Vegas Prime Magazine (V2.2) - February 9, 2025

CHIPPENDALES

MOVES TO THE STRIP

Male revue now at Linq Hotel after 22 years at The Rio

SUPER BOWL PARTIES | VALENTINE’S DAY | MICHAEL MINA | SOMMELIERS

22.

CELEBRITY

TAKEOVER

28

COVER FEATURE

After 22 years at The Rio, the iconic male revue Chippendales

is taking it off on the Las Vegas Strip for the first time at The Linq Hotel.

10.

THAT’S

HOT!

Vegas Prime

Magazine

Editor-in-Chief

Don Chareunsy’s

top to-do picks

while you’re in

Las Vegas.

12.

OUT + ABOUT

2.

SHOWTIME

Gordon Ramsay Burger opens at Flamingo Las Vegas,

Winter Fancy Food Show wraps up in Las Vegas,

plus the 2025 AVN and GayVN Awards.

Ed Condran talks with Harrah’s headliner

Donny Osmond, a review of Keith Urban at

Fontainebleau Las Vegas and more concerts and events.

24.

Award-winning

Celebrity Chef

Michael Mina

recently opened

his Bourbon Steak

at Four Seasons

Hotel Las Vegas.

PRIME PICKS

Vegas Prime Magazine

offers recommendations

for Super Bowl watch

parties, Valentine’s Day

and espresso martinis.

6

VEGASPRIME.COM | Feb. 9, 2025

42

TIME TO

DINE

Caramella at Planet Hollywood

offers memorable Italian fare

and Strip views, and Winter at

the Terrace at GVR is a romantic

night out.

60.

OUTDOORS

A guide to canyoneering – it’s a mix

of hiking, scrambling and rappelling.

64.

HEALTH +

WELLNESS

66.

Eleventh House is

a brand-new aerial arts studio

in Downtown Las Vegas.

THE LAST WORD

Vegas Prime Whispers: Celebrity + Las Vegas gossip +

sightings and Movers, Shakers + Vegas Dealmakers.

52.

BREWING

NEWS

Cover Image:

Denise Truscello

VEGASPRIME.COM | Feb. 9, 2025 7

JAMAL M. PARKER

Publisher

DON CHAREUNSY

Editor-in-Chief

ARTURO PERALTA

Art Director

BRIANNA KOURETAS

Senior Account Manager

JASMINE TRAN

Social Media

JEN AVISON SMITH, BOB BARNES,

PATRANYA BHOOLSUWAN, 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

ads@vegasprime.com

@vegasprimemagazine | @vegasprimemag

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

8


ditor's

The cover photo shoot with Chippendales on Jan. 21

was a full-circle Las Vegas moment. Shortly after

moving to Las Vegas in 2008, I started working with

publicist extraordinaire Michael Caprio, his client

the extraordinary Chippendales, then at The Rio,

and photographer extraordinaire Denise Truscello.

E letter


Alongside “Fantasy” and “X Burlesque,” Chippendales

is probably my most-watched show in Las Vegas, and

the cast and crew couldn’t be nicer. The Chippendales

grand opening at The Linq Hotel, their new home on

the Las Vegas Strip after 22 years at The Rio,

promises to be a super-fun and -sexy evening,

with a surprise appearance, on Feb. 13.

Also in this issue of Vegas Prime Magazine:

Out + About at the Gordon Ramsay Burger grand

opening at Flamingo Las Vegas, the final 2025 Winter

Fancy Food Show at Las Vegas Convention Center

and the 2025 AVN and GayVN Awards at Virgin

Hotels Las Vegas (where the 69-day strike has ended),

plus our Celebrity Takeover guest columnist the

award-winning Celebrity Chef Michael Mina.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Vegas Prime Magazine

There’s a lot more! We have an interview with

Donny Osmond and a review of Keith Urban’s

headliner show at Fontainebleau Las Vegas; Vegas

Prime Picks for Super Bowl watch parties and

Valentine’s Day options; dining at Caramella in

Planet Hollywood and chilling at Winter on the

Terrace at Green Valley Ranch; and get your drink

on with Brewing News by Bob Barnes, Las Vegas

sommeliers and a roundup of espresso martinis.

We also talk about canyoneering (yes, it’s a real thing)

and the Raiders’ new GM. Speaking of the NFL, it’s

Super Bowl weekend, Valentine’s Day is just around

the corner, and I’m still calming down from the photo

shoot with the Chippendales cast. OK, bye!

Denise Truscello, Alejandro Rodriguez, Dio Perez,

Pete Peralta, Shyllon Mellati, Jasmine Tran,

Yasmany Martinez and Don Chareunsy

DONNY OSMOND

Caesars.com

It’s been many years since I’ve seen

Osmond in concert; the last time

was with sister Marie Osmond as

Flamingo headliners. My favorite

song: “Close Every Door.” Feb. 11-15

and 18-22. Harrah’s Las Vegas.

MARIAH CAREY

ParkMGM.MGMResorts.com

I’ve seen the diva’s greatest-hits

and holiday shows both at The

Colosseum. My favorite song:

“Forever.” Feb. 12 and 14-15.

Dolby Live at Park MGM.

BLAKE SHELTON

Caesars.com

Shelton was my last concert before the pandemic, and I was living in Spokane,

Wash. My favorite song: “God’s Country.” Feb. 12 and 14-15. The Colosseum at

Caesars Palace.

JANET JACKSON

RWLasVegas.com

Miss Jackson was my first concert this year, and she slayed from start to finish.

My favorites song: “Nasty.” Feb. 12 and 14-15. The Theatre at Resorts World.

KEITH URBAN

FontainebleauLasVegas.com

I’ve seen Urban the most of the

six artists on this list, and he never

disappoints. For starters, he’s a guitar

god. My favorite song: “Making

Memories of Us.” Feb. 14-15, 19

and 21-22. BleauLive Theater at

Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

GARTH BROOKS

Caesars.com

It’s been many years since I’ve seen

Brooks in concert, and these are

the final shows of his residency.

My favorite song: “The Dance.”

Feb. 21-22. The Colosseum.

By DON CHAREUNSY

Editor-in-Chief | Vegas Prime Magazine

out + about

Gordon Ramsay Burger

Celebrates Grand Opening

at Flamingo Las Vegas

Award-winning Chef and TV personality

Gordon Ramsay hosted a special event Jan. 16

to commemorate the grand opening of the

second Gordon Ramsay Burger on the Las

Vegas Strip at Flamingo Las Vegas (the OG

is at Planet Hollywood).

Gordon Ramsay Burger is Ramsay’s seventh

restaurant in Las Vegas with Caesars

Entertainment and offers bold flavors and

a lively atmosphere at the iconic resort at

Flamingo and Las Vegas Boulevard.

“Lucky number seven, can you believe it?”

Ramsay said of his new restaurant. “Las Vegas

is like a second home to me, and the Caesars

team are like family. The new restaurant

looks beautiful, and trust me, the burgers

are incredible!”

Signature menu items exclusively available at

the Flamingo location include the Cluck Yeah

GFC (Gordon’s Fried Chicken) Sandwich with

crispy chicken tossed in spicy GFC signature

sauce, red cabbage slaw and pickled red

onions on a special pink brioche bun.

From the all-day brunch menu, guests can try

the very British Full English Breakfast Burger,

which includes a sausage patty, HP sauce

(a popular condiment in the U.K.), roasted

mushrooms, sliced tomato, thick-cut bacon,

a sunny-side-up egg and Heinz beans and is

served with house-seasoned tater tots.

