Vegas Prime Magazine (V1.5) - June 30, 2024 Issue

Fourth of July | Burgers | Carrot Top | Blink-182 | Rooftop dining | Spas
Foundation
A
for Success

34
Cover Feature
Darin Feinstein and Eddie Griffin are the
masterminds behind The Feinstein Griffin
Foundation for children – with an assist
from Antonio Zepeda.
38
Attractions
There are options aplenty to celebrate
the Fourth of July weekend in Las Vegas,
including hiking (as long as you stay
hydrated).
48 Cinn City
Adult performer Christiana Cinn offers
five Fourth of July picks that keep the
summer heat going in Las Vegas.
10
12
18
That’s Hot!
Vegas Prime Magazine Editor-in-Chief
Don Chareunsy’s top to-do picks while
you’re in Las Vegas
Out + About
Food, food and more food at Revelry at
Wynn Las Vegas, Indulge at Resorts World
and Vegas Unstripped. Also: Floyd Mayweather,
Hoobastank and Soul Asylum.
Celebrity Spotlight
Longtime Luxor headliner and comedian
Carrot Top is as relevant as ever.
52
62
65
Time to Dine
Dining with a view atop Las Vegas rooftops,
and our favorite burgers in town.
Health + Wellness
Indulgent spa packages … because you
truly deserve it.
Noe Knows Vegas
The Las Vegas scoop from the beloved
Noe Alarcon.
20
Showtime
Blink-182 rocks T-Mobile Arena. Also:
DJ Cassidy and all-stars at Bakkt Theater,
Kevin Hart, Missy Elliott, Ciara and Busta
Rhymes.
66
The Last Word
Vegas Prime Whispers: Celebrity and
Las Vegas gossip and sightings. Ssshhh!
6
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

JAMAL M. PARKER
Publisher
DON CHAREUNSY
Editor-in-Chief
ARTURO PERALTA
Art Director
DANIEL HOWARD
Account Executive
MICHAEL URIARTE
Account Executive and Events
NOE ALARCON, JEN AVISON SMITH,
BOB BARNES,
PATRANYA BHOOLSUWAN,
CHRISTIANA CINN,
ED CONDRAN, MARISA FINETTI,
STACEY GUALANDI + EMMY KASTEN
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
ads@vegasprime.com
@vegasprimemagazine
Copyright 2024 by Vegas Prime Magazine. All rights reserved.
Vegas Prime Magazine is published 26 times a year. Reproduction
of any materials, images or editorial content contained in this
publication without permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited.
Vegas Prime Magazine, 3753 Howard Hughes Pkwy, #200,
Las Vegas, NV 89169, vegasprime.com

Editor's
Letter
The Fourth of July weekend is widely known
for fireworks, barbecues and picnics, family
gatherings, concerts and
parades, but let’s not forget
the sacrifices made by the
military for the freedoms
and liberties all of us
have as Americans.
One veteran I want
to praise is Arturo
“Pete” Peralta, Vegas
Prime Magazine’s Art Director.
I’ve known and worked with Pete for two
months, and he’s one of the coolest and most
talented and hard-working people I’ve ever met.
Continuing the theme of amazing colleagues,
Darin Feinstein and Eddie Griffin are the masterminds
behind The Feinstein Griffin Foundation,
which aims to make a positive impact
on the lives of at-risk youths. Former UNLV
football player turned boxer Antonio Zepeda
is the foundation’s president. Stacey Gualandi’s
cover feature on the foundation
and its leaders is inspiring.
Also in this issue of Vegas Prime Magazine:
A Fourth of July roundup; our favorite burgers;
photos of Floyd Mayweather, Hoobastank, Soul
Asylum and food festivals; guest columnist
Carrot Top; Blink-182, The Eagles, Missy Elliott
and Kevin Hart; Cinn City by Christiana Cinn;
Brewing News by Bob Barnes; hiking in the desert
and spa treatments; and much, much more.
Vegas Prime Magazine loves Las Vegas, and
we’re proud to be Americans – Amer-I-Can, as
the late Kirstie Alley’s Gladys Leeman would say
in “Drop Dead Gorgeous.” We’re here to help
the 800,000 weekly visitors in Las Vegas have
the best time. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas,
and Happy Fourth of July!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Vegas Prime Magazine

By Don Chareunsy
THAT’S HOT!Editor-in-Chief
| Vegas Prime Magazine
BLINK-182
Blink-182 have headlined in Las Vegas countless times,
and every rock show … well, rocks. With the return
of vocalist-guitarist Tom DeLonge, fans are certain
to want to catch him alongside bassist-vocalist Mark
Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker at T-Mobile
Arena on July 3. T-MobileArena.com
FOURTH OF JULY
Are fireworks, barbecues and
picnics, family gatherings,
baseball games, concerts and/
or parades on your itinerary?
It must be the Fourth of July!
Check out our Fourth of July in
Las Vegas guide in this issue of
Vegas Prime Magazine and at
VegasPrime.com.
Courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas
10 VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

PALATE IN THE ARTS DISTRICT
Owners Marisa Martino and Rudy Aguas and Executive Chef
Sterling Buckley have created something special in The Arts
District, a restaurant that blends soul food, local artists, luxury
design and fun. Bravo! Brunch and dinner are fabulous.
PalateLV.com
Photo by Eugene Dela Cruz
BURGERS, BURGERS + BURGERS
To mark this Fourth of July
weekend, is there anything
more American than barbecue,
burgers and apple pie? Check
out the feature of our favorite
burgers in Las Vegas, from The
Flying Scotsman to The Butter
Burger, in this issue of Vegas
Prime Magazine.
Photo by Denis Truscello
‘PURPLE REIGN’
“Purple Reign,” the Prince tribute
starring Jason Tenner at V Theater in
Planet Hollywood, is offering buy one,
get one free tickets (plus tax and fees)
for residents with a valid I.D. through
Sept. 15. Performances are Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased in-person
at the box office.
OUR FAVORITES
Vegas Prime Magazine has created lists of our favorites in Las
Vegas, from burgers and doughnuts and dim sum to buffets
and resident headliner shows and tacos. We want you to have
the best experience while here, and that means eating well and
playing well in The Entertainment Capital of the World.
Photo by Eugene Dela Cruz

OUT +
ABOUT
Photos by Toby Acuna
It’s a Knockout
Floyd Mayweather launches whisky,
champagne at Eight Lounge
Retired boxing legend Floyd Mayweather
celebrated the launch of his new champagne
Le Bon Argent (The Good Money
in French, and Bon, Simon Le Bon!)
and Good Money Whisky line at Eight
Lounge at Resorts World on June 7.
The sharply dressed plaid-jacket-clad
champion arrived right before 10 p.m.
and got behind the bar to embrace fans
and hand out samples of his new line of
adult libations before moving outside to
enjoy Eight Lounge’s patio until shortly
after midnight.
It was an evening of new whisky and
champagne, a lot of cigars and one
legendary athlete on the Las Vegas Strip.
Cheers!
12
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Courtesy of Black Raven Films
Rock on!
Hoobastank and Soul Asylum headline
at Fremont Street Experience
The six-block entertainment district
Fremont Street Experience in Downtown
Las Vegas continued its free concert series
Downtown Rocks with back-to-back
performances by rockers Hoobastank and
Soul Asylum on June 8.
Music fans braved the outdoor soon-to-besummer
heat to listen to the biggest hits
from both bands, including “The Reason,”
“Just One,” “Remember Me” and “Never
There” by Hoobastank and “Runaway
Train,” “Somebody to Shove” and “Misery”
by Soul Asylum.
Who’s old enough to remember when Soul
Asylum frontman Dave Pirner and Winona
Ryder dated? And did you know the band
has been together for 41 years?
Fremont Street Experience’s Downtown
Rocks concert series continues with a
highly anticipated performance June 29 by
Boys Like Girls. Seether headlined on May
25. For the full schedule, go to:
VegasExperience.com
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024 13

