We’ve been sharing copious updates about the ongoing construction of Miracle Mile Shops’ new food court on the Twitters, and now the Strip mall has announced its first batch of concepts for the space.

Yes, it’s a food court, but it’s a slow news day, so suck it up, Lili Von Shtupp. Yes, we used that reference in another story yesterday, we are hoping it becomes a thing.

Miracle Mile Shops isn’t calling Miracle Eats a food court, of course, or even a “food hall.” It’s a “food collective,” mostly because we’re all doomed. The new food amalgam opens winter 2024.

The first six restaurants announced for the Miracle Mile Shops new food assemblage are: Fat Sal’s, Tacotarian, Carnegie Pizza, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Lobster ME and Fat Tuesday.

Of course there’s a Fat Tuesday slushy stand, it’s the law.

Two of the concepts in the Miracle Mile’s food agglomeration, Fat Sal’s and Tacotarian, are the first locations of these restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip. This is also the first Carnegie Pizza in Las Vegas.

Dave’s Hot Chicken and Lobster ME (the “ME” is capitalized because it’s the postal service abbreviation for Maine) are well-known Vegas favorites.

Here’s the short-attention-span version of each offering at the Miracle Mile’s new food compendium. Yes, we’re going to keep doing that. We are very bored.

Carnegie Pizza comes from Times Square, and this will be the brand’s first location to open since its debut in 2020. It’s pizza, which makes it the first option we’ll try when Miracle Eats opens.

Fat Sal’s has several locations in L.A., but we will try to not hold that against them.

It’s sandwiches and sides.

Tacotarian originated in Las Vegas and is a plant-based taco shop, thus making it the last concept we’re likely to try at Miracle Eats, if ever.

Dave’s Hot Chicken got its start as a pop-up in East Hollywood. Which is a common occurrence in East Hollywood, if you get our drift. Dave’s Hot Chicken has more than 200 locations and features chicken tenders and sliders, along with other popular sides. Spice levels range from “No Spice” for infants and the elderly to “Reaper,” which requires guests to sign a waiver before trying it. No, really.

Lobster ME was an existing restaurant at Miracle Mile Shops. The lobster-centric menu is getting a refresh.

If you don’t know Fat Tuesday, you may not be Vegas enough. This will be the mall’s second location. Fat Tuesday has delivered innumerable brain freezes and hangovers to Las Vegas visitors since 1951, a fun fact we just made up.

There just seems to be a lot of “fat” going on at Miracle Eats. Maybe it should be “Supersized Tuesday” or “Thickish Tuesday”? While we’re at it, how about “Playfully Plump Sal’s”? Would anyone be cool with “Thunder Thighs Tuesday” or “Lardass Sal’s”? This a complex issue, and as such we will not be addressing it here. It’s a blog. Hello.

The ultimate number of concepts in the new food aggregation hasn’t been determined yet, apparently. The news release says it could be “as many as 10 delectable food and beverage options.”

The new food court took out a couple of existing spots, including Cereal Killerz.

Appears Cereal Killerz Kitchen at Miracle Mile Shops has closed. Got some buzz when it opened, and the owners appeared on “Shark Tank.” (h/t @JamesInLasVegas) pic.twitter.com/ESWuq6sKRP

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) December 27, 2023

Food courts, sorry, “collectives,” are the new buffets in Las Vegas. Call them what you like, food amassments, food medleys, food conglomerations, food clusters or food aggregations, they provide reliable food at reasonable prices and get you back into the action as quickly as possible.

The new Miracle Eats is part of a major overhaul of Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. The mall originally opened in 2000 as Desert Passage.

The mall has gotten a serious refresh, inside and out.

Yes, it’s still a mall, but bless their hearts, they’re trying.

More Miracle Eats concepts will be announced at a later date.

We didn’t see anything about sushi or burgers. Again, it’s the law.

The post Miracle Mile Shops Shares Concepts for Upcoming Food Court appeared first on Vital Vegas.

Bellagio has submitted plans for a major expansion of its retail and restaurant offerings.

The expansion project is being referred to as “Project Mojave.” Mojave is a shortened form of “Hamakhaave,” which means “beside the water.” Which we definitely knew off the top of our head.

