EXCITE | news & insider intel

March Top Picks

March’s Hot Ticket

Ween performs three nights, March 16-18, at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas in The Linq Promenade. ticketmaster.com

Catch the Fever

There are two types of sports fans: those who love the game, and those who love the wings. No matter if you are the former or the latter, Las Vegas caters to your needs, especially in March and April when the Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final 4 basketball tournaments unfold with big-screen gatherings galore.

Make your way to Sahara Las Vegas’ “Hoop Madness” March 16-17 to kick off early weekend fun with two viewing parties at Azilo Ultra Pool. It has a 240-foot, high-definition video wall and open-bar packages. azilolasvegas.com

In Downtown Las Vegas, Circa and The D write the winning ticket on “March Hoops” watch parties. Beginning March 15, head to Circa’s Stadium Swim with its 143-foot-diagonal, high-definition screen; or, catch the action at one of Vegas’ largest sportsbooks with its 78-million-pixel, high-definition screen. circalasvegas.com

The party continues nearby at The D with its free ballroom viewing event featuring rentable, private “Man Caves.” thed.com

“Hoops & Hops” returns for its 12th year at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. From Thursday, March 16, through Sunday, March 18 ,the Belmont Ballroom transforms into wall-to-wall, high-definition projection screens. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

Melinda Sheckells

Dream Big!

If you’re seeking a creative,mind-altering Strip excursion, make your way to the dreamlike world of Fantasy Lab at Fashion Show.

Prepare your senses for an immersive trip with the venue’s tantalizing alcoholic concoctions.Combining Bacardi Gold rum, Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee, creme de cacao and pineapple, the coffee vapor-topped Above the Clouds is a sensory-awakening creation unlike any other.

Or, sweeten the experience with an In Your Dreams cotton candy float comprising Tanqueray gin, apéritif, sweet vermouth, ruby red grapefruit and egg white.

—Carla J. Zvosec

3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 725-200-3720, fantasylablv.com

Superstar Steppers

The hit American ballroom-dancing-competition series “Dancing with the Stars,” which has captivated television viewers for 31 seasons, twirls and dips its way into Vegas this month.

Audiences are in store for two dazzling performances of Dancing with the Stars Live! on Sunday, March 12, inside the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms resort.

The all-new, exhilarating stage production showcases the intoxicating moves of world-renowned dancers Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Sasha Farber, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater, Britt Stewart and Alexis Warr. palms.com

—Carla J. Zvosec


February Top Picks

February’s Hot Ticket

After selling out multiple nights in Las Vegas, fans of rocker Bryan Adams get one more chance to hear the hits, Feb. 5, at Wynn Resort. ticketmaster.com

Exquisite Pearls of Flavor

Whether enjoyed on a nacre spoon or dribbled on a doughnut, those precious sturgeon pearls known as caviar are always a welcome accoutrement.

For caviar with a view of the Fountains of Bellagio, revel in the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. The selection at its elevated bar includes six types of caviar and six dishes comprising caviar, each including 15 grams of Royal Ossetra. eiffeltowerrestaurant.com

Caviar Bar at Resorts World has a stacked menu of non-caviar dishes, including our personal favorite on the bar menu, Champagne and French fries. However, when it comes to being true to its name, five types of Caspy Caviar are available. rwlasvegas.com

Melinda Sheckells

Come ‘Play’ With
Katy Perry

It’s one thing to be the top-grossing residency at the new Resorts World Theatre. It’s a whole different situation to be the biggest earner with a scene featuring the star of the show swathed in bathroom tissue while singing to a gigantic toilet and high-fiving a dancing plunger.

As such, Katy Perry’s “Play,” which celebrated its one-year anniversary last month, has accomplished just that; it returns to Las Vegas Feb. 15 for another run of dates.

There’s just so much here you have to see to believe—hint: don’t go visit Mr. Loo when Act 3 starts. It’s an homage to Alice in Wonderland with Perry clad in latex chaps and a ’shroom hat riding an adorable snail while singing “I Kissed a Girl.” PureVegas magic! ticketmaster.com

—Melinda Sheckells

A Confectionery
Lovers’ Paradise

Lolli & Pops inside Fashion Show, a world-class shopping destination located on the Las Vegas Strip, offers a high-quality assortment of handcrafted treats sourced from around the world.