The Steak Dinner Burger features a Wagyu

beef patty, sautéed mushrooms and onions,

Boursin spread and HP sauce and is paired

with crispy matchstick potatoes. Fans can

sip on the new signature Pink Drink made

with champagne, Absolut Vodka, cassis and

raspberry gomme and served in a flamingo

coupe.

12


Those with a sweet tooth can choose from

milkshakes and desserts such as the Sticky Toffee

Waffle with toasted pecans and vanilla ice cream.

Guests can also indulge in the 99 Flake Shake,

a vanilla shake with waffle cone pieces, Flake

chocolate bar (a popular British chocolate bar)

and chocolate fudge.

“We’ve made so many significant enhancements to

our resort over the past year, and Gordon Ramsay

Burger is an important piece of the Flamingo’s

revitalization story,” said Dan Walsh, SVP and

General Manager of Flamingo Las Vegas.

“Chef Gordon Ramsay brings so much fun and flavor

to his restaurants, and we couldn’t be more excited

to have his culinary expertise and unmatched energy

part of the Flamingo family as we enter the next

chapter of our iconic resort.”

The 12,000-square-foot space was designed by

Dezmotif Studios and features a large exhibition

kitchen, island-style bar, storefront windows,

multiple dining zones, a nod to Britannia with

Union Jack accents and flame displays. The 50-seat,

open-air patio overlooks the Strip.

Gordon Ramsay Burger is on the casino floor along

Las Vegas Boulevard and is open from 10 a.m.

to midnight daily. More: Caesars.com

Credit: Denise Truscello/Getty Images


out + about

Winter Fancy Food Show

Wraps Up Run in Las Vegas

The annual, three-day 2025 Winter Fancy

Food Show (from Jan. 19-21) is a wrap

at Las Vegas Convention Center.

Upon arrival the morning of Jan. 20,

or Day 2, for Vegas Prime Magazine,

Celebrity Chef Scott Conant was seen

sitting alone checking his email and

waiting for his airport shuttle. He was

a featured guest on the first day, and

he couldn’t have been nicer chatting

before departing Las Vegas.

One of the big announcements at 2025

WFFS was its move to San Diego in 2026,

so it’s sadly leaving Las Vegas.

Other highlights:

•Molly Gaz, The New York Times

bestselling author and founder of

Ayoh, presented a keynote titled,

“Molly Baz on Controversial

Condiments, CPG Launches and

Selling Big on Social.”

•Startup CPG debuted their female

founder initiative Further CPG during

the show with a Further Female

Founder Lounge and related

programming. Further CPG hosted

a pitch session with 10 brands and

a retailer panel including Whole

Foods and closed with a Female

Founder Mixer.

•As the official partner country, Italy’s

Pavilion featured more than 90

exhibitors, a new product zone with

guided tasting sessions and an array

of notable chef showcases, as well as

a dedicated “Celebrating Italy” event

on Jan. 20.

14


•Trends, trends and more trends! Attendees

found the 2025 Specialty Food Association

Trendspotter predictions products and

additional new and exciting products and

people in the Debut District, a dedicated

area of the show floor that encompassed

companies with new products, Incubator

Village and startup companies and brands

that were Fancy Food Show first-time

exhibitors.

•The list of trends includes instant global

gratification, functional foods and natural

enhancements, chili cornucopia, vivacious

vinegars, gimme (some) sugar, lavender,

oil-based hot sauces, black garlic and

flavored cheeses


out + about

CINN

CITY

at 2025 GayAVN

+ AVN Awards

Christiana Cinn,

Vegas Prime Magazine’s

fabulous and beautiful

Cinn City monthly guest

columnist, attended the

2025 GayVN Awards red

carpet and show on Jan. 20

and 2025 AVN Awards red

carpet and show on Jan. 25,

both at The Theater at Virgin

Hotels Las Vegas. Cinn was

the belle of the ball, of course!

16



Bellagio Conservatory’s

Year of the Snake

18 VEGASPRIME.COM | Feb. 9, 2025

The Bellagio Conservatory

& Botanical Gardens, free

and open to the public 24/7

all year long, can be counted

on to go all-in and all-out for

its stunning displays, and this

year’s Year of the Snake for

Lunar New Year is no different.

There are 45,000 roses that

adorn a snake and pandas,

2,500 cherry blossoms and

so much more in the beautiful

and color attraction.

Happy Lunar New Year

– Gong Hei Fat Choy!

Credit: Tom Donoghue

20


Love is in the...

MAY 23 & 24

OCTOBER 3 & 4

Purchase tickets for your love now!


celebrity

takeover

22


Michael Mina :

We Work to Always Evolve and Improve What We’re Doing

Ever since I made

Las Vegas my

permanent home

a few years ago, I knew

that I’d also have to find

a home for Bourbon Steak,

one of my most beloved

concepts. I have had restaurants

on the Strip for nearly

three decades, but my team

and I are always very specific

with what restaurant we’ll

open where.

We knew we needed to find

the right space for Bourbon

Steak and couldn’t be more

excited to partner with Four

Seasons Las Vegas to open

this special concept. It cannot

be any easier to get to

if you’re a local, and for

those visiting, it’s a great

escape from the Strip without

having to leave.

While most people think

of Vegas as a transient

city, there is a really strong

local population who craves

unique and exciting dining

destinations. Our goal at

Bourbon Steak is to offer

a variety of experiences –

live music, entertainment,

parties – in addition to the

Credit: JMP FORCE // Mina Group

menu that will keep guests

coming back to try something

new over and over.

Even the space itself is

designed so you can create

a unique dining moment each

time you join us. That’s really

what I love about Vegas

in general. I don’t believe

there’s any other city where

you can have such a drastically

different experience

each time you come, but

each one is as great as

the next.

Every day our restaurants

have a mix of people that

have never been to one of

our restaurants before and

guests that are regulars,

so it’s up to us to deliver

an incomparable experience

while also continuing

to innovate and push the

envelope.

Diners are getting more

discerning everywhere by

the day, but it’s especially

true in Las Vegas where

you have the best chefs

from around the world

bringing their ultimate

dining destinations. That

invigorates my team and

me, and it’s what keeps us

working to always evolve

and improve what we’re

doing.

In some ways, it reminds

me of coming up in San

Francisco in the 1990s.

What a competitive and

intense time to be a chef

there! Instead of letting

competition get the best

of me, it just kept inspiring

me seeing what others were

doing and challenging me to

do even more.

With years of experience

under my belt, I have

a confidence today that

guides me, but I never

stop learning and trying

new things. That’s what’s

really special about the

world of hospitality – just

when you think you’ve seen

or done it all, there’s a completely

new level unlocked.

Las Vegas is the ultimate

playground for a chef, and

I’m thrilled to bring Bourbon

Steak here – and to see

what the future holds!