OUT +
ABOUT
Fabulous Five
Vegas Unstripped celebrates fifth edition
with celebrity chefs’ support at Palms
Photos by Jose Salinas and
Wade Vandevoort/Vegas Unstripped
Celebrity chefs came to work for their
proteges on May 18 at the fifth Vegas
Unstripped, a food festival focused on
local Las Vegas chefs who have garnered
critical and creative acclaim.
Legendary Chefs Marc Vetri and Bradley
Ogden could be seen at booths at Sammy’s
Island at Palms Casino Resort promoting
local chefs Michael Rubinstein
(Vetri Cucina) and Sean O’Hara (Esther’s
Kitchen), while Michael Symon and
Rick Moonen were among other kitchen
royalty mingling with the crowd.
Created by Chef James Trees (Esther’s
Kitchen, Al Solito Posto, Ada’s Food +
Wine) and The Feast of Friends agency
head Eric Gladstone, Vegas Unstripped
began as a reaction to previous Las Vegas-based
food festivals that overlooked
local talent.
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VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024
Those events have faded while Vegas Unstripped
has grown with every edition, now
nearing 1,000 attendees supporting 30 local
chefs alongside bartenders, brewers and
more. Vegas Unstripped gathers leading
local chefs and tasks them with creating
one-night-only dishes.
Entertainment was provided by Vegas
Golden Knights host Katie Marie Jones, Jason
Harris, Samantha Souza and DJ Night
Weapons. Bartenders included Adam Rains
(Golden Tiki), Chris Gutierrez (Stray Pirate),
Joe Mikulich (EDO/Anima by EDO)
and Max Solano (Bar Chef Productions).
Wine and beer selections were donated
by MGP Fine Wine, Drink Boutique, Bird
Dog Wines, Able Baker Brewing, Trumer
Pils and Big Noise Beer. This year’s proceeds
will be donated to Obodo Collective,
Families for Effective Autism Treatment
and Baby’s Bounty. Donation amounts will
be announced later.

Courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas
Reveling in the Best
Wynn culinary celebration includes
The Feast, Icons Dinner and Yakitoriguy
Wynn Las Vegas’s inaugural culinary
festival Revelry took place at the resort
from June 5-8 and featured the world’s top
names in hospitality and entertainment for
four days of meals and events. Highlights
included the Icons Dinner, mixology class
Class in the Glass, Los Angeles’s Yakitoriguy
hosting a class and demonstration and
Celebrity Chef Golf Tournament.
Nearly 1,000 guests gathered for The Feast,
a grand tasting like no other, on June 8.
During the event, attendees mingled with
top chefs and celebrities in the four immersive
culinary universes: The Casbah Marketplace
featuring modern Mediterranean
dishes; Road to Tulum featuring Coastal
Mexican; Shibuya Crossing, inspired by
Tokyo’s famed Shibuya District; and Four
Sixes Ranch Country Cookout, a ranch-inspired
cowboy cookout.
Highlights from The Feast: Taylor Sheridan
of “Yellowstone” and Four Sixes Ranch
made an appearance at the country cookout.
Aaron Paul joined The Feast launching
his new Zero Bond Caviar to VIP guests.
And guests were wowed with a 325-pound
blue fin tuna presentation, brought in from
Japan, at Shibuya Crossing.
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024 15

2024 VEGAS UNSTRIPPED
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VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Courtesy of Resorts World
Extravagance
Resorts World hosts first
Indulge Week culinary celebration
Resorts World Las Vegas hosted its extravagant
Indulge Week from June 3-8 featuring
culinary and entertainment experiences.
As an official partner of The World’s 50
Best Restaurants, Resorts World kicked
off festivities with a Welcome Dinner at
Carversteak and concluded with a closing
party at Allē Lounge on 66.
Highlights of the week included The
World’s 50 Best Restaurants Welcome
Dinner at Carversteak, Industry Only Afterparty,
Michelin-Starred Stubborn Seed
Pop-Up, Not a Damn Chance Burger Takeover
at RedTail, Sushi by Scratch Omakase,
Wally’s Mixology Masterclass and A Night
With ¡Viva! x Brezza.
Also: Camphor Presents Steak Frites Night
(Michelin-starred Camphor L.A. Chef Max
Boonthanakit was very cool), Glenfiddich
Tasting at Eight Lounge, Chifa Takeover
at Fuhu, Birthday Celebration for Fashion
Icon Humberto Leon at Zouk Nightclub
and Official 50 Best Closing Party at Allē
Lounge on 66.
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024 17

CELEBRITY TAKEOVER
Photos by Fotobob.com
18
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Carrot To p
Comedian has amassed 10,000+ shows and 19 years at Luxor
Carlin’s favorite jokes of
mine.
Growing up in Florida, my
dad would ask me what I
wanted to be when I grew
up, and I always said from a
young age that “I want to be
a comedian!”
My dad’s response was “but
you’re not funny …” He took
me to see Gallagher, and I
was hooked! I knew this is
what I wanted to do.
While I was in college, at
my first audition I made my
first prop – it was this crime
watch sign that I had stolen,
and I said, “Hey, sorry, I'm
late. I was in the neighborhood.”
I held up this neighborhood
crime watch sign that I'd
stolen, and I said, “How good
is their crime watch if I’m
watching their signs?” The
woman who was auditioning
me asked if I had any more
signs, and I said “No, but I
can go steal more!”
The show has changed since
then, and I always keep the
show updated – making a
new prop or jokes from news
headlines, music, just about
anything going on in the
world today – I want to make
sure no one sees the same
show twice.
However, I do like to bring
out some of the classics like
the “string telephones with
caller ID and call waiting,”
this was one of George
When I started touring at
the beginning of my career
in 1985, I had two trunks
and a strobe light, driving
around in a van. The show
has evolved since then – now
we have so many trunks full
of props, a video wall, a fog
machine, streamer cannons
– it’s come a long way.
This November, I will celebrate
my 19th year at Luxor
Hotel & Casino with more
than 10,000 shows! It has
been an amazing ride, and
I owe so much of it to this
wonderful city of Las Vegas.
Thank you!
If You Go
Luxor.MGMResorts.com
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024 19

