WTF happened to Las Vegas

[LurkerNoMore]

Stuck on last minute gig (which this last minute shit is getting old).  I have been here since Sunday.  First time here since 2013.  It’s changed but it hasn’t really changed if that makes sense. 

Some new things (Sphere which is awesome) appeared, some old things (Mirage) disappeared.  The “life” of the Strip is gone. All the best characters like the Elvis and MJ impersonators are no more. It only 5-6 now.  Mario, Deadpool, Capt Jack Sparrow, or Showgirls with feathers on their heads and pasties on their tits. A lot of the same old shows (Carrot Top, O, Blue Man Group) very few new ones.

Casinos still allow smoking and dam if people don’t smoke.  Inside and out.  I have never seen such a collection of smokers in one location. Cigs, pipes, cigars, that awful vape shit and POT.  The smell of pot is everywhere you go.  You can’t walk anywhere without smelling it.

I don’t know firsthand because I haven’t gambled yet, but also hear that casinos no longer give free drinks to people gambling at regular tables.  Drinks are ridiculous too. $20 seems to be the starting price for cocktails.

I will say that the food at non chain places has been excellent. 

No real reason to come back again.

[Humble Narcissist]

Vegas went to shit when I left town years ago. It won't recover.

[Lartinos]

It was fun when I went.

It has a purpose, but I’d prefer to go to Miami for example.

Vegas is good for a business trip and the restaurants are top notch.

[LurkerNoMore]

Vegas went to shit when I left town years ago. It won't recover.

I heard they still have your front row seat to Thunder From Down Under reserved. 

What part of Vegas were you in?  They’ve redone that area near the Sphere and that “alley” that leads to the Ferris wheel and zip line ride.  Luxor, Excalibur, and  Circus Circus still look like dated cesspools inside.

[Humble Narcissist]

I heard they still have your front row seat to Thunder From Down Under reserved. 

What part of Vegas were you in?  They’ve redone that area near the Sphere and that “alley” that leads to the Ferris wheel and zip line ride.  Luxor, Excalibur, and  Circus Circus still look like dated cesspools inside.

I lived on Swenson near the Hilton (now Westgate) hotel and next to the convention center. It was such a poor shithole they tore down the apartments, built UNLV dorms and changed the name to University Drive. It was before I was a Getbigger with multi millionaire wealth.

[LurkerNoMore]

It was fun when I went.

It has a purpose, but I’d prefer to go to Miami for example.

Vegas is good for a business trip and the restaurants are very good.

This is one of the only two land based trips that this operator offers in the US and it’s rotated every three years. 

Take a moment to think about that.  This dude runs about 14 vacations a year and only 1 every three years in the US. As big as our country is, we don’t have the tourism draw that other countries have.

Other than staff there are no Americans on this trip.  82 people outside the US mainly Spanish and Asians.  11 Australians here.  They didn’t show up for dinner Monday night - even thought they paid $125 each for it when they booked. Instead they all went to White Castle and brought back sacks of burgers and beer to their rooms.  Apparently there is no White Castle in Australia  (I’ve never seen one there)   One was said to have eaten 19 burgers.  Considering how small they are I can believe it.

Best thing (imo) about this entire trip is the Grand Canyon helicopter day. I’ve done it before and it is still amazing every time.

[joswift]

Apparently the Vegas cops are still on the lookout for Josh...

[LurkerNoMore]

Last time I was here the Strip was infested with these “performers” that would let you kick them in the balls or punch them in the back for $20, Elvis impersonators of all varieties- the best was Final Elvis which was a fat man in a sequin jumpsuit. He carried a bathroom toilet to his performing spot, set it down and laid down beside it with a peanut butter sandwich and banana peel on the ground next to him-, people with birds or giant lizards, or black guys dancing and turning flips over each other.

That’s all gone now.  Which is a blessing.

[Gym Rat]

I went a handful of years back for work, and hated it... Stayed at "Aria Hotel" and it was just a small bridge to walk over to get to the conference.
On  the way each day, we'd get stopped by beggars, thieves, people w/ no legs, homeless, etc...

A real shithole. The gym in the Aria was top notch though.
The Casinos are depressing, smoke filled, tard filled, shitholes.
You'd have to walk thru the Casino to get to the gym, even at 5AM it was filled with drunks, very loud shit-music, tons of smoke, etc.
(People passed out the 1-arm bandits, etc).

I wont be going back...

[LurkerNoMore]

I went a handful of years back for work, and hated it... Stayed at "Aria Hotel" and it was just a small bridge to walk over to get to the conference.
On  the way each day, we'd get stopped by beggars, thieves, people w/ no legs, homeless, etc...

A real shithole. The gym in the Aria was top notch though.
The Casinos are depressing, smoke filled, tard filled, shitholes.
You'd have to walk thru the Casino to get to the gym, even at 5AM it was filled with drunks, very loud shit-music, tons of smoke, etc.
(People passed out the 1-arm bandits, etc).

I wont be going back...