24


ALDER & BIRCH

4500 W. Tropicana Ave.

Orleans.BoydGaming.com

AMARI ITALIAN

KITCHEN & WINE SHOP

6825 Tom Rodriquez St.

(UnCommons) | AmariLV.com

AQUA SEAFOOD & CAVIAR

RESTAURANT

3000 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

(Resorts World) | AquaLV.com

BALLA ITALIAN SOUL


(Sahara Las Vegas)

SaharaLasVegas.com

BARRY’S DOWNTOWN PRIME

8 Fremont St. (Circa Resort & Casino)

BarrysDowntownPrime.com

BASILICO RISTORANTE ITALIANO

6111 S. Buffalo Drive.

BasilicoLV.com

BOURBON STEAK


(Four Seasons Hotel)

BourbonSteak.com

BREZZA

3000 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (Resorts

World)

BrezzaItalian.com

BUDDY V’S RISTORANTE


(The Venetian)

VenetianLasVegas.com

CARVERSTEAK


(Resorts World)

Carversteak.com

CHERI ROOFTOP


(Paris Las Vegas)

CheriRooftop.com

CORNERSTONE CLASSIC

AMERICAN STEAKHOUSE

4000 W. Flamingo Road

GoldCoast.BoydGaming.com

FERRARO’S

4480 Paradise Road

FerrarosLasVegas.com

GAETANO’S RISTORANTE

10271 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson

GaetanosLasVegas.com

GJELINA


(The Venetian)


HOFBRAUHAUS

4510 Paradise Road

HofbrauhausLasVegas.com

KOMODO


(Fontainebleau Las Vegas)

KomodoLV.com

LA CAVE


(Wynn Las Vegas)

WynnLasVegas.com

MAE DALY’S


MaeDalys.com

MIJO MODERN MEXICAN

6915 S. Durango Drive

(Durango Casino & Resort)

MijoMexican.com

OCEAN PRIME


(63 CityCenter)

Ocean-Prime.com

ONE STEAKHOUSE

4455 Paradise Road

(Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)

OneSteakhouseLV.com

PALATE

1301 S. Main St.

(Downtown Las Vegas)

PalateLV.com

PAPI STEAK



PapiSteakLV.com

SCOTCH 80 PRIME


(Palms Casino Resort)

Palms.com

STK


(The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas)

STKSteakhouse.com

TWIN CREEKS STEAKHOUSE

3333 Blue Diamond Road

(Silverton Casino Lodge)

SilvertonCasino.com

VETRI CUCINA


(Palms Casino Resort)

Palms.com

VIC’S LAS VEGAS

355 Promenade Place,

Downtown Las Vegas

VicsLasVegas.com

WILLIAM B’S STEAKHOUSE

9090 Alta Drive

(Suncoast Hotel & Casino)

Suncoast.BoydGaming.com

ZIO’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE

3400 Paradise Road

(Renaissance Hotel Las Vegas)

ZiosLV.com

And check out our Steakhouse Issue,

with more than 50 steakhouses, at

VegasPrime.com.

More: VegasPrime.com


26


PRIMM VALLEY CASINO RESORTS IS

YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

DESTINATION!

ART LABOE PRESENTS

VALENTINES SUPER LOVE JAM

Get in the groove and celebrate Valentines

Weekend with Art Laboe’s Valentines Super

Love Jam featuring Rose Royce, Bloodstone,

GQ, Temprees and Persuaders. Make it a

date night like no other.

FEBRUARY 15

BANDA MS

You’ll be singing and dancing with this top

Regional Mexican musical group that has

earned the nickname of “The highest grossing

band”, a slogan that reflects their over

20 years in music.

FEBRUARY 22

REVISITING CREEDENCE

It’s a full throttle celebration that will have you

singing and dancing with Revisiting Creedence,

continuing the legacy of the iconic Creedence

Clearwater Revival.

MARCH 8

LABERINTO

Known for their unique style of Regional Mexican

music, the group Laberinto has fascinated its

followers and fans with its repertoire of songs

that include corridos, rancheras, baladas,

boleros and danceable and tropical mixes.

MARCH 15

JUST SOUTH

OF VEGAS I-15


28


MOVES TO THE STRIP

Iconic male revue

is now at The Linq

Hotel after 22 years

at The Rio


IF YOU GO // Chippendales will perform Tuesdays through Sundays at 9 p.m.,

with second shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 11 p.m. at The Linq Hotel. Ticketmaster.com and (855) 234-7469.

Chippendales is bringing the heat

and sex appeal to a new home.

After a 22-year run with more

than 9,000 performances at The

Rio, the iconic male revue in Las

Vegas has moved to The Linq

Hotel + Experience on the Las

Vegas Strip, their first Strip headliner

run, with an all-new show.

Performances began at The

Mat Franco Theater in The Linq

on Jan. 14, and tickets are on

sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

The muscled men took the stage

at The Rio stage for the last time

on Dec. 31.

Get ready for all the thrills, chills

and jaw-dropping moves of

Chippendales – now

with a brand-new Las Vegas

Strip backdrop.

“After a sensational run at The

Rio, we’re thrilled to be back

in the Caesars Entertainment

family and moving to our new

home on the Strip,” says

Katerina Tabakhov, Chippendales’

Director of Operations.

“The Mat Franco Theater inside

The Linq is the perfect stage for

the Chippendales to turn up the

heat and give audiences an all-new

show in our new home.”

“The Linq is the perfect place

for a party, and we’re certain the

addition of Chippendales to our

already diverse entertainment

roster in the center of the Las

Vegas Strip will only make the

party that much more exciting

for our guests,” said Dan Walsh,

Senior Vice President and General

Manager of The Linq.

“The muscle behind the Chippendales

brand is truly iconic, and

we look forward to welcoming

the show.”

The new production promises

even more thrills with a fresh

lineup of electrifying numbers

and a revamped cast – alongside

veteran dancers Ryan Kelsey,

Alejandro Rodriguez, Shyllon

Mellati and others – who bring

talent, charisma and energy to

the stage.

Chippendales fans can still expect

the classic look that made Chippendales

iconic: the unmistakable

cuffs and collars. For 12 years in

a row, Chippendales has won the

title of “Best Male Revue” in the

Best of Las Vegas Awards, a testament

to their unwavering dedication

to delivering an unforgettable

experience for audiences.

“We’ve been at The Rio for 22

years, which is an incredible run.

… We’re finally on The Strip, and

we’re super excited,” Mellati said

during the Chippendales cover

photo shoot for Vegas Prime

Magazine at Denise Truscello’s

studio on Jan. 21.

“We have a new home,

a new venue and new

guys and numbers.

There’s a fraternal bond

within the cast. Even

though there’s a show

onstage, there’s a show

backstage, too."

“What I love most about the

show is the fraternal bond and

the camaraderie that we have

with each other,” said Mellati,

who enjoys working out and

hiking in Red Rock Canyon and

has two cats, “my babies

Moscato and Merlot.”

On Nov. 29, Mayor Carolyn

Goodman, in her last official act

as Las Vegas mayor (her final day

in office was Wednesday, Dec. 4),

gave Chippendales a proclamation

and a Key to the City of Las Vegas

at the start of their 8 p.m. show

for 45 years as entertainers – 22

of them at The Rio. Goodman and

Chippendales cast members visited

Opportunity Village preshow.

Chippendales is celebrating its

46th anniversary as a brand and

22 years at The Rio. Celebrity

guest hosts in Las Vegas include

Vinny Guadagnino of “Jersey

Shore,” model Tyson Beckford,

“Dancing With the Stars” and

“America’s Next Top Model” winner

Nyle DiMarco, “Beverly Hills 90210”

and “Sharknado” star Ian Ziering,

98 Degrees frontman Jeff Timmons

and actor-singer Joey Lawrence.

Chippendales was established in

1979 and has headquarters in New

York, with offices in Las Vegas and

London.

Chippendales fun facts in the

22-year residency at The Rio:

Performed more than

9,000 SHOWS

Ripped off more than

275,000 TANK TOPS

Featured more than

130 CAST MEMBERS

Sold more than

1 MILLION TICKETS

Sold more than

100,000 PHOTOS

More: Chippendales.com


DONNY

OSMOND

IF YOU GO // 3475 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. // (800) 214-9110 | Caesars.com

Donny Osmond: ‘I don’t want to stop what I’m doing

… there’s no reason for me to put on the brakes’

Credit: Lee Cherry // Denise Truscello

Donny Osmond made his TV debut

on “The Andy Williams Show” before

The Beatles’ music- and pop culture-shifting

performance on

“The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964.

