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March Madness Viewing Parties--Feedback Appreciated

Discussion in 'The Sports Book' started by vegas_or_bust, Jan 24, 2013.

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  1. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    I know it's still early, but I am pretty excited for my first trip to Vegas for March Madness! A group of 7 guys (ages 26-34) will be their Wednesday through Sunday. We are most likely going to watch the games on Thursday/Friday from a viewing party, as we have too many people to find seats in the Sportsbook.

    From looking at the viewing parties from last year, it appears that the LVH, Stratosphere , Caesars/Planet Hollywood, and Cosmo had the best to offer. If you have attended MM viewing parties at any of these venues in the past, please provide any feedback you may have (likes, dislikes, etc.). If you attended two different parties, please let me know which one you preferred over the other.

    Thanks in advance! :beer:
     
  2. Iu25

    Iu25 High-Roller

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    also if anyone knows, where downtown is best to watch games? Maybe 4Queens at the Chicago Brew Co, or maybe the longbar in the D? I will be out there for the Elite Eight and cant wait to bet on and watch some games! Hope my Hoosiers are still rolling when I get there!
     
  3. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    The March Madness in Las Vegas facebook group has lots of info on viewing parties at various venues. Just search on "March Madness in Las Vegas" (within Facebook) if the link doesn't work.

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/mmilv/
     
  4. queenofvegas

    queenofvegas Low-Roller

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    The Golden Nugget has a big viewing party in their ballroom, betting stations, food, drink service, large tables and big screen tv's. The 2nd floor at the Fremont also has a viewing party set up, again with the remote betting stations, food, drink service and lots of tv's. One thing I do remember up there though was the last time we went up there the tv's seemed to be older but that could have changed.
    Last year we did catch some of the games at the Long Bar at the D, the only bitch I have about that place is the loud music, obviously it does go on during the games. The tv's are great of course and the book is upstairs for your bets. Regardless wherever you end up it is always electric atmosphere and a great time.
    Benny's Bullpen at Bionions does some kind of special and has some somfy seating but again get there early.
    __________________
     
  5. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    Here is the link to the pricing for the viewing parties this year at Planet Hollywood, Caesar's Palace and Harrah's

    http://www.caesars.com/hoops/?ed_rid=VJ9Y41-73LCI-JZR2MH-79ORG0-CDNCBC-v1&ed_mid=10795286

    It looks like the price has doubled from $50 to $100 for the Hoops on the Mezz at P-Ho. Has anyone attended these types of all you can eat and drink parties that can comment on whether you are worth it? Is the beer served in 8 oz cups? Is the food good? Are there long lines to bet and/or get a beer?
     
  6. voltron12

    voltron12 Low-Roller

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    at planet Hollywood Beer is bottled beer. I know they had a stand for mixed drinks also, but I didnt try to get any so dont know if bottom shelf was free or not. The lines are fine and not long. The food is crap but something to munch on throughout the day, but not a real meal at any time. It was for sure worth 50, and for sure worth the 70 last year. At 100, I would probably say no. But it is great for watching games, and the betting station lines are much shorter than any book you will find. The one thing you have to take into account that if you drink 15 beers, that is 15 more dollars you are spending on tips. If you give 1.00 everytime. So add whatever you will tip into the cost.

     
  7. Bookem Dano

    Bookem Dano Tourist

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    From what my casino host said, the Hoops on the Mezz will sell out. It has in the past. Me, I think it's overrated. But I am not a huge drinker. A few years ago they brought in a bunch of leather sofas to watch the games up there. Now that was awesome.
     
  8. Bookem Dano

    Bookem Dano Tourist

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    I vote for the LVH to watch the games. No fees. Pay for what you eat/drink. Comfortable theatre seats. Hi Def. Busy but not crazy crowded. The only downfall of LVH was the long lines to make bets, esp. halftime wagers. Hard to get some of those down. Need those handheld things. That would make it perfect.
     
  9. Bookem Dano

    Bookem Dano Tourist

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    http://www.thelvh.com/calendar/132-hoops-central
     
  10. MrPapageorgio

    MrPapageorgio Tourist

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    I heard that Aria has a viewing party. Does anyone have any info on that? How much does it cost and what's included? Thanks!
     
  11. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    Thanks for the info. If you buy the entry level package do you get a seat? I know the man cave packages come with couches, but is there any place to sit if you buy the regular ticket?
     
  12. voltron12

    voltron12 Low-Roller

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    Yes you can sit. Plenty of open chairs all over lined up. About 20 to a row. There are not assigned so if you have a big group, get there early, but throughout the day there were always 5-10 seets together somewhere in there. Once you get up though, if no one is saving your seats, they can be taken. You can go in and out as you please, and most people do that. By the time 4-5 PM rolls around, a lot of people are pretty drunk by then, and it becomes pretty fun in there. The hot shot free basketball game can be fun if your into betting against friends.

     
  13. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    I really appreciate the feedback. We are trying to debate between the pay as you go viewing parties at LVH and Stratosphere vs. the pay one price (all you can eat/drink parties) at P-Ho and Cosmo. You quieted my concerns with the P-Ho party, as it seems like a great set-up.

    I am hesitant to go with the LVH/Strat because our ability to come and go will be limited due to the off-strip locations. We have one or two guys in the group who will get a little stir-crazy after a few hours watching basketball and will want to go looking for a good time. We may do the P-Ho one day and then go to the LVH or The STRAT the other day.
     
  14. Sinatraatthesands

    Sinatraatthesands Low-Roller

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    If you want to watch the games on the strip without feeling like your in a coffin I would take the short cab ride to the Stratosphere. It's not popular with locals sports betters because of it's location and it's not tourists first choice either for the same reason. Mandalay Bay is a pretty large book that can also get overlooked by a lot of people for the same reasons. MGM, Ceasers, Bellagio Mirage you can just forget enjoying yourself in any way at all.
     
  15. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    Mandalay Bay sportsbook isn't "overlooked" or uncrowded during MM opening week games.

    We've spent the opening week (games Thursday through Sunday) at Mandalay Bay sports book every year since 2002 (with the exception of 2010 spent at Aria Sports book). If you're planning to watch the games on Thursday/Friday and don't have reserved seats, you need to show up by 8:15am or so. Especially if you want more than one seat. Having the book filled to "standing room only" isn't uncommon on Thursday and Friday. By Saturday and Sunday, it will be easier to grab seats since there aren't as many games.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2013
  16. voltron12

    voltron12 Low-Roller

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    If they get stir crazy, this place is perfect. They also put some bj tables up there so you can gamble on that while watching games also. The food is good enough to tie you over for awhile, but I would say you need something more filling at some point to soak up the booze, so a nice break sometime around 3-4 for a meal is perfect. Around 5 and later, there are plenty of open seats all over also, so no worries about losing your spot you had earlier. If it goes to 100, that is a little high I feel unless they get some better food in there, but it is nice to get bottled beer, bottle shelf mix drinks, and at least decent enough to munch on all day.

     
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