From champagne brunch- and cocktail-inspired truffles, to fancy sea salt caramels, British bonbons and French macarons in enticing flavors, the upscale shop’s wide variety of delightful confections make Valentine’s Day—or any occasion—a whole lot sweeter!

—Carla J. Zvosec

3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-418-3994, fslv.com

Kick Off Your ‘Big Game’ Weekend With a Tour of Allegiant Stadium

Football fans will be thrilled with this unique, behind-the-scenes tour of Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.

Led by expert guides, you’ll learn about the team’s history and culture, plus visit the stadium’s private suites and clubs; broadcast booth; press conference and locker rooms; and the Al Davis Memorial Torch.

You’ll even get the incredible opportunity to step onto the playing field—now how awesome is that!

—Carla J. Zvosec


800-RAIDERS, allegiantstadium.com

January Top Picks

Grand Gestures

Coinciding with Lunar New Year, which begins Jan. 22, is Chinese New Year. Both are celebrated in Las Vegas with elaborate displays, exhibits and art installations.

Be sure to visit the 14,000-square-foot Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens to take in its magical, themed display created to mark this special time of the year.

The intricate exhibit comprises thousands of luscious, living plants and colorful, fragrant flowers. bellagio.mgmresorts.com

Another great photo op can be found at the extraordinary—and immense—Year of the Rabbit art installation located in the beautiful Waterfall Atrium inside The Palazzo at The Venetian.

Plus, the adjoining Grand Canal Shoppes, adorned with festive decorations of red and gold throughout, presents various celebratory activities to commemorate the occasion. venetianlasvegas.com

—Carla J. Zvosec

Drai’s Celebrates 25 Years of Vegas Nightlife

Aging well like a fine bottle of 1942 tequila, Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Not that much of what happened in 1997 is available for immediate recall—much like most of the nights spent at the club over the years.

What lingers through the foggy recesses of the mind is the stellar legacy crafted by Victor Drai and passed down to his son, Dustin.

Drai’s After Hours first became known for playing house music, but the club has transitioned to hip-hop with the passing of the years.

There are four intimate rooms; VIP bottle service, in addition to an expansive bar selection; and it is one of the only spots on the Strip to offer hookah nightly.

Upstairs, Drai’s Beachclub sits high on the rooftop of The Cromwell and is home to Drai’s Live, a concert series that gives fans the opportunity to see full-length performances from the likes of Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown in an up-close setting. draisgroup.com/las-vegas

—Melinda Sheckells

Flight of Fancy

The popular “eatertainment” concept that originated across the pond in 2015 recently has made its way to Vegas.

At 16,000 square feet, Flight Club’s newest U.S. location can be found at the Grand Canal Shoppes inside The Venetian resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

The enchanting venue provides a fun, comfortable atmosphere highlighted by a British pub aesthetic spun with a contemporary twist.

The club’s elegantly whimsical, life-size carousel bar serves a diverse menu of sophisticated cocktails. It also provides premium food offerings ranging from casual, shareable plates, to high-end selections.

A vibrant, immersive social haven that makes the game of darts approachable for all, Flight Club is the ultimate adult playground for those who desire a truly exceptional, unique and satisfying entertainment experience. flightclubdarts.com

—Carla J. Zvosec

Glass Act

It was a wise woman named Adele who sang, “I Drink Wine.” Our response? “Let’shave another!”

Thanks to all the wine bar options in Las Vegas—both on and off the Strip—there are no liars in today’s group chat.

Delighting guests of Wynn resort for more than a decade, La Cave reminds us that an exceptional wine list and small plates are the cornerstones of a great night out. wynnlasvegas.com

Wally’s Wine & Spirits at Resorts World transplants the LA vibe to the Strip with a bustling all-day, all-night patio and bar featuring more than 8,000 labels of wine, spirits, beer and specialty gourmet food items from around the world. rwlasvegas.com

For a real taste of Vegas, along with a sublime Willamette Valley Riesling, head to Garagiste Wine Room in the historic Arts District for one of the most creative and exciting lists in town. garagistelv.com

Melinda Sheckells