Osmond, 67, made his small-screen

debut at 5 years old in 1963.

“It’s hard to believe how long I’ve

been performing,” Osmond said.

“And it’s staggering how many

times you would have thought that

my career was over, but I never say

die. I also have never lost my sense

of humor. It has come in handy on

many occasions.”

Osmond can take a joke, and he can

deliver one, as well. When Weird Al

Yankovic asked the former teen idol

to be part of his “White and Nerdy”

video in 2006, as the poster boy for,

well, being arguably the squarest

Caucasian, Osmond signed on.

“I thought it was going to be a lot of

fun,” Osmond said. “Weird Al is one

of the most inventive individuals in

the business. When I saw what he

was going to do with Chamillionaire’s

‘Ridin,’ ” I was on board.”

Osmond, who is a resident headliner

at Harrah’s Las Vegas, went the

extra yard. His silly improvised

dances, which helped make the

video very popular, cracked up

everyone, including Yankovic.

By Ed Condran

“I was performing behind Al, and

he couldn’t see me, but he saw it

was cracking everyone up,”

Osmond said while calling from

Las Vegas. “Later on, he lost it

when he saw what I did.”

Having a sense of humor is just

one of the many weapons in

Osmond’s under-heralded arsenal.

That’s how Osmond has thrived

since he was a pin-up during the

early 1970s who scored five Top 10

hits with ballads such as “Puppy

Love” and “Go Away Little Girl.”

During the late 1970s, he hosted

an ABC variety program with his

sister Marie Osmond (the two of

them headlined for many years

at Flamingo Las Vegas). “The Donny

and Marie Show” was a popular

vehicle, and Osmond toured when

he wasn’t on the soundstage with

his country-loving sibling.

“The ’70s was incredibly good to

me,” Osmond said. “I accomplished

so much. I was everywhere

physically or everywhere in terms

of magazine covers. The media

and fan attention was overwhelming.

But that doesn’t last forever.”

Just ask Bobby Sherman, Lance

Bass and Jesse McCartney. Those

teen dreams, much like the dinosaurs,

had to adapt or die. Osmond,

like the few boyband alums, did

make the necessary modifications.

Osmond worked with iconic British

singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel

during the late 1980s. That unlikely

pairing – wholesome Mormon and

innovative, shape-shifting Rock

and Roll Hall of Famer – yielded

a hit single, “Soldier of Love,”

which reached No. 2.

“Peter admires my voice,”

Osmond said. “He was excited

about working with me and helped

me come back. I don’t know who

could have predicted that.”

Osmond co-anchored a talk show

with his sister during the 1990s.

He hosted game shows during the

Clinton era. He competed on

“Dancing With the Stars” in

2009. Osmond wasn’t the favorite,

but he did what he had to do to win.

“That was hard work,” Osmond

said. “You really have to put the

time in to become a great dancer,

but that’s the same if you want

to be a great singer or a great

entertainer. You have to work

your butt off.”

Osmond’s work ethic continues.

“I don’t want to stop what I’m

doing,” Osmond said. “Fortunately,

there’s no reason for me to

put on the brakes.”

33

Keith Urban Returns With

‘High in Vegas’

at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

IF YOU GO // 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. (702) 678-7272 | FontainebleauLasVegas.com + Ticketmaster.com

KEITH

URBAN

Country music superstar Keith

Urban’s “Keith Urban’s High in

Vegas” returns for five performances

at BleauLive Theater in

Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The fourtime

Grammy Award winner kicked

off his residency on Oct. 4, and

the second set of five shows are

Feb. 14-15, 19 and 21-22.

“Keith Urban’s High in Vegas”

features music from his new album

“High,” released last fall, with

songs not yet played live, including

his new single “Messed Up As Me,”

as well as “Straight Line” and “Go

Home W U” with Lainey Wilson.

The all-new show includes many

of his top hits, among them “Days

Go By,” “Making Memories of Us,”

“You’ll Think of Me,” “Somewhere

in My Car,” “Somebody Like You,”

“Stupid Boy,” “Tonight I Wanna Cry,”

“Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Wasted

Time,” plus a handful of fun covers.

From the first notes to the last,

Urban’s shows are concert events

not to be missed, as the talented

New Zealand-born Aussie charmer

seamlessly performs beautiful ballads

and high-energy, guitar-driven

crowd-pleasers. His Oct. 4 grand

opening show was packed, and the

audience was engaged through the

final song.

Urban has been hailed as one of the

best live performers of any musical

genre – previous Las Vegas dates at

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and

Planet Hollywood prove this – and

his fast-paced, immersive concert

experience clearly shows why he

is also considered one of the best

guitarists of this generation.

Urban previously performed Oct.

4-5, 9 and 11-12 at BleauLive Theater.

Shows begin at 8:30 p.m. For

more information and to purchase

tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com/

KeithUrbanVegas.

Vibee is the official Concert &

Hotel Experience Package partner

for “Keith Urban’s High in Vegas.”

Packages include premium concert

seats at BleauLive Theater, a

two-night stay at Fontainebleau,

a limited-edition “Keith Urban’s

High in Vegas” JBL GO 3 speaker

and on-property experience perks.

Vibee hotel packages are available

at KeithUrban.Vibee.com.


36

37

showtime

ORE

ENTERTAINMENT

IN LAS VEGAS

Also on the calendar of music and events

alongside Donny Osmond at Harrah’s and

Keith Urban at Fontainebleau Las Vegas:

Feb. 11-15 and 18-22; Harrah’s Las Vegas Caesars.com

Donny

Osmond

MARIAH CAREY

Feb. 12 and 14-15; Dolby Live at Park MGM ParkMGM.MGMResorts.com

Blake

Shelton

Janet

Feb. 14;

The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Hilton.com

Feb. 12 and 14-15; The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Caesars.com

Theory

of A

Deadman

Jackson

Feb. 12 and 14-15;

The Theatre at Resorts World

RWLasVegas.com

Feb. 12, 14-15, 19 and 21-22; Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas WynnLasVegas.com

New Edition

showtime

Babyface

Feb. 14-15; Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort Palms.com

Toni Braxton

& Cedric

the Entertainer

Feb. 14-15; The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CosmopolitanofLasVegas.com

The Eagles

Feb. 14-15 and 21-22; Sphere TheSphere.com

KEITH URBAN

Feb. 14-15, 19 and 21-22; BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas FontainebleauLasVegas.com

Heather

Feb. 15; The Palazzo Theater VenetianLasVegas.com

McMahan

Warren

Elvis

G

Feb. 15;

Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas at The Linq Promenade

BrooklynBowl.com

Crespo

Feb. 15; House of Blues at Mandalay Bay HouseofBlues.com

Ali

Siddiq

Feb. 16;

The Theater

at Virgin Hotels

Las Vegas

Hilton.com

Garth

TYLER HENRY

Feb. 16; Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort

Palms.com

HINDER

Feb. 19; House of Blues

HouseofBlues.com

GARY CLARK JR.

Feb. 20; Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas

BrooklynBowl.com

Brooks

Feb. 21-22; The Colosseum Caesars.com

MORGAN JAY

Feb. 21-22; Summit Showroom at The Venetian


ALEJANDRA GUZMAN

Feb. 22; The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Hilton.com


Caramella at

Planet Hollywood

time to dine

Boasts Excellent Italian Fare and Strip Views

By Don Chareunsy

42


Buon appetito! Caramella,

a new Italian restaurant

with a terrace overlooking

the Las Vegas Strip and

a hidden, swanky cocktail

lounge, by Caesars Entertainment

and Tao Group Hospitality, has opened

at Planet Hollywood in the former space of

Koi next to Strip House and Criss Angel Theater.

