The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jeff Walker
Undoubtedly, one of the most colorful characters in the history of Las Vegas is Oscar Goodman.
Oscar has been a part of the Vegas scene since the mid-60's when he moved to town to practice law and ended up with some of the most notorious organized crime figures on his client list including Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal & Tony "The Ant" Spilotro. Following his time as a defense attorney, he successfully ran for mayor, going on to serve three terms. He had a cameo - as himself - in the film, "Casino" starring Robert DeNiro & Joe Pesci. And, he even contemplated a run for Governor of Nevada.
Now, in his mid-80's, he's the subject of a new podcast series.
Season 3 of Mobbed Up - The Fight For Las Vegas focuses on the life & times of Oscar Goodman.
Joining for for this episode, and making his second appearance on the podcast is John Katsilometes, columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal who's also serving as host for this season of Mobbed Up.
John & I discussed what went into creating this season of Mobbed Up, how he convinced Oscar to be a part of the podcast, and how many hours he spent sitting with Oscar collecting his stories.
Season 3 of Mobbed Up - The Fight For Las Vegas is available September 14th, 2023 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts.
Be sure to follow John Katsilometes on X & Instagram and check out his column, Kats, at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I'm going to be totally honest with you...this episode of the podcast is very likely to upset a lot of people. But everything being said here NEEDS to be said.
After my last trip to Vegas, I released the "NOT The May Trip Report" episode, in which I brought up several things that I didn't enjoy about the city and, in turn, my vacation. I got a lot of a lot of feedback about that particular episode - some agreeing with me and some STRONGLY disagreeing with me.
I began to think that I was crazy...maybe it was just me. Then, I started to see a lot of the same comments & complaints being made by people posting on Vegas-related social media channels and by several other Vegas content creators - including bloggers, vloggers and podcasters.
Then, it happened...
Sam Novak, the creator of Vegas Unfiltered (who's appeared on the show before) wrote an article for Vegas 411 titled, "This Is The Worst Time In History To Visit Vegas".
I asked Sam to join me for a conversation about the article as well as the current state of affairs in Las Vegas. As expected, he was BRUTALLY honest about what's happening in the city.
We talked about construction chaos, skyrocketing costs, the overall state of the strip, and much more. Plus, I asked the big question: What will it take to FIX things in Las Vegas?
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
It's been a hot minute since we've had a chance to have a little "one-on-one" time, so as we approach the end of summer and get set to head into the fall, I thought it might be a good opportunity to get you all caught up on what's been happening in my world.
I've got a recap of some of the most recent episodes of the podcast in case you missed out and want to go back & listen, I've got an update on future travel plans & whether or not a Vegas trip is in my future, and I'll take you "behind the curtain" and reveal some of the upcoming episodes I'm putting together for you!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
If you dig into the history of Las Vegas, you're going to find a lot of stories about crime. A majority of these stories involve the mob, organized crime, and their involvement in the casino industry & other illegal activities.
But if you go deep enough down the rabbit hole, you'll discover that every once in awhile, things in Las Vegas go "BOOM"...and that's what this episode of the podcast is all about.
I'm pleased to welcome back Meagan & Anthony Smith, the creators of Mayhem In The Desert, a true crime blog that shares the darker side of the history of Sin City. On the site, they take deep dives into the famous - and infamous - crimes that have happened in Las Vegas, stretching back across the decades.
One of the subjects on their site that caught my eye was the history of bombings in Las Vegas, and I thought I'd invite Meagan & Anthony back to share these stories. Some of them might be familiar to you...and others? Not so much.
Be sure to visit Mayhem In The Desert online and make sure you follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Also, check out & subscribe to the Mayhem In The Desert YouTube Channel.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Pro sports is about more than just "the thrill of victory" and "the agony of defeat". It's grown into a massive global industry that contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy. As such, it should come as no surprise that Las Vegas wants to get a piece of the action.
And according to proponents, the impact pro sports can have on a community goes beyond what happens on the field or at the rink; job creation, tax revenue, and increased tourism are often cited as being big benefits to being the home of a pro sports franchise or hosting a big event like the Super Bowl or Formula 1. These "benefits" are also the same ones brought up by team owners when they're trying to convince governments to hand over tax dollars to build new stadiums, as in the case of the Oakland A's likely relocation to Las Vegas.
But are these impacts real? Do communities actually see any major economic benefit? And is there an upside to the government handing hundreds of millions of dollars to billionaire team owners to build venues?
My guest is here to answer those questions - and more! Victor Matheson is a Professor of Economics & Accounting specializing in Sports Economics at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. Victor has published numerous articles on the economic impact of hosting mega-sports events as well as the economics of sports stadiums, including the effects of public financing of sports facilities.
Follow Victor on Twitter and check out his Google Scholar profile to read his work.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
As anyone who's a regular listener knows, I absolutely LOVE food! In fact, sharing my restaurant experiences from my Vegas vacations is one of my favorite parts of putting together my trip report episodes, so anytime I have the opportunity to have a guest on the show to talk about food, I jump at that chance.
This time around, I'm joined by Las Vegas restaurant & food critic, John Curtas.
John has been living in Las Vegas since the early 1980's and started writing about the Vegas food & restaurant scene in the mid-90's. He's the author of the book, Eating Las Vegas - The 52 Essential Restaurants and the creator of the Eating Las Vegas Blog. John has also made appearances on TV & radio, he's been a judge on several episodes of Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America, and he's the co-host of the podcast, Eat. Talk. Repeat.
John and I talked about he became a food & restaurant critic, how the Vegas food scene has changed over the years, what the future holds for Las Vegas when it comes to restaurants & cuisines, and John was kind enough to share some his favorite - and not so favorite - dining experiences.
To keep up with John & his culinary adventures, be sure to follow him on Twitter & Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
This time on Vegas Book Club, we're going ALLLLL the way back to Episode #25 of the podcast and my conversation with Steve Cyr, the subject of the book Whale Hunt In The Desert by Deke Castleman.
Steve is a Casino Host in Las Vegas - but he's not just any host. Steve is one of the elite hosts who deal almost exclusively with "whales".
What is a "whale", you ask? "Whales" are the extreme high-roller VIP's who come to Vegas and spend MASSIVE amounts of money; it's not uncommon for a "whale" to drop $1 Million or more over the course of a weekend in the city. In order to bring them - and their huge bank accounts - to Las Vegas, casino hosts hook them up with lavish comps...from high-end suites & villas, to private jets, to ringside tickets at UFC events, to pretty much anything you can imagine.
Steve is one of the guys who makes that happen.
We talked about his early days in the casino business, how he re-invented the way hosting was being done in Las Vegas, and some of the more "bizarre" requests he's gotten from his clients.
Order your copy of Whale Hunt In The Desert: Secrets Of A Vegas Superhost by Deke Castleman from your favorite online bookseller.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
On this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to and my chat with Dennis Blair, author of the book, Touring With Legends.
A Las Vegas-based comedian & musician, Dennis's career has spanned almost 40 years and over that time, he's worked with some of the biggest names in comedy and music. He co-wrote a feature film, he's worked on numerous TV specials, and he's appeared on the Tonight Show several times.
Dennis and I talked about what got him into comedy, his early days working with the legendary Rodney Dangerfield & what led to their falling-out, his time on the road with the incomparable Joan Rivers, and what it was like spending 18 years as the opening act for the late great George Carlin.
Order your copy of Touring with Legends by Dennis Blair from your favorite online bookseller now!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #78 of the podcast and my conversation with David G. Schwartz, UNLV Professor, Las Vegas Historian, and author of the book At The Sands.
December 15, 1952 saw the opening of one of the most iconic hotels in the history of Las Vegas - The Sands Hotel & Casino.
During its heyday, it hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, most notably the legendary Rat Pack featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. And although that might be what The Sands is best known for, there's way more to story than that.
David and I talked about what inspired him to cover the history of The Sands, how "mobbed up" the hotel was, Frank Sinatra's involvement the ownership of the property, and what led to the eventual downfall of The Sands (both figuratively and literally).
Get your copy of At The Sands by David G. Schwartz from your favorite online bookseller.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
For this episode of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to Episode #116 of the podcast and my chat with Eric Sherwood, aka "Annoyed Pit Boss" on Twitter, and author of the book Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt.
Eric entered the gaming industry following what I like to call a "forced career change", first as a dealer and eventually moving up to the position of pit boss. As he got further into the crazy world of the casino business, he realized the stories from his day-to-day life were too good to NOT share.
First came the Twitter account, then came the book.
Eric & I talked about his entry into the gaming industry, what inspired him to create his Twitter account & write his book, and he even shared some tips & tricks for novice players thinking of hitting the tables on their next Vegas trip.
Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt is available from your favorite online bookseller.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're headed back to Episode #93 of the podcast and my conversation with Matthew O'Brien, author of the books Beneath The Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving The Las Vegas Storm Drains.
Underneath the glitz & glamour of the Las Vegas Strip lies a massive network of tunnels which serve the practical purpose of protecting the big casinos & hotels from flash floods that often occur after summertime rainfalls. However, those tunnels have also become a living space for hundreds - if not thousands - of homeless people in the city of Las Vegas.
Matthew is a writer, editor, and teacher who lived in Las Vegas for 20 years. He's considered an authority on homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels and he's the founder of Shine A Light, a non-profit program that helps people living in the tunnels and provides them with resources to get out of the tunnels.
Matthew & I discussed his early experiences with the tunnels, the work that went into writing his books, and what inspired him to create Shine A Light.
Beneath the Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights are both available from your favorite online bookseller.
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
For this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #42 of the podcast and my conversation with Richard Zoglin, the author of Elvis In Vegas: How The King Reinvented The Las Vegas Show.
July 31, 1969 was a day that changed Las Vegas forever; on that date, the King of Rock N' Roll stepped on stage at the newly-opened International Hotel to kick off what would eventually turn into one of the biggest Las Vegas residencies of all time.
Richard and I took a deep dive into Elvis's first appearance in Vegas back in 1956, the unlikely friendships he made during his time in Las Vegas, the toll his Vegas residency took on his health, and the overall impact Elvis made on Las Vegas.
Elvis In Vegas: How The King Reinvented The Las Vegas Show is available from your favorite online book seller.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
So, you may have noticed this episode of the podcast is titled NOT The May Trip Report...and there's a very good reason it's called that.
Quite simply, there wasn't all that much to report from my most recent trip to Las Vegas.
As you may be aware, I had a trip planned to head to Vegas from May 29th to June 1st. I had a lot of big ideas of what I wanted to do while I was down in Vegas this time around but, as the old saying goes, "The best laid plans of mice & men often go awry"...and that's exactly what happened on this trip and I ended up leaving town a a day and a half early.
That's not to say I have nothing to report though; I still had a great experience staying at The Horseshoe and I managed to (finally) get to Las Vegas Ballpark to take in a Las Vegas Aviators baseball game. And, as per usual, I've got a few thoughts on what's happening in Vegas right now, particularly along the Las Vegas Strip.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
When you think "music" and "Las Vegas" there's likely a few names that come to mind almost instantly like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Liberace or Wayne Newton.
But I'm willing to bet that "Punk Rock" isn't even on your radar. However, a new attraction, sandwiched between the growing Arts District and the World-Famous Las Vegas Strip is hoping to change that.
The recently-opened Punk Rock Museum houses the world's largest collection of Punk Rock artifacts & memorabilia including posters, instruments, clothing, and artwork - all donated by the people who LIVED it.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Vinnie Fiorello, the former drummer & lyricist for the Ska-Punk band, Less Than Jake. Vinnie is also the Chief Marketing Officer and one of the co-founders of the museum.
Vinnie & I talked about the inspiration behind the foundation of the museum, some of the notable names who've come together to create the museum, and the incredibly unique experiences offered by the Punk Rock Museum.
If you'd like to learn more about The Punk Rock Rock Museum be sure to visit their website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.
Get your punk rock fix with the Punk Essentials Playlist on Spotify!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
It's been a busy couple of months around JDV-land and, as we head into the summer, things are shaping up to get even busier!
I thought it would be a good idea to jump on and give you a few updates on what's been happening in case you've missed out on some of the latest episodes, what I've got planned for my upcoming Vegas trip - happening as this episode is released, and share some of the cool stuff I've got planned for upcoming episodes of the podcast!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
The history of Las Vegas is jammed full of so many great stories about the mob and their involvement in the city but for this episode of the podcast, we're going in-depth on one that you might be be very familiar with.
Originally hailing from a small town in Texas that doesn't even exist anymore, Benny Binion rose to become a kingpin of the Las Vegas casino scene, creating a legacy that's lasted well beyond his death in the late 1980's.
Joining me to share Binion's story is Geoff Schumacher, Vice President of Exhibits & Programs at The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Geoff and I talked about what got Benny into gambling & organized crime, what prompted his move to Las Vegas from Dallas, the unique trends Benny set in the casino business, and how the Binion name lives on in Las Vegas today.
To learn more about Benny Binion & his legacy, pick up a copy of Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion by Doug J. Swanson or I'll Do My Own Damn Killin' by Gary Sleeper. You can also pay a visit to The Mob Museum and find out all about Benny Binion and the other famous (and infamous) people who helped to shape Las Vegas.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I generally try to keep things pretty light on the podcast and stay away from topics that some might consider "serious" or "controversial", but if I spot an issue that I think my listeners need to know about, I go for it. So, heads up...this might not be the Jeff Does Vegas that you're used to.
Human Trafficking is a massive problem around the world, and especially in Las Vegas; it might not come as much of a surprise to some people that Vegas has the 4th-highest rate of trafficking in the United States ranking behind Orlando, Atlanta and Washington D.C..
I wanted to take a dive into the issue, get to the root of the problem, and find out what's behind this high rate of human trafficking as well as but some of the myths & misconceptions surrounding it - and I think you might be very shocked by what you're about to hear.
To help me out with this topic, I reached out to a Las Vegas organization called The Cupcake Girls and my guest for this episode of the podcast is Amy-Marie Merrell, their Executive Director.
Amy & I discussed the work that The Cupcake Girls does with victims of human trafficking & sex trafficking as well as those working in the sex industry who are consensual sex workers, Amy shared some shocking facts about who's being trafficked and by whom they are being trafficked, and we talked about some of the legal changes Amy would like to see happen to better support & protect victims of trafficking.
If you want to learn more about The Cupcake Girls, support the work they're doing, or find the resources needed to get assistance, visit their website at TheCupcakeGirls.org. You can also follow them Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I make no secret about the fact that I absolutely LOVE food.
In fact, as anyone who listens to the podcast on a regular basis knows, when I put together my "Trip Report" episodes, I always mention that that being able to tell people about the meals I've enjoyed in Las Vegas is probably my favorite part of the trip.
So, when I was presented with the opportunity to chat with a Las Vegas-based chef who took her passion for cooking and turned it into a career, I jumped at that chance.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Chef Alicia Shevetone. Chef Alicia is a pop-up chef who regularly hosts events across the city, she's authored cookbooks, she makes appearances on local Vegas television, and she hosts her own online cooking show. She's also the creator of Dink Cuisine, a unique cooking concept for a very specific demographic.
Learn all about Chef Alicia, find out about Dink Cuisine, see where she'll be appearing and get your hands on her cookbooks by visiting Chef Alicia's website. Also, make sure follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Pre-order your copy of Chef Alicia's new cookbook, "Food With Spirit: Alcohol Infused Recipes" on Amazon.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Las Vegas bills itself as "the Entertainment Capital of the World" and it's easy to see why with all the big names performing up & down the Strip on a nightly basis...and it's been that way for decades. But how did that all come to be...and what role did the world of organized crime play in making it happen?
My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to help clear things up for us.
Making her second appearance on the podcast is Claire White, the Director of Education for the Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Last time Claire was on the show, we went in-depth on Liberace & the impact he had on the Vegas entertainment scene. We briefly touched on the topic of the mob and their place in Las Vegas's entertainment history, but I thought it might be fun to get Claire back to go into a little more detail.
We discussed the early days of Las Vegas entertainment, the Mob's role in helping to build up the industry in Las Vegas, and some of the prominent performers with alleged mob ties.
If you want to learn more about the history of Las Vegas & the role of the mob in establishing the entertainment industry, pick up a copy of Bright Light City: Las Vegas in Popular Culture by Larry Gragg. And be sure to pay a visit to the Mob Museum on your next trip to Las Vegas. Visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube!
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
After becoming the first ever magician to win America's Got Talent back in 2014, Mat Franco hit the Vegas strip with his show, Magic Reinvented Nightly at The Linq where he's been performing for almost 8 years.
On my last trip to Las Vegas, I had a chance to sit down backstage with Mat for a conversation. We talked about what got him into magic & his family's support through his career, his AGT experience, the recent re-vamp of his Vegas show, and much more!
For tickets & showtimes, you can visit MatFranco.com and be sure to follow Mat on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
In years past, the Las Vegas Strip was jammed full of a combination of large-scale production shows and mid-level headliners with the odd big-time residency tossed into the mix. And of course, there were also the casino lounges, packed full of people while Vegas's finest singers & musicians performed live.
But as you may have heard me talk about in past episodes - or even noticed on your own Vegas trips - the Strip has gone through a big shift when it comes to entertainment.
The large-scale productions are struggling, the mid-level shows have moved off the strip (or closed entirely), the casino lounges have gone silent & been replaced with sports books or high roller rooms, and Las Vegas Boulevard is littered with marquees touting high-priced monthly residencies from huge artists at almost every resort.
But what's behind this evolution? To get the answer, I went to an insider...
Vincent John from The Bronx Wanderers, who've been caught up in all these changes over the last few years, makes his THIRD appearance on the podcast.
Vincent and I have had a lot of "offline" discussions about the state of Vegas entertainment, but we thought it was time for him to come on the show and have a conversation "on the record".
You can catch Vincent John & The Bronx Wanderers LIVE in Vegas or out on tour across the US. Check their schedule and get your tickets NOW!
Listen to Vincent's solo work, streaming wherever you get your music including Apple Music and Spotify.
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Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
It's time for another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report!
This time around, we're re-capping my most recent trip to Vegas, from March 4-11, 2023. This was trip #2 of 2023 and was easily one of the busiest trips to Las Vegas that I've ever had!
I combined work and play for this trip; my wife joined me for a mini-vacation for the first few days of the trip, then I attended the Podcast Movement Evolutions conference at the Westgate Las Vegas Hotel & Casino for the last half of the trip.
Take a listen for reviews of my hotel experience at Luxor Las Vegas, our amazing meal at Mayfair Supper Club at the Bellagio, the time we spent seeing Mat Franco - Magic Reinvented Nightly at the Linq, and much more! I've also got tips & tricks for anyone planning on attending a conference/convention in Las Vegas, as well as some thoughts & opinions about what's happening in the city.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
The very first ever WrestleMania was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 31st, 1985. The brainchild of WWF owner Vince McMahon, WrestleMania played host to roughly 19,000 people at the Garden and was seen across the United States by over 1 million people via closed-circuit television. At the time, it was the largest pay-per-view wrestling event ever.
In the years following, Wrestlemania would become the most successful and longest-running pro wrestling event in history, even setting several attendance records with crowds of over 100,000 people cramming stadiums to watch the show.
But that doesn't mean it was all good...which brings us to this episode of the podcast.
In 1993, 9 years after that first WrestleMania, the WWF (now WWE) decided to try their luck at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with what was planned to be the most opulent WrestleMania ever. There were elephants, camels, Roman Gladiators, chariots, and even an appearance by Cleopatra & Julius Caesar.
Despite all of that, WrestleMania IX is often regarded as "the worst WrestleMania of all time" and my guest is here to help break down all the reasons why.
Mark Hoke is the host of The Mark Hoke Show, the number 1 rated Pro Wrestling radio show in Las Vegas.
As WrestleMania IX gets set to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Mark and I went in-depth discussing the event; everything from the choice of venue to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's memorable entrance to the politics behind the controversial ending.
You can listen to The Mark Hoke Show live Sunday mornings at 8am PT on Las Vegas's KDWN 101.5 FM and online via the Audacy app, or listen when you want wherever you get your podcasts.
Also, be sure to follow Mark on Facebook & Twitter for all the latest from the world of pro wrestling.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
One of the most serene spots along Las Vegas Boulevard also happens to be home to one of the biggest spectacles in the city's history:
That would be the fountains at Caesars Palace - and the attempt to jump over those fountains on a motorcycle by the legendary Evel Knievel!