SHOWTIME
NEW KIDS IN TOWN
The Eagles announce four
weekends at Sphere in Las Vegas
The Eagles have announced a residency at Sphere in Las
Vegas with eight shows over four weekends from Friday,
Sept. 20, through Saturday, Oct. 19. The residency will offer
fans the ultimate connection to the band’s legendary
catalog in an immersive experience that only Sphere can
provide. The general on-sale began Friday, June 21, at 10
a.m. PT at Eagles.com.
Tickets start at $175 and will reflect all-in pricing, meaning
the ticket price listed is inclusive of taxes and fees.
To ensure that tickets get directly into the hands of fans,
advance artist presale registration is available now at
Eagles.com powered by Seated. The artist presale began
Tuesday, June 18, at 10 a.m. PT. A Live Nation presale
began Thursday, June 20, at 10 a.m. PT.
Vibee is the Hotel & Experience Package partner for The
Eagles Sphere residency. Vibee packages include a twonight
stay at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the only
resort attached to Sphere, with guests receiving priority
entry to Sphere, commemorative keepsakes and access
to a fan experience. Vibee presale packages went on
sale Friday, June 14, at 10 a.m. PT at Eagles.Vibee.com.
Limited VIP Ticket Packages became available Tuesday,
June 18, at 10 a.m. PT at Eagles.com and include premium
seats, exclusive merchandise, parking and more.
20 VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Photo by Kevin Mazur
These shows will use Sphere’s next-generation technologies,
including the world’s highest-resolution LED display
that wraps up, over and around the audience. Sphere
also features the world’s most advanced concert-grade
audio system, Sphere Immersive Sound, powered by
Holoplot, which delivers audio with unmatched clarity
and precision to every guest.
In fall 1971, The Eagles formed, pioneered and personified
a unique American musical style blending country,
folk, R&B, rock and pop and would go on to become one
of the most successful bands of all time. The Eagles
retain an appeal that transcends generation and genre,
cementing the band’s role as enduring musical icons.
The Eagles have sold more than 150 million albums
worldwide, scored six #1 albums and topped the singles
charts five times. They have won six Grammy Awards,
were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998,
in their first year of eligibility, and received the Kennedy
Center Honors in 2016.
The band’s “Greatest Hits 1971-1977” is the bestselling
album in history, with the RIAA certifying the collection
38 times platinum. “Hotel California” is the third bestselling
U.S. album in history, certified 26 times platinum.
It earned Grammys for “New Kid in Town” and “Hotel
California.” Editor’s Note: Shortly before deadline,
The Eagles announced four more Sphere shows:
Nov. 1-2 and 8-9.
“The Eagles: Live in Concert at Sphere” dates:
Friday, Sept. 20 | Saturday, Sept. 21 | Friday, Sept. 27
Saturday, Sept. 28 | Friday, Oct. 11 | Saturday, Oct. 12
Friday, Oct. 18 | Saturday, Oct. 19 | Eagles.com

SHOWTIME
Don’t (miss)
Blink-182
It’s all the small things and
the big hits at T-Mobile Arena
By Ed Condran
Blink-182 failed to score many favorable reviews during
its creative height and commercial heyday at the turn of
the century. Some critics wrote off the pop-punk trio as
a joke as the band’s amusing tunes “All the Small Things”
and “What’s My Age Again?” scaled the pop charts.
However, Blink-182, who perform July 3 at T-Mobile Arena,
is having the last laugh as the band has sold more
than 50 million albums, and much of the music criticism
has been rewritten.
Blink-182, much like pop-punk peers Green Day, who
were also maligned by some critics and members of the
punk rock community, not only still stand but also are
among the most influential recording artists of their era.
Fall Out Boy and All Time Low are two of the many bands
who have absorbed Blink-182’s guitar-driven sound,
which combines pure pop and blunt force.
And then there are the fans who have embraced the
band, which proved to be exceptional detailing adolescent
angst. The confessional “Adam’s Song” and the
amusing “Dammit” are each written from the viewpoint
of a teen coming to grips with a big, complicated world.
Even though Blink-182’s fans have grown up, the
Southern California band’s material has aged well. The
Blink-182 rousing classics such as “First Date” and “The
Rock Show” are still resonant.
The combination of the hook-laded tunes and a tour
featuring the three original members – bassist-vocalist
Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker and the return of
vocalist-guitarist Tom DeLonge – has enabled the group
to sell out arenas during its tour.
It’ll be curious to see if Blink-182 takes its own advice
and “Stay Together for the Kids.” After leaving the band
in 2015, DeLonge returned in 2022. Blink-182 is touring
behind its latest album “One More Time ...” that dropped
last October.

Photo by Rory Kramer
The band proves that it still can crank out catchy
pop-punk. Check out the initial single “Edging” for proof.
There’s no reason to stop now since somehow Blink-182
is more popular than ever.
The trio of longtime friends have come a long way since
their “PooPoo PeePee” tour of 1998 and have indeed
grown up. However, Blink-182 hasn’t lost its playfulness
at middle age.
Blink-182’s latest tunes possess the familiar lightheartedness
fans enjoy, and the trio has always been adept
at engaging the audience. Blink-182 is certain to play
“All the Small Things” and the big hits upon its return to
Las Vegas.
If You Go
Pierce the Veil and Hot Milk
open. 7 p.m. July 3
T-MobileArena.com

SHOWTIME
Sharing the Spotlight
DJ Cassidy passes the mic to Akon, Ghostface
Killah, Raekwon, Public Enemy and more at
Bakkt Theater
By Ed Condran
DJ Cassidy is about to pass the mic at Bakkt Theater
at Planet Hollywood. Who can blame DJ Cassidy, who is
hosting a star-studded residency? Some of the most
iconic figures in hip hop and R&B history are part of
“DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Live!” shows slated from
July 5-20.
The rotating guests, who are a who’s who of recording
artists who changed the face of ’90s music, are beyond
impressive. The Wu-Tang Clan’s intense Ghostface Killah
and his co-conspirator, the dynamic Raekwon, kick off
“Pass the Mic” on July 5.
The July 6 show features Public Enemy, which is led by
the fire-and-ice combination of Chuck D and Flavor Flav,
who resides in Las Vegas. It’ll be a special gig since the
venerable act, which raised the bar for hip hop with its
dense production and brilliant wordplay, doesn’t perform
often.
Sengalese-American singer Akon, who possesses a
golden set of pipes, will perform July 12 and 13, his setlist
certain to include the hits “Locked Up,” “Lonely,” “Smack
That” and “Beautiful.”
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VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Songwriter extraordinaire Jermaine Dupri, who helped
Atlanta reach the top of the rap and R&B echelon, will
bring it with brash Da Brat July 19. The latter made
a name for herself with hardcore wordplay. And the
inventive Too $hort and the clever Warren G close out
the residency July 20.
The guests change, but DJ Cassidy will be on hand each
night with a veteran crew of entertainers. Slick Rick,
who is one of the most sampled recording artists of all
time, will keep the music going.
Ja Rule, who helped make gangsta rap commercial, the
charismatic Fat Joe and Doug E. Fresh, who is known as
“The Human Beatbox,” will all take part in every show.
It’s a welcome step for Las Vegas since there’s not
been much hip-hop on the Las Vegas Strip. The urban
sounds will combine with Las Vegas style to produce a
contemporary Rat Pack vibe.
“I am truly honored to share a stage with my musical
heroes,” DJ Cassidy said. “Public Enemy, Raekwon,
Ghostface Killah, Akon, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Too
$hort and Warren G, all of whom will help us redefine the
Vegas residency in ways the Strip hasn’t seen since the
days of The Sands and The International.
“Just as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.,
Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop united in Las Vegas to
form The Rat Pack, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Slick Rick, Doug E.
Fresh and I will unite to create an experience that will go
down in Vegas history.”
If You Go
Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
8 p.m. July 5-20
Caesars.com/Planet-Hollywood