Designed by Fettle, Caramella is part restaurant

and part lounge, drawing inspiration from 1970s

Italy. Upon entry, guests are taken through

a velvet vestibule, where a Murano glass

chandelier creates the focal points of the bar

and lounge. Glossy finishes and backlit onyx

walls adorn the restaurant.

A candy shop with Italian treats (oddly not for

sale) sits in the center of Caramella. Behind

a secret door within the shop is a kitschy,

moody hidden lounge – dare we call it a speakeasy?

– dressed in 1970s wallpaper and centered

around a mirror mosaic DJ booth. Layered leopard

print fabrics and geometric rugs add whimsy.

Tao Group Hospitality Chief Culinary Officer

Ralph Scamardella has created a menu including

takes on regional Italian favorites, pastas and

meats served Tuscan-style with sides à la carte

at Caramella.

Dinner on Jan. 14 was flavorful and hearty:

crispy porchetta, bone marrow surf and turf,

blue crab mafaldine, Chilean sea bass piccata,

veal chop valdostano, mushroom and Gorgonzola

potato gratin, signature Caramella tart with

dark chocolate custard and salted caramel,

(a 12-inch!) NY-style cheesecake with raspberry

coulis and berries and Dirty Caramella and

The Gold Watch cocktails.

We were surrounded by customers with

complaints, but our experience was superb,

with kudos to our main server Michael. This

was our second time at Caramella after

attending the grand opening party hosted

by 50 Cent on Dec. 29.

Caramella is open 4 to 10 p.m. daily,

and the lounge is open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Thursdays through Sundays.

Caesars.com

time to dine

Chilling at

Green Valley

Ranch’s

Winter at

the Terrace

By Don Chareunsy

The holidays and its festive decorations

are gone for the season, but it’s not too

late to experience Green Valley Ranch

Resort & Spa’s annual Winter at the

Terrace – with its handcrafted cocktails,

light bites, fire pits and igloos, aka

enclosed domes – although this pop-up

activation comes to an end, as well,

on Feb. 15 in Henderson.

The enchanting outdoor lounge just off

the main lobby of Green Valley Ranch

has become an annual tradition, and

this year was no different with the light

food menu, which is surprisingly filling,

festive – and festively named – cocktails

(a few of them are served hot) and

chilly evening temperatures, perfect for

the fire pits, while blankets are provided

for the igloos.

In a Jan. 18 visit, it was chilly, so we

went back and forth between a fire pit

(and heaters) and igloo with blankets

(and no heaters). The fun and festive

food and beverages: Tuscan charcuterie,

Ortikia Mezze, winter fondue, candied

44


maple bacon and the cocktails Baby It’s Cold

Outside, Under the Mistletoe and Hot Chocolate

Experience with Bailey’s Salted Caramel

Irish Cream.

In the first visit in 2022 to make it a Happy

Holidays in Henderson, Winter at the Terrace

included holiday decorations, fire pits and

s’mores, hot chocolate cart, charcuterie,

deviled eggs, salad and cocktails. I imbibed

the espresso martini, spiked cider and Old

Fashioned (Sweater Weather, garnished with

a gingerbread sweater) but missed the mulled

wine/sangria, eggnog and mule.

The final days and hours for Winter at the

Terrace this season are 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays

and Saturdays, and reservations are required

for the seasonal outdoor experience. Winter

at the Terrace is perfect for a chill night out

with friends, a romantic Valentine’s Day

stop and other special occasions.

Credit: Cole Curtis Photography


Since moving to Las Vegas

in 2022, I’ve been on a

personal mission to find

the best espresso martinis

in town – because what’s

better than a little caffeine

with your cocktail?

Armed with my cell phone

notes and a love for a good

buzz, I’ve sipped my way

through the city – from

glitzy hotel bars to hidden

neighborhood gems.


Here’s my roundup of

some of the most delicious

espresso martinis in

Las Vegas.

If you’re looking for an espresso martini

that hits just right,

these spots know how to shake things up:

CORDUROY

This Fremont East hotspot serves an

espresso martini with the perfect

balance of bold espresso and

smooth spirits. It’s a must-try for

any caffeine-fueled cocktail lover.

SALA 118

A hidden treasure at The Venetian

that offers a creamy, dreamy

espresso martini with just the right

touch of sweetness.

BLEAU BAR

Sleek and sophisticated, this

espresso martini at Fontainebleau

Las Vegas is strong, indulgent and

guaranteed to elevate your evening.

MILOS

A refined take on the classic,

delivering an elegant blend

of espresso and spirits that feels

downright luxurious,

at The Venetian.

BEL-AIRE

Smooth, well-balanced

and totally satisfying

at Durango Casino Resort.

RPM

Velvety, rich and oh-so-smooth.

This one at The Forum Shops at

Caesars Palace is a total knockout

and the perfect way to kick off

a fun night out.

STK

A slightly sweeter take,

but still absolutely delicious, at

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

GALLAGHER’S

A bold and flavorful option

that never disappoints

at New York-New York.

HAPPY CAMPER LAS VEGAS

A lively spot at Fashion Show

Las Vegas with a fun twist on

the espresso martini that pairs

perfectly with their upbeat vibe.

ALLEGRO

Classic and consistent, you can’t

go wrong with this one

at Wynn Las Vegas.

Whether you’re a local or visiting, I hope this guide helps

you enjoy the espresso martini scene in Las Vegas. Cheers!

I’ve also started tracking the best carajillos in the city

– a tequila twist on the classic. First on the list: El Dorado Cantina,

setting the bar high for this bold and delicious drink!


47

KELLY

FORD

LAU

Love

GIVE ’EM SOMM

By Marisa Finetti

LAS VEGAS’ WINE SCENE IS THRIVING THANKS

TO THE VISION AND PASSION OF ITS SOMMELIERS.

THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE MORE THAN WINE

EXPERTS – THEY ARE STORYTELLERS, EDUCATORS

AND CHAMPIONS OF CONNECTION USING WINE

AS A BRIDGE TO CULTURES, TRADITIONS AND

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES.

MEET SOME OF THE SOMMELIERS WHO ARE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS, EACH

CONTRIBUTING TO THE CITY’S WINE CULTURE

IN THEIR UNIQUE WAY DRIVEN BY THEIR PASSION

FOR THE BELOVED FERMENTED GRAPE JUICE.

KELLY FORD LAU

CRISTIE NORMAN

Kelly Ford Lau exemplifies the diversity and

opportunities in the world of wine. A proud alum

of UNLV’s Hotel College and named one of Wine

& Spirits Magazine’s “Best New Sommeliers of 2010,”

Lau has had an illustrious career with chef-driven

venues, including Delmonico by Emeril Lagasse,

Bardot Brasserie by Michael Mina and é by José

Andrés.

Today, she channels her expertise into KellySOMM,

a Las Vegas-based digital e-commerce wine retail

and education company. Lau’s mission is to engage

and educate. She teaches 300-level wine courses

at UNLV, inspiring the next generation of industry

professionals.

HRISTIAN ILIEV

“I love engaging with people from diverse backgrounds,”

she says. “It is my life’s purpose knowing

I am meant to be a communicator, and I happened

to choose wine.”


KAT THOMAS

For Kat Thomas, lead sommelier at Ada’s Food +

Wine in Tivoli Village, wine has been a transformative

journey. “This intense, fabulous profession has

brought me home to myself and shown me

the strength in raw honesty,” she says.

