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Booze obsession – we just don't get it!

Discussion in 'Las Vegas for the Frugal (not Cheap)' started by Turtleman, Oct 26, 2013.

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  1. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    Ms. Gecko and I aren't criticizing (so please don't flame us), but we're bewildered by all the posts about stopping for booze on the way from the airport to the hotel, and so much concern over locating the closest liquor stores and best prices. Now, we know gambling is down overall, but do people really go to Vegas primarily to drink or don't they gamble enough to get more than enough? Many casinos have super cheap beers, margaritas, etc., and even the most minimal play just about anywhere will still get you free ones. In fact, we would think liquor stores would have a tough time surviving the competition, but apparently not.

    I can't remember how long it's been since we actually bought drinks outright in Vegas; and by the time we call it quits for the day and stagger back to the room, the very last thing we need or want is more alcohol. Then we start up again the next morning with bar top VP with mimosas or screwdrivers before heading to the tables and more "free" drinks. Of course, if we'd probably be sick if we added up what we spend on tips over a week-long trip, but suspect that those who buy the six packs and bottles still have that same expense. (I guess some will mention it's the only way to get their favorite whatever, but I'll save that "debate" for another time.)

    And by the way, we're anything but teetotalers. We stock many types and brands of whiskey, Scotch, gin, vodka, tequila, rum, and numerous liquors, and almost always have a couple drinks before dinner. Sometimes we enjoy wine or beer with dinner. While in Vegas, "all things in moderation" goes out the window and we drink like fishes! And because we go to Vegas primarily to gamble, there's always a constant supply of "free" drinks.

    Surely, it must be a lot cheaper and safer to imbibe at home if drinking is one's main motivation. It's as if the Eighteenth Amendment (which started Prohibition) has been reenacted and Vegas is the only place that's exempt! Oh well, there will always be things we can't understand.
     
  2. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    I love drinking beer and lots of it.

    I also like hanging out in the room and just kicking back with some beers. This way, I control the partying not some random person I dont know. If i want another drink, I just get one. i dont hope and pray they will come back and give me one.

    a 30 pack only lasts me a couple days of morning room drinking. No way i could have that many beers before noon waiting for the cw to come by.

    Funny that I cant see how people dont drink in their rooms.
     
  3. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    On our last 6 day trip, I probably only had two hours combined of actual gambling time. We enjoy kicking back in the room with a drink, also like having a beer while getting ready to go out and....well... have more beer.

    We do more partying and other things that gambling, so we dont get all the "free" drinks. I am primarily a sports gambler, so I place my bets and move on to other things. My GF doesnt gamble a bit.
     
  4. jamesnoon

    jamesnoon Tourist

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    I guess there's the college crowd who go primarily for clubs and will pre game in the rooms.

    I personally won't be doing this. While I will only gamble one or two hours a day, the rest of the time will be checking out the resorts and there various bars and clubs. I'd rather pay The extra and drink in a nice social environment. Not my room.
     
  5. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    "drink like fishes" is an apt term for me and I get more than my share of "free" drinks, but I usually pack 4 cans of beer and two wine minis for the room. They all fit in a sealable, plastic, 1 gal bag.

    I just enjoy kicking off the shoes and relaxing a bit before bed with a night cap. If our room didn't have a frig, then I wouldn't bother. Well, I'd still pack the wine. :beer:
     
  6. Keyser Soze

    Keyser Soze Low-Roller

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    Alcohol is good for you.
     
  7. Jimbucc

    Jimbucc VIP Whale

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    The room for us in Vegas is only to shower and sleep. If I were staying in a luxurious suite, I might spend a little more time in the room. For me, Vegas is all about gambling and eating and sometimes a show. We always rent a car and are out and about. The fact that I am driving keeps my drinking to a minimal.

    When I am done driving for the day I have no problem getting a drink playing at a bar or casino machine. I honestly don't want to be hungover in Vegas. :vomit: I need a clear head for gambling and a stomach that wants to eat. Finally, I don't want to feel like crap for the long flight home to Cleveland.
     
  8. DrLect

    DrLect Winning!

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  9. bjpcyclone

    bjpcyclone High-Roller

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    On the strip, outside of casino royale and a couple other places, the days of "super cheap booze" are gone. At our last stay at the Monte Carlo, a non-gambling white russian at the bar was $11 and a beer was $6. And that's at a mid-level property. If you don't want to gamble non-stop or gamble just to get a drink, the liquor store is by far the best and cheapest option.

    Pretty easy to swing by the ABC Store and grab two 24 oz tallboys for $5 total.
     
  10. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    exactly, we stay at Ballys, def not a high brow place, 6 or 7 bucks a beer is the norm at any casino bar!
     
  11. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I have never bought alcohol outside of a restaurant in Vegas. I try not to buy any type of drink for the room because I know I won't finish it. If anything, I just try to keep a bottle of water by my bed to keep from getting to dry during the night. I don't drink a lot and in the right casino and with the right tips, I can get more than enough on the casino floor. It's fun to have a drink but I've never understood how people equate being wasted as fun. Maybe I've seen just enough of the other side of it to think that is entertaining.
     
  12. Grasp

    Grasp Low-Roller

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    For us it's a little bit of both. Sure, the drinks are "free" if you are gambling, but the problem is you need to be gambling. And then you need to have a CW actually stop by. In many cases it's just easier to grab a drink as you exit the room. If you're going to gamble then you already have your first drink and lack of CW is not a problem. If you're not going to gamble then you don't need to pay the obligatory $20 fee at a bartop just to get your "free" drink.
     
  13. mdlee3_46041

    mdlee3_46041 MIA

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    Personally, I don't buy alcohol for the room because it wouldn't save me any money. I'd probably only drink 1 in the room to start the day and then I'd be out and about, tipping for each drink.

    I love to drink in Vegas, but I don't plan to get completely smashed either so I don't mind waiting on the CW to bring me a drink. It keeps me under control.
     
  14. casinoboy

    casinoboy Low-Roller

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    i buy booze for my room and buy booze at the bars and get booze when i gamble :thumbsup: that way i never have to be without a cold one :beer:
     
  15. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

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    I stopped buying something for the room quite some time ago. I would have half of it still unused when checking out, and would end up just leaving it there. Since most of what I had was free anyway, buying a few drinks instead of supplying the room, may not have been the worst thing for me.
     
  16. mike mc

    mike mc High-Roller

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    I bring nips on the plane then save the bottles, will buy a handle in Vegas so I can re-load them and put them back in the zip lock for the ride home. :drunk:
     
  17. LV2GAMBLE

    LV2GAMBLE Certified LOW Roller

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    If the day's budget starts to run a little low earlier in the day it is nice to hang in the room and have a few cocktails to keep the buzz going before venturing out again for the evening and spending more $$. Maybe catch a little TV comedy and sit and laugh all to myself in my own little world. It's really quite hilarious.!!!
     
  18. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    750 ml bottle of whisky and 375 ml bottle of vermouth, about $25 or less. Sometimes you just need to make a traveler in the room when you head out and about. Peach schnapps is for breakfast.

    One night during my last trip, I decided I needed a nightcap at the Peppermill, and felt like having a Stinger. I think I ended up feeding $40 into the bartop VP for two drinks.
     

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  19. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    I see the 100 proof rye and sweet vermouth, but how can you possibly concoct a Manhattan without bitters, not to mention a cherry with stem? Other than that ... very well done!
     
  20. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    Thank you! It reminds me, I'm out of Rittenhouse Rye, a bit difficult to find.

    Turtle, didn't you say you were married? The schnapps is for my bride! ;). Sometimes you have to rough it, no room for bitters and fruit!
     
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