

Manly; however, all the

water has since evaporated.

NATURAL BRIDGE

This is another easy hike and

only about 1 mile out and

back from the trailhead to

the bridge and back. Once

at the “bridge,” one can keep

hiking up the wash or turn

around.

FURNACE CREEK

VISITOR CENTER

This is where the famous

thermometer that everyone

sees on the news is located.

The visitor center has a

museum, gift store and

plenty of rangers to help

people plan a safe visit in

Death Valley.

THE RANCH AT DEATH VALLEY

The Ranch at Death Valley

has been welcoming visitors

since 1933. They have

recently done quite a few

upgrades, adding a new ice

cream shop, bungalows and

refurbished rooms. They

have an 18-hole golf course

and a spring-fed pool. It’s a

great place to stop and get

something to eat.

THE OASIS AT DEATH VALLEY

This a great final stop when

visiting Death Valley. From

the “secret tunnel” to the

amazing gardens, it’s a mustsee

on any trip into Death

Valley.

Natural Bridge

RESOURCES

National Park Service:

NPS.gov/deva/

Amargosa Opera House:

AmargosaOperaHouse.org

Farabee’s Jeep Rentals:

FarabeeJeeps.com

The Oasis at Death Valley:

OasisAtDeathValley.com

LET YOUR TASTE BUDS

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58 VEGASPRIME.COM | June 16, 2024


TIME TO DINE

Jose,

Can You

See?

Bazaar Mar and Bar Centro by

award-winning Andrés are now open

at Aria

By Don Chareunsy

José Andrés Group has opened Bazaar

Mar, a seafood-and-tapas-driven Spanish

restaurant at The Shops at Crystals at Aria.

Bazaar Mar’s menu is complemented by a

Spanish-led wine list and creative cocktails.

Adjacent to Bazaar Mar steps down on the

mezzanine is Bar Centro, an elevated bar

and café serving coffee and pastries in the

morning, Spanish pressed sandwiches for

lunch and cocktails, caviar and desserts in

the evening.

“We are proud that our Vegas restaurants

have contributed to the city’s position as a

top culinary destination for many years,”

said Sam Bakhshandehpour, CEO of José

Andrés Group.

“The opening of Bazaar Mar is our first collaboration

with Simon Property Group and

one that emphasizes our deep commitment

to push culinary boundaries at premium

properties as we grow across Las Vegas and

the West Coast.”

If you love José Andrés like I do, you’ll love

Bazaar Mar and Bar Centro – the open-air

ambience, small bites and libations are

wonderful.

60


THREE COSMOPOLITAN RESTAURANTS

A recent culinary tour of Andrés’s three

restaurants at The Cosmopolitan of Las

Vegas proved that the high-level quality F&B

and service has not waned.

We made dim sum (I was not good at it) at

China Poblano, watched paella being made

and ate delicious menu items at Jaléo Las

Vegas and ended with the private-dining é

inside Jaléo.

And don’t forget Bazaar Meat by José Andrés

– one of the top steakhouses in Las Vegas,

as detailed in Issue #6 of Vegas Prime

Magazine, aka The Steakhouse Issue, and at

VegasPrime.com – at Sahara.

P.S. The cheesy headline “Jose, Can You See?”

is based on a joke Andrés told me years ago

at China Poblano.

Credit: Katrina Frederick

TIME TO DINE

Double Accolades for

Double Zero Pie & Pub

Michael Vakneen’s Chinatown pizzeria

makes 50 Top Pizza USA list, marks first

anniversary

By Don Chareunsy

Double Zero Pie & Pub Chef + Partner

Michael Vakneen, GM Erica S. Bell and their

staff have at least two recent reasons to be

proud: The Chinatown pizzeria is celebrating

its first anniversary and it being named

to the 50 Top Pizza USA list.

“The gravity of [the award] is settling in

slowly,” Bell said. “It’s wild. Our business

changed over a week. There is so much

excitement with the whole team and now a

new pressure. We’re elated, and we’re definitely

feeling the effects of what this kind of

title puts on people.

“We’re focused on upholding the quality

and standard and moving up farther on

that list. It is mind-blowing to accomplish

this in our first year of business!”

A recent dinner at Double Zero Pie & Pub

was divine and proved that not all pizzas

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Credit: Eugene Dela Cruz/OneSeven Agency

are equal. We enjoyed Wagyu carpaccio,

schiacciata, meatballs, Funghi and Diavola

pizzas, tiramisu, pistachio and the cocktails

Draft Lemon Sour, Mazzy Star (fade … into

… you), Negroni flight and Short Shorts.

DoubleZeroPie.com

“Chef Michael Vakneen is beyond talented,”

Bell said. “His palate and sense of culinary

creation – he has it down. His dough

program and his care and the quality of

products that he uses set him apart from

the pack.”

The celebratory bites and libations in July

to note the 50 Top Pizza USA honor included

00 Spritz, Wagyu carpaccio, scallop

crudo, insalada verde (with anchovies),

Margherita, Pepperoni, Funghi and Salami

Rosa pizzas and 00 deconstructed cannoli.