Thomas’ passion for wine has not gone unnoticed.

Last year, Ada’s Food + Wine was honored with

The World of Fine Wine’s “Most Creative Wine List”

award, a testament to her thoughtful curation and

storytelling through wine.

“Our list reflects a balance of classics, discoveries,

chances and fun,” says Thomas, “with a focus on

sustainability, diverse grape varieties and small

producers who care deeply about their craft. It’s

not just a list; it’s a journey, and we’re proud to

have it recognized for the heart and soul we pour

into every selection.”

HRISTIAN ILIEV

A music lover with a passion for hard punk rock,

Hristian Iliev’s appreciation for wine traces back

to his childhood in Bulgaria, where he watched

his grandfather craft wine with dedication and

care. “I experienced the passion and commitment

that went into every vintage and saw how important

it was for the whole family,” Iliev recalls.

Now, as lead sommelier at Carbone at Aria, Iliev

carries those values forward. Beyond a love for

wine, Iliev believes that a great sommelier is

“a traveler, an explorer, an artist and a hopeless

romantic.”

He is passionate about expanding the palates of

Las Vegas wine drinkers. “The majority of consumers

stick to the same producers and styles. I’d like to be

that advocate for a small, family-owned winery from

the middle of nowhere,” he says.

WILL

COSTELLO

KAT THOMAS

CRISTIE NORMAN

At age 15, Cristie Norman started working at

a teahouse with more than 100 tea selections. She

noticed the similarities between tea and wine, but

her desire to work at the only fancy steakhouse in

her hometown pushed her to the wine side.

While she went on to become a sommelier at Spago

Beverly Hills at 21, Norman understands how intimidating

wine can be, often keeping aspiring somms

from being able to break into the industry.

“Not to mention the problems this causes for the

casual wine enthusiast who just wants to build their

wine knowledge,” Norman says. “I try to make wine

fun and approachable through my content on TikTok

and Instagram and through my Online Wine Course

for Beginners, which I like to describe as a ‘driver’s

ed course’ but for wine.”

WILL COSTELLO

For Will Costello, being a sommelier is driven by

a passion for learning. “In this industry, no matter

how much you know, there’s always more to discover,”

Costello says. A career highlight was tasting the

rare Domaine Leflaive Montrachet, a $6,000 bottle

that taught him a valuable lesson: “Wine is just wine

– it’s all grape juice.”

This perspective shapes his belief that a great

sommelier can always find the perfect alternative,

as the world of wine offers endless opportunities

for discovery. As the Las Vegas Ambassador for Star

Wine List, a guide to great wine bars and wine-focused

restaurants, Costello hopes that Star Wine

List will give those visiting an opportunity to

experience wines located off the beaten path.

Wineaux in UnCommons, Garagiste Wine Room +

Merchant in Downtown Las Vegas, Ferraro’s east

of the Las Vegas Strip, Harlow in Downtown Summerlin

and Monzu on Flamingo are among the wine

spots on Costello’s curated list.

50



By Bob Barnes

Page 52

Chris Jacobs Being Honored

With Shrunken Head

Renowned Chinatown

bar The Golden Tiki

has an iconic tradition

of bestowing shrunken-head

likenesses

to admired luminaries

who impact our

community. The collection

numbers more

than 200 celebrities

and visionaries, and

its next recipient

will be Beer Zombies

founder Chris Jacobs

and his famed hop

cone head logo.

Speaking on why this

selection was made,

Beverage Director

and Master Mixologist

Adam Rains said,

“After doing as much

as anyone in Vegas

for zombie culture,

we are bestowing

upon the head beer

zombie himself

a shrunken head to

commemorate, celebrate

and proliferate

his name! He will be

forever displayed

among the greats

of The Golden Tiki.”

The honor will be

a birthday present

of sorts, as the

ceremony will take

place on Feb. 26,

Jacobs’ 48th birthday.

The free event will

begin at 7:30 p.m.,

with the revealing

of the Jacobs and

Beer Zombies logo

shrunken head at

8 p.m. There will

also be a one-off

Beer Zombies Brewery

tiki-themed beer and

canned tiki cocktail.

The birthday celebration

will continue

Feb. 28 with a pay-asyou-go

party at Beer

Zombies Brewery at

5 p.m. with live bands

and collaboration

beers made with

Beer Zombies and

popular breweries

from across the U.S.,

including Xul, Rar,

Harland, Seek, Rad

Beer Co, Black Ninja

and Beer Salvage.

In this recurring feature, we spotlight

establishments that appreciate our

local breweries enough to devote

their beer lists to beer made in

Nevada. ØØ Pie & Pub in Chinatown

at The Center at Spring Mountain

(the same center that includes The

Golden Tiki) is named for the proprietary

blend of Italian pizza flour Chef

Partner Michael Vakneen perfected,

leading to the eatery being ranked

on the 50 Top Pizza USA 2024 list.

Congratulations to Vakneen, as

well, for his just-announced James

Beard Award nomination for Best

Chef Southwest. In addition to its

proven excellence in pizza making,

this establishment promotes our

local breweries with a beer list that is

nearly all local, pouring El Charro and

702 ØØ Ale made by Tenaya Creek,

Vanilla Oak and Half Bird Chicken

& Beer Cockfight Pils by HUDL, Sumo

Stomp and Rebel Spirit by CraftHaus

and Flor IPA by North 5th.

3853 Spring Mountain Road

(702) 463-0755 | DoubleZeroPie.com

Craft Beer Paradise

Comes to Northwest

Las Vegas

In an area of Northwest Las

Vegas where establishments

featuring a robust craft beer

selection are nearly lost in

space, Mission Control has

opened in a center at the NE

corner of Tenaya and Craig Road.

The owner partnership of Raj

Patel and brothers Coby and

Jasey Baker have opened what

is described as an upscale, classy

living room that doubles as

a craft beer haven and craft

cocktail lounge with an

extensive bottle list.

The bar’s name and decor allude

to a space theme, with artwork

featuring female astronauts and

cats in spacesuits. The establishment

is nongaming and features

a lounge with retro couches

and cushy chairs, and all tables

are six-tops, encouraging social

connecting.

4450 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 115

(702) 530-8844 | MissionControlLV.com

The 20-tap beer list changes

constantly and includes local

beers and Celestial Mechanics

beers (the owners’ beer brand

currently being contract brewed

by Mason Ale Works).

The selection is quite unique,

with brews you’ll not likely

find anywhere else in town, such

as Bottle Logic Contained Combustion

Imperial Stout, Celestial

Mechanics Ryusei Japanese Rice

Lager and Beer Zombies Hoperation

Orangy Fruited IPA. There’s

also a semi-secret Captain’s List

of more than 600 large format

(1.5 L) beers.

Mission Control is connected

to Saffron Flavors of India,

and although the restaurant’s

main menu is not available,

there is a menu exclusive to the

bar with items such as Crispy

Cauliflower, Naan Pizza and

Bibimbap Rice Bowl.

silver and black

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS HIRE

A NEW GENERAL MANAGER

By Ed Condran

The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t just looking

for continuity at the quarterback and head

coaching positions. The Black and Silver

would love stability in the front office.

The Raiders hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Assistant General Manager John Spytek

as their General Manager.

The Raiders GM position has been fraught

with change ever since the storied franchise

left Oakland for Las Vegas in 2020. Mike

Mayock, Dave Ziegler, Champ Kelly and

Tom Telesco have held the title of Raiders

GM since the pandemic arrived. The hope is

that Spytek will be running the team for years.

