Top Entertainment Options in Vegas Right Now

Las Vegas infuses nearly every aspect of your visit with razzle-dazzle. You can take a gondola ride down the canal at your hotel, say ‘hi’ to Chewbacca as you walk down the street, or even go wine tasting by helicopter.  Here are some top picks for experiences on the Strip that will wow you.

Rosina in The Palazzo

Craft cocktail fever has taken over Las Vegas. Yes, you can get a free drink in the casino, but head into Rosina, one of the Strip’s top cocktail bars for a lavish experience that is equal parts entertainment and booze. Sit at the bar and let one of the knowledgeable mixologists stir and shake you up a masterpiece. Not ready to be so adventurous? Order a Moscow Mule and taste the difference fresh ginger makes. If the bar is full and you end up at the table, you at least have the novelty of champagne “call button.” Located in The Palazzo, the art deco décor takes its inspiration from an old luxury train car, transporting you to another place and time.

Courtesy Photo

Opium at the Cosmopolitan

You may be used to seeing variety shows on cruises, but they are also a staple of Las Vegas entertainment. Most variety shows range from terrible to mediocre, but Opium at the Cosmopolitan has set a new standard. Get ready for a lot of laughs, impressive tricks, and filthy fun. On the OPM 73 from Uranus to Las Vegas, the spaceship’s wacky crew makes it their mission to surprise and delight. Opium is from the creators of Absinthe, the other top variety show on the Strip. A live band compliments powerhouse songs, a love story brings meaning to the raunchiness, and the bar serves up space-themed cocktails to help get you launched.

Captain Kunton OPIUM by Spiegelworld by Erik Kabik

STK at Cosmopolitan

At STK, the food comes with a shot of sexy nightlife. An in-house DJ spins while a hip crowd noshes on filet mignon. Of all the bustling restaurants on the Strip, STK does the best job of mixing dinner and a nightclub into one sultry package. Start with a shellfish platter to share and enjoy some stunning Alaskan Red King Crab, shrimp, and oysters. And don’t forget the steak. The dry-aged rib eye is exceptional, get it with the Jalapeño Cheddar Grits. Then settle into your booth and enjoy the nightclub ambiance without the line or cover charge.

Courtesy Photo

Beatles LOVE at The Mirage

You can’t go to Vegas and not see a Cirque du Soleil show. Everyone has a favorite, but my recommendation is Beatles LOVE. Even if you aren’t a Beatles fan, LOVE will capture your imagination in a whirlwind journey. LOVE explores the aesthetic, political and spiritual trends of the 1960s through Beatles songs, talented performers, and extravagant stagecraft. The signature Cirque acrobatics are there along with the poetry of movement, presented in a custom-built theatre at The Mirage.

Fountains of Bellagio

Even if you just stop and watch as you walk by, make sure to watch the Fountains of Bellagio. The water dances set off with lights and music in a constantly changing repertoire of aquatic performances. While watching from the street is delightful, take in a new appreciation for the show at one of the Bellagio’s fountain-side restaurants. Spago from Wolfgang Puck puts you up close and personal to the fountain show, along with delicious seasonal food and cocktails. Don’t miss the Spiked Lemon dessert a work of art filled with Japanese Yuzu cream with chiffon cake and citrus mousse in a yellow lemon shell with meringue spikes.

Bellagio Courtesy Photo

The Dorsey at the Venetian

Skip the line, the cover charge, and the watered down vodka sodas for an adult nightlife option – The Dorsey at the Venetian. Taking craft cocktails to a whole new level, the expert bartenders turn freshly squeezed juices and high-end liquor into incredible drinks. Settle into the library setting or the gilded cage with a drink, or sit at the bar to learn more about cocktails than you could imagine. The bartenders learn from award-winning Sam Ross, who is best known for creating “The Penicillin.” Try the Bambino, a new drink on their list, uses fresh pear juice and cinnamon to brighten up Fernet. For extra theatrics, get a sharable cocktail in a spinning disco ball or rose gold swan. As the night goes on, the DJ starts spinning and the bar fills in, a scene that will make you glad you skipped the nightclub.