During my last trip to Las Vegas, I caught up with Joe Friday from the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas. Joe was attending the same conference I was, as he's prepping to release a brand-new podcast all about the incredible story of Evel Knievel.
Joe and I talked about Evel's early life and how he got into stunt riding, how Evel "conned" his way into jumping the fountains at Caesars, his career following the jump, and much more.
Joe also shared some very cool Evel Knievel/Las Vegas news with me.
If you want to learn more about the history of Evel Knievel, you can visit the Evel Knievel Museum online and be sure to follow the museum on Facebook and Instragram.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Spiegelworld's Atomic Saloon Show is easily one of the best shows - if not THE BEST show - currently running on the Vegas Strip...and I'm very happy to be joined for this episode of the podcast by one of the incredibly talented cast members.
On my most recent trip to Las Vegas, I headed out to the super-secret Spiegelworld HQ for a chat with Petra Massey, better known as Boozy Skunkton, the proprietor of the Atomic Saloon & Brothel who also serves as the MC for the show.
Petra and I chatted about what got her into performing, her career before joining Spiegelworld, the early days workshopping Atomic Saloon, and much more!
Atomic Saloon runs 5 nights a week (2 shows each night) inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. Visit the Spiegelworld website to get your tickets and be sure to follow Atomic Saloon on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Hey Everyone!
It's going to be a busy couple of weeks around the world of Jeff Does Vegas!
I'm not going to be releasing any new episodes for a couple of weeks, but I didn't want to leave you hanging!
So, I thought I'd put together a little update/bonus episode to tell you what's going to be happening over the next while including upcoming interviews & episodes I'm working to put together, plans for my current Vegas trip, as well as new content I'm working on for the podcast.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I've had a few listeners reach out and ask me about doing an episode covering the topic of casino comps, tier statuses & loyalty programs, so I thought it was about time I actually got to it. And, even though I'm a member of several different Vegas casino loyalty programs, I really have no idea how they work.
So, I'm turning to an expert to help me out!
Shawn Coomer is the founder & editor-in-chief of Miles To Memories, a website dedicated to sharing the best tips & tricks when it comes to maximizing the benefits of travel reward & loyalty programs - including casino loyalty programs. Shawn is also a Las Vegas native and host of the Miles To Memories Vegas Podcast and Miles To Memories Vegas YouTube Channel.
Visit Miles To Memories for the latest news from the world of travel reward & loyalty programs and be sure to follow Miles To Memories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I always LOVE having other Vegas fanatics on the podcast to chat about the latest happenings in "Sin City". Back in Spring of 2021, I was joined on the show by Adam Bauer aka "Travel Fanboy" to talk about some of the big changes coming to Las Vegas. We discussed the sale of the Cosmopolitan to MGM, the sale of the Mirage to Hard Rock, and the impending re-branding of Bally's to Horseshoe.
A year has passed and all of those changes are either complete or well underway, so I decided to reconnect with Adam so we could share our thoughts on those projects as well as some of the upcoming openings and big events coming to the Vegas Strip.
Check out the official Travel Fanboy website for lots of great travel tips & tricks, as well as Adam's latest venture, Cheapskate Vegas, where you can learn to live like a high-roller on a low-roller budget.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Roughly 85 miles northwest of the Las Vegas Strip, you'll find what might be the most famous classified military installation in the world:
Area 51
If you believe what you see in pop culture, Area 51 - or "Homey Airport" as it's officially known - is the secret base where the U.S. Government stores dead alien beings & their spacecraft, and works on advanced technology like weather control, time travel, and teleportation.
But what REALLY happens there? My guest for this episode is going to help shed some light on the subject...maybe.
Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis is a Professor of Intelligence and Security Studies at Coastal Carolina University, where he's also the program manager for the partnership between the university and the National Security Agency (aka: the NSA). He's written several books on intelligence, espionage, and security and he's also a senior editor at IntelNews.org.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Here comes another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report! This time around, it's a recap of my most recent trip to Vegas from January 23-26, 2023.
I've got reviews of my stay at Planet Hollywood plus meals at Flight Club in the Venetian, Ramsay's Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay at Harrah's, and the famous Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge at the north end of the Strip. I'll also share thoughts on The Carroll Shelby Heritage Center and the Atomic Saloon Show at the Venetian.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
There's no question that Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, and all through the city's history, it's played host to some of the most legendary acts of all time.
Some names come to mind instantly, like The Rat Pack...Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr. There's Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton who's been headlining in Vegas since the mid-1960's. And of course, there's the King Of Rock N' Roll, Elvis Presley who sold out a record 636 shows at the International Hotel (later, the Las Vegas Hilton).
But one performer made his mark on Las Vegas before any of those people. In fact, some would say he paved the way for not only past legends but the massive residencies that would come decades later.
That performer is the one and only Liberace...
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Claire White, the Director of Education at The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Before she joined the Mob Museum, Claire spent several years working at the now-closed Liberace Museum, also in Las Vegas, where she learned all about the long & storied career of "Mr. Showmanship".
If you want to check out some of the highlights of Liberace's life, check these out:
- Liberace performing "Chopsticks"
- Liberace live with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
- Liberace's dual role as villains, "Chandell" and "Harry" on the classic TV series, Batman
- Liberace's appearance on The Muppet Show
- Liberace hosts on MTV in 1985
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Did you know that approximately 2% of the world's population uses a wheelchair AND that nearly 20% of people have a disability that limits one or more activities of daily living?
If you applied that math to Las Vegas, that means that roughly 840,000 wheelchair users and almost 8.5 million people with different levels of accessibility requirements travel to Vegas every single year.
In the various Vegas-related Facebook groups I'm a part of, I often see questions from people who are apprehensive about visiting the city due to the perception that Vegas isn't very wheelchair friendly.
I wanted to break that perception...so I've called in an expert on the subject of wheelchair travel.
John Morris is the founder & creator of WheelchairTravel.org, a website & blog where he shares his own experiences of travelling as a wheelchair user. And, like me, John is also a frequent Vegas visitor.
If you want to learn more about John & get all the info you need when it comes to travelling to Las Vegas with a disability, visit WheelchairTravel.org and be sure to follow John on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
In mid-December 2022, I was offered the opportunity to talk with the one and only Chris Hansen, formerly of Dateline NBC and perhaps best known for the famous To Catch A Predator series of investigative reports.
If you're not familiar with To Catch A Predator, allow me to explain:
A group of decoys playing the part of underage teen boys & girls enter online chatrooms and wait for adults to engage them in sexually explicit conversations. A meeting is set up, the predator comes to a house to meet who he believes is the minor he's been chatting with but instead he's greeted by Chris Hansen and local law enforcement.
But what does this have to do with Las Vegas?
As it turns out, Chris Hansen is headed to Vegas for a run of live shows at the Southpoint Hotel & Casino on February 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2022. He'll be talking about To Catch A Predator as well as his latest predator investigations, sharing behind the scenes & never-before-seen footage, and hosting an interactive Q&A session with the audience.
You can watch Chris's latest predator investigations streaming online at WatchTruBlu.com and be sure to follow Chris on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Get ready for another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report! This time, we're recapping mine & my wife's most recent trip to Vegas from December 11th-16th, 2022.
This episode includes reviews of our stay at Paris Las Vegas as well as meals at Roy Choi's Best Friend in Park MGM, Yellowtail Restaurant & Lounge at the Bellagio, The Steakhouse at Circus Circus, and others. Plus, I share our experiences at Cirque Du Soleil's Mad Apple, Reckless In Vegas and Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical.
I also discuss the latest at The Mob Museum (including drinks & food at The Underground) and share a few thoughts & observations on recent goings-on in Las Vegas.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
The Las Vegas Strip attracts all types of people.
Vacationers, gamblers, foodies, partiers...and daredevils. And there's one specific spot on the strip that's been particularly appealing to those who make their living defying death:
The Fountains at Caesars Palace
Since Caesars Palace opened back in 1966, the usually serene spot along Las Vegas Boulevard has played host to multiple brave - and possibly crazy - people who've attempted to jump their motorcycles over the famed fountains. Some have succeeded but many others have failed...spectacularly.
As we mark 55 years since the very first attempt on December 31, 1967, I invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy this specially re-mastered version of Sin City Stories: A Cunning Display Of Stunts.
If you want to learn more about these daredevils, check out the shownotes for Volume 4 of Sin City Stories featuring articles, photos, videos and more!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
As 2022 comes to an end, I've decided to take you all on a little trip back in time to re-visit some of my favorite conversations from the last 12 months of the podcast.
For the third & final instalment of 2022 In Review, I've decided to cover what is easily one of my favorite things to talk about - and based on your reactions to these episodes, I'm betting it's yours as well:
Las Vegas History
Over the past year, I've covered some pretty cool parts of Vegas history and been very fortunate to be joined by some amazing guests for these conversations!
If you want to check out their full episodes, here they are (in order of appearance):
- EP#124: Las Vegas Black History - The Rise & Fall of the Moulin Rouge
- EP#103: The Best Dam Episode Ever!
- EP#132: Bugsy - Fact vs. Fiction
- EP#126: Dark Tourism
- EP#120: "Rare" History - The Story of the Golden Steer
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
As 2022 comes to an end, I've decided to take you all on a little trip back in time to re-visit some of my favorite conversations from the last 12 months of the podcast.
This time on 2022 In Review, I'm jumping into the archives and re-sharing conversations with some of the excellent content creators I've had the pleasure of speaking with over the last year including authors, vloggers, bloggers & podcasters.
It was awesome getting them on the podcast to talk about Las Vegas and share their fantastic work with you!
If you want to check out their full episodes, here they are (in order of appearance):
- EP#105: Going Through Changes
- EP#127: Responsible Travel
- EP#112: LIGHTS OUT! F1 On The Vegas Strip
- EP#116: The Annoyed Pit Boss
- EP#130: The Vegas Confessions Podcast
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
As 2022 comes to an end, I've decided to take you all on a little trip back in time to re-visit some of my favorite conversations from the last 12 months of the podcast.
For the first episode of 2022 In Review, I wanted to pay tribute to the amazing entertainers who took time out of their busy lives to jump on the show for a chat.
Singers, musicians, showgirls, comedians and even an exotic dancer all made it on the podcast this year. We covered a ton of great topics and it was a blast talking to all these incredibly talented people!
If you want to check out their full episodes, here they are (in order of appearance):
- EP#125: Showgirls - Fact vs. Fiction
- EP#102: My Special Guest - Enoch Augustus Scott
- EP#115: Interview With A Dancer
- EP#131: My Special Guest - Dennis Blair
- EP#133: My Special Guest - Anne Martinez
- EP#109: My Special Guest - Carrot Top
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
When you really want to know what's going on in the Las Vegas entertainment scene, there's only one guy you need to turn to...and he's my guest for this episode of the podcast!
John Katsilometes is the writer of "Kats!", a daily column in the Las Vegas Review-Journal that covers everything & anything to do with entertainment in Vegas, both on and off the Vegas Strip.
John was kind enough to join me to chat about his beginnings in the world of journalism, how me moved from writing about sports to writing about entertainment, some of the big stories he's broken during his career, and much more!
Check out "Kats!" on the Las Vegas Review-Journal's website, follow John on Twitter & Instagram for all the latest happenings in Vegas, and check out his podcast, "Podkats!"
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Hey JDV Family!
I just wanted to take an opportunity to say "Thank You" for an absolutely incredible 2022!
As the year comes to a close, we're going to spend some time re-visiting some of the best episodes of the year with a series I like to call 2022 In Review!
I'm going to be jumping into the archives and re-sharing some conversations with some of my favorite guests from the past year.
The first episode of Jeff Does Vegas - 2022 In Review will be available December 12th...OR get all THREE episodes early and at once by becoming a Jeff Does Vegas Insider!
Back a few weeks ago, I decided it might be fun to step outside of my comfort zone and host an official Jeff Does Vegas Ask Me Anything session.
I put it out to you, the amazing listeners of this podcast, to ask me questions about anything you wanted to know - whether it was about Las Vegas, podcasting, my radio career, my personal life...literally ANYTHING.
And you guys didn't disappoint! You asked some really great questions - both in advance and during the session - and it was a blast to engage with everyone and answer them.
I hosted the original live stream on October 21, 2022 and, as promised, I'm now releasing it as a podcast episode. I've cleaned it up and done a bit of editing but, for the most part, it's presented here exactly as it happened.
If you'd like to check out the original video version of the Jeff Does Vegas Ask Me Anything live stream, you can find on the Jeff Does Vegas YouTube Channel.
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Back a few weeks ago, I decided it might be fun to step outside of my comfort zone and host an official Jeff Does Vegas Ask Me Anything session.
I put it out to you, the amazing listeners of this podcast, to ask me questions about anything you wanted to know - whether it was about Las Vegas, podcasting, my radio career, my personal life...literally ANYTHING.
And you guys didn't disappoint! You asked some really great questions - both in advance and during the session - and it was a blast to engage with everyone and answer them.
I hosted the original live stream on October 21, 2022 and, as promised, I'm now releasing it as a podcast episode. I've cleaned it up and done a bit of editing but, for the most part, it's presented here exactly as it happened.
If you'd like to check out the original video version of the Jeff Does Vegas Ask Me Anything live stream, you can find on the Jeff Does Vegas YouTube Channel.
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
On November 21, 1980, the Las Vegas Strip was the site of what would become the third-worst hotel fire in modern U.S. history and what to this day remains the biggest disaster in the history of the state of Nevada.
Early that morning, a small fire broke out in a restaurant on the ground floor of what was - at the time - the MGM Grand Hotel. The fire quickly spread, engulfing the casino level and sending thick black smoke & toxic fumes to the upper floors of the hotel. In the end, 85 people were killed and hundreds more were injured.
But what exactly caused the fire and led to such widespread fatalities & injuries? And what changes were made to ensure that something like this could ever happen again?
As we mark 42 years since this horrific event, these are the questions we aim to answer with this specially re-mastered edition of Sin City Stories: Inferno At The MGM Grand.
If you want to learn more about the history of the original MGM Grand Hotel, the fire that claimed the lives of 85 innocent victims, or any of the other incidents covered in this episode, check out the shownotes for Volume 2 of Sin City Stories featuring photos, videos, articles and more!
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Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
October 21, 1977 saw the release of what would eventually become one of the best selling albums of all time:
Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell
The idea for the album came from a musical that writer/composer Jim Steinman had conceived back in 1974. Meat Loaf & Jim spent most of 1975 re-writing & recording the album, then close to 2 years auditioning the record - and getting rejected by every single record company they presented it to.
After a concert video of the title track aired on BBC Television in the UK, the album gained A LOT of traction...and the rest, as they say, is history.
Bat Out Hell has sold 43 million copies worldwide, it's certified 14x Platinum in the US, and it's spent a record 530 weeks on the UK Album Charts.
Flash forward to the late 90's, when word of a new musical based on the album (and it's sequel, "Bat Out Of Hell II") begins to surface. The show was officially announced in 2008, workshopped in New York City in 2015, and finally hit the stage in the UK in 2017. After spending time in London's West End, Toronto, and touring around the world, it was revealed in early 2022 that the Paris Theater in the Paris Hotel & Casino would be home to a new resident production of Bat Out Hell: The Musical.
Joining me for this episode of the podcast is veteran Vegas performer, Anne Martinez, who plays the role of "Sloane" in the show.
Anne & I chatted about what initially brought her to Las Vegas a decade ago, we talked about her love for the music of Jim Steinman & Meat Loaf, and what makes Bat Out Of Hell such a special show.
For more info on Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical at the Paris Hotel & Casino, visit the show's website for showtimes/days & ticket info. For exclusive pics & videos, be sure to follow Bat Out Of Hell on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
In 1991, Warren Beatty jumped onto the big screen to portray one the most feared and most famous mobsters of all time...Bugsy.
The film, directed by Barry Levinson and co-starring Annette Bening (as Bugsy's longtime girlfriend, Virginia Hill) tells the story of Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and his role in the creation of The Flamingo and the building of Las Vegas as an "oasis in the desert".
Bugsy was minor hit, grossing just over $49 Million at the box office, receiving high praise from critics, and garnering several Academy Award & Golden Globe nominations including a Golden Globe win for "Best Picture - Drama". But despite all these accolades, just how historically accurate was the film?
My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to tell us.
Making his FOURTH appearance on the podcast is Geoff Schumacher, the Vice President of Exhibits and Programs at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. Geoff was kind enough to join me once again to help separate fact from fiction when it comes to the story of Bugsy Siegel.
Did Bugsy actually try to get into acting during his time in Hollywood? Who actually came up with the idea for The Flamingo? And was opening night at the casino really a total flop?
If you want to learn more about Bugsy & his associates and their place in Las Vegas history, plan a visit to the Mob Museum on your next Vegas vacation. You can also follow the Mob Museum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
And be sure to check out Geoff's previous appearances on the podcast including:
- Episode #22: Mob Rules
- Episode #62: Howard Hughes - Aviator, Innovator & Las Vegas Legend
- And Episode #87: Casino - Fact vs. Fiction
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Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
For this Podcast Flashback, I've decided to take a deep dive into the archives and, being that it's Halloween, I thought it might be fun to re-share something spooky. And it all starts with a simple question:
Do you believe in ghosts?
With Vegas's somewhat shady past & tales of tragedy, it should come as no surprise that Sin City has more than its fair share of creepiness floating around. A quick search on Google reveals several spots both on and off The Strip that are believed to be haunted by the spirits of the infamous, the famous, and the not-so-famous.
Way back on Episode #41 of the podcast, I was joined by Josef Kruger of Las Vegas Ghost Tours for a conversation about some of the creepiest & strangest stories of Las Vegas spooks & spectres!
If you want to learn more about Vegas Ghost Tours and book yourself on an upcoming tour, be sure to visit their website. Also, follow US Ghost Adventures on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all kinds of cool ghost stories not just from Vegas, but from all over the United States!
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Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Picture it...it's the late 1970's. You're a singer-songwriter working the bar scene in New York City. One night, after having enough of dealing with crowds that don't pay attention to you, you decide to mess around with the lyrics of a popular song and perform that on stage...and you manage to turn that into a career spanning almost 40 years.
That's exactly what Dennis Blair did.
Dennis is a Las Vegas-based comedian & musician who, over the course of the last 4 decades, has had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in comedy & music. He co-wrote a feature film, he's worked on TV specials, he's appeared on The Tonight Show and he recently released a book chronicling his time on the road as an opening act.
Dennis and I chatted about what got him into comedy, the early days of working with Rodney Dangerfield & what led to their falling out, life on the road with Joan Rivers, and what it was like spending 18 years as the opening act for George Carlin.
Visit Dennis's website to find out where you can catch him performing in Vegas, pick up a copy of his book, "Touring With Legends" from your favorite online bookseller, and check out his music on Apple Music & Spotify.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I love having fellow Vegas content creators on the podcast and I've been fortunate to talk to several. From bloggers to YouTubers to podcasters, I love learning about what got them interested in the city and what contributes to their drive to share their passion - and my guest for this episode is easily one of the most passionate Vegas podcasters I've ever chatted with.
Julian Romero is the host of the Vegas Confessions Podcast, which I can honestly say is one of the best Las Vegas podcasts available.
Julian and I talked about what initially got him into podcasting, what he loves about being a Vegas podcaster, how he's managed to turn a passion project into a full-time job, and much more!
You can follow Julian and the Vegas Confessions Podcast on Twitter and Facebook and be sure to search out the Vegas Confessions Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Also, before your next Las Vegas vacation, be sure to download the Vegas Near Me app so you can search out your favorite hotels, casinos, restaurants, attractions, shows and more!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
If you're a lover of that vintage Vegas vibe, but also a huge fan of the contemporary rock sound, you're going to LOVE my guest for this episode of the podcast
Joining me this time around is Michael Shapiro, front man for Reckless In Vegas who, after spending the last several years hustling their asses off around Las Vegas at various lounges and showrooms, recently landed their first ever residency gig at the legendary Sahara Las Vegas!
Michael & I discussed what initially got him interested in music, we talked about his early days working in cover bands & touring with other artists, he opened up about his addiction & recovery, and he shared what inspired him to create the unique sound of Reckless In Vegas.