SHOWTIME
Bring on
the Laughs
Kevin Hart’s ‘Acting My Age’ is at
Resorts World Theatre on July 12 and 14
Comedian and actor Kevin Hart makes his return to
Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas with
two performances of his new phone-free show “Kevin
Hart: Acting My Age” on July 12 and 14.
Hart was the first comedian to record a comedy special
at the theater, where he performed eight sold-out
shows of his The Reality Check Tour in 2022 and 2023.
The tour was named the No. 1 Comedy Tour of 2022
by Billboard, and Hart was later named 2023’s Highest
Grossing Comedian of the Year.
Fans can now watch Hart in action with all-new
material this summer in the phone-free experience.
Use of phones, smartwatches and accessories will not
be permitted in the theater. Upon arrival, all phones,
smartwatches and accessories will be secured in
individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end
of the show.
Guests always maintain possession of their devices
and can access them throughout the event only in
designated Phone Use Areas in the venue. All devices
will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning
to the theater. Anyone seen using a device during the
performance will be escorted out of the venue.
For the second consecutive year, Resorts World Theatre
was named the world’s highest-grossing venue under
5,000 capacity on Billboard’s Annual Top Grossing Venues
list for 2023. Based on reporting from Nov. 1, 2022,
to Sept. 30, 2023, the 5,000-seat venue scored No. 1 on
the 2023 year-end box score chart.
28
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

If You Go
RWLasVegas.com
Courtesy of AEG Presents Las Vegas

SHOWTIME
‘Out of This World’
Missy Elliott embarks on her first headliner
tour with Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland
Superstar Missy Elliott’s first-ever headliner tour “Out of
This World: The Missy Elliott Experience” makes a stop
at T-Mobile Arena on July 13, and the hip-hop and R&B
pioneer will be joined by hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes,
singer Ciara and mega-producer Timbaland.
“This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing
so many milestone firsts. Being the first female hip-hop
artist to be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
and now going out on my first headline tour,” Elliott said.
“Fans have been asking me to tour forever, but I wanted
to wait until I felt the time was right because I knew if
I was ever going to do it, I had to do it big, and I had to
do it with family! So, get ready to be taken ‘Out of This
World’ with me, Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland! We
can’t wait to share this experience with the fans!”
Always on the cutting edge, Elliott conceptualized
an “Out of This World” visual to skyrocket the tour
announcement when she reunited with longtime
collaborators director Dave Meyers (“Get Ur Freak On,”
“Work It,” “Pass That Dutch”); celebrity stylist and 2024
NAACP Image Awards Fashion Vanguard Award recipient
June Ambrose; and creative director Hi-Hat (“The Voice”)
to bring her intergalactic vision to life.
The “Out of This World: The Missy Elliott Experience” will
offer VIP packages and fan activations to elevate the
concert experience. Select packages include premium
tickets, group photo onstage, VIP Lounge access,
exclusive tour poster, specially designed VIP gift items
and more. More: VIPNation.com.
30
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Photos by Derek Blanks with crowdMGMT
If You Go
T-MobileArena.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.
32
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024
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

VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024 33

A
for
THEY ARE THE UNLIKELIEST OF SPARRING PARTNERS.
In one corner, the world-renowned
comedian-turned-actor
Eddie Griffin.
In the other, former football player-turned-professional
heavyweight
boxer Antonio Zepeda, who played
football at UNLV.
On stage and in the ring, they are
going the distance to fight for at-risk
youths in Las Vegas.
“We both came from broken
homes, so we understand what
these kids are going through,”
Griffin says.
Griffin is a successful standup who
has starred in numerous shows on
both the big and small screen despite,
he says, not knowing his father
until he was age 16.
“I had three uncles, and they
became my father figure,” Griffin
says. “Deep inside, I know every
boy is wanting to see where half
of their genetic code came from.
They wanna see this guy, they
wanna meet this guy. So, I met
him.”
“How was that?”
“I hit him dead in the mouth,”
Griffin admits. “I forgave, but I
did not forget. I can’t carry that
for the rest of my life. Now I have
my own children, and I became
the father that I always wanted to
have, so you can break that cycle
in one generation.”
In 2013, the now father of 12
(eight boys, four girls!) decided
to make a difference for other
underprivileged children by joining
forces with his longtime friend Darin
Feinstein, a prolific and successful
Las Vegas businessman and financial
investor.
They had worked with The Shade
Tree – a battered women’s and
children’s shelter in Las Vegas – but
wanted to expand, so together they
formed The Feinstein Griffin Foundation
to provide equal-education
opportunities to kids who need it
most.
“If you can show a child a good time,
then they’re gonna want more good
times,” says Griffin, the self-described
fun-raiser. “Then you have to
explain the work ethic that it takes
to find this type of joy constantly. I
think the first move is just make sure
that they have a motherf*cking good
ass time.”
34 VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Darin Feinstein, Eddie Griffin and Antonio Zepeda
make impact on future of at-risk youths
Photos by Shane O'Neal
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024
35

“Eddie and I have been best friends
for more than 20 years and both
have large families,” Feinstein says.
“During that time, as we’ve reflected
on the state of the world, we realized
it seems that children who have no
father figure in their lives have a
massive disadvantage. So, we wanted
to create something substantial to
help make a difference.”
About 12 years ago, they established
The Feinstein Griffin Foundation
for underprivileged children, and
every year, they go to The Shade
Tree in December to help brighten
spirits during the holidays, catering
lunch from El Dorado Cantina,
which Feinstein owns, and bringing
in musicians and performers and
commissioning local artists to paint
murals on-site.
“We’ve also taken children to special
events with their mothers such as
Britney Spears concerts, shows like
‘MJ Live’ and Circus 1903 and dinners,”
Feinstein says. “For more than
a decade, we have provided dozens
of these special experiences
to children and their mothers,
and it is our goal to continue that
work while providing the ability
to educate the children on how to
succeed in our country.
“We created a free 12-step educational
program for children to
help them develop logical skills
and provide fundamental tools
for them to think independently
after they turn 18 and into
adulthood.”
“Since I was 10 years old, I’ve had
the same goal: to start a nonprofit
for troubled teens and at-risk
youth,” Antonio Zepeda says.
Now 29, Zepeda finally got his
wish. The heavyweight boxer is
now on board as President of The
Feinstein Griffin Foundation.
“I grew up really rough; I was
homeless from 4 to 8, and from
8 to 17, I was in and out of group
homes, and in and out of jails, so I’ve
been through it all,” Zepeda says. “A
lot of things that these kids are going
through, I’ve experienced firsthand,
so I see eye-to-eye with them, and I
know what it takes to overcome.”
Zepeda, who never met his father,
says he didn’t want to be a statistic,
so he made the decision to turn his
life around.
“At the group home I was in for
the longest amount of time, I saw
thousands of kids come and go. None
of them went to college, and a lot of
them are dead,” Zepeda says.
“I graduated high school with
straight A’s … played college football
with an athletic scholarship …
graduated with a degree in criminal
justice. I just made a 180. Now, I
want to help kids achieve whatever
it is that they set their minds to,
and that’s why I really want to get
involved with Darin and Eddie.”
Griffin says it’s transformations like
Zepeda’s and others that keep him
in the fight. One young woman he
took under his wing at Shade Tree
graduated college and has a daughter
earning straight A’s.
“She’s actually a schoolteacher now,”
Griffin adds.
They say a difficult part is getting
kids to acknowledge that they want
to change.
“You can’t help someone who doesn’t
want to be helped,” Zepeda says.
“That was me. When I was 9, I had
so much anger, so much animosity
toward the world, and I had people
who were willing to help me, but I
didn’t want it.”

