The Venetian’s “Puppet Up”
Photo Courtesy of The Venetian
Las Vegas is often dubbed “the Entertainment Capital of the World,” so taking in a show is a part of the experience. Most engagements have a 7 p.m. start time and last around 90 minutes, making them perfect for early birds to grab dinner before or for night owls to eat afterward.
Here are three not-to-miss options that pair live music, dazzling stage productions and major star power with casual or gourmet dining.
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star sister properties The Venetian and The Palazzo have so many entertainment and dining options that you don’t ever have to leave the buildings. Three shows recently joined their shared roster, including “Puppet Up – Uncensored,” “Clint Holmes: Between the Lines” and “Baz – Star Crossed Love.”
In the Sands Showroom, “Puppet Up” from Henson Alternative is an outrageous improv variety show conceived by the adult side of the Jim Henson Company. Pair this only-in-Vegas trip with the lobster grilled cheese and the chowder fries from Lobster ME.
In the Palazzo Theater, there are two shows to check out. “Baz – Star Crossed Love,” a next-gen cabaret-style affair from filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, brings to the stage the ultimate movie–music mash-up. The equally high-energy Table 10 by Emeril Lagasse transports diners to the deep south with his Louisiana-style cooking. Check out the candied bacon, the creole-crusted Ahi tuna, and the chicken and Andouille gumbo.
If the mood for romance strikes, book tickets to “Clint Holmes: Between the Lines,” where the focus is on the links between the artist, the song and the inspiration behind it all. Beckoning sweet memories of its own, a meal at Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro will harken memories of that unbelievable bistro you visited in Versailles. To go with your champagne, sample the cheese and charcuterie selections, a surefire way to open up the senses for the enticing night ahead.
Mariah Carey, Photo Courtesy of Caesars License Company LLC
Caesars Palace
For more than a decade, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace has been the place to see A-list performers in Las Vegas. The iconic venue’s current headliners (Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Reba, Brooks & Dunn) continue the tradition to this day.
The restaurant collection also hits all the right notes, working from the low key to the high end. The rich meatballs of Rao’s, the delicate artichoke and black truffle soup of Restaurant Guy Savoy, and the fresh Japanese and South American flavors of Nobu are a concert of global flavors under one roof.
Brooklyn Bowl, Photo Courtesy of Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn Bowl
It seems as if Vegas gets a new live music venue every couple of months. They come in all shapes and sizes and offer a variety of bookings that hit genres from country to jazz. See the coolest concerts on the Strip at the 80,000-square-foot Brooklyn Bowl, while playing a rousing game of strikes and spares and eating fried chicken. How’s that for multitasking?
Located on The Linq Promenade, this hot spot features 32 lanes and food by the Bromberg Brothers’ Blue Ribbon Restaurants. Over the last few years, top musicians such as Jane’s Addiction, Jack White, Disclosure, Alabama Shakes and The Roots have all graced the stage. Acts such as Grouplove (October 5), Schoolboy Q (October 16) and Sevendust (October 24) will perform in the coming weeks.
There are three ways to enjoy the evening: dine first in the restaurant and then take in the action from the ample standing-room general admission area; secure a lane and watch the concert from the bowling alley during dinner; or go for box seating upstairs.
Most concertgoers choose Brooklyn Bowl because it places equal emphasis on both food and entertainment. Fried chicken platters are the specialty, and if you go for the 24-piece, expect the golden fried fowl piled high to draw attention. Other favorites include sandwiches and pizzas, shareable for two to three people. The knife-and-fork sloppy Joe and the San Gennaro french bread pizza are two other winners.
