Linq Promenade And Bally's grand Bazaar Shops finally Hitting Their Stride

When I first heard about cet's plans for the Linq Promenade and Grand Bazaar shops at Bally's I really didn't get too excited. The last thing I thought that was needed was more shops on the strip. After my spring break trip I have actually changed my mind and can honestly say I enjoyed spending time in both of these areas and went out of my way each night to spend some time there.

Years ago I can remember the Carnival Court outside Harrah's was one of my favorite spots on the strip at night. It had a real "electric/fun" atmosphere.

I can honestly say that both the Linq promenade and The Grand Bazaar shops are starting to get the same vibe.

There has been a good deal of turnover at the Linq and I think now they have a really nice mix there, and some really good dining and nightlife options.

At Bally's, the same is true. I only saw 1 or 2 empty shops. With the addition of Giordano's, Wahlburger and having most of the shops occupied with some unique items people were really enjoying browsing around.

In addition, on the upper level there is a bar/resteraunt that had a line to get in most nights. It's called Redneck Riviera (Owned by country star John Rich), and even though I am not a country fan, I must admit, the place looks like a blast.

Obviously weather plays a big factor in it, but I really enjoyed walking around both areas on my last trip.

If you haven't been recently I really encourage you to check it out.

 

I agree with you on the Linq, I stayed at the Linq and every day/night I spent some time on the promenade. A lot of great restaurants plus some good bars there. CET has a winner there and it was always crowded.

 

The only thing I will disagree on is the number of empty shops at Bally's promenade. I would estimate closer to 40% of the stores are not occupied if you go down each aisle. One of them last week even had an eviction notice (it was one that face thru to two aisles - a blow-out place for hair? I really wish they had made it about one aisle less and with fewer stores so it was a bit more open.

With the wedding I was attending & the associated things that went with that I didn't really get any time to shop in any of the stores. There was Ben & Jerry's signage at one of the end ones near the Strip, but not sure if that is opening or closing. I sure don't remember it being there in November but it didn't have any 'Coming Soon' on it at all. Always seems a bit busier in the evening. Intended to head to Starbucks in the morning to get coffee but never made it. (They are also building a new Starbucks in front of Harrahs - right after you walk in from CC).

 

I don't like the layout at all, it seems like they force you through a path when all I wanted to do was walk through to get to Flamingo and it seemed like it was an obstacle in my path with navigating the stalls and the people who just randomly stop

 

I agree with the Linq promenade being a hit.
However I believe Bally's Bazaar is just one big cluster! I go down the street and cross over by the Cromwell entrance just to avoid it.

 

I agree about the Linq Promenade. Jury's still out on the Bazaar for me as I haven't found any real use for it yet.

 

Linq's getting there. I stop in there almost every trip now for AmeriCAN or Yard House and I've stumbled on a few good shows at Brooklyn Bowl. It's still miles better than the "Park" between NYNY and MC.

Haven't stepped foot in the Bally's thing. Imagine I will when I stay at Bally's in August, but all the shops seem so random and tiny and as others have said half of them look empty.

 

I'm a Linq, and Linq Promenade, fan. There are great places to grab a bite or just stroll. I like Yard House a lot, great beer choices and food choices.

Bally's Bazaar just feels like a mall. It's a place I have to go through if I want to get to Bally's.

I don't get the MGM Park. Maybe it's because I went there early in the day. But it just seemed like, here's an empty area, let's put things there. It just feels like a place you walk through.

 

I like Starbucks and Giordano's pizza at the Bazaar. I was there a few weeks ago and noticed a lot of traffic and people shopping at various stores so it appears to be doing better than I thought it would.

At the Linq I like the Brick Oven Pizza and Yard house, but there are more place that I have yet to explore.

 

Just got back from staying at Ballys, seems the the shops there have an extremely high turnover rate, aside from a couple places, everything was either vacant or gone.

The big shop right next to MGM is moving in there though, so that will help

Linq was so crowded I avoided it, so that's good for CET

 

How is the Ferris Wheel doing? That one hasn't produced the interest which the other attractions have.

 

Highroller . It's fun, great view- like it !
Bally's Bazar= for me, it' s boaring.
Linq Promenade . Love it. Brooklyn Bowl with great concerts, Ghiradelli .... Very very nice!!

 

Bah, I guess I'm the only one who misses the fountains (even as run-down as they were) at Bally's.

If I want someone flogging cheap, gimmicky crap at me as I'm just trying to get somewhere, I'll go to Tijuana.

On the other hand, the Linq Promenade is not bad. The High Roller is fantastic.

 

In my not so humble opinion, the Linq exudes far more "class" than does the new Bally's. Redeeming factor: Bally's has Giordano's.

 

Linq is nice. BB, is just a waste for me. Its claustrophobic and random. The stores are too small (I understand that is what they were going for) so it just seems strange walking in them.

Example, I went into some Japanese toy store there. The space is like 10' x 10'. The clerk was sitting 3 inches from my face as I shopped. She tried being friendly with everything I picked up "That's very popular" or "That's on sale". I get that she was doing her job. But when the clerk can see everything you do from their tiny perch it just makes shopping weird. Well, at least weird for me.

I like to browse when I shop, I do not want a communal experience with the shop keeper.

I too miss the old entrance. I would ride that moving walkway every trip, even if I wasn't going to gamble in Bally's. It was like a dumpy Tomorrowland and sort of a throwback fun way to kill a few minutes. Plus catching a bum taking a shit in their garden always made for some laughs!

 

both are doing well, just takes time to get all the places rented out.

my firend owns a bar in front of ballys, and even though they opened sin city brewing right next to him, another person building a huge bar on his other side, a bar to the side of that, redneck riviera above them , they remain packed

hes done so well that he will be opening his 2nd bar on the linq

 

They both seem to be having relative success and being normalized.

That doesn't mean I like either, however. Carnival court was/is a fun little area that was at least fairly distinctive. Linq and Grand Bazaar and pedestrian bear trips full of chains one could see in many cities. And their success signal more to come, and with each successive one of these, the strip becomes less of a straight line walk with interesting sights, and more of a maze of rerouted walkways into pedestrian malls.