Through the help of community
partners and nonprofits, the foundation
will soon announce plans for
monthly events. Their emphasis is on
kids ages 8 to 17, when “they’re very
moldable,” Zepeda says.
“Let’s clean them up, let’s entertain
them, and then let’s send them on
the right path,” Griffin says. “Then we
got to add a bonus, [like] if they can
produce straight A’s.”
“Give some kind of incentive,”
Zepeda adds. “I’ve been an athlete
my entire life. … But, at the end of
the day, I always took education
seriously because eventually your
body is gonna give out … and as long
as you protect your faculties, your
brain’s going to take you farther than
anything.”
“I still have a lot to do, and I
wanna give back,” Zepeda says. “I
don’t like to toot my own horn; I
just keep pushing. I would love
in a few years to see [more] kids
like me, and they’re like, ‘Hey, I
made it! I went to college! This
is what I’m doing!’ That’s how I
look at it.”
“You see why we hired this guy?”
Griffin jokes.
| FeinsteinGriffinFoundation.com
There are no two better role models
and mentors than Griffin and Zepeda.
While they admit that they can’t
help everyone, they believe many
facing homelessness, opioid addiction
and a life of crime could stand a
chance at having a happy life.
“That one woman and her daughter’s
story, it makes it all worthwhile
because it let me know that we can
affect people, and it does work,”
Griffin says. “So, going forward, I’m
just looking for more success stories
like that one.”
Las Vegas residents Zepeda and
Griffin continue to entertain crowds
– Griffin with his long-running
residency now at Planet Hollywood
and Zepeda with his upcoming
September bout – but they won’t give
up helping those in need without
a fight.

weekend in Las Vegas
American Barbecue
If you’re not feeling an outdoor barbecue in
the Las Vegas heat, barbecue restaurants in
town include Bell’s BBQ, Big B’s Texas BBQ,
Biscuits and Bourbon, Gilley’s Saloon, Dancehall
and Bar-B-Que, Fox Smokehouse BBQ,
John Mull’s Meats & Road Kill Grill, Mabel’s
BBQ by Michael Symon, Rick’s Rollin Smoke
BBQ & Tavern, Rollin Smoke Barbeque, SNS
Diner BBQ, Soulbelly BBQ and Virgil’s Real
BBQ Las Vegas.
Courtesy of SoulBelly BBQ
Photo by Kevin Mazur, Getty Images
Concerts + Comedians
There are the music headliners up and down Las
Vegas Boulevard, and there are the national tour
stops and one-off performances from comedians.
This Independence Day holiday weekend includes
Blink-182, Garth Brooks, Lady Gaga, Dead and
Company, New Edition, Beartooth, Theo Von, Jeff
Dunham, Hombres G, D.L. Hughley, Jodeci,
“DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Live!,”
Whitney Cummings, Il Divo,
Rufus du Sol and more.

Fireworks
There are fireworks options aplenty in the
Las Vegas Valley, from Henderson and Southwest Las Vegas
to Summerlin and North and East Las Vegas and on the Las Vegas
Strip. The Station Casinos (Red Rock Resort, Durango Resort, Green Valley Resort), The
M Resort, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Caesars Palace, Cowabunga Bay, Fremont Street, Lake Las
Vegas and public parks are among the locations offering bright lights in the night sky.
Get Married?
Sparks will fly as freedom rings at
The Little Vegas Chapel in The Neon
Gateway near The Arts District, with
“The Star-Spangled Love” wedding
package available July 4-8. Priced
at $375, the package includes the
ceremony in The Archway Chapel,
bouquet and boutonniere, handheld
miniature flags, sparklers, photography
and five digital images, officiated
marriage license/ceremony
certificate, 18 guests maximum and
a witness if needed. Camera phones
are allowed.

Photo by Sammy Dean
Pools
Vegas Prime Magazine has you covered – or uncovered,
as it were, since you’re at the pool – with our pool guide in
Issue #2 that dropped on May 19 and is at VegasPrime.com
(with a flip book). There is something for everyone to have
fun in the sun (stay hydrated): family-friendly hotel pools,
adults-only pools minus children and for more relaxed
experiences and dayclub pools for partying, dining and
imbibing and with world-class DJs leading the celebration.
Courtesy of Tao Group Hospitality
40
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Courtesy of Spiegelworld
Shows
There are many great shows in The Entertainment Capital of the World for the indoor, air-conditioned
experience. In Issue #3 that dropped June 2, we named our five favorite (non-music
artist) headliner shows in Las Vegas: “Atomic Saloon Show,” “Awakening,” Chippendales, “Jersey
Boys” and “Mad Apple.” Also: “Absinthe,” “Fantasy,” “Criss Angel’s Mindfreak,” “Mystere” and
Shin Lim. Check them out in-person and at VegasPrime.com.

Hiking Around Las Vegas
By Todd Schacherl
High-Skill Hikes
Charleston Peak
At 11,916 feet, Mount Charleston is
the highest peak in Southern Nevada.
Many of the trails have been
closed since Hurricane Hillary in
2023, but this peak is still accessible
from the North Loop Trail.
This is an out-and-back hike that
is about 18 miles round trip.
Hayford Peak
This peak is on the other side of
US 95 from Mount Charleston and
includes hiking to the Hidden Forest,
Hidden Cabin. The hike can be
done in a day as a 16-mile out-andback
hike or as an overnight backpack
trip. There is also a military
plane crash site nearby for those
who like to visit such sites.
Rainbow Peak (Direct)
This is a scrambling route to one
of the most iconic peaks in Red
Rock. It has webbing and even airline
cables to assist on the climb.
Most people go up that route and
then come down the normal route,
but it’s not unheard of for the
adventurous types to go up and
down the direct route. This route
is mostly Class 3 and Class 4+.
This is not a hike to route find on
your own. Go with someone who
knows the route.
Must-Do Hikes
Calico Tanks (Red Rock)
This is a popular hike in Red Rock and
starts from the Sandstone Quarry. Get
there early as the parking lot is small and
fills fast. This is a great hike for winter and
spring as the reward at the end of the trail
is Calico Tank, which usually has water
during those times of the year. By early
summer, it’s usually bone dry.
Fern Canyon (Red Rock)
This hike starts from the Pine Creek Trailhead
in Red Rock. The attraction for Fern
Canyon is that it always has water, even
during the summer. There are several
small waterfalls and one 30-foot waterfall
at the “end.” One can go farther, but folks
usually turn around here.
Rain Tree (Mount Charleston)
This hike starts from the North Loop Trailhead.
It’s about 6 miles out and back. There is
an alternative on the return by going down
Wildhorse Canyon. There are wild horses, but
it’s rare to see them.