The gym at the Bellagio is nice.  For a hotel gym. 

[ProudVirgin69]

I’ve never been, but I always enjoy your write ups on places you’ve visited.  Pretty wild that you can smoke indoors in Vegas, especially weed 

[robcguns]

Apparently the Vegas cops are still on the lookout for Josh...

Hahaha.

[sway]

I’ve lived here almost my whole life. Covid changed everything unfortunately. The massive influx of people moving here is something we still haven’t recovered from. There was no infrastructure to support that many people coming here. Traffic is unbearable daily, roads are packed, highest car insurance in the country too.
The strip is even worse, fees for everything, almost no free parking anywhere. Hell Excalibur just got rid of Bellman and Valet completely. So have fun with your bags up to your room and enjoy the high priced parking too since no valet anymore. If they do have valet it’s 20 minimum. Several hotels don’t even offer room service and if they do it’s certain hours. No daily maid service, etc.  All the nightclubs are way down compared to the past, younger generations don’t drink as much they want weed.
We’re really just a big sports town now, you can gamble anywhere in the US.

[Lartinos]

I’ve lived here almost my whole life. Covid changed everything unfortunately. The massive influx of people moving here is something we still haven’t recovered from. There was no infrastructure to support that many people coming here. Traffic is unbearable daily, roads are packed, highest car insurance in the country too.
The strip is even worse, fees for everything, almost no free parking anywhere. Hell Excalibur just got rid of Bellman and Valet completely. So have fun with your bags up to your room and enjoy the high priced parking too since no valet anymore. If they do have valet it’s 20 minimum. Several hotels don’t even offer room service and if they do it’s certain hours. No daily maid service, etc.  All the nightclubs are way down compared to the past, younger generations don’t drink as much they want weed.
We’re really just a big sports town now, you can gamble anywhere in the US.

XS nightclub was legit when I last went.

A club is only as good it’s DJ though so I’m guessing it fails most nights.

[Grape Ape]

Last two times I've been to Vegas I didn't even play the tables.

I think The Sphere would be the only draw right now.

[LurkerNoMore]

I’ve never been, but I always enjoy your write ups on places you’ve visited.  Pretty wild that you can smoke indoors in Vegas, especially weed 

Thanks for the compliment.

And please don’t go.  It’s not what it used to be.

[LurkerNoMore]

I’ve lived here almost my whole life. Covid changed everything unfortunately. The massive influx of people moving here is something we still haven’t recovered from. There was no infrastructure to support that many people coming here. Traffic is unbearable daily, roads are packed, highest car insurance in the country too.
The strip is even worse, fees for everything, almost no free parking anywhere. Hell Excalibur just got rid of Bellman and Valet completely. So have fun with your bags up to your room and enjoy the high priced parking too since no valet anymore. If they do have valet it’s 20 minimum. Several hotels don’t even offer room service and if they do it’s certain hours. No daily maid service, etc.  All the nightclubs are way down compared to the past, younger generations don’t drink as much they want weed.
We’re really just a big sports town now, you can gamble anywhere in the US.

100% truth right here.

[Irongrip400]

I went two years ago and they still gave you free drinks if you gambled at the craps or black jack tables. I stayed in Nobu inside of Caesar’s. Time before that was at the Bellagio in March for Conexpo literally as the world shut down from Covid. They closed the show a day early. It was eerie then. First time I went was in 2009 and it seemed pretty much the same each time I’ve been. I like it. I like to gamble, drink and go to shows with my wife when we go. Nothing too crazy.

[Bevo]

I stopped going once the mirage hotel closed down

[AbrahamG]

I stopped going once the mirage hotel closed down

 

[honest]

Over priced and over crowded these days, but people just keep coming, national drywall conferences historically were there every year or second, gone elsewhere now, the  numbers there got lower every year too expensive for people to attend and network.
Still the entertainment capital of the world but it no longer represents value for money, but it never really did and we all still went and people will still keep going.

[Humble Narcissist]

Over priced and over crowded these days, but people just keep coming, national drywall conferences historically were there every year or second, gone elsewhere now, the  numbers there got lower every year too expensive for people to attend and network.
Still the entertainment capital of the world but it no longer represents value for money, but it never really did and we all still went and people will still keep going.

Maybe Reno would be better.

[LurkerNoMore]

I went two years ago and they still gave you free drinks if you gambled at the craps or black jack tables. I stayed in Nobu inside of Caesar’s. Time before that was at the Bellagio in March for Conexpo literally as the world shut down from Covid. They closed the show a day early. It was eerie then. First time I went was in 2009 and it seemed pretty much the same each time I’ve been. I like it. I like to gamble, drink and go to shows with my wife when we go. Nothing too crazy.

I’m at Bellagio.  Nice.  But not worth it.  Was in Cosmopolitan last time.

[Coach is Back!]

I go once or twice a year to train and shoot. Last time I went we took tour of some homes in Summerlin.

https://www.battlefieldvegas.com

[funk51]