Perhaps Spytek, who earned raves in the

Bucs front office, will be the answer for

the Raiders, who have many questions

facing the organization. Who will become

the Raiders’ next coach? Who will be the

next quarterback? Will the Raiders be in

position to draft a quarterback with the

sixth position in the NFL Draft?

What will the Raiders do with a projected

$108 million in salary cap space? Will the

Raiders be able to attract notable free

agents to fill voids? The Raiders have

more questions than a soap opera.

54


However, what bodes well for the franchise

is that minority owner Tom Brady

is having an impact. Owner Mark Davis

rightfully respects the seven-time Super

Bowl champion. It’ll be interesting to

see if Brady is hands on with a potential

rookie quarterback.

Spytek has a challenging gig, but his

resume is impressive. After working with

the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles

during the aughts, Spytek joined the

Bucs in 2016 as their Director of Player

Personnel, where he met Brady. Spytek

was promoted to Vice President of Player

Personnel in 2021 and Assistant GM in

2023.

Spytek earned high marks for helping

keep the Bucs in the playoffs for five

consecutive seasons. Spytek helped

solve the Bucs quarterback problem by

signing Baker Mayfield, who has been an

impressive gunslinger behind center.

It can only go up for the Raiders, who last

won a playoff game in 2003, beating the

Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship

game.

It’s been difficult for Raiders Nation,

but the team still has Maxx Crosby

rushing the quarterback, plenty of draft

capital and money to spend. Fans hope

Spytek can lead the Raiders in the right

direction.

It’s going to be interesting since the

Raiders are in arguably the toughest

division in the AFC. The Chiefs have been

a juggernaut since Patrick Mahomes

became the starting quarterback, and

the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver

Broncos are trending upward.

It’s going to be fascinating to see if the

Raiders take steps to challenge their

division rivals.


The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles face off,

in a repeat from two years ago, in Super Bowl LIX (59) at the Caesars

Superdome in New Orleans, Jon Baptiste is set to perform the national

anthem, and Kendrick Lamar is the halftime show performer. If you’re not

at the big game and in Las Vegas, here are locations hosting watch parties:

56


Prime

Picks

El Dorado Cantina

Three locations

ElDoradoCantina.com

Crazy Horse 3

Gentlemen’s Club

3525 W. Russell Road

CrazyHorse3.com

Dawg House Saloon

& Sports Book


(Resorts World)

RWLasVegas.com

Westgate Las Vegas

Resort & Casino

3000 Paradise Road

WestgateResorts.com

Flanker Kitchen

+ Sports Bar


(Mandalay Bay)

FlankerLV.com

Liv Las Vegas



LivNightclub.com

Beer Park


(Paris Las Vegas)

BeerPark.com

Carversteak


(Resorts World)

Carversteak.com

Cheri Rooftop


(Paris Las Vegas)

CheriRooftop.com

PT’s Taverns

Multiple locations

PTsTaverns.com

South Point

Hotel Casino & Spa


SouthPointCasino.com

Tailgate Social Sports

Bar & Grill

2411 W. Sahara Ave.

(Palace Station)

TailgateSocialLV.com

Eight Cigar Lounge


(Resorts World)

EightLoungeLV.com

Gatsby’s Cocktail

Lounge


(Resorts World)

GatsbysVegas.com

Bel-Aire Lounge



BelAireLoungeLV.com

Mijo Modern Mexican

Restaurant



MijoMexican.com

Clique Bar & Lounge



CliqueLV.com

The Barbershop Cuts

& Cocktails



TheBarbershopLV.com

Red Tail Sports Bar


(Resorts World)

ZoukGroupLV.com

Borracha Mexican

Cantina

2300 Paseo Verde Parkway

(Green Valley Ranch)

BorrachaVegas.com

Cabo Wabo Cantina


(Planet Hollywood)

CaboWaboCantina.com

Proper Eats Food Hall


(Aria)

Aria.MGMResorts.com

Pancho’s Mexican

Restaurant

11020 Lavender Hill Drive

(Downtown Summerlin)

PanchosRestaurant.com

Plaza Hotel & Casino

1 N. Main St.

(Downtown Las Vegas)

PlazaHotelCasino.com

Sickies Garage Burgers

and Brews


(Town Square)

SickiesBurgers.com

Blondie’s Sports Bar

& Grill

3663 S. Las Vegas Blvd.(Miracle

Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood)

BlondiesLasVegas.com

House of Blues


(Mandalay Bay)

HouseofBlues.com

Chickie’s & Pete’s


(Sahara)

SaharaLasVegas.com

58



outdoors

What is canyoneering? It’s a mix of hiking, scrambling

and rappelling. The hiking part is usually the approach

and the walk off as well as the in-between spots

when going from one rappel to the next.

Scrambling is kind of like rock climbing but without

ropes and anchors. Basically, using techniques like

stemming, chimneying and using your hands and

feet to climb up, down, over, under and around

various obstacles.

Rappelling is when using a rope to slide down

a rope over a waterfall or pour over and other

high obstacles. Rappelling requires the use of

a rappel device that adds friction to the rope,

which allows one to slow their descent down

the rope.

60


Las Vegas is a great base of

operations for rappelling as

there are many destinations

within a few hours drive.

This includes Death Valley

National Park, Lake Mead

Recreation Area, Red Rock

Canyon Conservation Area,

Mount Charleston and

Zion National Park.

Canyoneering in Death

Valley is a little different

since permanent anchors

are not allowed because

of its national park status.

This means that only rocks

are allowed to be used as

anchors. Even using trees,

of which there aren’t many,

is technically not allowed.

Red Rock Canyon requires

a reservation if you are accessing

anything from the scenic loop drive

between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from

Oct. 1 to May 31, when things

start getting hot.

Lake Mead requires an America

the Beautiful pass or a weekly

pass, which costs $25 per

car for one week of access

to the recreation area.

Mount Charleston requires

no fees, but some trails are

still closed more than two

years after Hurricane Hillary

hit the area.

Rocks with pinch points,

which is where a rock rests

against another rock and

where they touch, is where

an anchor can be placed.

Dead man anchors are also

used, which is a pile of rocks

with webbing tied around

one of the rocks.

These anchors can look

sketchy, but if done correctly,

and when using what’s called

a soft start, they can be

safely used. Often a backup

to a dead man’s anchor

is simply what we call

a “meat anchor.”

That’s where someone,

usually the smallest person in

the group, ties into the dead

man’s anchor so that if that

fails, the weight of the person

would be enough to prevent

the person rappelling from

crashing to the ground.

Canyoneering in Zion often

requires permits to access

areas like the Subway and

Keyhole Canyon, not to

be confused with Keyhole

Canyon between Nelson

and Searchlight.

LAKE MEAD

CANYONEERING

ROUTES

There are three very popular

routes near Lake Mead: Sheep

Bone to Quarry Canyon, Boy

Scout Canyon and Motorcycle

Canyon. The first two are loop

hikes, and the latter is an

out-and-back route.

SHEEP BONE

CANYON

This route is about 6 miles round

trip. Without a 4x4 to get close to

the start of Sheep Bone Canyon, it’s

best to park at the now-closed boat

ramp for Boulder Beach. Then walk to

Sheep Bone Canyon, which is across

the street and to the left. It’s a little

over a mile from the boat ramp to the

beginning of the canyon.

From there we are rewarded with

the amazing volcanic geology and

fun scrambles. Eventually, we climb

out of Sheep Bone Canyon and up to

a saddle that allows us to drop into

Quarry Canyon, where the

rappelling begins.

There are seven to 10 rappels.