The new addition to Bellagio will run from the hotel’s main entrance, along the walkway to Las Vegas Boulevard. The fountains won’t be affected, so don’t freak out.

The plans submitted to Clark County (wherein the Las Vegas Strip sits) get into the granular details of the project.

We’d give you more details about Project Mojave, but the county’s Web site is FUBAR at the moment. We like to leave some sloppy seconds for the Las Vegas Review-Journal to confirm, anyway.

We did get our hands on some renderings, so there’s that.

The architect on the project is Marnell Architecture, a well-known entity in these here parts. Marnell Companies was founded in 1982, and the company has had its hand in a number of major Las Vegas casinos. Marnell Co. built the Rio, Mirage and, yes, Bellagio (technically, Marnell Corrao Associates).

Essentially, MGM Resorts is going to monetize what is currently idle space.

The bridge from Las Vegas Boulevard to the Bellagio’s main entrance used to have a people-mover. Now, not so much.

There’s a good amount of foot traffic along this stretch that isn’t being exploited, so this new project looks to remedy that.

Here’s a look at the existing floor plan, featuring a lot of not much.

Here’s what’s in store with Project Mojave. In the vernacular of retail design and development, it’s a “metric shit-ton more.”

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but a straight line isn’t always the most beneficial to the bottom line.

Guests will now be herded through a collection of retail shops, along with at least five new food and beverage venues (orange in the images, above and below).

It looks like a 10,000-square-foot venue will be on the rooftop overlooking The Strip and the ever-glorious Bellagio fountains, so LFG.

Once the county gets its act together, we should know more about a potential timeline and budget for the project. The over/under is $80 million. We’re betting construction won’t start until after F1 in November 2024.

In May 2023, MGM Resorts bought 1.62 acres of land between Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan for $54 million. The Mojave Project proposal makes it clear why MGM was ready to fork over big bucks for the tiny sliver of land—infrastructure and access for deliveries.

Here’s one more angle of Project Mojave at Bellagio.

The paperwork we’ve seen doesn’t show a name for what this Bellagio enhancement will be called, but we’re rooting for “Bellagio Interactive and Immersive Experience Collective Promenade and the Such.”

Fingers crossed.

The post Bellagio Plans Major Retail and Restaurant Expansion appeared first on Vital Vegas.

Never has a new Las Vegas retail offering benefited more from a slow news day than “Stranger Things: The Official Store.”

The new retail store, featuring all things “Stranger Things,” opens May 26, 2023 at Showcase Mall on the Las Vegas Strip.

Typically, we don’t care about retail stores opening. We’re here for fun, and retail stores are sort of the opposite of fun. You know, like cigar smoke or sex with Criss Angel. However, we’re a relatively big fan of the original “Stranger Things,” so here we are.

Here are some words from the official news release: “The store will provide a unique retail experience in a space packed with exclusive merchandise and interactive photo moments. New merchandise collections unique to the Las Vegas store will launch for the first time including the Pool Collection with ‘Stranger Things’ character Billy Hargrove’s essential products and a one-of-a-kind Las Vegas capsule collection.”

If you haven’t watched “Stranger Things” on Netflix, that was heaping helping of word salad.

If you are a fan of the series, you’ll be thrilled to hear the store will feature lots of photo ops, including nods to iconic “Stranger Things” locations, a Demogorgon, Joyce’s living room, Starcourt Mall, Hawkins High, the Palace Arcade and Vecna’s attic, all of which we have vague memories of, because “Stranger Things” originally aired in 2016.

The whole point of all this is to sell merch, of course, so get ready for a slew of branded apparel, games, toys, candy and accessories.

“Stranger Things: The Official Store” has also existed in New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, Dallas, Chicago, Miami and Milan. The Las Vegas location will be the best, however, because Las Vegas.

The Vegas store will also be the largest “Stranger Things” store, so there’s that.

Showcase Mall is on The Strip, not far from MGM Grand, and features Hard Rock Cafe, World of Coca Cola and the M&M’s Cavalcade of Calories.

Parking at Showcase Mall isn’t cheap, so make your selections, get your photos and move your ass.

While “Stranger Things” may not be your thing, fans will surely love the place and this new retail shop on the Las Vegas Strip will no doubt turn their world upside down.