If you want to learn more about Reckless In Vegas and get your hands on tickets to see them live at the Sahara, be sure to visit their website. You can also follow the band on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
You can also listen to Reckless In Vegas online on Apple Music & Spotify.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Heads Up: This episode of Jeff Does Vegas contains descriptions of an event that some people may find disturbing or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.
October 1, 2017.
It's a date burned into the memories of both Las Vegas residents and visitors. On that day, the Vegas Strip - a place normally associated with fun & frivolity - became a site of terror for thousands of people attending a country music festival.
From his suite on one of the high floors of a nearby hotel, a gunman opened fire on the crowd and in doing so, committed the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history with dozens of people killed, hundreds of people wounded, and the city of Las Vegas shaken to the core.
2022 marks 5 years since the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival and in honor of this tragic milestone, I've decided to release a re-mastered version of the Sin City Stories episode I produced about his incident.
We'll look at the response to the shooting from the people in the city, across the United States and around the world; We'll hear how Las Vegas has healed over the last 5 years; We'll learn about the person who perpetrated this awful attack; And we'll dig into the question that, to this day, still remains unanswered...
Why?
If you want to learn more about what unfolded on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas including the response of the brave heroes who rushed to the scene, the outpouring of support following the shooting, the investigation into the attack, and the tributes paid to victims following this tragedy, check out the shownotes for Volume 6 of Sin City Stories featuring articles, photos, videos and more.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Over the last several years, there's been a push in the travel industry for people to practice what's called "Responsible Travel". This is travel that's all about making choices to minimize the negative impacts of your travel in favor of ones that are neutral or contribute positively.
My guests for this episode are Erin Hynes & Kattie Laur, the hosts of Alpaca My Bags, a Canadian podcast that explores Responsible Travel.
During our conversation Erin shared what got her interested in travel & what inspired her to start blogging and podcasting as well as how she connected with Kattie & brought her into the fold, the ladies shared their experiences of their own Las Vegas vacations, and we discussed how to apply the principals of Responsible Travel to when visiting a city like Las Vegas - known best for total irresponsibility.
You can learn more about Responsible Travel by visiting Erin's website/blog as well as by following her on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. You can also follow Kattie on Twitter and visit her website as well. And be sure to listen to Alpaca My Bags wherever you get your podcasts.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Dark Tourism - otherwise known as Thana Tourism, Black Tourism, or Morbid Tourism - is the term used to describe travel to places that are historically associated with death and tragedy.
Dark Tourism destinations exist all over the world; from Nazi concentration camps in Poland, to the site of the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine, to Ground Zero in New York City. There are Jack the Ripper tours in London, Pablo Escobar tours in Colombia and even JFK assassination tours in Dallas.
But what is it that brings people to these types of attractions? Why has so-called Dark Tourism seen such a boom in recent years?
My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to answer that question...and many others.
Marta Soligo teaches Sociology of Leisure at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and is also a visiting professor at the University of Bergamo in Italy, where she teaches Sociology of Tourism. Marta has also done extensive research into Dark Tourism, specifically as it relates to celebrity culture.
Marta and I discussed what got her interested in studying tourism & leisure from the sociology side of things, why people are attracted to "the macabre", and she shared a few examples of Dark Tourism destinations in Las Vegas.
If you'd like to learn more about Dark Tourism, there are LOTS of great resources on line including Google Scholar (which has - literally - HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of great articles on the subject) and the website, dark-tourism.com featuring an extensive database of over a thousand Dark Tourism sites in 115 different countries around the world!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
There are some AWESOME Vegas movies out there. Classics like "Casino", "Oceans Eleven" and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". There are also some TERRIBLE Vegas movies out there...like "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone", "3000 Miles To Graceland" and "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2".
I think it's fair to say that the film we're discussing in this episode falls somewhere in the middle.
Considered to be one of the biggest box office bombs of all time, Showgirls (written by Joe Eszterhas, directed by Paul Veerhoven, and starring Elizabeth Berkley) has morphed into a huge cult classic.
Thanks to a steady stream of nudity & gratuitous sex, the film was given an NC-17 rating and to this day, remains the only film with that rating to have had wide release in US movie theaters. And although Showgirls wasn't based on a true story, Eszterhas and Veerhoven claimed they did "extensive interviews" with people in the Vegas entertainment community to make the portrayal of the showgirl world as accurate as possible.
So, did they get it right? We're about to find out.
My guest for this episode, making her second appearance on the podcast, is Dani Elizabeth - a legit Showgirl and former cast member of the legendary Vegas shows, "Jubilee" and "Crazy Girls".
Dani shared the story of the first time she saw Showgirls and how it almost led to a career change, we dove into the film with some character analysis & theories on why people watch the film over and over again, and we compared Dani's "showgirl life" to Nomi Malone's.
If you want to dive further into the world of Showgirls - and really, who wouldn't? - check out the documentary You Don't Nomi directed by Jeffrey McHale (available for sale & rent on your favorite streaming service).
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I've talked about a lot of Las Vegas history on this podcast and I absolutely love doing it. And, based on the reaction to the various Vegas history episodes I've released, it's pretty clear that you do too.
This time around, I'm covering a part of Las Vegas history that doesn't get the attention it deserves and if I'm being honest, it's a part of Las Vegas history that I really had no idea existed - and as someone who considers themselves a bit of a Vegas fanatic, I'm a little embarrassed by that fact.
Joining me on this episode is Claytee White, the Director of the Oral History Research Center at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. I asked Ms. White to come on the podcast to have a conversation about Black History and the African American Community in Las Vegas after hearing her appearance on the podcast, "Spectacle - Las Vegas".
Ms. White shared her story of what brought her Las Vegas and got her interested in Black History, we discussed the situation in Las Vegas leading up to the founding of the Moulin Rouge, and what led to the integration of Las Vegas Strip.
If you'd like to learn more about Black History, the African American Community in Las Vegas, and the Moulin Rouge, visit Documenting the African American Experience in Las Vegas, a project of the UNLV University Libraries. You can also check out the books, The Moulin Rouge and Black Rights in Las Vegas by Earnest N. Bracey and Storming Caesars Palace by Annelise Orleck.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Imagine being able to attend a concert featuring some of the greatest rock songs in history from artists like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, the Rolling Stones, the Who, AC/DC and Van Halen.
Now, imagine those songs being played by musicians from some of the biggest bands in the world like Whitesnake, Starship, the Cult and Heart.
Stop imagining it because it's reality. It's in Las Vegas and it's called Raiding The Rock Vault.
Raiding The Rock Vault has been a part of the Vegas entertainment scene for almost a decade with past residencies at the Westgate, the Tropicana and the Hard Rock Hotel with the show recently moving off the strip to the Rio to open a brand new venue, Duomo.
Joining me for a conversation is Sir Harry Cowell, co-creator of Raiding The Rock Vault.
Sir Harry and I talked about some of the incredible artists he's worked with over his long career in the music business, the inspiration behind the creation of Raiding The Rock Vault, the challenges of opening a new venue, and much more!
For more info & to snag tickets, visit Raiding The Rock Vault online and make sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Time for another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report! This time, we're going over my most recent trip to Vegas from July 25th-27th, 2022.
This episode includes reviews of my stay at The Mirage as well as meals at Village Cafe at Ellis Island, Ri-Ra Irish Pub in Mandalay Bay, Home Plate Bar & Grill off the strip, Otoro Robata Sushi & Grill at The Mirage and my not-so-awesome dining experience at Mabel's BBQ at The Palms.
I recap my experience touring Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders, talk about some of the changes I saw happening along the Vegas Strip, and I share a few observations on Vegas becoming the new "family vacation destination".
I also briefly discuss the homelessness situation in Las Vegas. If you want to help support this vulnerable population, please check out the following charities:
- Las Vegas Rescue Mission
- The Shade Tree
- Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
- Shine A Light
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
"In Vegas, everybody's gotta watch everybody else. Since the players are looking to beat the casino, the dealers are watching the players. The box men are watching the dealers. The floor men are watching the box men. The pit bosses are watching the floor men. The shift bosses are watching the pit bosses. The casino manager is watching the shift bosses. I'm watching the casino manager. And the eye-in-the-sky is watching us all." - Sam "Ace" Rothstein, "Casino", 1995
Since the days of Sam Rothstein and the Tangiers - or Frank Rosenthal and the Stardust, if you will - casino security has come a LONG ways.
The industry has moved on from binocular-carrying staff, wandering catwalks in the ceiling to a world of digitally networked video recording and facial recognition software...and my guest for this episode of the podcast is here to take us behind the curtain and into that world.
Charles H. Barry is an expert in casino and corporate security, surveillance & investigations and currently runs his own consulting firm. He has over 30 years in the field and has worked with several major gaming companies. Mr. Barry is also a former law enforcement officer, having worked as a detective with the Phoenix Police Department and as a Special Agent with the FBI.
Charles and I discussed the evolution of casino security over the last several decades, emerging threats to casinos & hotels, and the major event that forced gaming corporations to re-examine their security procedures from top to bottom.
If you'd like to learn more about Charles and the services he currently provides, be sure to visit his website.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
As frequent listeners to the podcast know, one of my favorite parts of visiting Vegas is the food.
Over the last several years, Las Vegas has become a Foodie's paradise with dozens of new restaurants opening each year, featuring celebrity chefs and cuisine you can possibly imagine. But you know what? No matter how hard you try, you just can't beat a classic.
The Golden Steer, located just off the strip on Sahara Boulevard is Las Vegas's oldest continually operating steakhouse. They opened back in 1958 and over the course of it's almost-65 year history, they've become legendary not only for their amazing steaks but for the incredible service, old Vegas atmosphere, and their famous (and infamous) customers.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Nick McMillan, Managing Partner of the Golden Steer. Nick and I talked about the early days of the Golden Steer, it's evolution from "western roadhouse" to "cool celebrity hangout", their place in Vegas Mob History, and what makes the Golden Steer different from other Las Vegas steakhouses.
If you want to learn more about the Golden Steer and make a reservation for your next Vegas trip, visit their website. And for drool-worthy pics of their awesome food, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
July 16th, 2022 marks the 77th anniversary of the detonation of the very first atomic bomb and to honor that milestone, I've decided to release a re-packaged version of one of my favorite episodes of Sin City Stories, my Las Vegas history spin-off podcast.
And although the actual test occurred in the desert just outside of Los Alamos, New Mexico, it led to one of the most interesting periods in Nevada's history and a very bizarre tourism industry for the city of Las Vegas.
Just as the cold war with Russia was beginning to heat up, the US Government selected a spot a little over 60 miles away from the glitz and glamour of the Vegas Strip where they could test atomic weapons. The explosions lit up the sky and the mushroom clouds that came with the blasts could be seen for miles around - including from the rooftops of the hotels in downtown Las Vegas.
If you want to go even further in-depth on the history of Atomic Vegas, check out the complete shownotes on the Sin City Stories website featuring articles, photos, videos and more! And if you've got a Las Vegas trip planned anytime soon, be sure to visit the National Atomic Testing Museum.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Welcome to another BONUS EPISODE of the podcast!
If you've been watching the news lately, then I'm sure you're aware of what's happening at airports all over the world.
Mass flight cancellations, huge delays, lost baggage, staff shortages and huge line-ups are just some of the problems plaguing flyers in recent weeks.
Adding to the problem is that after almost two years of a lot of the world not being able to travel anywhere, pent up demand has led to a lot of people hopping on planes for vacation, which in turn has put stress on an industry that might not have been ready for such a quick rebound.
As some of you may be aware, when I'm not doing the podcast, I work in operations for a major airline here in Canada, meaning I'm seeing first-hand the impact this craziness is having on travellers.
As such, I thought it might be helpful to share a few "insider tips" for anyone who might be planning a flight to Las Vegas (or anywhere in the world for that matter) to help make your trip a little smoother and even prepare you for the possibility that things might not go as planned.
There's a lot of information crammed into this episode, so I've made my notes downloadable for your own use!
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Las Vegas - or more specifically, Lake Mead, located just outside Las Vegas - has found itself in the spotlight as of late & is attracting the attention of two very different groups of people:
Mob Historians and Climate Scientists
Lake Mead is known as a water playground for both tourists & locals, but it's also one the United States' largest reservoirs providing water for over 20 million people across 3 states. However, due to drought and increased water demand, the lake's water levels have dropped drastically over the last several years, which has led to some bizarre and horrifying discoveries.
Returning for this bonus episode of the podcast to discuss recent events at Lake Mead is Anthony Smith, one half of the creative force behind Mayhem In The Desert, a Las Vegas True Crime blog that takes a deep dive into some of the stories that helped shape Las Vegas's history.
If you want to learn more about Vegas's true crime past and the darker side of Sin City, be sure to visit Mayhem In The Desert. Also, be sure to follow Mayhem In The Desert on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Anyone who knows me well knows I'm a MASSIVE airplane nerd. I love flying and everything to do with flying. Over the course of my life, I've had the chance to do some really cool aviation-related stuff from logging hours in a Cessna, to flying a full-motion Boeing 737 simulator, to visiting aviation museums around the world.
If you've ever wanted to try your hands at the controls of an airplane - and see some unique sights while doing it - my guest for this episode is the guy you need to talk to!
Paul Sallach is the founder & president of All In Aviation, a unique Las Vegas-based flight school that not only offers you a chance to learn how to be a pilot but do it while cruising over spots like Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and the Vegas Strip.
Paul & I chatted about what got him into flying, what sparked his move to Las Vegas and what makes All In Aviation different from other flight schools.
If you want to learn more about All In Aviation and maybe even set up your first flight lesson, head to their website and book today! You can also follow All In Aviation on Facebook and Instagram.
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
The world is FINALLY starting to feel normal. And part of that "normal" is a return to travel.
But when you haven't done something for a long time - for example, for two years during a global pandemic - it's easy to get out of practice and forget all those good travel habits you had that helped to keep you safe when you were venturing out around the world.
With more people starting to make the trek to Las Vegas (and elsewhere around the globe), I thought it might be helpful to put together an episode all about travel safety & security. After all, nothing can wreck a vacation faster than being scammed, losing your passport or ending up sick or injured.
And although some people may think I'm "fear mongering" here, I prefer to think of it as "worst-case scenario planning". I mean, it's better to have an umbrella and not need it than need one and not have it, right?
There's a lot to unpack here, so I've created a downloadable copy of my notes for your own use and here's links to some of the resources I used to put together this episode:
- 25 Important Travel Safety Tips Everyone Should Know (Expert Vagabond)
- 21 Travel Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself and Prevent Theft While Traveling (Practical Wanderlust)
- Travel Safety Tips - How To Have A Safe Vacation (The Planet D)
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Have you ever been at a casino, sitting at a table playing and wondered, " What's the dealer thinking right now?" My guest for this episode of the podcast is going to take you right inside that dealer's head - and share some amazing stories.
Eric Sherwood entered the gaming industry following what I like to call a "forced career change" first as a dealer, then becoming a pit boss. As he got further into the crazy world of the casino business, he realized the stories from his day-to-day life were too good not to share.
First came the Twitter account and then came the book, "Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt".
Eric & I discussed his entry into the gaming industry, what inspired him to create his Twitter account, and he shared some tips & tricks for novice players thinking of hitting the casino and spending time on the tables.
Get your copy of "Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt" from your favorite online book seller (either in paperback or digital format) and be sure to follow Eric on Twitter at Annoyed Pit Boss.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
According to a recent report, Strip Clubs in the United States - or "Gentleman's Clubs" as they're often called - are forecasted to pull in roughly $7.4 BILLION in revenue in 2022. In Las Vegas, there are over TWENTY different clubs for visitors to patronize. And often, visiting a strip club in Las Vegas is a person's first experience with this type of establishment.
If you've never been to a strip club, chances are you've got questions...and my guest for this episode of the podcast is the perfect person to answer them.
Her name is Keila and she's currently a dancer at a Gentleman's Club in Las Vegas.
In addition to discussing proper etiquette for anyone planning on visiting a club in Vegas, Keila was kind enough to chat with me about what got her into dancing, what her daily pre-and-post work routine entails, and we busted some of the myths & misconceptions about the people who work in her industry.
If you want to learn more about Keila & see what life as a dancer is like, follow her on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Every year, inventors come up with DOZENS of ideas for new casino table games, but only a handful actually make it to the casino floor. Maybe you've got an idea for a new game floating around in your brain and you've been wondering how to make it reality and get it out to the Vegas gaming community?
My guest for this episode could be the one to help make it happen!
Back for her third appearance on the show is Heather Ferris, the CEO & Founder of Vegas Aces Services.
This time around Heather & I chatted about the process behind creating a new game, what makes for a good casino game, and some of the challenges behind convincing casino execs to give a new game a chance.
If you want to learn more about Heather, Vegas Aces, and the services they provide be sure to go visit their official website. You can also follow Vegas Aces on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of one of the hottest shows on the Vegas Strip:
X Burlesque
Having opened back in 2002 at the Aladdin, the show now calls Bugsy's Cabaret home inside the legendary Flamingo Hotel.
Joining me for this episode of the podcast are Matt & Angela Stabile of Stabile Productions. Matt & Angela are the husband & wife team who created & produce X Burlesque. We talked about their early life in Vegas with Angela's involvement in several Las Vegas shows & Matt's family managing the career of a comedy legend. We also discussed the inspiration behind the creation of X Burlesque, and some of the challenges X Burlesque has faced over its two decades in Sin City.
For more information on X Burlesque - including tickets and show dates & times - visit the Flamingo Las Vegas online and be sure to follow X Burlesque on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Welcome to a fun-sized bonus episode of the podcast!
This time around, I just wanted to take a moment to drop into the feed to send out a few quick shout-out's and "thank you's" for what's been going on over the last few weeks and share some announcements about what's coming up on the show over the next little while.
There's LOTS of awesome stuff coming up in the next few weeks, so be sure to keep an ear out for that and in the meantime, be sure to check out some of the recently released episodes including:
- EP#112: LIGHTS OUT! F1 On The Vegas Strip
- EP#111: Hoop Dreams
- EP#110: Viva Las Crypto
- EP#109: My Special Guest - Carrot Top
- EP#106: The Big League
- EP#105: Going Through Changes
I also want to give a special shout-out to Ron Wrobel aka "@TrekkerRon" for inviting me on his podcast, "Con Pod: A Star Trek Convention Podcast". This year, Las Vegas's annual Star Trek Convention is making the move from off-strip at the Rio to on-strip at Bally's. Ron and I talked about what it's going to be like for Trekkies attending this year's convention to be smack-dab in the middle of the action. To check out the episode, follow the show on Twitter at @TrekConPod, listen to it here or find it wherever you get your podcasts.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Formula 1 is considered to be one of the premier forms of auto racing. The cars are the fastest regulated road-racing cars in the world with top speeds upwards of 350 km/h (215 mph).
F1 is also one of the richest sports in the world; with 22 races scattered across the globe, F1 reported over $2.1 BILLION in revenue in 2021 and it's not uncommon for the top drivers in the sport to earn well over $100 Million per year in salary alone.
So with all that money flying around, is it any wonder that Las Vegas wants a piece of that pie?
On March 30, 2022 the FIA and Formula 1, along with the City of Las Vegas & the State of Nevada, announced one of the worst kept secrets in motorsports: Formula 1 would be hitting Sin City in 2023.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Todd McCandless (aka "Negative Camber" aka "the Chief Opinion Officer") from The Parc Ferme Podcast, a long-running F1-centered podcast that goes in-depth into the world of Formula 1.
Todd and I talked about the rising interest in F1 in the United States, the so-called "Drive to Survive" effect on the sport and we took a deep dive into the upcoming F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, sharing our opinions on the track layout as well as the impact the race will have on the city - both positive and negative.
For all the latest from the world of Formula 1 Racing, go check out the Parc Ferme website, follow the Parc Ferme on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram, and check out the Parc Ferme Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
The WNBA was founded back in 1996 as the women's counterpart to the NBA and started league play in 1997. Originating with just 8 teams, the league has since grown to a total of 12 teams, one of which calls Las Vegas home.
The Las Vegas Aces have been playing ball since 2018 but their history goes back much further than that, and joining me on this episode to talk about that - and much more - is John Maxwell, the team's Director of Media Relations.
John & I sat down during my most recent trip to Vegas to talk about the team's arrival in the city & how they were received, what made Las Vegas an attractive market for the WNBA, and the Aces' passionate & loyal fan base.
