Mexican Independence Day in Las Vegas

Vegas Mexican Independence Day

 

TheTropicana is hosting a celebration of Mexican Independence day (not to be confused with Cinco de Mayo) in the form of Mariachi USA Fiesta, a 90-minute Mariachi music review that has played to sold out audiences at the Hollywood Bowl for 22 years. It is scheduled at the Nikki Beach Club, which seems to be attracting all sorts of great acts since its renovation. A good selection of both modern and traditional music will keep you dancing the entire night. For more information, head to Mariachi USA Fiesta and be sure to check out our great deal on a hotel there to complete your stay in style.

Speaking of style, now’s the time to get the Vegas iPhone App! We have all your Vegas resources for Mexican Independence Day. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

“Pawn Stars” in Vegas a Hit

Vegas Pawn Stars

The History Channel’s television show “Pawn Stars” has become a huge success since its debut in 2009 and one of the top attractions on the Strip. As many as 5,000 people a day have been known to start lining up early at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop to check out the site of the show and purchase items. It also became the most-watched show on cable TV, with over 8 million viewers every Monday night. The shop has also undergone a recent expansion.

From its humble beginnings as a family-owned business (Richard “The Old Man” Harrison, his son Rick, and grandson Corey, also known as “Big Hoss”) to its current status as a reality hit, Pawn Stars in Vegas has entered the minds of many, both in Vegas and out. It’s also made a star out of Big Hoss’ childhood friend, Austin “Chumlee” Russell. All of the guys on the show are constantly looking for fake items, deals, and unique items, so every show can turn out a different way depending on the circumstances. The Pawn Stars have purchased a working hot air balloon, a missile guidance system and Harry Houdini’s handcuffs, among other things, while turning down items such as Soviet shuttle launch keys and pirate treasure. The business was started in 1988 and thrives to this day amid the billion-dollar casinos and night clubs. The boys from Pawn Stars are even currently on a “road show” style traveling tour. Check out their web site for dates and more information on Pawn Stars. Want to get to Gold & Silver quickly? Caesars Palace is on the Strip, and we have a great deal for it.

Don’t forget our new Vegas iPhone App to track the hundreds of attractions we have in our database, complete with price ratings, photos, reviews, and contact information for all the best values in Vegas. Also, be sure to check out Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Jersey Boys in Vegas; Jersey Shore Still In Vegas

Vegas Jersey Boys ShowWe decided to give you real-life Jersey Boys along with some reality TV Jersey in Las Vegas today, beginning with the show Jersey Boys. Simply put, this is one of the best shows you’ll find in Vegas. Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and company as they make the journey from the streets of Newark, New Jersey to international superstardom and pop culture success, and the production of such hits as “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” is phenomenal. It recently celebrated three strong years on the Strip and is primed for more success. It was rated #1 Best Show in Vegas by the Las Vegas Review Journal. For more information, visit their web site, check out our page on them, and we have a deal for the Venetian, and also for the Palazzo where they play.

In reality television Jersey news, Jersey Shore star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzo took over LAX in the Luxor this weekend,  hosting a party there. Ronnie Ortiz-Magro hosted Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel just a day later, and fellow cast members DJ Pauly D, Jenni “JWoww” Farley and Deena Nicole will be in Vegas this weekend. It seems there’s no slowing down the Jersey Shore cast, as we reported earlier.

Vegas Implosion of Harmon in Court Battle

Vegas Harmon Tower to be imploded

MGM Resorts and Perini Building Company are locked in a battle that could eliminate the never-opened Harmon Tower, a luxury hotel that has not had a single guest. On Monday, MGM filed to Clark County seeking approval to use explosives to bring down the tower. Perini, the general contractor for CityCenter (where the Harmon is located on the north end) who is currently involved in a lawsuit against MGM, says they can fix the errors after inspectors found improper support, OSHA violations, and evidence from an engineering firm that if a major earthquake struck Vegas, it would collapse. MGM argues that it can’t be fixed yet Perini says that if the structure is imploded, signs of structural defects will be destroyed.

The Harmon was supposed to have 47 stories, but it was cut to 27 after inspectors found the errors in 2008, and never completed. Couple that with the recession, and MGM simply wants to cut their losses and get the approval to implode from a District Judge. If approved, it would take six months to prepare the tower for explosion and four to remove debris. There are plenty of other properties MGM owns, including Circus Circus, Mandalay Bay, and ARIA, and we encourage you to check them out while this gets resolved.