Like you didn’t see that one coming.

The post “Stranger Things” Store Coming to The Strip appeared first on Vital Vegas.

There’s a lot in the works at the much-maligned Grand Bazaar Shops at Horseshoe (previously Bally’s). We should know, we’re usually the one maligning them.

But today, we’re here to pass along a peek into the future of Grand Bazaar Shops.

There’s a cavalcade of newness coming to this former outdoor swap meet, and it seems several new venues could dramatically change the appeal of Grand Bazaar Shops. Or, at the very least, obscure it from public view, which could only help.

Grand Bazaar Shops just shared some new renderings of its frontage, featuring Ole Red, which recently had a ground-breaking, and Bottled Blonde.

Ole Red, of course, is a restaurant, bar and music venue from our favorite country performer, Blake Shelton. We don’t actually have a favorite country performer, but we made a joke about country music that Shelton’s fans mistook as a swipe at him, and we had to listen to their bitching for 72 hours, so now he’s our favorite because we just want them to STFU.

"Blake Shelton's Ole Red Aims To Be the Epicenter of Live Country Music in Las Vegas." We appreciate the warning. https://t.co/P0eYkUdAdc

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) January 31, 2023

Ole Red will have four floors, including a rooftop restaurant and lounge. The venue will feature live music, of course.

The Ole Red at Horseshoe will be the sixth location for the brand. Ole Red is slated to open in late 2023. Here’s the official Web site.

Set to open next door is Bottled Blonde, another existing brand. It’s billed as being a pizzeria, beer garden and nightlife extravaganza. We added the “extravaganza” part to try and sexy it up a little.

Here’s a look at where everything is going to sit at Grand Bazaar Shops.

Plans call for replacements for a couple of doomed venues, including a shuttered Starbucks (possibly the first recorded case of a Starbucks closing in human history) and Redneck Riviera.

The Starbucks space will get Bourbon St. Parade.

According to LEBO Design, construction of Bourbon St. Parade started in January 2023. The venue is scheduled to open by the end of 2023.

“Bourbon Street Parade” was a popular jazz song from 1949.

We couldn’t find much about Bourbon St. Parade online, but it’s possible that’s because we only spent 30 seconds looking.

Bourbon St. Parade signage is up at Grand Bazaar Shops. (h/t @JamesInLasVegas) pic.twitter.com/Bjf5TT60Un

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) February 2, 2023

We’re fairly certain there will be food, drinks and music.

Also, it could be immersive. In our humble opinion, nothing could be more appealing than the descriptive line, “A brass band blares.”

In a first, we’re going to reserve judgment on this one.

Somebody has to.

The fairly distrous Redneck Riviera will be replaced by Rockwood Music Hall.

In case you skimmed over the graphic we just shared, Rockwood Music Hall is described as, “A beacon of emerging and established live music acts in New York City since 2005, Rockwood Music Hall has grown from a single stage venue to boasting three intimate stages, all with top-notch sound systems.”

If these descriptions are underwhelming, it’s worth noting they’re part of a leasing document from realty persons. You can find the entire deck here.

The leasing deck has an interesting cover that refers to Grand Bazaar Shops as “The Pin Drop.” Could this telegraph a rebrand of Grand Bazaar Shops? If such a rebrand is to happen, we assume Caesars Entertainment would have to approve the move and they’ve heard nothing about a potential name change.

We don’t have a strong reaction to The Pin Drop, but Grand Bazaar Shops does have some stigma attached to it, and given the diversity of the new offerings, it seems this shopping district has evolved quite far from its “shops” roots, and a rebrand would certainly signal a seriousness about a re-imagining of what has become a go-to punchline for many Vegas fans.

We inquired with the leasing agents about a possible rebrand of Grand Bazaar Shops, but haven’t heard back.

What’s clear is Horseshoe and Grand Bazaar Shops seem committed to taking advantage of their primo location at the corner of Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd.

Caesars Entertainment is no doubt glad to see the progress. We were told exclusively the company at one time attempted to buy out the lease for Grand Bazaar (to dump or transform it), but couldn’t make it happen.

Horseshoe is still transitioning from Bally’s, but there’s already a lot going on inside (like a new poker room, video arcade and restaurants) and there are also plans for out back. Not “an Outback.” Out back. Like behind. Eastward. Please keep up.

