Added to my vacation notes, thank you.

That's a bit of an exaggeration. It changed one or two frontage blocks, but there just used to be Jockey Club and not much else there.

There was a Strip landmark that was demolished - the Riviera.

It changed everything. madlex is hardly overstating this.

If you two like sushi and want a fantastic dining experience I'd recommend making a reservation at Kabuto (taken up to 2 months in advance) and sitting at the sushi bar. The middle level omakase (Yoroi) is my personal preference, with sake pairings, of course!

That’s obviously in the eye of the beholder. Fact is that the combined construction budget between City Center and Cosmopolitan was >$13bln and 10 years later, City Center is still the most expensive privately financed construction in US history. To me, that was a pretty big change and led to me basically never leaving the center Strip. Before that, I frequently went up North to Venetian / Wynn.

Strongly recommend that you visit at least one of the city's famed casino resorts.

Definitely, I was planning for one nice sushi stop. I had Sushi Samba on my list.

I echo skoldpadda's suggestion 100pct, down to the menu choices

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Any recommendations for fun places for a drink (that’s not a club)?

If it is night time try Parasol Down at the Wynn or go to the Chandelier Bar at Cosmo and order a Verbena, one of the most unique drinks you will ever have.

I've also wondered this. I'm similar age to you and still like to go out drinking/having fun but I've never managed to find a decent bar where I can drink late and has a good vibe in it.

There's the super tacky Senor Frog type places and then I've got drunk and had fun at O Shea's and the Piano Bar at NYNY but never found anything that's a notch or two above them before it gets into places selling $36 cocktails or you have to go to clubs

I'm staying at Cosmo in Sept and will definitely try the Chandelier Bar and the tequila place but I guess there must be other bars that are busy and have a fun vibe?

Similar age, same problem. I kinda gave up on it and just don’t try anymore.

Tremendous, thank you!

Tea service at the Waldorf Astoria (formerly Mandarin Oriental) is always a really cool experience. There isn't a dress code per se...but you'll look a bit out of place in shorts.

Depends on what kind of drinking your looking for. Some fancy expensive specialty cocktail or just like a cheap bar to pregame at. Id recommend Atomic liquors downtown on fremont and also the Stage Door which although is quite popular its still always fun, cheap, and always some "lively" characters..

I fully agree that $2/5 with 200bb buy ins, is the stake where the regs start invading. $2/5nl 100bb max and lower are still usually pretty damn soft. You should be good in them, and if you want to come even more prepared to crush them, read 1 or 2 of Ed Millers poker books.

That statement might be true in other cities but not in LV where a lot of tourists, especially the ones from countries with legal online poker, are actually stronger players than the majority of local regulars.

Wow I sense a trend here, similar age and similar story, returning after an 8 or 9 year break. I used to hit carnival court when I was looking for the scene, not sure what others think or if it has changed over the years but I'll be checking it out in June for sure (assuming it's still there).

5+ years ago, we usually ended up in Carnaval Court when we decided against going clubbing but didn’t want to play more poker. Always was a pretty good low cost option to meet people. Haven’t been in a while but assume they put some lipstick on it over the years?

If I'm going out drinking and looking for a better spot than the dumps around where I live, I always skip the Strip and go either downtown or the Arts District. Downtown I prefer Downtown Cocktail Room and in the Arts District I prefer ReBar. But East Fremont is a great place to wander around as there are plenty of bars in a short walking distance. Unless you prefer bar hopping 1/4 mile between bars on the STrip when it is 100 degrees at midnight.

As far as tournaments go, Wynn runs a daily MON-THURS at noon for $130. 30 minute levels. I've seen the full spectrum play this from those that have never played a tournament before to regs that have decent Hendon Mob records. But it's mainly competent types. Wynn also runs slightly higher buy in tournaments FRI and SAT.


And that was a tough call NYC vs LAS VEGAS as I love both cities. I dont have kids, but I couldnt imagine taking them to NYC either, but that is probably just me I guess.

The bar in the Waldorf Astoria (formerly Mandarin Oriental) is pretty solid. Their bartenders know how to make a good drink. If they're not slammed, they've always been fun to talk to about bourbon, cocktails, etc. Just get in the elevator at ground level and press the only button in there, the bar is on the level it takes you to.

On dinner, Sage in the Aria is super underrated IMO. Sage is also a decent spot to go sit at the bar for a cocktail in the evening, they often have a piano player or something similar. Not a club/bar scene, quieter, but lots of good cocktails and liquor selection.

Picasso is overrated for the price (again, IMO), but the food is certainly good.

Jaleo in Cosmo is fun for dinner, cool to order a bunch of different things, fun vibe.

Cut is a good steakhouse, its always been pretty loud when I've been in there though, depending on the atmosphere you're looking for. Absent that, its pretty much an A+ in the steakhouse department.

All noted, thank you for taking the time to respond.

Another consideration - Cirque shows. For my $$$, LOVE is the best available esp. for a couples event. 40 is old enough to appreciate the wonder of the Fab 4.

DON'T waste the time you spend here ....

Do anything EXCEPT POKER, break away from your self-confessed nittiness and risk aversion .... for Christ's Sake...

You've been doing the Dad thing for how many years , 12 ?
This is your Wife's 40th Birthday,

You certainly have something, anything better to do than sit at a table playing risk adverse, bankroll nit poker ....

Ask your wife what she might want to do .... then do that

This makes sense. Although it will feel funny not gambling at all, it does seem incredibly reasonable.