If you want to keep up with the Las Vegas Aces, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For tickets, game schedule, merchandise and other information, visit the official Las Vegas Aces website.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Crypto Currency...Block Chain...Non-Fungible Tokens...Alt-Coins...
If you've been paying attention to financial news over the last few years, these are likely all terms that you've heard mentioned...but what the HELL are they? And how do they relate to Las Vegas?
My guest for this episode is going to do his best to break it all down for us in the simplest terms possible.
Making his second appearance on the podcast is Jake Gallen. Jake previously hosted a podcast called "The Guest List" where he interviewed Las Vegas creators, leaders & entrepreneurs. In early 2022, Jake re-branded and shifted focus to the world of Crypto & NFT's. He also founded a Crypto Consultation Firm called Nativ Research & has become heavily involved in the Las Vegas Crypto scene.
Jake & I connected on my last trip to Las Vegas and he was kind enough to explain what Crypto Currency is and how it works, what an NFT is & how they're currently being used, and we talked about the potential future for crypto & NFT's in the world of Las Vegas.
If you want to know more, be sure to visit Jake's Website and take a listen to the Jake Gallen Podcast. Also, be sure to follow Jake on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
My very special guest for this episode has been in the comedy business for over three decades. He's been on stage all over the world and has been on hundreds of TV shows including Live with Regis & Kelly, Gene Simmons' Family Jewels, Scrubs, CSI and he's made over THIRTY appearances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Carrot Top has been headlining his own show at the Luxor in Las Vegas for the last 16 years and recently signed an extension that will keep him there through to 2025.
Carrot Top and I talked about his early days of prop comedy, how he comes up with his material, the current state of comedy, his apprehension when he first signed on at the Luxor and much more!
Carrot Top performs in the Atrium Showroom at the Luxor Las Vegas 6 nights a week. Visit the Luxor's website for tickets and showtimes. To find out if Carrot Top is touring to a city near you, visit his official website and give him a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Welcome to another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report! This time around, we're chronicling my most recent trip to Vegas, from March 20th-23rd, 2022.
This episode includes reviews of my stay at Bally's as well as some of the great food I was able to partake in at Ri-Ra Irish Pub in Mandalay Bay, Tilted Kilt at the Linq Promenade, Village Cafe at Ellis Island, Makers & Finders in the Arts District, Home Plate Grill & Bar at the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard, and Water Grill at the Forum Shoppes at Caesars Palace.
I also share a few observations on the cost of ride share, restaurants & shops closing early, and how Vegas is "back".
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
There are literally hundreds of Las Vegas-related podcasts covering all sorts of topics from broad, general Las Vegas information (like trip reports, hotel reviews & interviews) to hyper-focused niches like history & sports betting.
Over the last while, I've been asked on a few occasions for my recommendations for Las Vegas podcasts...that AREN'T my podcast. So, I thought it was time to buckle down, make a list and put together some thoughts on my favourites.
There's a ton of great content out there and some absolutely amazing creators. Choosing just a few wasn't easy, but I hope you enjoy as I share the love for these fellow Vegas podcasts:
Vegas History:
- Mobbed Up: The Fight For Las Vegas
- Wild Things: Siegfried and Roy
- Spectacle: Las Vegas
Vegas Sports:
- SinBin Vegas
- The Vegas Fever Podcast
- Locked On Raiders
- Vegas Nation
- Silver & Black Pride
Vegas In General:
- The Vegas Confessions Podcast
- Talk About Las Vegas with Ira
- The Unofficial Vegas Podcast
- On the Corner of Main Street
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Ever since the Vegas Golden Knights made their NHL debut back in 2017, big league professional sports has been booming business in Las Vegas. And, following the relocation of the NFL's Raiders in 2020, we can expect to see even more teams & leagues calling Vegas home in the coming years with the NBA and MLB likely additions.
My guests for this episode to discuss the future of pro sports in Las Vegas are Jayson & Paula Williams, husband & wife hosts of The Vegas Fever Podcast, a new podcast that dives deep into the sports scene in "Sin City".
We talked about the impact the Golden Knights have had on Las Vegas, theorized about potential homes for NBA & Major League Baseball teams, and whether or not Vegas can continue to support the professional and minor league franchises that keep popping up in the city.
You can listen to The Vegas Fever Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and be sure to follow Jayson & Paula on Twitter!
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Anyone who's a frequent visitor to Las Vegas knows it's a city in a constant state of flux and, thanks to some changes in resort ownership along with a few re-brands & major overhauls, the Vegas strip is likely going to look very different in the coming years.
Joining me for this episode to discuss some of these upcoming changes is fellow creator and travel blogger, Adam Bauer - aka "Travel Fanboy". Adam got his start blogging about Las Vegas and has since expanded his horizons to include travel in general.
Adam & I shared our opinions on what we think the effects of these changes will be, what a volcano-less strip would look like, and we even dove into unfamiliar territory - rumours and speculation - regarding potential changes at the Tropicana.
Make sure you go ahead and follow Adam on Twitter & Facebook and be sure to check out the official Travel Fanboy website.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Shortly after I launched this podcast, I put together an episode called Vegas FAQ, where I gathered together some of the more common questions that I saw being asked about Las Vegas and attempted to answer them.
It's been over 2 years since I released the original Vegas FAQ and in that time, the city has gone through some big changes. As such, some of the information covered in that episode is no longer accurate & the LAST thing I want to be doing is sharing incorrect advice. Plus, with the easing/removal of COVID-related restrictions, there's a large segment of the population that might be making their first ever trip to Vegas and I'd love to help make that trip a little more enjoyable.
I go over A LOT of material in this episode - including money & budgets, getting around the city, how to choose hotels, restaurants & shows and I'll also be covering the "sin" in "Sin City" (alcohol, drugs & prostitution).
And because there's so much information jammed into this episode, I've made my notes available to you to as a downloadable PDF file.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Get ready...we're going on a little road trip.
We're heading about 35 miles southeast of the Vegas strip, to Black Canyon, where one of the greatest feats of engineering in the United States - and possibly the world - is located: Hoover Dam
Constructed in the late 1920's & completed in the early 1930's, Hoover Dam serves a multitude of purposes including flood mitigation & hydro-electric power generation. Present day, millions of tourists visit each year to both marvel at this amazing structure and to take advantage of the many surrounding amenities including Lake Mead and the numerous hiking trails in the area.
My guest for this episode is Patti Aaron, Public Affairs Officer for the Bureau of Reclamation in the Lower Colorado Basin. Patti and I talked about the history of Hoover Dam including its planning & construction, the "controversy" behind its name, some of the economic benefits of the dam's construction, and she shared some fun bits of trivia about Hoover Dam.
For more information on Hoover Dam and to plan your trip, visit the Bureau of Reclamation's website and be sure to follow Hoover Dam on Facebook.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
- This episode contains paid promotional content
Long-time listeners know that I'm a total Vegas history nerd. There's nothing I love more than digging into the history of Las Vegas and sharing those stories - and based on how well all of the Vegas history episodes I've done have been received, I'd say it's a fair statement to say that you guys enjoy it too.
As such, I'm happy to share news with you about a new podcast that I think you're really going to enjoy.
Pop culture podcast, Spectacle is back for its second season and this time around they're taking a deep dive into your favorite city and mine...LAS VEGAS!
Your host is journalist, artist and cultural critic, Brent Holmes - who also happens to be the son of longtime Vegas headliner & performer, Clint Holmes. In this series, Brent examines "Sin City" through the lens of pop culture. From mob movies to Elvis weddings and much more, each episode explores the story & impact of America's most unforgettable city.
To check out all of season 2 of Spectacle: Las Vegas, subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
My guest for this episode of the podcast has been a part of the Vegas performance scene for close to twenty years.
Enoch Augustus Scott got his start in Las Vegas with the classic show, Tony & Tina's Wedding. He currently stars as "Zenoch", the Host & MC of Zombie Burlesque at the V-Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
Enoch & I discussed what initially got him interested in entertaining, some of his early Vegas gigs, his pandemic project (The Tiger Thing), and he shared what might be the most "only in Vegas" story ever.
Start following Enoch on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and be sure to visit the official Zombie Burlesque website for tickets & show info.
Also, check out the original Tiger Thing concept videos on YouTube.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
My guest for this episode of the podcast is a somewhat "unique" performer.
John Shaw is a magician, illusionist...and sideshow stunt artist.
He spits fire, swallows swords, eats light bulbs, and dangles paint cans from hooks attached to his eyelids. And that's just a small sample of his repertoire.
Over the years, John has appeared on numerous TV talk shows, most recently on the Late Late Show with James Corden.
Currently, you can find him freaking out the visitors at Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum and performing twice-weekly with Late Night Magic at the Alexis Park All-Suite Resort Las Vegas.
John & I talked about the crazy path that brought him to Las Vegas, his past TV appearances & the lessons he learned from them, what got him interested in magic & sideshow performances, and some of the various injuries he's sustained as part of those performances.
Be sure to follow John on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook.
If you want to see John in Late Night Magic, get your tickets via TicketKite.com or Vegas.com.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Back in March 2021, for various reasons, I put this podcast on a hiatus. However, I noticed people were still listening and downloading past episodes. As I watched the numbers grow, I made a commitment that when I hit 100,000 total downloads, I'd start releasing new episodes again.
I hit that mark in September of 2021 and since then, I've had the chance to have some great conversations with some incredible guests.
As I reach another milestone - Episode #100 - I thought it would be fun to go back and re-share some highlights from a few of those recent conversations.
If you want to check out the complete conversations, check out (in order of appearance):
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Episode #88: My Special Guest - Jonathan Jossel
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Episode #96: Show Me Vegas
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Episode #89: Vegas Unfiltered with Sam Novak
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Episode #94: Guys Gone Vegas
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Episode #91: Crime & Punishment - Mayhem in the Desert
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Episode #93: Beneath the Neon - The Tunnels of Las Vegas
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Episode #95: My Special Guest - David Perrico
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Episode #92: Reinvention - The Family-Friendly Era
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Welcome to another world famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report! This is an episode that's been almost 2 years in the making, chronicling my & my wife's most recent trip to Las Vegas, from December 11th-18th, 2021. This was also my first trip to Vegas since January 2020, which was right before COVID-19 shut down the world.
Being that this was our first trip in a very long time, we covered a lot of ground on this trip - meaning this is a king-sized trip report!
This episode includes reviews of our experience staying at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as well as meals at Hussong's Cantina in the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay, Noodle Den at the Sahara, District and Lardo at the Block 16 Urban Food Hall at the Cosmo, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar at the Venetian, Maxie's at the Linq Promenade, Ri-Ra in the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay, The Henry at the Cosmo, Village Pub & Cafe at Ellis Island, and Oscar's Steakhouse at The Plaza in Downtown Las Vegas.
I've also got reviews on the shows we checked out including Fantasy at the Luxor, the Magic of Jen Kramer at the Westgate, the Bronx Wanderers at the Westgate, America's Got Talent Las Vegas Live at the Luxor and the Mondays Dark 8th Anniversary at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
And, as always, I've got a few extra thoughts to share as well as a few tips & tricks that might make your next Vegas vacation just a little more enjoyable!
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Admittedly, this episode is a bit of a "cheater", in that it's not a really a new episode per se; it's a slightly repackaged version of one of my favorite episodes from my spin-off podcast, Sin City Stories, where I take deep dives into Las Vegas history.
So why am I doing this? Well, I'll tell you...
December 26, 2021 marks the 75th Anniversary of the opening of one of the most iconic resorts in Las Vegas...The Flamingo.
Part of the Vegas landscape since 1946, it was the brainchild of a LA-based nightclub owner, restaurant owner and entertainment news publisher who wanted to create one of the most luxurious hotels & casinos Las Vegas had ever seen.
But that's not what legend & pop culture would have you believe. And, as you're about to find out, sometimes the truth is WAY more interesting than fiction.
If you want to go more in-depth on the history of The Flamingo, visit the official Sin City Stories website for photos, news articles and more!
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Sin City has served as the setting for dozens of movies over the last 75 years. Drama, comedy, horror, action...films of every genre have used Las Vegas as a backdrop. And if you've ever wanted to visit the spots where some of your favorite Vegas movie scenes were filmed and get the backstory on those scenes, my guest for this episode of the podcast has you covered.
Chris Ramirez is the CEO and founder of Las Vegas Movie Tours, a brand new tour experience that takes riders along the famed Vegas Strip, through the arts district and into Downtown Las Vegas showing off the spots that served as the settings for films like The Hangover & The Hangover Part III, Austin Powers, Jason Bourne, Oceans Eleven, and many others.
Chris and I discussed his background in the movie industry, what attracts film makers to Las Vegas and the inspiration behind the creation of Las Vegas Movie Tours.
If you'd like more info on Las Vegas Movie Tours and want to book your place on the tour, visit their website and secure your spot today! You can also follow Las Vegas Movie Tours on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I love having other Vegas content creators on the podcast. It's always a blast having conversations with people are as equally - or even more - passionate about Las Vegas as I am.
My guests for this episode are Jordan & Ashden, the creators of Show Me Vegas on YouTube.
Hailing from Missouri, the couple makes frequent trips to Las Vegas, sharing their adventures with their 3500+ subscribers. They do live streams, room & hotel tours, restaurant & show reviews, and have recently launched a weekly Vegas news video series titled, This Week In Vegas.
We talked about what sparked their love of Las Vegas, what inspired them to start vlogging their Vegas trips, some of their favorite spots to stay & play, and much more.
Subscribe to their videos on YouTube and follow them on Facebook for exclusive content.
And, check out Jordan & Ashden's video review of Aria that got them a whole lot of attention!
__________________________________________________________________________
Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
My guest for this episode of the podcast is "Best of Vegas" award-winning trumpeter, composer, producer and conductor, David Perrico.
If you've ever spent any time at the legendary Cleopatra's Barge in Caesars Palace, there's a very good chance you've seen David performing with his Pop Strings Orchestra, in which he takes some of the best musicians in Las Vegas and fuses together Pop Music with Classical Music. And, in addition to Pop Strings Orchestra, David is also the creator & arranger of Pop Evolution, a mash-up of Pop & Big Band music.
Just this year, David landed what might be the most amazing gig ever: House Band at Allegiant Stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders.
David and I talked about what it's like performing in front of 65,000 screaming NFL fans, the inspiration behind creating Pop Strings Orchestra & Pop Evolution, other projects he's working on and much more.
Find out where David is going to be performing next, by visiting his website or following him on Facebook & Instagram.
And, if you want a sample of what Pop Evolution and Pop Strings Orchestra are all about, check these out!
Pop Strings Evolution performing Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" (YouTube)
Pop Strings Orchestra performing Journey's "Separate Ways" (YouTube)
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
"VEGAS BABY!!!"
That's the battle-cry heard in pretty much every airport around the world, as groups of guys get set to board their flights for what they hope will be the ULTIMATE guys' trip to Las Vegas. But will it be a trip to remember for all the WRONG reasons? My guest for this episode is here to help make sure that's NOT the case.
David Demontmollin is a 20-plus-year casino industry veteran, star of Discovery Channel's series "American Casino" and the author of "The Las Vegas Little Black Book: A Guys Guide To The Perfect Vegas Weekend".
David and I discussed how to plan an amazing trip to Vegas for you and your pals, covering everything from the perfect time of the year to travel, to picking your hotel, to how to get into nightclubs and much MUCH more.
Order "The Las Vegas Little Black Book: A Guys Guide To The Perfect Vegas Weekend" on Amazon (along with David's other book, "Classic Vegas Mistakes") and be sure to follow Classic Vegas Mistakes on Twitter.
Also, check out David's past appearance on the podcast on Episode #16 - "Classic Vegas Mistakes".
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Below the glitz & glamour of the Vegas Strip lies a massive network of underground tunnels. In addition to serving the practical purpose of directing flash flood water away from the big casinos & resorts, the tunnels have become a living space for hundreds, if not thousands, of homeless people in the city of Las Vegas.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is intimately familiar with these tunnels, having spent time interviewing dozens of their residents for his books "Beneath the Neon" and "Dark Days, Bright Nights".
Matthew O'Brien is a writer, editor and teacher who lived in Las Vegas for twenty years. He's considered an authority on homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels and is the founder of Shine A Light, a program that helps people living in the tunnels and provides them with the resources to get out of the tunnels.
We discussed Matthew's first experiences with the tunnels of Las Vegas, the work that went into writing "Beneath the Neon", what inspired him to found Shine A Light, and much more.
If you'd like to purchase "Beneath the Neon", "My Week At The Blue Angel" or "Dark Days, Bright Nights" you can visit Matthew's website at beneaththeneon.com.
If you want to know more about Shine A Light and see the amazing work they do, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
(NOTE: I shouldn't have to say this, but I will. DO NOT go exploring the storm drains under Las Vegas. It's a very hostile environment for anyone who's not familiar with the miles and miles of tunnels. By going into the tunnels, you're risking severe injury or even death.)
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
"The only constant in life is change" - Heraclitus
There's nowhere else in the world where that statement is more accurate than Las Vegas.
It's constantly evolving, always trying to find new ways to bring new people - and revenue - to the city. And from the late 1980's through to the early 2000's, Las Vegas made the conscious decision to cater to a group of travellers whom they'd never attempted to attract before:
Families.
From castle-shaped hotels, to pirate battles in the desert, to full-blown amusement parks, Las Vegas made no secrets about who they wanted to come to the city during that time in history. But where did it all start? And how did it end up?
My guest for this episode of the podcast is UNLV professor and Las Vegas historian, David G. Schwartz. David & I discussed some of Las Vegas's early attempts at being family-friendly, what led to the push to try to attract families to the city, and the eventual shift away from that strategy.
Want to learn more about Las Vegas's family-friendly era of the 1990's? Visit these links:
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"Family Friendly Las Vegas: An Analysis of Space and Time" - Diana Tracy Cohn
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"Column One: Las Vegas Gambles on Families" - LA Times (Sept 23, 1994)
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"The Sun's List Of Shuttered Family Friendly Vegas Attractions" - Las Vegas Sun (Feb 23, 2012)
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"Family Friendly Las Vegas of the 90's" Panel Discussion (Video) - The Neon Museum (2016)
And as discussed, check out the "Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins" TV special that ran on NBC-TV in 1994 to promote the opening of the Treasure Island Resort.
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
I've covered a lot of Las Vegas history on this podcast, but something I've never really taken a deep dive into are some of the fascinating true crime stories from the city's past. There's a lot of info out there about some of the more "notorious" cases, but my guests for this episode like to focus on some of the lesser-known crime stories.
Anthony & Meagan Smith are the creators of Mayhem In The Desert. Born & raised Las Vegans (and legit "true crime junkies"), they took it upon themselves to start chronicling some of the extremely interesting and sordid tales that helped shape the history of Sin City.
We talked about what it was like growing up in Las Vegas, what inspired them to create the website, and their writing & research process. They also shared some of their most favorite Las Vegas true crime stories.
Head over to Mayhem In The Desert & start reading some of these incredible stories. And, be sure to follow Mayhem In The Desert on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Reddit.
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
After operating for almost 25 years, the former Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - just off the Vegas strip at the corner of Harmon Avenue & Paradise Road - shut its doors on February 3, 2020 in preparation for a massive re-brand and renovation to become the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, which officially opened in March 2021.
In addition to being Sir Richard Branson's first entry into the Vegas market, it also marked the first tribal casino presence in the city with Mohegan Sun Gaming & Entertainment taking over operations of the new 60,000 square foot casino.
My guest for this episode is Joe Hasson, the General Manager of the Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. We discussed his early career & how he got into casino management, the partnerships between Mohegan Sun & the other operators on site, and the challenges of opening a new property during a global pandemic.
For more information on Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit their website where you can also book your stay at the resort.
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
"Probably Biased. Definitely Honest."
Sam Novak has been been using that tag line over the last few years for his blog, Vegas Unfiltered.
Sam has become known around Las Vegas as the guy who isn't scared to share his opinion. Whether it's a show, restaurant, hotel or any other Vegas attraction, if it's a complete and total train-wreck, he'll tell you exactly that. However, if it's worth your time & money, he'll tell you that as well.
Sam and I talked about what inspired him to create Vegas Unfiltered, we reminisced about some of his more "savage" reviews, we discussed the changing Vegas entertainment scene, and much more!