All delicious!

Bell, whose menu favorites include the justlaunched

meatballs, Wagyu carpaccio –

“a flavor bomb” – and Margherita pizza –

“I eat one every day,” summed up, “We care

so much about our team. We want them

to be healthy and happy and learning and

pushing themselves. You have to be patient

and really care about your staff.

“We want to highlight great food with the

right culture in the promise of a high-quality

experience. We want to blow you away!”

By Bob Barnes

Triple 7 Takes Gold at U.S. Open Beer Championship

Triple 7 Restaurant & Microbrewery at Main

Street Station in Downtown Las Vegas was

awarded a gold medal at the 2024 U.S. Open

Beer Championship in Oxford, Ohio, and

was the only Las Vegas brewery to medal at

this year’s competition.

More than 9,000 beers were entered in the

nation’s third-largest brewing competition,

and Triple 7’s gold in the Belgian Witbier

category was for its Winner Winner Wit,

a beer made with coriander and orange

blossom honey, which will be available at

the microbrewery on draft at least through

the end of summer.

Triple 7’s Brewmaster Casey Jacobson

(pictured here) upon learning of the win

said, “This being my first time participating

in a major competition as a brewmaster, a

title I’ve held for just over year, is truly what

dreams are made of. You couldn’t wipe the

grin off my face for days, and I reached out

to thank every brewer I have ever worked

for to say, ‘Thank you for everything you

taught me.’

“I am truly honored and glad I was able to

bring one home for our awesome team here

at Triple 7.”

MainStreet.BoydGaming.com

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Credit: Boyd Gaming

In this recurring feature, we spotlight

establishments that appreciate our local

breweries enough to serve only beer made

in Nevada. Chef Brian Howard’s Half Bird

Chicken & Beer specializes in free range

rotisserie chicken and seven addictive sauces

(such as green curry ranch and chili garlic

crunch), which is an excellent companion to

draft beer.

The quick-serve restaurant has an eight-tap,

self-serve draft beer wall that’s 100% local.

Recent handles included HUDL Cockfight

Pils (brewed in partnership with Half Bird),

Ballin Eagle Light American Lager and High

Hatter Hefe on Pineapple; Able Baker El Pato

Loco Mexican Lager and Atomic Duck IPA;

Beer Zombies Boomstick Blonde Ale; Lead

Dog Fade to Orange American Pale Wheat;

Lovelady 9th Island Pineapple Sour; and

Revision Disco Ninja New England Style IPA.

The drafts are priced by the ounce, and if

you so desire, you can have a sip of each one

before investing in a full pour. To view the

current tap list, visit HalfBird.com

CraftHaus Brewery Celebrating 10th Anniversary

You don’t need to travel to Munich to experience

Oktoberfest this year. As this year’s anniversary

is a milestone, CraftHaus Brewery will take an

entire week to commemorate its first full decade

of operation with an Oktoberfest theme.

The celebration, dubbed HausFest 10!, will

take place Sept. 16-21 at its family-friendly

Henderson Booze District brewery location and

its Arts District taproom, both of which will be

transformed into an Oktoberfest hall and bier

garden.

Guests are encouraged to dress in Oktoberfest

attire, and there will be games, a Bavarian food

menu, nightly stein holding contests, live music

and, of course, beer. Special commemorative

CraftHaus 10! half-liter steins are available for

purchase, which can be filled all week long at a

discounted price.

Read this entire Crafthaus news at

VegasPrime.com.

The

LAST WORD

In honor of the late Robin Leach, Vegas Prime

Magazine has reimagined his longtime Wicked

Whispers & Racy Rumors as Vegas Prime

Whispers – as a tip of the toque to the verymuch-missed

colleague, mentor and friend.

VEGAS PRIME WHISPERS

Which magazine publisher wed over the weekend of

Aug. 9? Boop, boop, boop, boop!

Which headliner is using a promotional photograph from

years – and a few pounds – ago? (I mean we all do it,

right?)

A singer recently sang the praises of working with Barry

Manilow: “He’s the absolute sweetest man.” No surprise

there.

Which whiskey entrepreneur has been praised for going

all-in in promoting his new brown spirit?

Email your Vegas Prime Whispers

to editorial@vegasprime.com.

CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS

Who accompanied Morgan Wallen to the stage during

Night 1 of his recent two-night stand at Allegiant Stadium?

Two athletes named Tom Brady and Mike Tyson?

Know ’em? Fortunately, no ears were bitten, chairs

thrown and footballs deflated.

Patti LaBelle stopped in at the buffet, which launched

a champagne brunch Aug. 11, at Buffalo Bill’s in Primm

the morning after her concert in the casino near the

Nevada-California border.

Carrot Top recently had a late lunch at Honey Salt in

Summerlin, and owner Elizabeth Blau stopped by his

table to say hello.

Pia Zadora dined at Harlo Steakhouse in Summerlin

twice in recent weeks.

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Vegas Prime Magazine (V1.10) - August 25, 2024 Issue

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