M.Y. Asia update at Horseshoe. (h/t @JamesInLasVegas) pic.twitter.com/3NdCFk6cQW

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) February 2, 2023

Horseshoe’s surface parking lost will be home to a “Game of Thrones” dragon attraction.

Here’s where the attraction will reside, at the time of our original scoop, it was just labeled “future tenant.”

"Future Tenant" sounds juicy. pic.twitter.com/wsDEoLKIg6

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) October 2, 2022

While Horseshoe isn’t the geographic center of The Strip (that’s Linqish), it is arguably the heart of The Strip.

Millions of people walk by Grand Bazaar Shops every year, and it’s about time the place gave people a reason to walk in, rather than just walking by.

There’s a lot more new and shiny to come at Horseshoe. Stay tuned, if that’s something people still do.

The post Here’s What’s Next for Grand Bazaar Shops at Horseshoe appeared first on Vital Vegas.

The Hawaiian Marketplace and an adjoining strip mall, Cable Center Shops, have closed on the Las Vegas Strip and nobody’s talking about it.

The sketchy malls have been the butt of jokes for some time, but it appears the owners of this stretch of increasingly valuable real estate are finally making moves to try and turn blight into delight.

Don’t get too excited, it’ll probably be another mall.

To get your bearings, the Hawaiian Marketplace sits across Las Vegas Blvd. from CityCenter and Aria, just south of Planet Hollywood.

In 2019, the Hawaiian Marketplace was sold to Gindi Capital for $172 million. Which seemed like a lot for a collection of questionable restaurants and retail shops.

Gindi also got the neighboring Cable Center Shops, which featured the Boulevard Food Court.

The food court had Pizza, Pizza, Taco Papi, Marsala Express and Wing Shack. Next door was a Fatburger.

Pretty much all the venues in these two strip malls have now shuttered, sans fanfare or official announcement.

The only places left at the Hawaiian Marketplace are Smokey’s Bistro & Bar and Best Buds, one of those fake dispensaries like the ones that recently oozed their way onto Fremont Street where tourists are duped into thinking they’re getting THC when they’re getting CBD.

Here’s a look at the current state of the Hawaiian Marketplace and Cable Center Shops.

What’s next for Hawaiian Marketplace now that it’s been put out of our collective misery?

Gindi Capital has said the company is working with its development and design teams to “unveil plans for a new flagship retail, entertainment and dining experience.” Yep, that has mall written all over it.

While the Hawaiian Marketplace appears to have been closing shops for some time, there’s some news that has increased the urgency of demolishing and rebuilding in these spaces.

As we were the first to share, Tilman Fertitta, owner of Golden Nugget and Landry’s, plans to build a new casino resort on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Harmon Ave.

Fertitta’s high-end resort would make Hawaiian Marketplace look even worse, so it makes sense to move that project along to take advantage of improvements to the neighborhood.

Given the state of the Hawaiian Marketplace and Cable Center, we trust this whole part of The Strip will be taken down, including Tex Mex Tequila Bar & Grill (the former Harley Davidson Cafe) on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Harmon.

Not a lot is known about Gindi Capital, mainly due to the fact we only spent five minutes trying to learn more about the commercial real estate company. That’s because whatever they build won’t have a casino, so meh.

We reached out to Gindi Capital for comment, but haven’t heard back yet. Honestly, would you respond to us? We are a smartass.

Our prediction: The two malls get demolished, combined and rebranded, so farewell to the name “Hawaiian Marketplace.” There was nothing Hawaiian about it, as far as we could tell.

What we do know is whatever’s replacing the Hawaiian Marketplace will be a step up from the Hawaiian Marketplace.

The next iteration of Hawaiian Marketplace will still be in an awkward location, but we’re always up for some new and shiny on the Las Vegas Strip, especially if there are new bars, and there always are. It’s Las Vegas.

Update (6/26/22): The Travelodge between Tex-Mex and the Hawaiian Marketplace has closed.

Questions about the fate of Travelodge on The Strip (between the Tex-Mex restaurant and shuttered Hawaiian Marketplace) have been answered: Closed. More about what’s up: https://t.co/LkwgjraqsI
(h/t @JamesInLasVegas) pic.twitter.com/TiP97OnRVo

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) June 26, 2022

The post Hawaiian Marketplace, Cable Center Quietly Close on The Strip appeared first on Vital Vegas.