You can follow Sam on Twitter & Facebook, and be sure to check out Sam's unfiltered reviews & recommendations at Vegas411.com and the Vegas Unfiltered blog.
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
When it first opened on July 1, 1971, at the corner of First and Main in Downtown Las Vegas, The Plaza Hotel & Casino was billed as "the largest hotel & casino in the world" with more than 500 rooms on the property.
Over the last half-century, in addition to cementing itself in Las Vegas pop culture, the property itself has seen a variety of changes. It's been through renovations, upgrades, and ownership changes.
And as the Plaza celebrates it's 50th Anniversary, I'm joined on this episode of the podcast by Jonathan Jossel, the CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
We talked about his pre-Vegas life & what brought him to Las Vegas, what's behind the recent uptick in interest in Downtown Las Vegas, his plans for the future of the Plaza, and much more.
Be sure to follow Jonathan on Twitter & Instagram and make sure you check out the Plaza's official podcast, "On the Corner of Main Street" by heading to the Plaza's website (or wherever you listen to podcasts). While you're there, book yourself a stay and take in some of their 50th Anniversary celebrations!
__________________________________________________________________________
Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Wow. Honestly, I can't believe I've reached this milestone:
100,000 total downloads.
Again...WOW.
To the listeners, to the guests, and to everyone who helped me get to this point...an absolutely MASSIVE "Thank You".
Let's celebrate together!
And, get ready for LOTS of new episodes coming soon!
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Las Vegas is built on dreams.
Whether it's the people who travel to the city every year dreaming of scoring a big jackpot or the investors, developers, designers and architects who dream of having their next big project come to life on the world-famous Vegas Strip.
Unfortunately, not every dream comes true.
From a resort based on a disastrous maiden voyage, to a hotel & casino built around professional wrestling, to what would have been the first ever "mega-resort", the history of Las Vegas is filled with these so-called shattered dreams.
That's what this episode of Sin City Stories is all about as we take a deep dive into What Might Have Been...
If you want to learn more about these unbuilt resorts & hotels, visit the Official Sin City Stories Website for photos, videos and more!
Warning: This episode of Sin City Stories contains descriptions of an event that some listeners may find disturbing or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.
October 1, 2017.
It's a date burned into the memories of both Las Vegas residents and visitors. On that day, the Vegas Strip - a spot normally associated with fun and frivolity - became a site of terror for thousands attending a nearby country music festival.
From his suite on one of the high floors at a nearby hotel, a gunman opened fire on the crowd, committing the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Dozens were killed, hundreds were wounded and Las Vegas was shaken to the core.
But who would perpetrate such and attack...and why? What was the response from the city, the country and the world? And how has Las Vegas healed since this tragic event.
That's what you'll find in this episode, as we take a deep dive into 10/1/17.
If you want to learn more about what unfolded at Route 91 on October 1, 2017 - including the response from the brave heroes who rushed to the scene, the outpouring of support that came after the attack, the tributes paid to those who were lost, and the investigation into the incident you can visit the official Sin City Stories website.
The 1995 movie, "Casino" directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone is, in my opinion, an absolute classic and a must-watch for anyone at all interested in Las Vegas.
The film - which just celebrated its 25th anniversary - tells the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein, an expert sports-handicapper who's sent to Las Vegas by the Chicago Outfit to oversee the skimming operations at the fictional Tangiers Hotel & Casino.
"Casino" is based on actual events and pulls its story from the book, "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas", written by Nicholas Pileggi who co-wrote the screenplay along with Martin Scorsese.
As always, whenever a book based on a true story makes a move to the big screen, there's certain plot points that tend to be overly dramatized (or even flat-out made up) for the sake of entertainment. My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to help shed some light on some of the Fact vs. Fiction aspects of "Casino".
Geoff Schumacher is the Vice President of Exhibits & Programs at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. He was kind enough to join me to help separate reality from fantasy when it comes to the world of "Ace" Rothstein/"Lefty" Rosenthal.
Did hotel security actually smash a cheater's hand with a hammer? Did an FBI surveillance plane actually run out of gas and land on a golf course fairway? Was there really an issue with blueberry muffins?
We get the answers to these questions - and many more!
Visit The Mob Museum's official website and be sure to follow them on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Mob Museum's YouTube channel where you can check out virtual tours, special presentations and more!
And if you want to really get into Las Vegas history and read the true story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, Anthony Spilotro, the Hole in the Wall Gang and the massive Stardust skimming operation, pick up your copy of "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas" by Nicholas Pileggi.
I do A LOT of solo traveling, particularly to Las Vegas - but I've also done solo trips to other cities including Seattle, Toronto and Los Angeles.
People often ask me what the appeal is of traveling solo.
Don't I get bored? Do I worry about my safety? What does my wife think about me traveling solo? (The answers to those questions are, in order: no, no and she's fine with it since I'm usually doing stuff she doesn't like)
A lot of folks won't take the jump and book a solo vacation, but I'm hoping my guest for this episode of the podcast might help change a few minds.
Janice Waugh is the founder of Solo Traveler World, a website & online community devoted to people who love to travel solo.
Janice & I talked about the inspiration behind her creating Solo Traveler, the best ways to plan a solo trip, the mistakes to avoid while traveling solo and how to stay safe & out of trouble when you're on your own in a strange city.
If you'd like to connect with Janice & the Solo Traveler community, visit their website at SoloTravelerWorld.com, follow them on Twitter & Instagram, or join the Solo Travel Society on Facebook.
One of my favourite things about being a frequent Vegas visitor and having friends who live there has been them taking me away from the tourist areas to check out some of the locals' spots around the city.
And I've been noticing more and more lately that people have been asking about these locals' spots; they want to know some of the cool places around Las Vegas where the residents go to eat and hang out - and my guest for this episode is here to help out!
Robert Harley is a Vegas local who runs a vlog called "Let's Get Vegasy". He does live videos on Facebook & YouTube on an almost-daily basis showing his adventures around the city, and something he focuses quite heavily on is the food & beverage scene. So, I thought it would be helpful for Robert to jump on the show and share some his picks for these so-called "hidden gems".
We talked about the big three - Pizza Joints, Steakhouses & Dive Bars - as well as a few other spots that Vegas visitors might want to check out.
If you want to check out Robert's latest videos, you can join the Let's Get Vegasy Facebook Group or subscribe to the Let's Get Vegasy YouTube Channel!
I think we've all had that experience where a bunch of time passes and we have no idea where it's gone. Whether it's while driving down the highway, surfing social media or - sitting at a slot machine in a casino in Las Vegas.
But what causes that effect? Why do our brains drift away like that and take us out of reality?
My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to help us understand.
Spencer Murch has a PhD in Psychology & Cognitive Science from the University of British Columbia and, over the last several years, has been involved in several different research projects surrounding the cognitive science of gambling. Recently, Spencer completed a study surrounding "immersion" and being "zoned in" or "zoned out" during slot play.
Spencer took the time to jump on the show with me to explain the methodology behind the study and share the results of his research. We also talked about the part slot designers play in creating that "immersion", what the future of gaming may hold and how to avoid "zoning in" or "zoning out" while playing slots.
If you'd like to learn more about the psychology of slot machines, check out:
- Research Snapshot: Exploring zoned-in or zoned-out immersion during slot machine gambling
- Research Snapshot: The relationship between dark flow, depression, and multiline slot machines
Or pick up a copy of the book, "Addiction By Design" by Natasha Dow Schull.
I always love having other "Vegas fanatics" on the podcast, and my guest for this episode definitely falls into that category!
Joining me from "across the pond" is Steve White, better known on Twitter as @LasVegasUK. If you've ever listened to the ZorkCast presented by TravelZork, you'll recognize Steve as the British half of the show. Steve is also extremely well-versed in all things Vegas.
Steve & I chatted about everything from our predictions on potential changes coming to Las Vegas, to our very first trips to Vegas, to the unique Vegas guide that Steve is in the process of writing. Also, being that Steve is in the UK under full-on lockdown and I'm in Canada facing extremely strict rules surrounding travel, we thought it was worth having a discussion about travel restrictions & the impact they're having on international travellers.
Start following Steve on Twitter right now and be sure to check out ZorkCast, the official TravelZork podcast, for great Las Vegas advice - and travel advice, in general.
My guest for this episode is a Vegas Showgirl - and I'm not talking about the "showgirls" you see strolling the strip, posing for pictures with tourists. I mean, a LEGIT Las Vegas Showgirl.
Dani Elizabeth began dancing as a small child - and she just never really stopped.
Growing up in upstate New York, Dani studied marketing & advertising in University and continued to dance through her college years with her school's dance team, an arena football team and even performing as a superhero at a Six Flags theme park. From there, she was off to Los Angeles, where she had the opportunity to train with a world-renowned Broadway dancer & choreographer.
From LA, she headed to Vegas where she joined the cast of of one of the most legendary shows in Las Vegas history: Donn Arden's "Jubilee" at Bally's. She performed there until the show's closure in 2016, following which she joined the cast of yet another legendary Vegas show, "Crazy Girls" at Planet Hollywood, where she's since worked as a dancer in the production and now serves as the show's host.
Dani & I talked about all of this during our conversation, as well as how she's been staying busy during the COVID-19 shutdown - including launching a new business with her fiancee, who also happens to be another Vegas headliner.
If you want to keep up with what Dani is up to, be sure to follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. To see Dani performing live in Crazy Girls, visit the show's official website for tickets & info!
Only twice in recent history, has Las Vegas seen a so-called "shutdown" of the famed Vegas Strip.
In November 1963, casinos closed their doors for a National Day of Mourning following the assassination of then-US President John F. Kennedy. That closure lasted about 17 hours and even then, only a few casinos took part with several just shutting down their gaming areas for the duration of the funeral - about 3 hours.
The next shutdown would happen 57 years later...and last much MUCH longer.
Due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak issued a directive ordering a month-long closure of all non-essential businesses as well as a freeze on all gaming & gambling, effective March 18, 2020. This essentially brought Las Vegas to a screeching halt.
Originally slated to last 30 days, the total shutdown lasted almost 90 days.
To say the effects of the closure were "devastating" for the people who live & work in Las Vegas would be the understatement of the century. And, due to ongoing restrictions & limitations, the effects are still being felt to this day - almost 10 months later.
Joining me for this episode of the podcast is C. Regi Rodgers, the Managing Partner & Director of Entertainment for Connoisseur Entertainment and Action Shot Productions. Regi & his partner, Stephen Cibo are behind a new documentary called "Closed For Business", which gets up close & personal with the people who've been hit hardest by COVID-19 in Las Vegas.
Regi & I chatted about the inspiration behind the production, some of the stories shared by people appearing in the documentary and much more.
Be sure to check out the trailer for "Closed For Business" and follow Regi & his team on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
And if you'd like to help get "Closed For Business" completed & released, become a backer on INDIEGOGO.
Las Vegas is officially the magic capital of the world, currently playing host to multiple magic shows - not to mention some of the legendary performers who've graced the Vegas Strip throughout its history.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Jen Kramer, who's currently headlining "The Magic of Jen Kramer" at the famed Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, which she opened in May 2018.
Named "Female Magician of the Year" by the International Magicians Society and recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree by VEGAS INC, Jen has also appeared on Penn & Teller's "Fool Us", Penn & Teller's "Try This At Home" and "Masters of Illusion".
Jen joined me for the podcast to talk about how she became interested in magic, the time she spent attending Yale & founding the Yale Magic Society, her charity work with Magicians Without Borders, how she landed her Vegas headlining gig...and much more!
If you want to learn more about Jen and check out some her amazing illusions, you can visit her official website, subscribe to her YouTube Channel or follow her on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Back in September 2019, I released an episode titled "Vegas FAQ", which was essentially a round up of the Vegas-related questions that I was seeing posted over and over again on Twitter & Facebook as well as the questions that I personally was being asked most often.
I covered a ton of material in that episode; everything from money & budgets to booze, week & prostitution laws.
Here we are, a little over a year later, and the world is a VERY different place. And, thanks to "the 'Rona", the questions being posed now have changed A LOT.
As such, I thought it might be useful to release an updated version of "Vegas FAQ" with answers to several of the most popular Vegas/COVID-related questions. This episode covers everything from mask guidelines & mandates to capacity restrictions in restaurants to transportation options and much more.
I'm also going to share my opinion on whether or not it's possible to "have fun" in Las Vegas right now - which seems to be the #1 most-asked question.
This episode does come with a bit of a caveat: All the info presented here is accurate & correct as of the time of recording/publishing. However, if the last 10 months have taught us anything, it's that things can change - literally - overnight. If you do decide to take a trip to Las Vegas, I'd highly recommend doing your own research into rules, restrictions & guidelines.
For the latest information on Las Vegas & COVID-19, visit the following resources:
City of Las Vegas - Coronavirus Update
Southern Nevada Health District - COVID-19
Clark County - COVID-19 Updates
Nevada Health Response - COVID-19
For information regarding travel restrictions, testing requirements or guidelines for entry to the United States, please visit the US Department of State's Travel page and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website for the most recent updates. If you are planning to visit Las Vegas from outside the United States, be sure to consult your own country's travel guidelines for any restrictions or requirements to re-enter your home country.
If you have questions regarding hotel closures or limitations on reservations, please reach out directly the property affected as they will have the most recent & updated information. If you've booked through a third-party or you've booked a package (including air & hotel reservations) you may need to contact the booking agency.
For information on transportation options in Las Vegas, visit the following providers:
Uber
Lyft
Nevada Taxicab Authority
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
There's no doubt that Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world. Anywhere you go in the city - whether on The Strip or off - you're going to find some of the most insanely talented people on the planet working as headliners in showrooms, busting their rear-ends in various casino lounges and everywhere in between.
I've been lucky enough to have several of them appear as guests on the podcast and even more fortunate to be able to call many of them my friends.
As we wrap up 2020, I thought it might be fun to go back and re-share some of the conversations I had with these amazing people.
And if you want to hear more from any of these fine folks, check out the complete episodes:
EP#58: My Special Guest - Murray The Magician
EP#63: My Special Guests - The Black Donnelly's
EP#65: My Special Guest - Sarah Hester Ross
EP#66: My Special Guest - Christina Shaw
EP#77: The Show Goes On with Vin A.
One of the things I've enjoyed the most about doing this podcast has been helping people plan their own trips to Las Vegas, and I've been able to do that in couple of different ways.
Firstly, with my "trip report" episodes; I've loved being able to share my Vegas experiences and provide reviews of hotels, restaurants, shows, attractions and anything else I've gotten up to during my time in the city.
Secondly, through the various conversations I've had with Vegas-related experts who I've recruited to help answer questions on a variety of topics. Over the last couple of years, we've covered tipping etiquette, where to find the best late night eats, how to plan an "epic girls trip" and even what not to do on a Vegas trip.
As you start making plans for potential trips in the coming year, I thought it might be a good idea to re-share some of these tips & tricks.
And if you'd like to listen to the complete episodes, here you go:
EP#16: Classic Vegas Mistakes
EP#53: Girls Gone Vegas
EP#56: Mid-Night Munchies
EP#59: The Tipping Point
One of the most popular topics I cover on the podcast is Las Vegas history. People love hearing about the colorful & interesting past of their favourite city as well as the cast of "characters" who helped to shape it.
I've had the pleasure of speaking with authors, other podcasters and historians on a huge variety of subjects, covering everything from the mob's role in creating Las Vegas to deep dives into the history of some of the most iconic Vegas hotels & casinos and so much more!
I thought it might be fun to hop into my own personal time machine and re-share some of those awesome conversations with you!
Enjoy!
And here's the complete episodes featured in this bonus episode:
EP#46: The Full Reveal - The Burlesque Hall Of Fame Museum
EP#62: Howard Hughes - Aviator, Innovator and Las Vegas Legend
EP#71: "Made" In Vegas
EP#78: A Place In The Sun
Over the course of the last year or so, I've had the opportunity to talk gambling and gaming with some very cool guests and cover what I thought were some fun and interesting topics. We talked about everything from how to bet on sports, to apps that help you keep track of table game limits, to when "skill" becomes "cheating" and even superstition as it relates to Las Vegas.
As such, for this bonus "Best Of" episode, I thought it might be fun to take a trip back and listen to some of the highlights of those conversations!
And if you want to check out the full episodes, here they are:
EP#36: Sports Betting For Dummies
EP#51: Cheating The Odds
EP#52: Superstitious Feeling
EP#54: Know The Limits
It's a little-known fact that just over 60 miles away from the glitz & glamour of the Las Vegas Strip, the United States Government used to test atomic weapons.
Just as the Cold War with Russia was beginning to heat up, the US Department of Energy began testing nuclear bombs in the Nevada desert. The blasts lit up the sky and the mushroom clouds could be seen for miles around - including from the rooftops of the hotels in downtown Vegas.
But how did the nuclear age find its way to Las Vegas? And what effect did it have on the city & its culture?
If you want to learn more about nuclear testing in the United States, the Nevada Test Site and atomic culture & tourism, visit the official Sin City Stories website featuring photos, videos, in-depth stories and more!
If you've ever been to Las Vegas, you're well aware of the unique scents of the various casinos & hotels up and down The Strip. In fact, if you ask people what one of their favorite parts of Vegas is, they'll tell you "it's the smell inside the casinos". And it seems that everyone has their own preferred scent - so much so, that there are thousands of posts online from people asking how to either purchase or duplicate their favorite casino scent.
But what's the big deal about smell? Why is the scent of a casino so important that the companies that own them spend MILLIONS of dollars on creating these so-called "signature scents"?
To get the answer, I decided to talk to an expert...
My guest for this episode is Dr. Rachel Herz, a world-renowned expert on the psychological science of smell. Dr. Herz is a cognitive neuroscientist, a TED-X speaker and a published author of both numerous research publications and several books on the topic of the science of smell.
We discussed what piqued her interest in the psychology of scent, the connection between scent and emotion & memory and how businesses use scent to affect customer behavior.
To learn more about the science and psychology of scent, visit Dr. Herz's website or follow her on Twitter. You can also pick up one of her books:
- "The Scent Of Desire: Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense Of Smell"
- "Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship With Food"
- That's Disgusting: Unraveling The Mysteries Of Repulsion"
And if you want your home to smell exactly like your favorite Vegas casino, visit Aroma Retail's website and check out their "Resort Collection" which includes scents from the Bellagio, Aria, the Cosmopolitan, Luxor, the Flamingo, Mandalay Bay, Wynn and many others!
December 15, 1952 saw the opening of one of the most iconic hotels in the history of Las Vegas:
The Sands Hotel & Casino
During its heyday, it played host to some of the biggest names in entertainment of the day, most notably the legendary "Rat Pack" featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr. And although that might be what the Sands is best known for, there's way more to the story than that - and that's where my guest for this episode steps in.
David Schwartz is the author of "At The Sands", a new book that takes readers on a deep dive into the history of The Sands. Dave and I talked about inspired him to write a book about The Sands, how "mobbed up" the Sands was compared to other Vegas hotels, Frank Sinatra's involvement in the project, Howard Hughes' purchase of the famed resort & his plans for the future, and what led to the eventual downfall of the Sands (both figuratively and literally).
"At The Sands" by David Schwartz is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on Amazon.
There's no question that the COVID-19 outbreak, lockdown and the subsequent limitations on re-openings have been extremely tough on everyone in Las Vegas. But one of the hardest hit segments are the people involved in the entertainment industry.
After 7 long months, shows are finally starting to re-open along The Strip and my guest for this episode is one of those people who's found himself trying to sort out performing during a pandemic.
Vin A. from The Bronx Wanderers is back to chat with me once again. Since the last time we talked, A LOT has changed. Early in 2020, the band made the move from the Linq to Harrah's and then shortly after that, the world closed down and they were forced to figure out what came next.
Vin & I discussed the various projects he's had the chance to work on during the shutdown as well as how he - and other Vegas performers - adapted to stay busy & stay in front of their audiences. Vin also shared his thoughts on what the future may hold for entertainment in Las Vegas from the business side, the performer side and the audience side.
You can stream Vin A's latest original tracks, "Know Where (To Begin)" and "Mantra" on Apple Music & Spotify and be sure to check out all the videos from his VINDemic sessions on his YouTube Channel - including the incredible video for "Know Where (To Begin)".