Photos by Todd Schacherl
Easy Hikes
Children’s Discovery Trail (Red Rock)
This is an easy hike with lots of things to see.
It’s less than 2 miles out and back that ends at
a waterfall. There are also some petroglyphs
that can be viewed nearby.
Ice Box Canyon (Red Rock)
This out-and-back hike is about 2 miles and
ends in a box canyon that during the winter
can have a lot of ice and snow. There are usually
a couple small pools at the end.
Where to Connect
Finding people for these routes is easier than
one might think. Meetup.com, and specifically
Meetup.com/VegasHikers, is a great resource
to join hikes with folks who know where
they are going. There are more than 27,000
members with events of varying degrees of
skill levels and multiple events daily. It’s the
most active group on Meetup.com. Activities
include hiking, scrambling, backpacking,
camping, kayaking, canyoneering and climbing.
Oh, and it’s free. Just sign up.
Railroad Tunnels (Lake Mead)
This hike follows the railroad tracks that were
used to bring heavy equipment and materials
to build Hoover Dam. There is a trailhead
near the Lake Mead Visitor Center, but it’s 1.5
miles to the first tunnel. There are a total of
four tunnels. One can also start the hike at
the overflow parking for the bridge overlook.
Tunnel four is very close from there.
One can hike past the boneyard, which has
a lot of old equipment like the crawlers that
were used to bring in the turbines. This trail
goes to the parking lot at the dam, and from
there all the facilities like tours, a gift shop
and food are available. Depending on where
one starts, this hike is about 3 to 8 miles. This
trail is appropriate for bikes and e-bikes.

Tips for Hiking in the Desert
Hiking in the desert is no joke, so take it seriously. Things can go from
bad to worse very quickly, especially for the unprepared. Here are tips
for hiking safely in the desert:
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Drinking plenty of water before and during
your hike will help to make hiking the desert
enjoyable. Getting dehydrated can happen
very quickly and with deadly consequences.
Add ice to your water bladder and freeze a
bottle of Gatorade, which is one of the few
drinks you can freeze without breaking the
bottle. Nothing better than being able to sip on
cold water in the desert heat.
Hike Early or at Night
Starting a hike at 6 a.m. can allow someone to
hike several hours and be done before the day
gets unbearably hot. Night hikes are super
fun. There aren’t any animals to be afraid of at
night, and at night is the only time one can see
things like ringtail cats. On a full moon night,
it’s even possible to hike without any lights as
the moon lights up the desert. Even with no
moon and with some overcast, the lights of
Las Vegas will reflect off the clouds and light
up the desert.
Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston is a great option for day
hikes during the summer. The temperatures
are usually at least 15 to 20 degrees lower
than in the Valley. However, Hurricane Hillary
in 2023 destroyed many of the popular trails
like Mary Jane Falls and Big Falls, but there
are hikes to be had up there that are lots of
fun like Raintree, Robber’s Roost and Fletcher
Canyon.
Rattlesnakes
From May to about late October is when rattlesnakes
come out from their winter slumber.
It’s not unheard of to hike many years in this
area and never see one or to see several in one
year. It really depends on the chance factor,
but one thing to keep in mind: Rattlesnakes
rarely bite people and are usually very docile.
Nonetheless, give them space and don’t antagonize
them unless you want a big hospital bill.

Cars at Trailheads
Unfortunately, car break-ins are a fact of
life these days, especially at Kraft Mountain
parking lot and anywhere around Frenchman
Mountain. The key is to make sure nothing
is visible. Empty the glovebox and center
console and leave them open for thieves to see
that there is nothing to steal. Don’t leave any
Bluetooth devices in your car, as thieves can
look for that Bluetooth signal and know where
it is in your car.
Ticks, Fleas and Mosquitoes
It used to be that we never had to worry about
such pests, but they have become prevalent
hiking in and around Las Vegas. They are
most common in the spring when things tend
to be more wet, but ticks now seem to be a
year-round problem.
What to Wear and Bring
What to wear usually comes down to layers,
even in the summer. In the summer, wearing a
light long-sleeve shirt will help to protect your
arms from the sun without having to wear
sunscreen. Shorts are fine, but keep in mind,
if bushwacking is part of the route, long pants
help protect your legs from the scrapes from
scrub oak and other prickly vegetation.
Most of the trails are very rocky, so good
hiking shoes are a must to protect your feet.
Trail runners are fine, but Vans and Chucks
are probably not a good choice.
Most experienced hikers know about the 10
Essentials, and carrying them on hikes in this
area are a must. There are lots of resources
describing the 10 Essentials, so we won’t bother
to list them here.

48 VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024
Christiana Cinn is a
four-time 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.

“Absinthe” at Caesars
Palace. Underneath the big
top, this Spiegelworld joint
welcomes us through candy
cane-colored curtains
for a spectacular evening
of vintage circus flare.
Vibrant performers excite
and delight by showcasing
funny, quirky and sexy
variety acts in a cozy and
romantic atmosphere.
Spiegelworld describes the
evening perfectly: “They
live to perform for your
pleasure – and theirs – on
‘Absinthe’s’ astonishingly
intimate stage.”
Canyon Ranch at The
Venetian. This is my
favorite spa in Las Vegas.
The best spa starts with a
great locker room. I know it
sounds silly, but it means a
lot knowing your belongings
are safe alongside
clean facilities (luxurious
locker rooms) that are top
of the line in facials, body
care treatments, couple’s
massages and facials. This is
the perfect place to unwind
with your partner.
Adult performer Christiana Cinn
offers five Fourth of July picks
that keep the summer heat going
in Las Vegas
SW Steakhouse at Wynn.
This steakhouse has been
my favorite fine-dining
experience by far. Are you
ready to discover an oasis
on the Las Vegas Strip?
You’re escorted to a gorgeous
terrace underneath
the desert night sky. There
are quiet, cozy tables lit
by candlelight, and you’re
overlooking a pool that
looks like a surreal dreamlike
mirage surrounded by
foliage kissed by crystal
twinkling lights.
The rumbling of music
starts, and your eyes are
treated to the most delicious
delight of the night,
the Lake of Dreams water
show. My steak and seafood
recs: Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture,
tenderloin; New York
Strip; rib eye; and rib cap.
Each juicy piece practically
melts in your mouth. The
Seafood Spectacular – with
Maine lobster, king crab
legs, jumbo shrimp, oysters,
crab cocktail, tuna crudo
and scallop ceviche – is to
die for if you’re a seafood
lover like me.
Are you ready for Discopussy?
Are you ready
to relive the nostalgia of
Studio 54 and being chosen
to go inside exclusive
nightclubs? Make your
disco dancing dreams
come true and boogie
on over to Discopussy
on Fremont Street. It’s
glitter, glamour, cleavage
and disco balls along
with thumping music
to wind you up like a
firecracker and set those
inhibitions and pants of
desire on fire!
The best Fourth of July
fireworks? The best
place to watch fireworks
in Las Vegas is at Green
Valley Ranch Resort in
Henderson. No, it’s not
just a delicious ranch
dressing. GVR is southeast
of the Strip with
the canvas of the night
sky displaying the most
incredible fireworks that
can be seen from a pool
or on resort grounds. I
highly recommend it!

Vegas Prime
Magazine
Our Favorite Burgers in Town
Photo by Chelsa Christensen
A Vegas Prime Magazine panel of
experts (our qualification is we like
to eat) selected our favorite burgers
in town. Here are our picks – and
Happy Fourth of July!
THE BUTCHER BURGER
EchoandRig.com
The Butcher Burger, at Echo
& Rig in Henderson and Tivoli
Village, is a butcher grind of
chuck, short rib, brisket, bibb
lettuce, heirloom tomato, red
onion and aioli cooked to
perfection.
THE BUTTER BURGER
CarsonKitchen.com
At Carson Kitchen in Downtown
Las Vegas, the Butter
Burger beckons with Boursin
and Fancy Sauce. It’s an excellent
meal with crisp tater tots
in an exceptional eatery. Try
the crispy chicken skins with
smoked honey, too – dare you.
CALIBOMBS
Calibombs.com
Calibombs is a no-fuss
window-serve featuring
excellent burgers on soft
buns, and their bloomin’
onion bombs make
Outback Steakhouse blush.
Combine the two if you
wish; no judgment here.
Blink and you’ll miss this
tiny spot at 2300 E. Lake
Mead Blvd. in North Las
Vegas.
THE CLASSIC
LeoneCafe.com
The Classic at Leone Café
in Tivoli Village is grilled
and as close to being a
homemade burger there
is. The Classic is dressed
up with tomato, onion,
lettuce, cheddar cheese
and 1,000 Island dressing
and perfectly prepared.

