Any reason to hang put down town

Inspired recently by a thread about what need is there to go to the strip and not wanting to hijack it I started thinking. As a downtown virgin I am thinking of mostly avoiding the strip this trip. What are the hotspots do need to hit for good food, music, and booze that would take the need to go to the strip out of the picture.

 

Downtown hotspots ....

** Food : Main Street Station buffet, and 777Brewpub ; Four Queen - Magnolia's diner ; (High end) - Oscar's @ Plaza , and Hugo's @ Four Queens

** Music : Golden Nugget often has a live music combo ; Four Queens typically has good "oldies" music piped into the casino

** Booze : Main Street Station - 777Brewpub and Boar Bar, with in-house micro-brews ; Four Queens - Chicago Brewing Company ; and free drinks at just about any casino, with casino play ; The "D" - The Long Bar, and lots of LOUD music.

 

Spot on. Love the DT.

 

They are so different that I honestly wouldn't try and completely avoid the strip if you have never been DT. You can try, just don't be afraid to take a cab back to the strip for a day or 2.


It depends a lot on what you do in Vegas. Things like shows and clubs just don't exist downtown. While there are some great food choices down there, if you are looking for higher end, the strip has far more choices.

For downtown I like the people a lot more. All of the club goers for example won't be downtown. Table limits are lower and VP tables are better which I think brings a different type of person downtown that I find enjoyable. I find the dealers more enjoyable. The dealers on the strip aren't bad, just that some are more serious than I'd prefer. Everything is closer, drinks are cheaper.




I get the impression that those that spend 100% of their time DT have many many reasons why they just don't like the strip anymore. If something isn't enjoyable to you, you shouldn't do it on a vacation. If you still enjoy the strip, don't force yourself into just doing DT because others love it so much. Try it out, you may love it so much you give up the Strip. You may also find you love it and end up splitting your time every trip from now on.

I love the Strip and DT. 2 great experiences in 1 amazing city.

 

This is a very good list. Minor additions. The Vue bar at the D can be fun. The flame at El Cortez is reasonably priced good (YMMV) food. There isn't lots of live music downtown. It's mostly about gambling, cheaper food and some side-show type nonsense. If you don't like to gamble and people watch you'll get bored fast. There is a newer bar scene called Fremont East you can check out. I find most of these places to be to expensive and loud but you didn't really share your age and preferences. Yelp can be your friend here. I'm also DT starting on the 20th and have vowed to try a different bar for happy hour each day just to see some new faces and places. I'll share what I learn.

 

I have to disagree. Every night of the week there are music acts on the various three stages. Some might be just a DJ, but for sure on the weekends, it is live bands.

 

Also Lapperts ice cream at the Cal is also a nice treat.

 

My main reasons for hanging out downtown are good gambling rules for the most part, just have to know where to look and what to look for.

$5 3:2 single deck blackjack at ElCo
$5 Pai-Gow at Elco (we discovered this game last time in town and love it for the length of time you can usually play on bankroll and it's a great social game)
Good VP paytables if you care to look for them. DT we usually play table games so....

Food, there is Magnolia's at the 4 Queens. Really good food, reasonable prices. Even better with the ACG 2 for 1 coupon.
Binions Cafe for a burger. They are surprisingly good there!

While at Binions, if you like a good cigar, you have to try Vato cigar, in the back by Benny's Bullpen. They roll their own and they are tasty!

People watching!

As for the alcohol well we don't drink so I can't answer to that.

 

actually with the creation of fremont east, there are a number of clubs in the DT area. Most of these clubs are for the younger types though. there are some shows but not many that I would visit.

but you are correct, for a DT newbie, he should get his feet wet but also have the strip to fall back on. Not everybody likes DT so he may want to visit the strip and not stay in town 100% of the time esp during the day where DT is kind of dreary looking.

btw, yes there are usually bands playing on fremont. since more people are outdoors with the warm (hot) weather they have more things going on at night on the fse. when it gets cooler then they won't have as many bands out in the cold.

numeno is also correct, the higher end stuff (restaurants, shows, clubs, etc.) are all on the strip so it depends if you want to go with the high end stuff.