When you're headed to Las Vegas, it's important make sure your smartphone is loaded up with all the essential apps - including your casino loyalty apps, rideshare apps and your photo sharing & social media apps to make your friends jealous about your Vegas trip.
There's a brand new app available for use in Vegas that could save you time, the aggravation of waiting in lines and - most importantly during these weird COVID-19 times - help maintain social distancing.
NowCrowd is the first app that provides visitors and locals with up-to-date information on crowd levels & wait times at spots around Las Vegas thanks to real-time user-sourced reports.
My guests for this episode are Tyler Robertson & Jessica Marshall, the founders of NowCrowd. We talked about the inspiration behind the the app, the development process, how the app works and what the future may hold for the app.
Be sure to follow NowCrowd on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and download the app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
As important as it was for me to get the "tourist point of view" on what's been happening in Las Vegas as of late, I felt it was equally as important to get the local's point of view as well.
So, my guest for for this episode is Jake Gallen, the host of a podcast called The Guest List which focuses on the stories of Las Vegas locals. Jake is one of those rare "unicorns" who was both born & raised in Vegas. He's lived in the city his whole life and he's been lucky enough to work at pools & clubs on the Strip as well as be involved in other business ventures.
Jake & I talked about his background & growing up in Las Vegas, the insanity of working at one of the most famous nightclubs in the world and the inspiration behind launching The Guest List.
But my main reason for getting Jake on the podcast was to get his take on what's been happening in Vegas over the past few months; I wanted to know how the locals were handling recent events and if the reported uptick in crime (including shootings, stabbings, fights, etc) was reality or if it was just another case of Social Media "exaggerating" things.
Follow Jake Gallen & The Guest List on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and make sure you subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch & subscribe to The Guest List on YouTube.
Needless to say, Las Vegas is going through some very weird times.
We're not really "post-COVID", in that COVID-19 is still "a thing" and a concern in Las Vegas & around the world. However, over the course of the last few months, Vegas has been slowly opening back up to tourists and, as great as it's been to see people going back, the re-opening hasn't been without "hiccups".
The biggest issue that seems to be facing Las Vegas as of late is an increase in crime on the Vegas Strip. There have been multiple reports of shootings, stabbings, fights - both inside & outside casinos - and the infamous "scooter gangs".
But is what's being portrayed in the media & online what's actually happening? And, does it really matter? After all, as the saying goes, "perception is reality" - and if people perceive Vegas as "unsafe", that's the reality in their minds and it's going to hurt tourism.
Since I'm still stuck in Canada & unable to get to Las Vegas, I wanted to talk to someone who's been the city recently and experienced what's going on in Vegas right now.
My guests for this episode are Dave & Michelle, the hosts of "We Work To Visit Vegas" on YouTube. The couple have been regular Vegas visitors for the past few years and have been posting videos since 2017.
I talked to them about the inspiration behind their decision to start vlogging and we chatted about what keeps bringing them back to Las Vegas. Most importantly though, I wanted to hear about their most recent trip to Las Vegas (at the end of September 2020) and how it differed from their previous trips.
Follow We Work To Visit Vegas on Twitter & Instagram and be sure to subscribe to their YouTube Channel.
Currently, as a Canadian, I still can't really travel to Las Vegas. Borders are technically closed and even if I did manage to "sneak down", I'd have to quarantine upon my return home. Not exactly an ideal situation.
One of the things I'm missing the most about going to Vegas is the ability to check out shows and see world class live entertainment. But just because I can't go to Vegas, doesn't mean I can't enjoy a little piece of Las Vegas right here at home.
One of my favourite ways to do that is by sitting down, popping on my headphones and pressing play on one of the many live albums that have been recorded in Las Vegas. And my personal faves are the CLASSIC albums that were recorded in Vegas, so for this episode of the podcast, I thought I'd share some thoughts & opinions about some of those great albums, including:
- Tom Jones - Live In Vegas (Apple Music / Spotify)
- Elvis - Live 1969 (Apple Music / Spotify)
- The Rat Pack: Live At The Sands (Apple Music / Spotify)
And if you're after a few more great live albums recorded in Las Vegas, check out this awesome list from Steve Bornfeld at Las Vegas Magazine.
The Las Vegas Strip attracts a lot of different types of people. Vacationers, gamblers, foodies, partiers...and daredevils.
And there's one specific spot on the Strip that's been particularly appealing to those who make their living defying death:
The Fountains at Caesars Palace
Since Caesars Palace opened in 1966, this usually-serene spot on an otherwise-busy Las Vegas Boulevard has played host to multiple brave - and crazy - people who've attempted to jump their motorcycles over the famed fountains.
Some have succeeded while others have failed SPECTACULARLY.
If you want to learn more about the famous daredevils who've taken a run at this iconic Vegas landmark, be sure to visit the official Sin City Stories website - featuring photos, in-depth stories, videos and more!
The Las Vegas Strip has its fair share of iconic hotels & resorts, perhaps none of which are more steeped in history and folklore than The Flamingo.
Part of the Vegas landscape since the mid-1940's, it was the brainchild of a Los Angeles-based nightclub owner, restaurant owner and entertainment news editor who wanted to build one of the most luxurious hotels & casinos Las Vegas had ever seen.
But that's not what legend and pop culture would have you believe.
And, as you'll find out in this episode of Sin City Stories, sometimes the truth is WAY more interesting than fiction.
If you want to learn more about the history of The Flamingo, head over to the official Sin City Stories website - featuring in-depth stories, historic photos and more!
I have to be honest. This is an episode that I hoped I wouldn't have to record for a very long time - if ever at all.
As you've probably guessed from the title of this episode, I've made the decision to put the podcast on a temporary hiatus. For how long? I'm not exactly sure as of yet. That being said, I thought I owed you - the loyal listeners & supporters of the podcast - an explanation as to why I've made this decision.
I'll still be providing Las Vegas news & travel updates on my various social media channels - including Facebook & Twitter - so I can keep you in the loop on what's happening in the city.
I'm also in the process of launching a new spin-off podcast called Sin City Stories which I invite you to check out & subscribe to (wherever you get your podcasts).
In the meantime, please stay safe & stay healthy.
- Jeff
"Vegas was better when it was run by The Mob."
Anytime I've been in Las Vegas, I inevitably run into people who loudly & proudly say this. But just how accurate is this statement? My guest for this episode decided to find out for himself - with his own podcast.
Reed Redmond is the host of Mobbed Up: The Fight For Las Vegas, an 11-part true-crime podcast that chronicles the rise and fall of organized crime in Las Vegas.
Reed had the opportunity to get the stories from the people who lived them - including law enforcement officials, journalists, lawyers, judges and even a legit gangster.
If you want to listen to Mobbed Up: The Fight For Las Vegas, you can find it wherever you get podcasts - including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts - or find it on the Las Vegas Review-Journal website.
Also, be sure to follow Reed on Twitter and Instagram.
Fred Hazelton & Seb Gagnon are the hosts of a brand new Las Vegas podcast called The Unofficial Vegas Podcast. Fred is a Vegas veteran who visits annually as part of his gig with The Unofficial Vegas Guide and Seb is his good friend & co-host who's only had the opportunity to visit Vegas a couple of times.
I reached out to the guys to see if they'd be interested in joining me on the podcast to talk about their show as well as share some of their own personal Las Vegas picks, tips and tricks!
If you want to take a listen to The Unofficial Vegas Podcast you can find them on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or check them out on Anchor! And be sure to give the boys a follow on social media...find them on Twitter and Instagram!
Side Note:
Big thanks to Noe Perez from The Noe Perez Pod for having me on his podcast to chat. I had an absolute blast talking to Noe about my time growing up in Canada, working in radio, getting into podcasting and sharing some of my own personal Vegas tips & tricks. Be sure to check out the episode and subscribe to the show!
Almost 40 years ago, the Las Vegas Strip was the site of what would become the third-worst hotel fire in modern US history and what remains as the worst disaster in the history of the state of Nevada.
On an early morning in November of 1980, a small fire broke out in what was - at the time - the MGM Grand Hotel (now, Bally's). The fire quickly spread, engulfing the casino level and sending thick black smoke & toxic fumes to the upper floors of the hotel. In the end, 85 people were killed and hundreds more were injured.
But what exactly caused the fire and led to such widespread fatalities & injuries? And what changes were made to ensure that something like this could never happen again?
That's what this episode of Sin City Stories is all about, as I take a deep dive into one of the darker moments in Las Vegas's history.
And if you want to learn more about everything I've covered in this special episode of the podcast, head over to the official Sin City Stories website - featuring in-depth stories, links, videos, photos and more!
The very first episode of the podcast was released all the way back on December 1, 2018. When I launched the podcast, I was simply looking for a creative outlet and a way to share my love for Las Vegas.
I've had the opportunity to talk to & meet with some amazing people - including entertainers, fellow podcasters and Vegas-related experts - and share these conversations with an amazing audience all over the world who are just as passionate about Vegas as I am.
18 months, 68 episodes and over 55,000 downloads later, I thought it might be fun to take a trip back and share clips of some of my favourite podcast conversations...so welcome to the first ever Jeff Does Vegas Clip Show!
And, in order of appearance, here are links to the complete episodes I pulled each of the clips from:
EP#45: My Special Guest - Mark Shunock
EP#43: KABOOM! The National Atomic Testing Museum
EP#13: Leaving It All On The Table
EP#19: Here's The (Time Share) Pitch
EP#35: My Special Guest - Jimmy Denning
EP#52: Superstitious Feeling
EP#49: Pinball Hall of Fame
EP#42: Long Live The King - Elvis In Vegas
EP#21: Kill Resort Fees
EP#48: My Special Guest - Vin A.
Sergio Portesan is the creator of the website, Viva Las Value - an awesome site crammed with tons of great tips & tricks on how to do your Las Vegas trip on a budget. Sergio is also my first ever "three-peat" guest on the podcast, with first 2 appearances being among my top 10 most-downloaded episodes of all-time.
I asked Sergio to hop back on the podcast for a couple of reasons...
First, with the Canada/US Border closed, I'm not able to travel down to Las Vegas but Sergio can, so I asked him if he'd be willing to join me for a "trip report by proxy" to share a few reviews from his most recent trek to Sin City.
Secondly, Sergio's trip coincided with the re-opening weekend of Las Vegas following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. As such, I wanted to get his thoughts & opinions on how he thought Vegas was doing in welcoming back visitors and - most importantly - whether or not he thought he'd be heading back down for another trip anytime soon.
If you've got Vegas-related questions for Sergio be sure to reach out and follow Viva Las Value on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
If you've found yourself strolling through The Linq on a recent Las Vegas trip, there's a very good chance you've seen my guest for this episode of the podcast performing.
Justin Michael Rodriguez is one of the performers in the show Extreme Live - a very cool, high energy, interactive show at the Linq.
Justin and I chatted about the time he spent growing up in Las Vegas, scoring a lead in the touring production of a major Broadway show, his brush with boy-band fame and his thoughts on the future of entertainment in Vegas.
If you want to keep up with what Justin is up to, you can follow him on Facebook and Instagram. Also, be sure to follow the Extreme Live Show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
One of my favourite things about Las Vegas is the vast array of entertainment options available. One of the most popular types of shows are the "celebrity impersonator" or "tribute shows" - and my special guest for this episode of the podcast is one of the best in the city!
Christina Shaw has been a professional celebrity impersonator for close to 20 years. As Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and a host of other celebs, she's had the opportunity to travel all over the US, Asia and the Caribbean. Christina has been performing in Las Vegas since 2010 and has had the opportunity to headline on The Strip numerous times, including as a part of the iconic Legends In Concert show.
During our conversation, Christina & I talked about growing up with a very entertainment-centered family, how she got started in the world of celebrity impersonation, some of her early gigs in Las Vegas and the process she follows when working on a new impersonation.
If you want to know more about Christina Shaw you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Christina is also available for special greetings as Taylor Swift or Elsa & Anna from Frozen via her Cameo pages!
My guest for this episode of the podcast is someone I've been trying to connect with for awhile, but up until now our schedules just never clicked. I'm a HUGE fan of hers and anytime I have a chance to see her perform, I know I'm going to have an awesome time!
Sarah Hester Ross is an incredibly talented musical comedian & singer-songwriter. And if you've spent time in any of the duelling piano bars on the Vegas strip, there's a good chance you've seen her play.
Sarah & I talked about her musical background & how she made it to Vegas, some of the shows she's been involved with in her time in the city and how she's been building her online presence with the amazing material she's been posting on her various social media channels.
If you want to see what Sarah is working on make sure to follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Tik-Tok. Also, go subscribe to her YouTube channel and check out her website!
NOTE: I've been made aware of a claim against Sarah Hester Ross surrounding her recording, releasing & monetizing a musical work to which she allegedly did not receive permission or licensing to do so. The interview for this episode of the podcast was recorded approximately 2 weeks prior to release of this episode and any reference to the allegedly infringed upon musical work has been removed from this episode of the podcast.
Las Vegas is a city all about gambling & taking risks...but it's not just the tourists who go there to gamble.
Tens of BILLIONS of dollars have been shelled out over the last 30 years on the construction of mega-resorts, massive hotels and giant attractions all intended to keep the Vegas economy moving forward - and of course to make a tidy profit for the investors behind the scenes.
But in Las Vegas - as in life - not every gamble pays off.
That's what the debut episode of Sin City Stories is all about. I'm taking a deep dive into some Las Vegas history and exploring the stories behind the failures of The St. Regis Residences at the Venetian/Palazzo, the SkyVue Las Vegas Super Wheel, the Harmon Hotel at City Center and the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
If you want to learn more about everything I've covered in this special episode of the podcast, visit the official Sin City Stories website! I've got photos & videos about all of these failed Las Vegas projects as well as extra info about their development & construction!
It was a little over a year ago that Vegas entertainer & actor, John Di Domenico - who's regarded as the world's best Donald Trump impersonator - invited me to his home to have a conversation for the podcast (check out that interview in Episode #18). During the course of our chat, John dropped into the conversation that at one time Donald Trump actually thought John had died. Apparently, I'm not the journalist I thought I was...because I just moved past that and didn't ask any follow-up questions.
Better late than never, I decided to ask John to come back on the show so I could find out the when, how and why the future President of the United States thought John had passed away.
We also got caught up on what John has been up to over the last year including the voiceover work he's been doing as Trump, his opportunity to meet Alec Baldwin, his dive into the world of Cameo and how he's been keeping busy during the COVID-19 shutdown in Las Vegas.
If you want to keep up with what John has going on, follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And if you'd like one of John's many characters - including Donald Trump, Dr. Evil, Guy Fieri, Dr. Phil and many MANY others - to send a special message to a co-worker, friend or family member be sure to book him on Cameo!
I made my first visit to Ri Ra Irish Pub in the Shoppes At Mandalay Bay back in June 2019 and reviewed the experience on Episode #24 of the podcast. As I described it at the time, everything about Ri Ra was "authentically Irish". Sitting in this pub in a mall in Las Vegas felt exactly like sitting in the pub in Dublin - and a lot of things helped contribute to that...from the food, to the drinks, to the staff, to the music.
And that's where the people joining me for this episode of the podcast come into play.
My special guests are Dave Rooney and Dave Browne of The Black Donnellys. They're the resident house band at Ri Ra in Mandalay Bay.
I talked to the guys about growing up in Dublin & the band's origins in Ireland, how and why they made the move to Las Vegas, their various Guinness World Records and their brand new documentary film An Irish Story: This Is My Home.
Of course we also talked about the COVID-19 pandemic and how they've been keeping busy through the Vegas shut-down.
If you want to learn more about Dave & Dave and the Black Donnellys, visit their official website - which includes info on where you can watch An Irish Story: This Is My Home. Also make sure to follow the band on Instagram and Facebook - where they've been performing live shows.
And if you want to learn more about the tragic real-life story of The "Black" Donnellys - from which the band took their name - check out the website, Heaven & Hell on Earth - The Massacre of The "Black" Donnellys. On the site, you can read all about the family, the murders and the aftermath - including the TWO trials that followed - as well as look through archival evidence from the events.
In spite of its short history, the city of Las Vegas has some incredibly colourful characters in its past...and for this episode, I want to talk about one of those characters.
Howard Hughes was a billionaire, an inventor, an aviator, movie producer and philanthropist. He was also known to be a little "eccentric."
The stories about Howard Hughes are legendary - from the rumours of him urinating in mason jars & having foot-long fingernails to locking himself in a movie screening room for months on end & buying a Las Vegas hotel because he didn't want to leave. The stories have been around so long and spun in so many different directions, that it's sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction. And that's what my guest is here to do...
Geoff Schumacher is the Vice President of Exhibits and Programs at The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Last time Geoff was here, we talked about Las Vegas's mob history...but another one of his favourite topics is Howard Hughes' time in spent in Vegas.
We talked about Hughes' aviation & filmmaking history, what prompted him to move to Nevada in the first place, the rumour that he bought the Silver Slipper Hotel & Casino because "the sign annoyed him", the bizarre reason behind his purchase of a Las Vegas TV station and much more.
Visit Amazon to purchase a copy of Geoff Schumacher's book "Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia and Palace Intrigue". Also be sure to visit The Mob Museum's website for Virtual Tours and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
My special guests for this episode are Las Vegas entertainers - and married couple - Makenzie Fly & Colin Cahill.
Before COVID-19 shut down Las Vegas, Makenzie was one of the leads in the show, Sex Tips For Straight Women From A Gay Man at the Paris and Colin was a member of the cast in Spiegelworld's newest show, Atomic Saloon at The Venetian.
When they were forced out of their respective gigs by Coronavirus, the pair wanted to keep performing - so they launched Mak and the Cheese.
Makenzie & Colin joined me via Zoom to chat about their life before the shutdown, predictions on what Vegas shows might look like when things re-open and whether or not Mak and the Cheese have a future beyond the pandemic!
Be sure to check out & subscribe to Mak and the Cheese's YouTube Channel and enjoy their music including:
-
"You Can't Spell Virus Without Us"
-
"Don't Cough on Betty White"
-
"The Quarantine 15" (as performed for the Mondays Dark Livestream Telethon)
-
And "Spare Me a Roll"
Also, follow Mak and the Cheese on Instagram and Facebook!
To say the COVID-19 shutdown in Las Vegas caught people off guard would be a massive understatement. The complete closure of all non-essential businesses in the state of Nevada has been absolutely devastating to workers in Las Vegas.
One of the hardest-hit sectors is Vegas entertainers. This group saw their livelihood literally dry up to nothing. And in addition, a large portion of these workers are self-employed or working under contract, meaning that - until recently - they couldn't even collect unemployment.
Two Las Vegas showgirls saw the direction things were going and made the decision to jump into action.
Devon Alarid and Nina Kane launched The Socially Distant Show, an online show designed to give Vegas entertainers the opportunity to still perform for an audience, even if it meant a virtual one. They also added a charitable aspect to the show to allow viewers to make donations, which the ladies will distribute to performers who appear.
Devon & Nina joined me from their homes in Las Vegas (via Zoom) to chat about what they were doing before the shutdown, how they heard about the shutdown and what inspired them to launch this program.
To check out The Socially Distant Show, follow them on Instagram and Facebook and be sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel!
One of the most divisive and controversial topics I've ever seen discussed online is the practice of tipping. If you want to see grown-ass adults lose their minds & resort to insults in just a few short posts, jump on a Vegas-related Facebook page and ask how much you should tip for a specific service.
I do understand the confusion though; Las Vegas gets 42 million visitors per year and not all of them come from countries where tipping is customary. And if you're not prepared for it & don't budget for it, tipping can drain your bankroll pretty quickly.
But the question still remains: Who should you be tipping and how much should you be tipping them?
My guest for this episode is international etiquette expert, Jacqueline Whitmore. Ms. Whitmore is considered one of the world's foremost experts on the subject of etiquette and has appeared on dozens of TV shows as well as in multiple newspapers & magazines.
Jacqueline and I took a deep dive into the world of tipping - including tipping at restaurants & hotels, limo/taxi/rideshare drivers and even a few Vegas-specific topics like casino dealers, slot attendants & cocktail servers.
NOTE: My conversation with Jacqueline was recorded before the COVID-19 shutdown in Las Vegas, so whether or not these bits of advice will still be applicable when Vegas re-opens remains to be seen.
If you want to learn more about Jacqueline or you're in need of etiquette advice, visit her official website or follow her on Twitter & Instagram.