There’s so much to look forward to in 2022.

The opening of Bleutech Park. A high-speed train from L.A. to Las Vegas. Sahara making a profit. The Las Vegas Raiders having a winning season. Peace in the Middle East. The end of communicable diseases. Flying cars for everyone.

There are also things that will actually happen, like an extensive renovation at Miracle Mile Shops!

That’s right, in 2022, Miracle Mile Shops will start what’s described as “an extensive interior and exterior transformation complete with elevated finishes, upgraded technology and digital design elements.”

But wait, there’s more. “New entertainment features will include exterior and interior immersive light, sound and video experiences.”

That’s cool, as long as they don’t mess with our favorite current “experiences,” like the world’s tallest stripper.

The renovation will be completed in 2023, and the mall will remain open during construction.

We are relieved to report the mall’s rainstorm attraction will be “enhanced.” It’s Las Vegas, that happens a lot. (See independent contractor photo above.)

The free rainstorm show, with its lightning, rain and alleged fog, has been made all the more sad with the opening of other Las Vegas attractions (such as the VR
spectacles at Area 15), so an enhancement is overdue.

The news release about the renovation includes, “Miracle Mile Shops will, in several interior locations, feature all-new projection mapping spectacles that will captivate imaginations and transport visitors on visual and sensorial journeys into worlds of wonderment and discovery.”

Dibs on Sensorial Journeys as a band name.

The renovation will include a redesign of the exteriors of the shopping center, including the entrances on the Las Vegas Strip (see rendering above) and Harmon Ave.

Missing from the news release is the awkward fact these renovations are being paid for, at least in part, by the launch of parking fees at Miracle Mile Shops (and Planet Hollywood). Cue the sad trombone.

Miracle Mile Shops was one of the hold-outs on paid parking, but hey, wonderment and discovery aren’t going to pay for themselves.

In August 2021, parking at Miracle Mile Shops went from free to $12 for the first four hours. (Parking continues to be free for Planet Hollywood hotel guests, per the hotel. Parking is free for Platinum, Diamond and Seven Star tier levels of the Caesars Rewards loyalty club.)

It’s estimated Miracle Mile Shops generates about $100,000 per month from paid parking.

That said, Miracle Mile Shops is a mall worthy of Las Vegas. It’s flipping huge, with 500,000-square-feet of restaurants and shops.

Highlights include Nacho Daddy, home of the scorpion shot and Tipsy Robot, a lounge featuring robot bartenders.

With its more than 150 stores, if you can’t find it at Miracle Mile Shops, it’s either illegal or doesn’t exist.

While we are not a shopping person, we do love sparkle, and the new video screens at Miracle Mile Shops promise to be a treat for the photoreceptors.

See you at the, like, mall.

The post Extensive Renovations Planned for Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood appeared first on Vital Vegas.

Las Vegas is a magical place, filled with wonders beyond imagination.

It is also home to a place so annoying, it pretty much dares people to not fly into a rage when they encounter it.

The most annoying spot in Las Vegas, and possibly the world, is at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Here is that spot.

It looks innocuous enough, but if you’ve spent the day schlepping around town, get ready for an additional schlep, because Forum Shops has created an infuriating barrier that forces guests to walk around the obstruction for absolutely no reason. At least no good reason.

Here’s what’s up.

On the Casino Level of the Forum Shops, guests turn a corner and can see the mall’s famous spiral staircases. Glorious, and a must-try photo op.

The problem is you can’t get there from here.

That’s because Forum Shops and its tenants don’t want you to walk 10 feet to your destination.

They force you to go the long way. Hundreds of additional feet. Cue the completely justified profanities, especially when you’re hangry.

The reason for this inconvenience to guests is self-serving and, in the parlance of usability and design, utter boneheadery.

See, if guests were “allowed” to go where they want to go, they’d bypass a dozen stores.

Those tenants are paying a metric ass-ton in rent, so have clearly communicated to their landlord, Simon Property Group, the desire to not let customers exert free will because it means those customers might not see their incredible offerings.

