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Downtown secrets, bargains, and hidden gems.

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by bull1029, Oct 20, 2015.

  1. bull1029

    bull1029 Mr. Vegas

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    Great info. I really enjoy sitting outside at Mickey's and enjoying a cocktail. Their (and Hennesey's) food is very good also.
     
  2. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

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    Golden Gate 7 pm

    We were there last month and at 7 pm, ALL the dealers changed shift (they were changing from regular dealers to dancing dealers). They have a lot of tables in there now so I'm guessing shift change involves maybe 30 girls. (I don't know how common this is but any casino I've played at has always brought in 1-5 dealers for shift change at a time. And they always switch off without it being intrusive for the players.) Anyhow, Stevens has a parade now and it's marketing genius.

    When the dealers come out of the staff room, they come en masse across the casino, all talking happy, chirpy conversations at a level far louder than it needs to be. (A gaggle of geese comes to mind, respectfully). I was sitting at the bar playing video poker when I heard them coming, before seeing them, and the whole casino pretty much came to a stand still and stared. It was humorous to watch.

    Hubs was playing blackjack and said when the girls traded off spots, they were worse than the Walton's going to bed. All chirpy, friendly and "how was your shift? Have a wonderful evening! See you tomorrow!".

    Maybe it's just me but if you're near there at 7 pm, it's worth a look. It's a theatrical shift change.

    I also noticed other renovations since we were there last and was happy to see they haven't changed the ceiling. If you're sitting at certain seats at the blackjack table, you can look up to that center strip of glass ceiling and see the old cat walk from bygone days. At least I think I've seen it....:woot:

    DSC08849.JPG
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2019
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  3. vegasdev

    vegasdev VIP Whale

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    The dancing dealers in most cases are better than the regular dealers.
    Maybe it is because they are pumped up on energy drinks or something but they are pretty good.
     
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  4. bull1029

    bull1029 Mr. Vegas

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    Be there in a few hours....I'll let ya know!
     
  5. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    GG isn't as great as it used to be. Steven's has tightened the rules and raised the limits. Still, its got a fun party vibe that alot of downtown doesnt have. But i couldnt believe no tables below $25 during MM.
     
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  6. mountaindave

    mountaindave Tourist

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    Highly agree. I tell everyone I know about Oak and Ivy.
     
  7. CaptCampion

    CaptCampion VIP Whale

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    I'm heading to Vegas in about a month and dragging along a Vegas virgin. We have about 4-5 hours to spend downtown so I'm making a list of all the things we need to do/eat/see. Glad someone else just mentioned Oak and Ivy. We both like whiskey and I'm looking forward to checking that out

    Would welcome recommendations. 4 hours downtown with someone who's never been to Vegas
     
  8. Kellywest

    Kellywest Low-Roller

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    You have to bet on the Derby horses upstairs at the D. Its still only a quarter and great crowd cheer their horses on.
     
  9. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Ya beat me to it!
     
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  10. bull1029

    bull1029 Mr. Vegas

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    Last time I played Sigma Derby, the jockey fell off my horse.
     
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  11. bull1029

    bull1029 Mr. Vegas

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    UPDATE: Ok, full disclosure time. That was me falling off my barstool.
     
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  12. Brando95

    Brando95 Low-Roller

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    If you're only going to spend that amount of time, go in the evening to get the full Fremont Experience experience. I'd probably go down a few hours before dark, hit up Oak and Ivy and while you're walking back toward the canopy stop in and check out the Griffin for another drink and/or have a slice of pizza at Evel Pie. Would definitely hit up Sigma on the 2nd floor of the D as it's the only machine left in the city, and take in the atmosphere of the dancing dealers and the flair bartenders at the Long Bar before heading down Fremont. If you haven't eaten yet or just want another drink (hey it's Vegas) check out Whiskey Liquor Up - rotating bar on the 2nd Floor of Binions. Gives a great view of the action down below and the zipline flying by. I'd spend the rest of my time at Circa and then head out across the sky bridge via Garage Mahal to catch an Uber (assuming wait times are back to semi-normal)
     
    9th Island stopover on the way to Hawaii
  13. VolleyBall

    VolleyBall 7* & MLife Plat

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    1) Le Thai, happy hour from Mon-Fri 3-6pm
    2) Evel Pie, cheese slice pizza and beer for $3
    3)Pizza Rock has a happy hour and its award winning pizza was simply amazing; I'll happily pay full price.
    4) There's the downtown container plaza which is where Oak & Ivy is located.
    5) Gold and Silver Pawn shop, about 12min walk from Fremont is the Pawns Stars shop and next door, Pawn Plaza, which has a BBQ joint that's the highest reviewed BBQ joint on yelp (4.5* 3,500+ reviews).
    6) $3 Heinekens and $6 cocktails at the Fremont Hotel Casino bar.
    7) Tony Roma's prime rib $8.99 with limited days/hours
    8) 1941/El Cortez, $14.99 prime rib 24/7.
    9) Sushi Ichiban/El Cortez, AYCE Lunch $23.95 Dinner $27.95
    10) Axehole, Axe throwing place is a fun experience
     
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  14. vegasdev

    vegasdev VIP Whale

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    Pizza Rock happy hour for sure!!
     
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  15. lulli

    lulli Tourist

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    At Le Thai they have also a Lunch special 6 days a week
     
  16. Syringe Monkey

    Syringe Monkey Hero of the Baggage Carousel...

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    Good Pie moved from Pawn Plaza to a permanent location on Main Street.

    Still the best pizza I've ever eaten.
     
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  17. FuzzyDiceCraps

    FuzzyDiceCraps VIP Whale

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    Kudos to this itinerary, this is really good and I can't disagree with any of these recommendations. I'll add a couple of my own depending on what you/your friend like to do. I know you said, Vegas Virgin, but if not a gambling Virgin. In Binion's is the Poker Hall of Fame. I'm not a poker person myself, so it doesn't mean much to me, but if they follow poker or enjoy the WSOP there's pictures of a lot of the famous poker players in there.

    If they enjoy craps, I highly recommend buying into a table at Golden Gate - its historic and the dealers are fantastic and the tables lively and if you're going to shoot dice one place downtown this is the place t do it.

    Of course, it a sports fan you have to check out the Circa Sportsbook. But honestly I wouldn't spend a ton of time in Circa if you're playing slots or just drinking - its very much just a generic strip property that happens to be located downtown. Don't get me wrong, its new, shiny and beautiful, and it got the majority of my play on my last trip (and will again this coming trip), but if you want to experience "downtown" Circa really isn't it.

    Great lineup of deals here. I'd add all the outdoor bars where you can get a cocktail or frozen bevie if its hot out. And of course the FSE light and music shows which are a must-see at least once.
     
  18. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Glad to see some places are doing Happy Hours. So many have eliminated them (covid)
     
  19. VolleyBall

    VolleyBall 7* & MLife Plat

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    Do you think Good Pie is better than Pizza Rock? What sucks is Good Pie is too far away to walk from downtown and is still a 15min walk from The STRAT .
     
  20. Syringe Monkey

    Syringe Monkey Hero of the Baggage Carousel...

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    I think Good Pie is better than any pizza I’ve ever eaten, including a Mom & Pop joint in Naples, Italy. Pizza Rock is OK.

    I don’t care about the walking issue, as we are not fans of Fremont. We always have a rental car, and we always drive to Good Pie. Additionally, we would never consider staying at “The Shart”. You do you.