I've had a lot of entertainers as guests on the podcast, but this episode marks the first appearance by a magician on the show!
My special guest is Murray Sawchuck aka Murray The Magician.
Murray has been a long-time headliner in Las Vegas; he currently has a residency at The Laugh Factory at the Tropicana and he recently signed on to be a part of the entertainment with Fantasy at The Luxor.
Murray & I talked about his growing up in British Columbia, when he decided that magic was going to be "his thing", what it's like living and working in Las Vegas, his appearances on TV including "Pawn Stars" & "GLOW" and how he's managed to grow his YouTube channel to almost 2 MILLION subscribers.
Murray was also kind enough to perform a few quick magic tricks for us AND show off his very cool collection of vintage Vegas memorabilia. Head to the official Jeff Does Vegas YouTube Channel to check out those videos...and more!
If you want to learn more about Murray The Magician head over and check out his website; follow him on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook and be sure to subscribe to his YouTube Channel.
A lot has changed in Las Vegas since I released my last regular episode; Hell, a lot has changed in the 3 weeks since I released the last SPECIAL episode.
As such, I thought it might be a good time to jump back on with a brand new episode to provide some news on what's happening in the city & share some of my predictions of what a re-opening of Las Vegas might look like. I also wanted to check in with everyone & let you know what's going on in my life, what's happening with my friends living in Vegas, what the future of the podcast looks like and - most importantly - reach out to everyone to find out how all of YOU are doing.
And don't forget: If you need someone to talk to during these difficult and - frankly - weird times, feel free to reach out and send me a direct message on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I'm always here and willing to connect!
Anyone who's been to Vegas has been there: It's 3am, you're making your way back to your hotel but before you can crash out for the night you need to put something in your belly...and I'm here to help you with that - with the assistance of an expert, of course.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Lindsay Stewart, a Vegas-based foodie and Instagrammer with over 200,000 followers. We talked about her favourite spots to grab a late-night bite - along with a few menu suggestions - as well as how she made the move to Las Vegas, what made her decide to jump into the Instagram world and some of the cool experiences she's gotten to have since starting her Instagram feed.
Be sure to drool-proof your computer, tablet or smartphone and start following Lindsay on Instagram as well as on Twitter & Facebook.
And, as promised, here's the list of spots we discussed as potential spots for Mid-Night Munchies in Las Vegas...
On The Strip:
Allegro at the Wynn; Tacos El Gordo; Secret Pizza at the Cosmopolitan; Beauty & Essex at the Cosmopolitan; Nomad Bar at Park MGM; Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian
Off The Strip:
Herbs & Rye; Ferraro's Italian Restaurant; The Bootlegger Italian Bistro; Pho Kim Long; The Golden Tiki; Evel Pie Downtown; Tacos & Beer; Cleaver Butchered Meats, Seafood and Classic Cocktails; Village Pub & The Front Yard at Ellis Island
There's an old adage that says "Sex Sells"...and I don't think there's anywhere in the world where that's more prevalent than in Las Vegas.
From the moment you step off the plane, you're bombarded with sex - from almost-naked showgirls on the strip asking for photos, to cab-top advertisements for topless shows, to giant roadside billboards for strip clubs, to a very public escort industry...which is where we're headed this time around.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Kate Layne, a Vegas-based escort who's been "officially" working in the industry for the last 4 years and has been involved in the industry in some form for approximately 6 years.
Kate and I talked about how she ended up living in Las Vegas, how and why she decided to start working as an escort, how she keeps her life as Kate separate from her "real life" and some of the common misconceptions surrounding people working in the escort industry.
And because this is a judgement-free podcast where I know people are grown-ass adults capable of making their own decisions on whether or not to partake in the industry, Kate also shared some etiquette tips for men who might wish to enjoy the company of an escort as well as some safety tips so you can avoid getting robbed, ending up in jail...or worse.
If you're anything like me, you've got your smartphone loaded up with apps to help you navigate your Las Vegas adventure...from rideshare apps to casino loyalty apps to gaming apps that help you earn freebies.
But if you're a table games player & you're headed to Vegas anytime soon you need to get your hands on a brand new app called Betmingo.
Betmingo provides crowd-sourced info about tables at casinos all across Las Vegas...in REAL TIME thanks to app users!
My guest for this episode is Gabe Punsalan, the co-founder and co-creator of Betmingo. Gabe and I chatted about the concept & development of the app, how the app works and the plans for the future of Betmingo.
For more information, visit Betmingo online and make sure to download the app for both Apple and Android devices! You can also follow Betmingo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates!
I recently had a request from a listener who wanted a few suggestions for planning a "girls vacation" to Las Vegas. Since I'm a 44 year-old married man who usually travels with Vegas either solo or with my wife, I felt I was drastically unqualified to assist - which is why I reached out to my guests for this episode of the podcast...
MJ & Bree are the hosts of the Keeping It Casual Podcast, a sex-positive dating & relationship advice podcast based in Las Vegas. Whenever I'd listen to their show, they'd talk about all the cool spots they were hitting in Vegas so I thought they'd be perfect to help me plan out the Ultimate Girls Trip!
We covered all the important stuff - including hotels, restaurants, clubs and spas - plus we covered how to avoid "drama" on a girls trip and how to keep yourself safe in Sin City.
The ladies also hit me with a few questions they like to ask the guests on their podcast, which was an absolute blast!
If you'd like to check out the Keeping It Casual Podcast you can get it wherever you find your favourite podcasts of visit their website - where you can also get info on live appearances & merchandise. And be sure to connect with both MJ & Bree on social media where you can "slide into their DM's" for Vegas hook-up's:
Follow @MJRadioDiva and @Breemixed on Twitter
Whether we like to admit it or not, we're all a little superstitious in our own little ways. And I don't think there's anywhere in the world where that superstitious nature is on display more than in Las Vegas.
Some people have lucky shirts they wear when playing Blackjack, others tap the side of the slot machine in between spins and some refuse to use $50 bills when they're gambling.
But is there any science to superstitions? My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to answer that question...
Stuart Vyse is a behavioural scientist, a teacher and a writer. He's also an expert on superstition and irrational behaviour who's been quoted in the New York Times & Washington Post and has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning & NPR's Science Friday.
We discussed some of the most common superstitions & their origins, whether or not certain cultures are more superstitious than others and famous superstitions in the world of sports, music & theater.
If you'd like to learn more about Stuart and the world of superstitions & irrational behaviour, be sure to visit his website.
Stuart's books, "Believing In Magic: The Science of Superstition" and "Superstition: A Very Short Introduction" are both available via his website or from your favourite book seller.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Heather Ferris, the CEO & Founder of Vegas Aces, an online casino dealing and gaming school. Heather joined me once before back in episode #13 to help me get over my fear of table games and to teach me the basics of Blackjack.
This time around, she's here to chat about something infinitely more interesting: Cheating in casinos.
Heather & I connected at the gaming lab at UNLV to talk about the different types of cheating that people try to pull off, the legalities of counting cards & whether or not that's considered "cheating" and we discussed the point at which "skill" becomes "cheating".
You can find Heather online via the official Vegas Aces website. Also, be sure to follow Vegas Aces on Twitter & Facebook and check out the Vegas Aces YouTube Channel featuring weekly live streams (including this fun one where Heather taught me how to play Craps).
Welcome to another world famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report chronicling my most recent trip to Vegas - my first of 2020 - from January 11-14.
This time around I've got a brief review of my stay at The Flamingo plus my experience of trying to add a night to my original booking at the Linq. I've also got quick reviews of the restaurants I hit up this time around including Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar at the Linq, Ri-Ra Irish Pub at Mandalay Bay, Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood and Evel Pie downtown.
Also on this trip, I visited The Mob Museum, hung out at Downtown Container Park with MJ & Bree from the Keeping It Casual Podcast (watch for them to appear in an upcoming episode of the podcast) and learned how to play Craps in a YouTube Live Stream with past guest & friend Heather Ferris from Vegas Aces.
I also got to experience my very first Vegas Jackpot/Handpay Slot Win on this trip...and got the experience the fun of having the government take 30% of the win .
If you're of a certain generation, chances are that you spent a fair portion of your youth wasting time at the local arcade, hanging with your friends and dropping quarters into your favorite video games & pinball machines. And if you're planning on visiting Las Vegas anytime soon, you can re-live those memories at the Pinball Hall of Fame.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Tim Arnold, the founder of the Pinball Hall of Fame - which is always ranked as one of Vegas's top attractions & is always at the top of my list of recommendations for folks headed to Las Vegas.
During one of my recent Vegas trips, I headed over to see Tim at the Pinball Hall of Fame where he took a break from working on a vintage machine to sit and chat with me. We talked about his start in the arcade business, the beginnings of the Pinball Hall of Fame and the future plans for the Hall of Fame - including a new building south of the strip, set to begin construction this year.
To learn more about the Pinball Hall of Fame - including location, hours and history - be sure to visit their official website.
My special guest for this episode of the podcast is Vin A. of The Bronx Wanderers...
The Bronx Wanderers have been headlining on the Las Vegas Strip for the last 3 years and at the end of 2019, they celebrated their 1000th Vegas show. Fronted by dad Vinny Adinolfi - a recording industry legend in his own right - the band features sons Nicky & Vin A. as well as several of Vin's high school friends.
Vin and I sat down for a conversation during one of my recent Las Vegas trips. We chatted about the history of the Bronx Wanderers, what it's like performing & touring with family and what life is like in Vegas. Vin also took us "behind the curtain" on the topic of producing a show in Las Vegas & also did a great job explaining the high turnover on shows on the Vegas strip.
For information, tickets and showtimes visit The Bronx Wanderers website. Also, be sure to check out Vin A's podcast "What The Cl#ck?!?". Check it out on Apple Podcasts OR check out the video version!
Welcome to another world famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report featuring a recap of my most recent trip to Las Vegas - my EIGHTH of the year - from December 15-19, 2019.
My wife was along for this trip and this time around, I've got reviews of our stay at Bally's as well as meals at La Pizza e La Pasta in Eataly at Park MGM, Le Thai on Fremont Street, Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and the legendary Golden Steer Steakhouse. We were also lucky enough to take in a few shows including Atomic Saloon at the Venetian, Carrot Top at the Luxor and Bronx Wanderers at the Linq.
I've also got thoughts on three major trends happening in Las Vegas and why/how pigeons are better behaved than the tourists.
When people think of "Burlesque", they usually think of scantily clad - or perhaps even topless - women, titillating & teasing crowds with their seductive dance moves. But there's way more to it than that...as you're about to learn.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Dustin Wax of The Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum in Las Vegas - which, by the way, is the ONLY burlesque museum in the world. Dustin and I chatted all about the history of the museum, their annual Miss Exotic World Pageant & Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend as well as the history, evolution and recent resurgence in the popularity of burlesque performances.
If you want information about The Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum, be sure to check out their official website and also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
My special guest for this episode of the podcast is someone who I've talked about a lot in past episodes of the show; in fact, some of you think I talk about him a bit too much...but I'm hoping that by having him on, you'll understand why I spend so much time talking about him & the events he puts together.
Mark Shunock is the creator & host of Mondays Dark, a twice-monthly charity event that raises $10,000 in 90 minutes for local Las Vegas charities. For just $20, people have the chance to head to Mark's off-strip venue, The Space, to see some of Vegas's top talent donate their time for some amazing causes.
More than that though, Mark is a friend. In fact, in the 6 years that I've known him, he's become one my closest friends. He's been there to support my wife and I through some tough times and when I told him I wanted to launch this podcast a year ago, without hesitation he offered to help in any way he could.
In fact, without Mark, this podcast might not even exist; many of the conversations I've had on this podcast are because of connections I've made through him, Mondays Dark and The Space.
Mark was kind enough to take time to sit & chat with me to share the story of the origin & evolution of Mondays Dark, talk about how he & his wife Cheryl have made Las Vegas their home and some of the big projects he's been able to put together at The Space.
Mondays Dark will be celebrating its 6th Anniversary on Monday, December 9th at the Pearl Theater at The Palms - but beyond that they'll be reaching a major milestone as they get set to partner with their 100th charity marking ONE MILLION DOLLARS raised for local Las Vegas charities!
For information & tickets to the Mondays Dark 6th Anniversary show, visit the Mondays Dark website.
Be sure to follow Mondays Dark on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates on upcoming shows & events.
Also, follow Mark Shunock on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Freshly returned from another Las Vegas trip - my seventh of 2019 - I'm here to share another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report!
This time around, I've got a review of my Ultra-Hip room at Planet Hollywood as well as meals at Eggslut, Herbs & Rye, Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian, Ri-Ra Irish Pub at Mandalay Bay and the opening of The Front Yard at Ellis Island.
I've also got thoughts on the in-game experience at T-Mobile Arena with the Vegas Golden Knights, why Rock N' Roll Marathon weekend is a terrible time to arrive in Vegas and I'm re-sharing my advice on how to cross the road in Las Vegas.
It's a little-known fact that just over 60 miles away from the glitz & glamour of the Las Vegas Strip, the US government used to test Atomic Weapons!
Just as the Cold War was starting to heat up, the US Department of Energy began the testing of Nuclear Bombs in the Nevada desert. The blasts would light up the early morning sky and the mushroom clouds could be seen from miles away on the rooftops of the downtown hotels.
Helping to keep this history alive is one of my favourite attractions, The National Atomic Testing Museum.
My guest on this episode is Michael Hall, the museum's Executive Director. Michael and I discussed the United States' Atomic Testing program, the effects it had on Las Vegas as well as the incredible exhibits on display at the museum.
For tickets and information on The National Atomic Testing Museum visit their website & be sure to check them out on Twitter and Instagram.
July 31, 1969 was a day that changed Las Vegas forever.
It was on that day that Elvis Presley stepped onto the stage at the newly-opened International Hotel to kick off a four-week engagement in their massive new 2000-seat showroom. At the time, Elvis was thought to be "over the hill" and "washed up" but the run of concerts didn't just revive the King of Rock N' Roll's career...it helped revive Las Vegas.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Richard Zoglin, author of the book Elvis In Vegas: How The King Reinvented The Las Vegas Show.
Richard and I talked about Elvis's first appearance in Las Vegas in 1956, the leisure time Elvis spent in Vegas & the "unlikely" friendships he made along the way, the toll Elvis's Las Vegas performances took on his health and the effect that Elvis had on Las Vegas - from the doors he opened for future entertainers to the presence he still maintains in the city.
If you'd like to order your own copy of Elvis In Vegas: How The King Reinvented The Las Vegas Show head to Richard Zoglin's website or visit your favorite bookseller.
I have a very simple question for you: Do you believe in ghosts?
If your answer is "Yes", then you're going to love this episode. Honestly, even if your answer is "No" you're STILL going to love this episode!
With Las Vegas's shady past, it should come as no surprise that Sin City is blessed with its own share of spookiness. A quick Google search reveals multiple spots both on and off the famous strip that are believed to be haunted by the famous, the infamous and the not-so-famous.
Just in time for Halloween, I'm joined by Josef Kruger of Las Vegas Ghost Tours who's here to share some of the creepiest tales of Las Vegas spooks & spectres.
For example...Which hotel was ravaged by a fire that killed 85 of its guests, some of whom haven't quite "checked out"? What resort is haunted by its infamous mobster former owner? And where can you go in Las Vegas to hang out with the ghost of a murdered rap superstar?
For the answers to these - and other - terrifying questions start listening now!
And for tickets to join Las Vegas Ghost Tours, visit their website or start following them on Facebook.
One of the things Las Vegas is perhaps most famous for are the bright neon lights of the World Famous Vegas Strip. But as resorts close down or signs are replaced with massive HD LED video screens, what happens to those iconic neon signs?
Amanda Riley of the Neon Museum Las Vegas joins me on this episode to answer that question!
We talked about museum's mission to preserve Las Vegas' history, some of the unique & interesting signs in the museum's collection, their plans for future expansion and a very special exhibit/collaboration involving a major Hollywood director.
For tickets and information on the Neon Museum Las Vegas you can visit their website. Also, be sure to follow the Neon Museum on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The topic for this episode of the show comes courtesy of listener, Jacob Kehl from Denmark. Jacob really wanted to me to do an episode featuring tips & tricks for the Vegas Low Roller.
Jacob, your wish is my command!
And joining me to talk about the right way to Low Roll in Las Vegas is friend of the show, making his second appearance on the podcast, Sergio Portesan - the creator of the website Viva Las Value! Sergio and I talked about the best websites to find discount Vegas hook-up's, suggestions for low roller hotels, restaurants & bars and how to make your bankroll last longer when hitting the tables & machines.
For all the details, check out Sergio's website, Viva Las Value and be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook! And if you want to learn the story behind the creation of Viva Las Value, go back in the archives and check out EP#14: Viva Las Value.
There's no question that Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world. Every day, an average of 330 couples tie the not - which equals out to approximately 120,000 weddings every year!
But why? How is it that a city known as "Sin City" is also the most popular place on the planet to get hitched?
To answer that question - and many more - I'm joined by a Las Vegas legend: Charolette Richards, the owner of A Little White Wedding Chapel.
There are literally dozens of wedding chapels up and down the Vegas strip but A Little White Wedding Chapel is easily one of the most famous and recognizable. In the almost-60 years that Charolette has been running the place, hundreds of thousands of couples have pledged their love for each other with Charolette herself personally officiating tens of thousands of weddings.
Charolette shared the story of how she ended up in Las Vegas & how she ended up working in the Las Vegas wedding world as well as her tips & tricks to a long and happy marriage.
If you want to plan your own Las Vegas wedding & you've got questions, check out this handy link full of info from the folks at Vegas.com - and when you're ready to tie the knot, get ahold of Charolette and the folks at A Little White Wedding Chapel.
This episode of the podcast is quite different in tone & tenor from any of the previous episodes I've released; there's no fanfare, no music, no sound effects...and there's a reason for that.
I'm releasing this episode on the eve of the second anniversary of the worst mass shooting in US history - the massacre at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on October 1, 2017.
In this episode, I share my thoughts & feelings, talk about how the city of Las Vegas came together in the days & weeks following the tragedy and pay tribute to the 58 people who lost their lives enjoying something they loved.
For this episode, I've decided to tackle a topic people have been asking about almost since I started doing the podcast: Sports Gambling. Honestly though, I know absolutely NOTHING about betting on sports...so I decided to call in an expert!
My special guest this time around is Minty Bets. Minty is a Las Vegas local who shares her tips & tricks on her Twitter & Instagram pages and she's also a member of the team at WagerTalk TV, where she - along with the rest of the crew - make their weekly picks.
We talked about how and why Minty got into sports betting, we covered common terminology, the different types of wagers that can be made and she shared some tips & tricks and do's & don't's for first-timers.
Follow Minty Bets on Twitter & Instagram and subscribe to WagerTalk TV on YouTube.
For almost 3 years, Tenors Of Rock have been headlining on the Las Vegas Strip, performing Classic Rock...with a twist. They made their Vegas debut at Harrah's in January 2017 and have since made the move to Planet Hollywood, performing 7 nights per week.
My special guest for this episode of the podcast is Jimmy Denning, one of the founding members of Tenors Of Rock.
Jimmy and I connected backstage at the Sin City Theater before a show where we chatted about his musical career, the formation & history of Tenors of Rock, life in Las Vegas and some of the side projects he's picked up since moving to Vegas - including his jump into the podcast world. He also shared a random David Hasselhoff anecdote and I made things awkward by telling him that my wife loves him.
If you're headed to Las Vegas, be sure to get your tickets to check out Tenors of Rock LIVE! And if you're a boxing fan, check out Jimmy's podcast Sin City Sluggers and follow the show on Twitter to find out which boxing legend he'll be chatting with next.
For this episode of the podcast, I've put together a little something I'm calling Vegas FAQ.
The concept is pretty simple; I've gathered up all the Vegas-related questions that I see asked most frequently on Twitter & Facebook - and even the ones I personally get asked most often - and I'm going to attempt to answer all of them here in this episode.
I'm going to cover a TON of material here - including questions about money & budgets, getting around Las Vegas, what the weather is like at different times of the year and even those totally subjective questions about hotels, restaurants & shows. And you can't have "Sin City" with the "Sin" so I'm even going to discuss liquor laws, marijuana laws & prostitution laws.