It’s unclear if tenants realize customers, irked at being treated like children (or worse, cattle), are much less likely to patronize their stores because of this short-sighted manipulation.

In fact, we’re personally less inclined to visit the Forum Shops at all because of this nonsense.

This decision by Forum Shops and Simon is so deeply stupid and offensive, we’re having trouble thinking of anything in Las Vegas more baffling and vexatious, and that includes bars that insist upon using paper straws.

When we posted about this enfuriating WTF on Twitter, many people chimed in to say they’ve encountered it and agree. This has been a source of consternation for so many Las Vegas visitors, it’s time to end this appalling practice.

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “Don’t you have anything better to do?” or “What’s the big deal?” Well, we have answers. 1) No. 2) Get your own blog and good luck with that.

For the smarter people who are fed up with this brazen dumbassery, here’s the contact information for Simon Properties.

Yes, we get that there are more important things going on in Las Vegas, but a lot of that stuff we can’t change. What we can do is poke fun at Forum Shops to end this madness and, in doing so, the world will be a slightly better place.

We’ll also get to Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab more quickly, so the outrage will have been totally worth it.

Update (7/24/24): These jerks.

They sure blocked off the hell out of this at Caesars Forum Shops @VitalVegas pic.twitter.com/B2Qv1XvPwT

— Jacob Orth (@JacobsVegasLife) July 25, 2024

The post Behold the Most Annoying Spot in Las Vegas appeared first on Vital Vegas.

We told you paid parking at Miracle Mile Shops and Planet Hollywood was in the works nine months ago, now it’s official.

It was fun while it lasted.

The previously free self-parking will now cost $12 (up to four hours) and $15 for 24 hours, according to the Las Vegas Sun. The first hour is free.

Parking continues to be free for Planet Hollywood hotel guests, per the hotel. Parking is free for Platinum, Diamond and Seven Star tier levels of the Caesars Rewards loyalty club.

Unlike at other Caesars Entertainment casinos in Las Vegas, locals don’t get a pass on paid parking.

We first caught wind of the change back in Oct. 2020.

We’re told Miracle Mile Shops is expected to generate about $100,000 a month in revenue from paid parking.

Caesars Entertainment resorts have had paid parking for some time, but Miracle Mile Shops has remained free because it’s not owned by Caesars. Planet Hollywood guests have benefited.

The owners are Miller Capital Advisory and CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System), which we didn’t know until we started typing this sentence.

While it’s a bummer Miracle Mile Shops will now charge for parking, the reality is it’s tough having a free self-park garage when everyone around you has paid parking.

The list of Strip casinos with free parking has dwindled, but there are several that still have it, including Tropicana, TI, Venetian and Palazzo, Casino Royale, Circus Circus, Wynn and Encore, Resorts World and The Strat.

On the bright side, pretty much everywhere else in the world has paid parking. All right, we’re using the term “bright side” liberally, but you know what we mean.

Seriously, though, ask people in New York, Chicago or L.A. if they think $15 is a lot to park somewhere for 24 hours.

Still, there’s no sugar-coating it. Parking fees suck.

Don’t cry because it ended, smile because it happened.

The post Free Parking Ends at Planet Hollywood and Miracle Mile Shops appeared first on Vital Vegas.

Resorts World is giving Las Vegas (and the world) something to look forward to in 2021, and we’ve got tons of exclusive scoop, including a peek inside this impressive new megaresort.

There’s a lot of buzz about a potential opening date for Resorts World. We should know, we started it.

An inside source at Resorts World says the resort is scheduled to open May 14, 2021.

Here’s an exclusive look inside our shiny new toy on The Strip.

We reached out to Resorts World about the rumored opening date, but haven’t heard back yet.

From what we’ve heard from those with inside knowledge of the project, there’s no way the entire resort opens fully in May. Buzzkill.

That doesn’t mean Resorts World couldn’t do a partial, or phased, opening on May 14. Circa Las Vegas, for example, had a split opening. The casino opened Oct. 2020 while the hotel opened in Dec. 2020.

Expect work on Resorts World to continue through the summer.

That means if Resorts World opens on May 14, it’s likely just the casino (the most important part of a casino resort) and a few other amenities will be available at launch, with others to follow.