One other thing DT has, the fse is interesting, check out the guy making all the paintings, or look at the lady putting names on a grain of rice. and at night, watch the light show. unfortunately the light show is outdated and needs new material (IMHO) but it will be new for a newbie.

 

Good Food: Pasta Pirate or Redwood Grill (both at The California).
Bar Food: Chicago Brewing Co.(Four Queens).
Food on the run: $1 Vienna Hot Dog @ El Cortez.
Lunch beyond Fremont Street: Chicago Joes.
Music: Bands on Fremont Street, Carl Ferris (Sax player on FS).
Chill bar: Downtown Cocktail Room.

 

Dont miss out on the Mob Museum. Its literally a walkable 5mins from the D.

If you're into pool or bowling, theres a tranny bar in the neonpolis complex right next to slotzilla

Not sure of your age but insert coins is a pretty cool bar if you're into gaming. Also laundry room in the Commonwealth if you're into that older scotch drinking scene. Afterwards enjoy a cigar at Vatos in Binions.

Im sure the rest is already mentioned

 

Shows in Downtown at "The D"

On The D Las Vegas website this entertainment is listed... I have not seen any of these because I go between Christmas and New Year's and all shows take a vacation at that time...boo! This is from their website... hope it helps you!
---
THE SCINTAS

Vegas has a new “must see” and it’s at the D, The Scintas. Comedy, impressions, music – a superb night of entertainment! Treat yourself to an evening of pure talent.

LAUGHTERNOON, STARRING ADAM LONDON

Adam London combines hilarious comedy with amazing magic, to create
a show filled with nonstop laughs and gasps!

MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER

The incredible, interactive ‘whodunit’ dinner show celebrates 15 legendary years in Las Vegas. Be part of the mystery, be part of the fun! You’ll be thoroughly entertained during your three-course meal while you try to figure out who the murderer is. With over 15,000 deaths this year, Marriage Can Be Murder is the longest running dinner show in Vegas, with no signs of ever slowing down!

RAACK N ROLL

Topless Revue, Adults Only. Rock & Roll and Sexy Girls. What more can you ask for? And that’s not all! Featuring Comedy Impressionist Robert Nash, recently seen as Robert De Niro on the History Channel’s Counting Cars.

 

Yeah, you're right, I wasn't precise enough. There's some music and mostly it sucks. Maybe I'm spoiled, but none of the free acts I've seen on Fremont street were worth much more than they cost [YMMV]. And don't get me started on the awful sax player, sheesh.

 

Just FYI, its a drag bar. Big difference between a Tranny (offensive slang) and a draq queen.

 

I guess taste in music is like recommending restaurants, nobody agrees. We like the sax guy. Carl Ferris.

 

I love strolling FSE in the winter months when the cold nips at you while listening to this guy. I don't know if it's because the air is thin and clear but the experience is magical, especially if you're with a loved one.

 

Sorry, you're absolutely correct.

 

I agree with Buddha and the above poster.I also got the general impression by reading the original thread poster that this person's age was "younger"...than myself( I am 53 figuring the poster was in his 20's or possibly early 30's). THAT SAID.......don't box yourself into a corner. Maybe also consider going off strip to some of the houses there...( Rio/GC/ Palms comes immediately to mind and its easy to get to).

 

There's a really good article in today's online Las Vegas Sun: "Downtown Renaissance, Part I" that talks about the new and vibrant scene in Downtown Las Vegas. Judging from this there's no need to go to the Strip for awesome cocktails, live music, good food and great people-watching!

 

Something fun I discovered this trip if you like Video Poker. The Cal, upstairs, has a group of video poker machines that are coin in, coin out. I don't even think you can stick bills in them. That was fun. Playing max credits, you are sticking 5 quarters in at a time. I just watched the Hawaiian folks playing to get the rhythm of it, they seemed to really enjoy it and I did too.