THE FLYING SCOTSMAN
BrewDog.com
Courtesy of Brewdog Las Vegas
The Flying Scotsman at
BrewDog is an 8 oz. beef
patty with authentic
Scottish haggis (sheep
stomach casing sausage
stuffed with sheep's heart,
liver and lungs and more),
red onion rings and a
side of peppercorn sauce.
Enjoy the haggis – and the
Strip view.
THE MAD MAXX
BURGER
TheMResort.com
Maxx Crosby’s Mad Maxx
Burger at Raiders Tavern
& Grill at The M Resort is
a 10 oz. angus beef patty,
grilled onions, mushrooms,
Swiss cheese and
a little bit of mayo. The
Raiders defensive end
created the burger with
all his favorite ingredients.
NICCO’S 28 BURGER
DurangoResort.com
“By far the best burger I’ve
had in my life.” At Nicco’s
Prime Cuts & Fresh Fish
at Durango Resort, Nicco’s
28 Burger is a custom
housemade Japanese and
Australian Wagyu blend
smashburger with cheese
and special sauce and
served with duck fat fries.
SMOKED BRISKET BURGER
SoulbellyBBQ.com
At Soulbelly BBQ inside
HUDL Brewing Co. in
Downtown Las Vegas, you
can’t go wrong with this
smoked brisket burger with
special sauce, American
cheese and a side of fries.
Medium is the go-to – even
though you’ll end up smashing
two orders.
Courtesy of Soulbelly bbq
Photo by Al Powers

TIME TO DINE
Rooftop
Reverie
Take a Las Vegas summer to the hottest heights
By Jen Avison Smith
A summer trip to Las Vegas means that the
bars and restaurants are ready with unbeatable
drinking and dining deals – so why
not take in the sights from the best heights?
Let these rooftop spots set the stage for the
ultimate night out on the Las Vegas Strip and
beyond.
The Foundation Room (63rd floor)
Mandalay Bay’s famous rooftop makes it
easy to party every night during the summer
months. Catch a late-evening Happy Hour
every Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6
to 9 p.m. with beers, spirits and wines by the
glass. Small bites that span cuisine borders
complete the indulgences for the night,
including vindaloo tacos, cauliflower tempura
and an ice cream sampler to top off the treats.
Ole Red (fourth floor)
Standing proud on some of the Strip’s
hottest real estate, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red bar
exploded onto the scene this year. Wall-to-wall
country fun awaits on the luxurious rooftop
lounge space with an amazing view of the Bellagio
Fountains. Whether the night calls for a
cocktail flight or beer, these libations are best
enjoyed in the presence of the city’s rotation of
up-and-coming country music talent.
Top of the World (Level 106)
The Strat is starting the summer with a
delectable new dining menu and the same
sky-high views. Top of the World Restaurant is
serving a refreshing seafood-forward dinner
menu with a hot-and-cold tower, premium
Wagyu cuts and beef selections, trendy entrees
like crab and scallop stuffed sole and, of
course, mouthwatering desserts. Don’t forget
to step onto the observation deck on levels 108
and 109 for 360-degree photo ops.
Legacy Club (60th floor)
As the site of Fremont Street’s tallest building,
Legacy Club crowns Circa Las Vegas with
a plush, lively lounge space that knows how to
throw a party. All summer long, join the locals
for bespoke summer events like Star-Spangled
Glamour, an Independence Day extravaganza,
as well as a Great Gatsby costume party with
costumes and fruity cocktails for fellas and
flapper dresses alike.
54
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

GhostBar (55th floor)
Atop The Palms, GhostBar is the perfect
panoramic setting for an evening out. This
late-night spot hosts the city’s most iconic
LGBTQ+ events and regularly welcomes local
DJ talent. Enter from the casino floor and get
ready to enjoy weekly events every Wednesday
through Saturday during the summer months.
Allē Lounge (66th floor)
While not technically an outdoor rooftop
bar, Allē Lounge is a swanky high-up hideaway
that makes beating the elements a luxury
experience. Step out onto the glass-covered
observation deck with a bespoke cocktail in
hand, or relax into a plush armchair in this
sophisticated setting. Head over to the Conrad
Las Vegas lobby to take the designated elevator
to the 66th floor.
BrewDog (second story)
Not all rooftops in Las Vegas must be a
suit-and-tie affair. BrewDog is a casual choice
nestled on the Strip, with its expansive viewing
deck overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard and
three stories of beer heaven. With open-air
fire pits and sports viewing, kicking back for
a brew has never been more scenic – and, yes,
there’s a breakfast menu, too.
Photos By Anthony Mair
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024 55

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NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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4500 West Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89103
©2024 Boyd Gaming Corporation®. All Rights Reserved.
56 VEGASPRIME.COM | June 16, 2024

VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024 57

1/2 Price Games
on Wednesdays!
20% Off for Military & First Responders with Military I.D.
Located across from Mystère Theatre.
Guests under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.

By Bob Barnes
Courtesy of Taps And Barrels
Pour Your Own Brew at
Taps and Barrels Beerhouse
Have you ever wanted to get up and pour your
own beer when you are ready for another
instead of waiting for your server? Or pour
a sip of several before committing to a full
pour? At Taps and Barrels Beerhouse, you can.
Located in Southwest Las Vegas in the
Evora community comprised of residential
and commercial spaces, the beer-centric
and nongaming pub’s décor features large
windows allowing for natural light and a view
of the mountains, a rustic red brick wall, long
wood communal tables and a lounge area
with couches and comfy chairs.
After running your credit card, you are
given a card that allows you to pour from 36
taps. A display details the price per ounce and
amount you are charged after dispensing. In
2019, UNLV Hospitality grad Ming Liu visited
Tapster in Seattle, a pour-your-own pub,
and the seed was planted to create his own
version because, “The psychology of it is you
have the power and freedom to choose and
can try several without committing to
a full pour.”
There are always six to eight local brews
and unique beers you likely won’t find elsewhere
covering a wide range of beer styles
such as Firestone Walker Parabola Whiskey
Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout and locally
brewed Big Dog’s Belgian-Style Tripel Dog
Dare. Not into beer? You’re not left out: There
are also taps pouring cider, hard kombucha,
hard seltzer, sake and wine.
Liu, who has experience working in the
kitchens of other establishments, created an
elevated bar food menu with dishes that pair
well with beer, like yellowfin tuna pizza with
ponzu aioli and truffle oil, summer burrata
with prosciutto and berries, flatbreads and
variations of upscale hot dogs.
Enticements to be a regular customer
include free trivia night with prizes on Tuesdays,
live music every other Friday, a monthly
standup comedy show, periodic painting and
cooking classes and Happy Hour Mon-Fri
from 3-6 p.m. offering 30%-40% off drafts
and $6 wings and nachos. | TapsBarrelsLV.com
60 VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