Here’s another photo inside the under-construction Resorts World.

This sign has sparked some great conversation on the Twitters!

Of course, Vegas fans immediately mentioned the font used on the sign is very familiar.

Fans of other Strip casinos mentioned they were reminded of signage from Wynn, Venetian and Bellagio.

The items on the sign warrant a deeper dive, including some new details we’ve ferreted out.

Nothing’s been officially confirmed by Resorts World, but our sources are pretty confident.

Let’s work our way through the sign, shan’t we?

So, what’s The Spine?

Well, we understand that’s the name of the retail shopping area of the resort. It’s the part that extends from the main structure toward Las Vegas Blvd. At the end of The Spine is the nightclub, Zouk.

At first, we thought The Spine might be a lounge, then we could’ve lobbied to have the name changed to LumBar.

Because our marketing genius knows no bounds, that’s why.

Resorts World is being tight-lipped about its retail offerings, but give us a minute.

Working our way down the sign, there’s the Las Vegas Loop. That’s the resort’s station for the underground transportation system from Elon Musk. Here’s a look at the proposed station at Resorts World.

The sign’s reference to “Crockfords Gaming” is the casino’s high limit area, with tables and slot machines, according to our source.

Crockfords is just one of the hotel brands under Resorts World’s roof. (It’s sort of like Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay or Nobu at Caesars Palace.)

Resorts World will also boast Hilton and Conrad. Yes, all within the same resort. There will be a quiz.

Next up, Dawg House. We’re pretty sure this venue hasn’t been announced yet. Oopsie.

We hear this is going to be like Nashville Live, which we’ve never heard of, but it’s a venue that will have live music, food and drink. Think Gilley’s.

Dawg House comes from Steve Ford, one of the partners in Loser’s bar. Vegas fans know that name as it has a location at MGM Grand.

Bonus scoop: Dawg House will be home to the resort’s sports book. That’s probably why the sign says the sports book is in the same direction as Dawg House.

There’s some question as to who will run the sports book. We hear it was supposed to be Draft Kings, but there was some drama, so they’re probably not going to be it.

The final item on the sign is the Theatre. Very fancy spelling!

The only scoop we have about the “theatre” is Celine might have a residency there. Also unconfirmed.

That’s it for the sign, but that doesn’t mean we’re done with the scoop. Do you know this blog at all?

Apparently, Resorts World has been holding out on us, as we absolutely love the name of a new restaurant planned for the resort: “Sun’s Out! Buns Out!”

Absolute gold, and confirmation Las Vegas is healing.

It sounds like “Sun’s Out! Buns Out!” will be visually similar to Eggslut at Cosmopolitan, except unlike Eggslut, it will actually be good.

We’ve also heard the resort’s $4.2 million Japanese restaurant, Umi Umi, is getting a name change.

There is also expected to be a five-star Chinese restaurant, Silk, and an associated lounge, Silk Road. Fun fact: Another Silk Road restaurant closed at Vdara in 2011.

Also expect there to be a lounge from Clique Hospitality in the mix. Clique runs a number of venues in Las Vegas, including Clique Lounge at Cosmopolitan and Tailgate Social at Palace Station.

There’s already buzz about Resorts World’s center bar, with stalactite-like protrusions and other eye-popping features.

Still to be announced is a quick-serve deli just off the resort’s poker room.

Guests at Resorts World can also look forward to an Asian-themed food court (we doubt they’ll call it a food court, internally it’s referred to as an “Urban Food Street”) that will run along the majority (roughly 80%) of the south side of the hotel’s casino floor.

The food court will reportedly be managed by Lim Keong Hui, son of Genting Group Chairman Lim Kok Thay. Genting, based in Malaysia, owns Resorts World. Lim Keong Hui will also run the resort’s nightclub, the aforementioned Zouk.

The massive food court is inspired by a Hong Kong urban street market with a variety of carts and kiosks. (Try not to think about Lucky Dragon or Kind Heaven or F.A.M.E., thanks.)

There will apparently be a speakeasy, along with a 10-foot-tall lucky cat at the center of the space. Resorts World, we don’t ask for much, but please throw us the lucky cat rendering. There used to be a lucky cat at Cosmopolitan and it was adorable.