Most are in the 40-foot range, and

there are a few that can be down

climbed. The reason it’s called

“quarry canyon” is because of

the quarry at the end of

the canyon.

Motorcycle Canyon

This route starts at the Gold Strike Hot

Springs trailhead at exit 2 of US 93.

Instead of heading down to the hot

springs, head up to the ridge to the

right. The loop completes by coming

up the hot springs trail from about

halfway down.

This has a long approach, but if you

have a couple 4x4 vehicles, you can

drive right to the top of the first rappel.

The first rappel is about 90 feet and

the second one right afterwards is

about 80 feet. Just below the landing

of the first rappel is where

the motorcycle rests.

There are at least two more rappels

and possibly four more, but two are

down climbable with some technical

experience. The first rappel has

permanent anchors, and the next

uses a large rock spire for a webbing

anchor. Most of the rest use dead

man anchors.

The last one uses a chock rock’s pinch

point for an anchor that sits over the

edge to be rappelled. This one is a lot

of fun, but it is long hike. Longer if you

want to hit the hot springs because

one would have to hike down Gold

Strike Canyon and then back up again

adding at least another few miles to

the overall hike.

Boy Scout Canyon

This one starts at the top of a

300-foot-plus wall. Yes, the first rappel

is more than 300 feet, and the last

100 feet or so is a free hang. There

are only three rappels, and this one

is about 5 miles out and back. The

reward are the several hot springs

that will be encountered while getting

down to the Colorado River.

At one spot, there is a cold spring just

10 feet from a hot spring as well as the

weeping wall where cool water rains

off a wall. The return trip

allows for a climb out on a

steep loose trail.

If one is so inclined, they

can ascend the same

300-foot wall that

starts the route.

Typically, that

rope is left and

retrieved from

the top once

everyone is

back to

the top.

Resources

Desert

Southwest

Adventures

Zion National

Park Canyoneering

Daily Lottery

Eleventh House

Is Set to Dominate DTLV

64


By Jen Avison Smith

Las Vegas is famous for

its affinities in athletics

and the arts, housing

everything from the Vegas

Golden Knights to Cirque

du Soleil – and one studio

is bringing a feminine-forward

twist to fitness and

dance.

Eleventh House is a brandnew

aerial arts studio in

Downtown Las Vegas.

Founders Hunter Bonvicin

and Kim Hatchell opened

Eleventh House last year

on the auspicious Nov. 11

as a revolutionary concept

bringing more than just

workouts to the scene.

A HOME AT THE HOUSE

The studio offers a serene

environment complete

with high ceilings and

cozy lobby seating for a

high-end vibe. Located on

the edge of Downtown,

Eleventh House encourages

its members to relax in

a social setting before

class time.

“We’ve really taken time

to curate an atmosphere

that feels more like a spa

and less like a studio,”

Bonvicin says. “We want

Eleventh House to be

something where you’re

not in a rush, have the time

to grab a glass of hot tea,

sit down and chat with

their friends.”

All levels of pole, aerial

arts and yoga classes

are taught by a teaching

staff stemming from a

range of backgrounds

and dance disciplines.

Standout classes also

include strength and conditioning,

plenty of open

gym time, a “Dope Sh*t”

creative course series and

a Sunday evening Yin Yoga

sound bath, which gives

locals a chance to prepare

for the week ahead and

visitors to detox.

UNDERSTANDING

THE S FACTOR

Alongside these semi-traditional

fitness offerings,

Eleventh House offers the

S Factor series, a program

pioneered by Shelia Kelley.

As the foundation of the

2021 Netflix documentary

“Strip Down, Rise Up,” the

program focuses on embracing

feminine energy

through dance.

While the program is

celebrating its second

decade of existence,

Hatchell notes that Bonvicin

and she are the first

licensed S Factor practitioners

in Nevada. While

S Factor is available online,

the duo is currently operating

one of the only brickand-mortar

locations in

the country.

S Factor takes place at

Eleventh House in The

Vault, a sultry room with

several poles and

a photo-worthy cage.

Each S Factor course includes

a rigorous 45-minute

warmup that leads

into an energetic routine

or pole work, followed by

movement and dance to

finish the session.

The room also has no

mirrors, a rarity in dance

studios. By holding workouts

in this environment,

it allows students to drop

their inhibitions and give

themselves permission to

“identify and own” their

fitness and empowerment

journeys.

“S Factor is the heartbeat

of our space,” Bonvicin

says. “It’s like a rage room,

but hotter.” Hatchell says S

Factor is a way to celebrate

emotion in all its forms.

“People get to see [the

practice] and recognize

that it’s OK to express all

kinds of emotions, whether

it’s lust and playfulness

and joy to rage and anger

and sadness and disgust,”

she says.

VISIT AND DISCOVER

In a city brimming with

studios, Eleventh House

aims to be an inclusive

oasis that invites those

looking to connect with

their power as feminine

beings.

“We want a core group of

women, feminine-respecting

and identifying people

to look at this space and

go, ‘Wow, this is everything

I’ve been looking for.

I’ve finally found a place

where I feel comfortable

and welcome,’ ” Bonvicin

says.

Membership options are

available. For drop-ins,

new Eleventh House dancers

can take advantage of

an $11 first-time class fee.

More:

EleventhHouseLV.com


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-much-missed colleague, mentor and dear friend.

Which Las Vegas headliner cancellation due to

“current circumstances” is said to be specifically

due to “abysmal” ticket sales?

Which celebrity needs to lay off

the fillers and tanning?

Which recent award show host’s onstage

antics raised a few eyebrows and had audience

members puzzled?

THE MSV REPORT :

Movers, Shakers + Vegas Dealmakers

Which new restaurant was duped by three customers

who “were going to be late for a show” but were seen at a

casino floor bar post-dinner? Tacky!

Former Fremont Street Experience Chief

Marketing Officer PAUL McGUIRE has

joined GRAND CANYON RESORT CORP.

as Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer.

Which local restaurant chain is opening

a ninth location in Summerlin?

These are whispers, so no answers will be provided;

Email your Vegas Prime Whispers to editorial@vegasprime.com.

CELEBRITY

SIGHTINGS

Reality-TV star and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump

was among the guests at Gordon Ramsay Burger’s

grand opening at Flamingo Las Vegas on Jan. 16.

Vanderpump recently opened Pinky’s at Flamingo.

Former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Mirage

of Las Vegas and current contestant Lexi Love

attended the 2025 GayVN Awards hosted by Alec

Mapa, Bruno Alcantara and Jkab Ethan Dale at

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Jan. 20.

KRIS LINGLE GRIFFITH (AEG Presents,

Las Vegas) and JESSICA SHEA (MGM Resorts

International) have been appointed to the

Board of WISE LAS VEGAS (Women in Sports

and Events).

ANDREA ACOSTA recently joined CAESARS

ENTERTAINMENT as Vice President of Events

& Promotions. Before joining Caesars, Acosta

spent 16 years managing Special Events at

MGM Resorts properties.

Sphere Las Vegas’ former Senior Vice President

of Sales & Marketing NEHME ABOUZEID

has joined K9 RESORTS LUXURY PET HOTEL as

an investor and Executive Vice President and

Chief Marketing Officer.

THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS is seeking a

qualified Brand Marketing Manager to join the

team. Interested candidates are encouraged

to apply.

Scan QR code

to apply

DOUGLAS VOGELEI has been named Vice President

of Gaming at MOHEGAN SUN. Vogelei has

strong ties to Las Vegas. He’s a UNLV graduate

and has spent more than 20 years as a gaming

executive with The Venetian/The Palazzo.

66


Vegas Prime Magazine (V2.2) - February 9, 2025

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