In this recurring feature, we spotlight
establishments that appreciate our local
breweries enough to serve only beer made
in Nevada. Fergusons Downtown is set
in the vintage Fergusons Motel that was
renovated to house a collection of shops,
restaurants and bars dedicated to supporting
local. Its F Bar is doing just that, with
a 100% local selection of 13 beers brewed
in The Silver State. Breweries represented
include Able Baker, Astronomy, Big Dog’s,
CraftHaus, HUDL, Lovelady, Revision and
Tenaya Creek. To view the current lineup,
visit FergusonsDowntown.com.
Silver State
Summer Brewfest
Think Las Vegas is too hot for a
beer festival in July? Thanks to air
conditioning, an indoor event is just
the ticket, and the 7th annual Silver
State Summer Brewfest will be held
in the climate-controlled Florentine
Ballroom at Tuscany Suites & Casino
on July 20 from 4-8 p.m.
Sponsored by Tuscany’s Pub 365, as the name
implies, it will feature all-you-can-drink beer
from nearly all Southern Nevada breweries,
many of which will be one-off beers that can
only be found at the festival.
Proceeds will benefit Nevada Craft Brewers
Association, whose President Wyndee Forrest
says, “Pub 365 has always made a commitment
to showcasing Nevada beer not only
at the Silver State Beer Festival but all year
long. Our Nevada breweries appreciate this
commitment and are excited to take part in
the fest!”
Tickets are $55 for early entry at 3 p.m. and
$50 for general admission entry at 4 p.m.
To purchase tickets,
TuscanyLV.com/restaurant/pub-365-craft-beers.

Body Talk
When aching muscles tell you enough is enough, indulge in these treatments
to get back in the groove
By Emmy Kasten
With trekking across the casino floor all day,
dancing in the clubs all night and losing a few
bucks (or more) at the tables, it’s no wonder
your body is wound tight.
Thankfully in Las Vegas there is no shortage
of skilled hands that can scrub, rub, press and
knead your tension into a pain of the past. If
your tight back and knotted shoulders are
begging for a break, relax and reset with our
favorite body treatments to loosen you up.
Awana Tokyo Escape at Awana Spa & Wellness
at Resorts World
Sometimes a good night’s sleep is the best
remedy for tired bodies, and this sleep-inducing
full-body massage lulls you into a state of
calm. With a blend of sedating essential oils
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VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024

Photo by Waldorf Astoria
and carefully applied pressure to relieve key
areas of tension, you’ll surely doze deeply
while a cocooning warm, dry towel is placed
over your head and eyes. Starting at $360.
RWLasVegas.com
Renew & Restore Energizing Body Treatment
at The Spa at Red Rock by Well &
Being at Red Rock Resort
a highly personalized two-to-three-hour
escape. Every journey includes aromatherapy,
hot stones and full-body exfoliation, but
the blend of massage, body treatments and
signature facial therapies is your call. Starting
at $430. Hilton.com
Courtesy of Resorts World
This journey revives your skin, detoxes
your muscles and releases pent-up stress. It
begins with an oil-to-foam natural enzyme
exfoliant to prep the skin for an invigorating
body brushing that encourages circulation
and lymphatic flow. Next, a mud wrap draws
out impurities, followed by an essential oil
massage to banish tension. Starting at $270.
RedRockResort.com
Luxury of Time at Waldorf Astoria Spa at
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
For more particular needs, this bespoke experience
starts with a consultation to design

Noe Knows Vegas
I’m Noe Alarcon, and I’ve lived in Las Vegas since 1981. I know Las Vegas, I love Las Vegas, and I hope, through Noe Knows Vegas,
to share interesting anecdotes about The Entertainment Capital of the World, my home for more than four decades now.
Zero Bond
Zero Bond is coming to Wynn Las
Vegas and replacing Country Club. It’s
one of the hottest clubs in New York.
This has prompted some questions:
How many private clubs are there
in Las Vegas? How many more are
planned? Are we becoming Los
Angeles or New York? Is this a good
thing?
Another successful hospitality
company in New York and Europe also
wants to come to Las Vegas. Where is
this going to be?
What are the requirements to join –
status or financial? Private clubs are
nothing new in Las Vegas, but are
they more for showcasing, hiding or
exclusivity?
The Mirage Closing
While I’m sad to say it, it’s a good
thing that The Mirage is closing.
When it opened, it was a dream and a
fantasy. Thirty years later, it’s time for
an update, a change and an evolution.
Caesars Palace is different. It was
nurtured to be exceptional for a long
time. Nonetheless, The Mirage was a
game-changer. You had Siegfried &
Roy and their tigers and dolphins. The
volcano attraction was a big and free
draw for tourists.
Steve Wynn took Las Vegas and made
it better with The Mirage.
Julian Serrano
Award-winning, star Chef Julian
Serrano’s upcoming retirement is
sad for me and a big loss. Julian is a
customer’s chef with unending enthusiasm.
He didn’t need the cameras on
to be charming.
His best restaurant in Las Vegas is
Picasso at Bellagio. It showcased a
lot of Spanish dishes with a European
flair. He put the croquettes up there
with foie gras and caviar.
The Culinary Industry
I think The World’s 50 Best Restaurants
coming to Las Vegas for the first
time is just like F1 Las Vegas. It was a
great show with Revelry at Wynn and
Indulge at Resorts World and will keep
getting better. There is more than
enough culinary talent in Las Vegas to
compete in the world, no-name chefs
who execute the same orders with
endless passion, talent and skill.
Revelry and Indulge follow the lineage
of The Palace Court at Caesars Palace,
Montrachet Room at Las Vegas Hilton,
Gigi’s at the original MGM Grand,
Chateau Vegas, Michael’s at Barbary
Coast, Hugo’s Cellar at 4 Queens and
Sultan’s Table at The Dunes, all exceptional,
world-class restaurants that
are part of the culinary legacy of
Las Vegas.
Signing off until next time,
Noe
VEGASPRIME.COM | June 30, 2024 65

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 very-muchmissed
colleague, mentor and friend.
VEGAS PRIME WHISPERS
Overheard at dinner the other night: One superstar singer
is not well-endowed (“It was a one and done”), and which
TV actress is a horrible diva – but her (now ex-) husband is
a total sweetheart?
Which star chef has used pots, pans and other kitchenware
to pay employees?
Chefs with “one-year residencies” of their restaurants
is a thing now in Las Vegas?
Which local journalist might be on the brink of being
blacklisted for recent unprofessional behavior?
There are always rumors that award-winning and
celebrated Chef Jose Andres’s Bazaar Meat at Sahara is
closing. Let’s hope the rumors aren’t ever true.
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS
Email your Vegas Prime Whispers to
editorial@vegasprime.com.
Seen at the exemplary The Feast on June 8 during Revelry at
Wynn Las Vegas: Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” and Four
Sixes Ranch at the country cookout and Aaron Paul launching
his new Zero Bond Caviar to VIP guests. Is he breaking bad?
Over Memorial Day weekend, Sarah Michelle Gellar and
Freddie Prinze Jr. spent the holiday at Green Valley Ranch and
previewed Ortikia Mediterranean Grill, created by the culinary
team behind Blue Ribbon Restaurants, among them owner and
Chef Bruce Bromberg. Gellar posted photos on her Instagram.
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