That’s about all the scoop we’ve got bandwidth for today, but you can bet we’ll be keeping an eye on Resorts World as the opening approaches this summer.

It’s going to be sensory overload, and it’s a great time for Las Vegas to deliver its trademark over-the-top OMFG again.

No pressure, Resorts World.

Update (2/19/21): Let’s add this juicy item to our list of scoop. We’ve heard Resorts World has signed residency deals with Tiesto and Zedd for its Zouk nightclub. A Resorts World rep says, “No residents have been confirmed for Zouk at this time.”

Update (2/22/21): We heard back from a Resorts World rep, who said, “No new news on an opening date. We’re still on track for this summer, but have not selected an official opening date at this time as we’re watching the market closely.” So you’re telling us there’s a chance.

Update (3/7/21): Naturally, Resorts World confirmed our scoop about Clique. The lounge will be called Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge.

The post Hell-Ton of Resorts World Scoop, A Peek Inside and Opening Date Rumors appeared first on Vital Vegas.

Wynn fans can now get an in-person look at the decor which will populate the resort’s upcoming hotel room renovation at Wynn Las Vegas.

The Wynn at Home store in Wynn Plaza now boasts furniture, artwork, decorative accessories and other items which will be rolled out in the room renovation slated for 2022.

Word of the store’s recent “transformation” was shared via an internal communication by Todd Lenahan, President and Chief Creative Officer of Wynn Design & Development.

Then again, it’s us, so is any “internal communication” really “internal”?

Those who pop in at the Wynn at Home store can see photos of what the new Wynn rooms and suites will look like, too.

The room overhaul was delayed due to the pandemic.

The store is more than just a preview of things to come, of course.

Guests can purchase the items on display, and can get things like Wynn robes (comfy AF) and even Wynn’s signature fragrance to tide them over until their next Wynn visit.

Lenahan says, “In the store, before the redesign, we presented a lot of the in-room products that are found in our hotel rooms, such as our bedding and some of our bath amenities. With this new design, we’ve introduced a whole new layer of products and elements that tell the story about the renovation for the Wynn Las Vegas tower in 2022.”

Lenahan makes the point all the items in the Wynn at Home store are custom and exclusive to Wynn Las Vegas, the furnishings aren’t available at any other retailer in the world.

Lenahan continues, “You’ll see that the rooms have greater layers than we’ve had in the past. They’re rich, they’re textural, they’re every bit as colorful, but in a way that feels more like a fantastic residence than it feels like a hotel room.”

Some of the items on display will be in all the new Wynn rooms, some will be utilized only in villas and suites.

We are not an interior design person, but we pretty much loved everything on display in the Wynn at Home shop.

Todd Lenahan had big Berlutis to fill when he inherited the Wynn design gig from superstar designer Roger Thomas. Thomas, longtime collaborator of disgraced former casino mogul Steve Wynn, retired at the end of 2019.

In our layperson’s humble opinion, Todd Lenahan is kicking ass and taking swatches. Or something.

It’s worth noting guests can use their Wynn Rewards comp dollars to make purchases at the Wynn at Home store.

There’s a new program in the works called Shop Wynn Rewards. This program allows customers to use their comp dollars to purchase a variety of products. We got a sneak preview of what’s in the works.

The Wynn at Home store is open 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

When we stopped by, it was very quiet at Wynn Plaza (one of the reasons Wynn Resorts parking is free, at least for the time being).

Wynn Plaza has rearranged some of its art, including swapping out its Smiling King Bear sculpture (the thought was it was blocking the view of the mall from potential customers) with the $3 million Arrows and Flower Neon Sign.

Wynn Plaza has under-performed since it opened (with half the anticipated number of tenants) in 2018, and we suspect the lack of international travelers has caused the situation to worsen in recent months.

Which is a shame, because Wynn Plaza is stunning, opulent and immaculate. While you’re there, we guarantee you’ll see things you never knew existed. You probably can’t afford anything, but that’s hardly the point.

This place is far too awesome to be this empty, so put Wynn Plaza and the Wynn at Home store on your Vegas must-do list.

Here’s more from the Wynn at Home store.

The post Wynn Room Renovations Previewed Inside Wynn at Home Store at Wynn Plaza appeared first on Vital Vegas.