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in Vegas to Hire 250 Employees

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville in Vegas CasinoParrotheads, this job’s for you. Jimmy Buffett and the Flamingo are hiring 250 workers for a new Margaritaville minicasino scheduled to open in October. It will replace Steakhouse 46 in the Flamingo and build on the existing Margaritaville bar and restaurant that is already a big part of the hotel, essentially connecting them at Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard. Among the things included in the new casino are a 15,000-square-foot casino floor, 22 gaming tables, 220 slot machines and a “Five O’Clock Somewhere” bar. Positions for table game dealers, flair bartenders, and supervisors are available, among others. Interested applicants can apply online here or at the Caesars Entertainment Employment Center on Flamingo Road. If you’re interested in booking a trip to catch Margaritaville in all its glory, we’ve got your deal!

Vegas iPhone App Now Available!

The Las Vegas Hipster Application for iPhone

It’s here! Your number one source for Vegas information finally has the app to keep you going no matter where you are in Vegas. Get it here! The Vegas iPhone app is designed to give you the latest and greatest information and media on Las Vegas, and even has some special features you won’t find in other apps. Everything is at your fingertips—Gaming, Restaurants, Hotels, Attractions, Entertainment, and even a GPS Tracker we call the Friend Finder. This is your one stop shop for all things Vegas, and the only app to have, whether you’re planning a trip or already there.

FEATURES:

-Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
-Hundreds of options to choose from for Hotels, Dining, Shows, Clubs, Attractions, Sports, and more, complete with pricing, reviews, photos, and categories for each option.
-Full contact information for all venues. Read the reviews, call the restaurant, make a reservation, and you’re out the door.
-Once you’re out, connect with your friends via the Friend Finder portion of the Vegas Hipster app. See where your friends are at, create, join, and leave groups, and make it easy to meet up in the busy Vegas atmosphere.

Get the Vegas iPhone app here!

Plaza Hotel Las Vegas to Re-Open September 1

Vegas Plaza Hotel

The wait is nearly over. Owner Tamares Group started the renovations, opting to keep the hotel closed and do them all at once, and the results sound promising. Almost everything has been fixed up or completely redone top to bottom, and with the re-opening scheduled for September 1, the project is ahead of schedule. The Plaza was aided by some items coming at a discount from the shuttered Fountaineblau project that helped the budget for the renovation. In a time when the tourism and economy of Vegas is starting to pick back up, the Plaza is targeting the typical Vegas crowd to convince them that the Plaza has changed. It will reopen with a new casino floor, lounges, and several restaurants, including a steakhouse named for former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Don’t forget to check out our hotels page for all the information on every hotel in Vegas. We wish the Plaza the best of luck.

Venetian and Palazzo Las Vegas Earn Five-Diamand Ratings

Vegas hotel Palazzo

The Venetian and Palazzo Vegas hotels have each earned the coveted AAA Five-Diamond awards for excellence in hospitality, service, and excellence in providing customers with the best experience possible. For the Venetian, this is the fifth year in a row, and for the Palazzo, the third. We love being treated well at the hotels we stay at, so these are two to watch out for. What does a company that’s just won an award for hospitality do? Give back, of course! From August 22-26, guests and visitors alike will have the opportunity to go on a scavenger hunt of sorts to discover a diamond hidden somewhere different each day throughout each resort. Contestants must follow The Palazzo on Twitter at @PalazzoLasVegas and The Venetian at @VenetianVegas to receive the resorts’ clues posted daily. Don’t forget to follow @vegashipster on Twitter while you’re at it, and click the links for for deals on 5-Star rooms at the Venetian and great rates at Palazzo Vegas as well.

Vegas Gaming Revenue Jumps 16 Percent in June

Bellagio Vegas Gaming

Even in an uncertain economy, Las Vegas continues to grow. In the month of June, statewide gambling revenue jumped 16 percent. This was the second straight month of increases of 10 percent or more, and the largest since February 2010. Most of the revenue came from high-spending baccarat players, so it sounds like more people need to head to our gambling section and check out How to Play Baccarat. Slot machines and table games also saw a significant increase, pointing to a recovery of the Vegas area as a whole. We’re happy to see that Vegas is doing well, and if you want to head out there and get going with the gambling, we have a deal for you at the Bellagio.

Caesars Shines in Vegas

Vegas Caesars

Caesars Entertainment Corp., with more than 50 properties in six countries, has narrowed its debt thanks in large part to its 10 Strip-area casinos. With casinos in other parts of the country temporarily closing down due to weather or simply not making money, Vegas-area casinos have shined. Even with customers actually visiting less, they are spending more money when they do, in large part to increased room fees and good demand. As we reported earlier, Project Linq is set to go, as well as completion on 662 unfinished hotel rooms in the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker, which had record-setting attendance and a record prize pool of $190 million in June and July. Things are looking up for Caesars due in large part to Vegas. If you’d like to check out Caesars Hotels, we’ve got the link for you HERE.