And because there's so much info in this episode, I've made my notes available to you - Click here to download the PDF file!
June 22, 2016 was a huge day for sports fans in Vegas - specifically hockey fans. That was the day that the NHL announced they'd approved plans for professional hockey to come to the Nevada desert, paving the way for the Vegas Golden Knights to officially become the first major professional sports franchise to call Las Vegas home.
As the Vegas Golden Knights get set to kick off their third season at T-Mobile Arena, my special guest for this episode of the podcast is Ken Boehlke - one of the creators and hosts of the SinBin Vegas Podcast. Along with his partner Jason, the pair have been podcasting about pro hockey in Vegas since long before there was actually pro hockey in Vegas.
Ken and I talked about the Golden Knights Cinderella-story inaugural season, how & why hockey seems to working in Vegas as compared to other "non-traditional" hockey markets, what effect - if any - the Raiders & the NFL coming to town will have on the Golden Knights and Ken shared his thoughts on the team's chances in the upcoming 2019-2020 NHL season.
Check out the SinBin Vegas Podcast on your favourite podcast platform or via their website at SinBin.Vegas. Also, be sure to follow SinBin Vegas on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
I don't know about you, but one of my favourite ways to pass the time between trips to Las Vegas is to watch movies featuring Las Vegas - and the list of possibilities is pretty much endless! From classics like the original "Oceans 11" & "Viva Las Vegas" to critically acclaimed films like "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" & "Rain Man" to blockbuster hits like "Honeymoon in Vegas" and "The Hangover".
My guest for this episode of the show is David Rosen, the host of Piecing It Together, a movie podcast with a bit of a twist (which David explains in our conversation). I asked David to join me on my podcast to talk about Vegas movies; we discussed the best & worst of Vegas-related movies and shared some of our own personal favourites.
Be sure to follow David & Piecing It Together on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram
I'm back from another Las Vegas trip - my fifth of 2019 - it's time for another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report!
This time around, I've got a review of my newly renovated Flamingo Room at - you guessed it - The Flamingo as well as meals at Bootlegger Italian Bistro, Flights at Planet Hollywood, Trustworthy Brewing Co & BBQ at the Palazzo and Crack Shack at Park MGM. I've also got a heads-up for anyone planning on taking sneaky Showgirl photos and some fashion "suggestions" for the guys.
With visitors to Las Vegas getting hit with what seems like a never-ending parade of fees, it's no surprise that people are trying to find new ways to avoid getting beaten up in the pocketbook. And with the recent increase to Resort Fees at several strip-properties, one of the methods being used to save a few bucks is to head off the strip and book with AirBNB.
I personally have never used AirBNB in Las Vegas but I know someone who has: Chris Kim, the host of the Faces And Aces Las Vegas Podcast.
Chris is a frequent Vegas-visitor who's been podcasting about Las Vegas for several years now & he was willing to jump on my podcast talk about the pros & cons of using AirBNB rather than a hotel. He also shared a few stories of the good, the bad & the ugly of staying in a complete stranger's home.
Take a listen to the Faces and Aces Las Vegas Podcast and be sure to follow Chris on Twitter & Instagram.
And big thanks to Vegas Podtoons for animating Chris & I into our very own episode - Check it out on the Vegas Podtoons YouTube Channel!
My guest for this episode of the show is my very good friend & fellow frequent Vegas visitor, Adam West. Adam is the Midday Host & Program Director for Hot 100.5 FM in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Adam & I have been friends for over 20 years now; we worked together - and against each other - in the world of radio, we were temporary roommates at one time and we've even travelled to Las Vegas together.
Adam also has the distinct honour of being the first "repeat guest" on the podcast; he was one of the people I talked to back on Episode #8 of the show where we discussed the topic of bringing kids to Vegas.
Since appearing on the podcast, Adam and his wife took their kids to Las Vegas and I asked him to share the experience with me. We talked about the decision to do Las Vegas as a family vacation, the planning process involved in organizing the trip and he shared some great tips & tricks for attractions, accommodations and budget-friendly meals.
"Opinions are like a**holes...everyone has one."
For this episode of the podcast, I'm playing a little game called Unpopular Vegas Opinions, where I'll share some of my own personal opinions about Las Vegas that other people - LOTS of other people - don't seem to share. The genesis of this episode came from me sharing my thoughts on a well-known restaurant on a Vegas-related Facebook page and getting absolutely crucified for it.
While licking my wounds, I thought to myself, "Hey...this might make a fun podcast episode!" So, here we are!
Hash House A Go Go, tipping, Secret Pizza and resort fees are all targets of my Unpopular Vegas Opinions...enjoy! Plus, I share some of YOUR Unpopular Vegas Opinions as posted on Twitter!
My special guest for this episode of the podcast is Christina Ellis, the Director of Marketing for Ellis Island Casino & Brewery in Las Vegas.
Ellis Island is one of the coolest spots in Las Vegas & a favourite for both locals and tourists alike. Located a block east of the strip on Koval Lane, it's been a landmark in Las Vegas for just over 50 years. Ellis Island is unique in that it's a family-owned & family-run and in being so, they've been able to keep it "all about the customer".
Christina & I talked about the history of Ellis Island, the challenges of working with family, how Ellis Island has survived the ups & downs Las Vegas has faced in the last several years and plans for the future of Ellis Island. And of course, we also talked about the amazing food & drinks they serve including their famous Prime Rib, the $6.99 Steak & Eggs special and the $2.50 beers.
Area 51...
We've all heard the stories and seen it depicted in movies & television. If pop culture & rumours are to be believed, it's a top secret installation in the Nevada desert where the United States military conducts classified activities - including research on alien spacecraft & technology as well as extraterrestrial beings.
What's the Las Vegas connection to Area 51? It's two-fold:
First, it's well known that many Las Vegas residents work at Area 51, making the commute via Janet Airlines (they're the non-descript white planes with a red stripe that you've probably seen taking off & landing at McCarran International Airport).
Secondly, due to Area 51's proximity to Las Vegas (it's only a 2-3 hour drive away), thousands of people each year make the drive out to see the gates and maybe get a glimpse of something...bizarre.
Friend of the show & fellow Vegas Podcaster, Chris Kim, the host of Faces and Aces Las Vegas had the opportunity to talk to Braden & Dan who are the hosts of the Alien Theorists Theorizing Podcast about their journey to Area 51...as well as some of the "weirdness" they experienced on their trek to the gates.
Chris was gracious enough to allow me to share the interview on my podcast...enjoy!
Be sure to follow Alien Theorists Theorizing on Twitter & Instagram and take a listen to their show.
For even more Vegas-related content, follow Faces And Aces Las Vegas on Twitter & Instagram and be sure to listen to the podcast.
If you want to plan your own trek out to the fabled Area 51, check out this great article that outlines the best way to get to & from the back gate...and what to see along the way.
My special guest for this episode of the podcast is Steve Cyr.
Steve is a Casino Host in Las Vegas, but he's not just any Casino Host. Steve Cyr is a member of a very elite group of Casino Hosts who deal exclusively with "Whales".
For the uninitiated, "Whales" are the people who come to Sin City to gamble massive sums of money; it's not uncommon for them to drop upwards of a million dollars over the course of a weekend in Vegas. To get them to come to town - along with their giant bank accounts - Casino Hosts will hook them up with lavish comps...like flights on private jets, limo service to & from the casino, high-end suites & villas, ringside seats to UFC fights and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
Steve Cyr is the guy makes all of that happen - and so much more.
Steve was gracious enough to invite me into his home for our conversation. We talked about everything from his start in the casino business to how he re-invented the way hosting was being done to some of the more bizarre requests he's gotten from his Whales.
If you want to know more about Steve Cyr, check out his website and be sure to follow him on Twitter & Instagram. Also, be sure to pick up a copy of the book, "Whale Hunting In The Desert: Secrets of a Vegas Superhost" by Deke Castleman, which chronicles Steve's rise to become one of the top hosts in Las Vegas.
I've freshly returned from trip #4 of 2019 and it's time for another world famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report!
This episode features reviews of my stay at Bally's as well as meals at Village Cafe at Ellis Island, PizzaRev, Yard House at Linq Promenade, The Still at The Mirage and Ri-Ra at Mandalay Bay. I also managed to (finally) check out Don't Tell Mama on Fremont Street and - of course - I took in another awesome Mondays Dark at The Space.
If you're not drooling by the end of this episode, you should probably check your pulse to see if you're still alive. This time around, we're talking about a Las Vegas staple: PRIME RIB!
My guest for this episode of the show is Kristen DeSilva. By day, she's a content producer for a Las Vegas TV station...but off the clock, she's a Prime Rib aficionado who's made it her goal to eat as many different Prime Rib dinners around Las Vegas as possible. If you follow Kristen on Twitter or Instagram, you can track her progress with photos of her amazing meals.
If you want to share in Kristen's experience, here's her list of Prime Rib picks:
Primarily Prime Rib at South Point Hotel & Casino, Lawry's Las Vegas, Village Pub & Cafe at Ellis Island, Bob Taylor's Original Ranch House, Siegel's 1941 at El Cortez Hotel & Casino, Marilyn's Cafe at Tuscany Suites & Casino, Golden Steer Steakhouse and Jerry's Famous Coffeeshop at Jerry's Nugget Casino.
It's no secret that Las Vegas has a somewhat shady past...and that can pretty much 100% be attributed to the Mob's history in Las Vegas.
There are a lot of myths & legends surrounding Vegas' association with the world of organized crime and I wanted to get to the bottom of it all, so I turned to the experts.
The Mob Museum is one of my favorite Las Vegas attractions. It's the definitive authority on Mob history, not just in Las Vegas but all across the US & around the world. The Mob Museum is always on my to-do list when I'm in town and it's always one of my top recommendations for people travelling to Las Vegas.
My guest on this episode of the podcast is Geoff Schumacher, the Senior Director of Content for The Mob Museum. We talked about Las Vegas' humble history as a stop on the railway line, the growth of gambling & the connection to organized crime and Geoff helped to separate fact from fiction when it comes to some of those legendary stories of the mob's involvement in the building of Las Vegas.
Keep up with the Mob Museum by following them on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Get your tickets to visit the Mob Museum here.
The topic of discussion for this episode of the podcast is one that affects pretty much anyone who visits Las Vegas: RESORT FEES!
For those unfamiliar with the concept, "Resort Fees" are extra fees that most Vegas hotels will charge guests in addition to the actual room rate. Depending on the hotel you're staying at, those fees range anywhere from an additional $25-$45 per night and for lower-end hotels, the resort fee is actually HIGHER than the published room rate.
And what do you get for that extra cash? The hotels try to claim they're giving you access to the pool, resort wi-fi, the fitness center, free local calls and other goodies. In fact, what they're actually giving you is nothing.
Joining me for this episode of the podcast is Lauren Wolfe, a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer who, like a lot of other who travel to Las Vegas - and elsewhere in the US where the Resort Fee Plague is spreading - got tired of paying this so-called mandatory fee in exchange for, essentially, nothing. So, she decided to do something about it.
Lauren is the founder & creator of Kill Resort Fees, a website not only devoted to eliminating resort fees entirely, but educating people on how to avoid resort fees, how to get their resort fees refunded and how to force the government to take action against this illegal practice.
In addition to checking out the website, you can follow Kill Resort Fees on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
My special guest for this episode is Lisa Marie Smith. Lisa is a Las Vegas-based singer, dancer & model. She's appeared as a headliner in shows on the Vegas strip at the Stratosphere and the Palazzo. In late-2017, she signed her first record deal with Fervor Records and in November 2018, she released her debut self-titled EP featuring her single, "Get Closer To Me". Lisa is currently in the process of launching her new band project, LMS.
Lisa is also one of my closest friends. In the time we've known each other, she's become like a sister to me. I've introduced her to Canadian delicacies like All-Dressed & Ketchup Chips, Buttertarts and Nanaimo Bars and she's taken me and my wife out to some awesome Vegas restaurants, bars and shows. Lisa has been there for me during some very tough times and I've been fortunate enough to be able to do the same for her.
During our podcast conversation we talked about growing up in Las Vegas, touring around the world performing on cruise ships, her charity work, her vocal teaching and we also talked about some of her recent personal physical struggles.
Follow Lisa on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Stream her EP on Apple Music and Spotify or download from iTunes.
Here's the scenario: You're walking down the strip with your significant other enjoying the scenery, taking in the sights and sounds just minding your own business when a total stranger approaches you and says, "What a lovely couple! How'd you like free tickets to a show?"
The first-timers and newbies are thinking, "Sure...I'd LOVE free tickets to a show!" meanwhile the Vegas veterans are thinking, "RUN! RUN AS FAST YOU CAN! DON'T ENGAGE! DON'T TALK! JUST RUN!" Nothing in Vegas is free...and the price for those "free tickets" is sitting through the dreaded TIME SHARE PRESENTATION!
To navigate the murky waters of Time Shares, I've enlisted the help of an expert: Lisa Ann Schreier - aka The Time Share Crusader - is a consumer advocate who's been involved in the time share community for over 20 years. She's an author & blogger who works to keep people up to date on the time share industry as well as the questionable companies and practices out there.
My special guest for this episode of the podcast is John Di Domenico. John is a Las Vegas-based actor & performer who specializes in character impersonation. John does this on stage all over the world, on TV, in movies and at corporate events all over the world.
He has an impressive roster of about 30 different characters he portrays but one particular character has been keeping him very VERY busy as of late...
John is recognized as the best Donald Trump impersonator in the world (or as Donald himself might say, "Tremendous"). You've likely seen him as Trump in one of his multiple appearances on Fox News, late night talk shows (including Conan O'Brien) or in his Facebook Watch series, "The Trump Show." John also landed his first Vegas headlining gig in "Esther Goldberg's Totally Outrageous Brunch" at the SLS and recently released an Amazon Prime special, "Fake News: A Trump Story" which is now streaming.
John was kind enough to invite me into his home where we talked about his start in acting & character work, the changing landscape of comedy and his charity work. And of course, when you're talking to the number one Trump impersonator in the world, you're going to talk a bit of politics too.
Back home from trip #3 of 2019, I've got another Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report all ready to go!
(Don't adjust your podcast player...the nasally sound of my voice on this episode is the result of a massive head cold that decided to hit me right before recording, so I do apologize!)
This trip report features reviews of my stay at Luxor, meals at Tilted Kilt, Dick's Last Resort at the Excalibur and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville at the Flamingo as well my horrible experience with Robert Irvine's Public House at the Tropicana.
I share my thoughts on attending conventions in Las Vegas (I was in town for NABShow 2019) and I also happened to be in town for a Mondays Dark, so I was able to take in that show and spend time with my Vegas family.
Las Vegas attracts over 42 million visitors every year from all over the world with a good number of those people making their first ever trip to Sin City. Las Vegas is one of those places that can be very overwhelming for a first-timer. But don't worry...your friends will help with suggestions on places to stay, where to eat, what shows to see and what attractions to go to.
What your friends probably won't tell you about are all the things they did WRONG on their trips to Las Vegas; mistakes that can literally make or break your vacation. To do that, I've enlisted the help of an expert who - quite literally - wrote the book on "Classic Vegas Mistakes."
This episode, I chat with David Demontmollin, a 20-year casino industry veteran who's worked for both Strip and Off-Strip properties in Las Vegas. He starred in Discovery Channel's smash hit, "American Casino" and has appeared on multiple TV & radio shows, talking about casino travel. David has also channeled his expertise into several books including "Las Vegas' Little Black Book: A Guys Guide To The Perfect Vegas Weekend" and "Classic Vegas Mistakes" - both of which are available on Amazon.
David and I talked about his experience in the industry, recent changes in the casino & gaming business - including those dreaded Resort Fees - and those Classic Vegas Mistakes. If you want more Classic Vegas Mistakes, head over and follow David on Twitter.
Freshly back from Vegas Trip #2 of 2019, it's time for another Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report!
And I'm trying something a little different for the trip report this time around; rather than a blow-by-blow, day-by-day report, I'm going to hit the high spots of the trip, share some reviews and share my experiences with you. You know that feeling of dread you get when your friends drag out the photo album and make you look at every single vacation photo? Yeah...that's what I'm trying to avoid.
This Trip Report features reviews of The Park MGM, Tom's Urban at New York New York, The Henry at The Cosmopolitan and Marilyn's Cafe at The Tuscany. My wife and I also had the pleasure of hanging out at the Piazza Lounge in The Tuscany for Kenny Davidsen's Celebrity Piano Bar and we took in some NHL Hockey action at T-Mobile Arena as the Vegas Golden Knights played host to the Winnipeg Jets.
Money is always a tricky topic when it comes to planning for a Las Vegas trip or when giving advice to Vegas visitors. As I've talked about in previous episodes, Vegas is one of those rare vacation destinations where you can literally make it whatever you want it to be; whether you want to play "high roller" and drop stacks of cash wherever you go or you want to play it sensible and actually take some of your money home with you, both are viable options.
Viva Las Value is a new website designed to help you do Vegas like a high roller...without breaking the bank. The site is jammed full of amazing tips & tricks for the Vegas visitor including everything from how to score free drinks while playing slots to how to NOT be overwhelmed on your first trip to the casino to how to earn comps just for playing "pretend" slots on Facebook. I tracked down Sergio Portesan, the founder and creator of Viva Las Value to get his story & find out the inspiration behind creating the site.
Be sure to give Viva Las Value a follow on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram to interact.
I have a confession to make: I'm approaching my 27th trip to Las Vegas in the last 5 years and in all of that time, not once have I ever played a table game. I've never played a hand of Blackjack or Poker, I've never tossed the dice in a game of Craps and I've never placed a bet at a Roulette table.
Why is that? There's a few reasons - some of which include anxiety, intimidation, a past negative experience with a "casino troll" and the fact that I simply don't know how to play a lot of the table games. To help me out with these issues, I decided to talk to an expert and bring her on the show!
This episode, I'll be joined by Heather Ferris, the CEO and Founder of Vegas Aces, the world's first FREE online dealing trade school where regular folks like me can learn how to deal AND play casino table games! For more info on Vegas Aces and what Heather has to offer, check out their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter!
Las Vegas is the official city of HYPE! Everything in Sin City is EXCITING AND AMAZING...or is it?
There's nothing worse than being amped up for an experience only to end up being horribly disappointed. But at the same time, it's always fun to come across those "hidden gems" that nobody else knows about.
That's what this episode is all about - Vegas' Most Overrated and Underrated!
Are those celebrity chef restaurants worth the hype? Should you stay at one of the big-name mega-resorts...or pick a smaller off-strip spot? How many Cirque shows is TOO MANY Cirque Shows? This episode will answer those questions - and more!
Thanks to this week's guest contributors:
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Sam Novak from "Vegas Unfiltered", the Las Vegas blog that's just that - unfiltered! Sam is never afraid to speak his mind on the goings-on in Sin City...and he gives us his picks for Vegas' Most Overrated & Underrated. Be sure to follow Sam on Facebook and Twitter.
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Jenna Nye from "Off The Strip", where the motto is "There's More To Vegas". Jenna joins us live from Las Vegas and shares some of her favourite underrated hidden gems away from the insanity of the Vegas strip. Find Off The Strip on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The inspiration for this episode came from a post on one of my favourite Vegas-related Facebook pages, "Talk Las Vegas", where a gentleman named Michael was asking about whether or not he should do a solo trip to Las Vegas after his travel partner cancelled on him.
I myself have done numerous solo trips and have a blast every single time. So, I thought I'd share my thoughts on travelling alone to Vegas as well as a few tips & tricks on things to do, where to eat and - most importantly - how to stay safe when travelling solo!
If you're planning on a solo trip to Vegas, check out these links:
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The Vegas Solo...The definitive website for solo travellers headed to Vegas
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Vegas Bright's guide for female solo travellers headed to Vegas - including some great safety tips
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Frontdesk Tip's complete guide to visiting Vegas as a solo traveller
This episode features an in-depth trip report of my most recent getaway to Las Vegas, from February 3rd-6th, 2019 featuring:
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Meal reviews including Wahlburger's at Bally's Grand Bazaar, Virgil's Real BBQ at Linq Promenade, Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood, Sake Rok at The Park and Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian
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Off-strip visits to dive bars The Hard Hat Lounge & Dino's Lounge, drinks and pizza at Corduroy & Evel Pie on Fremont Street and an EPIC Prime Rib Dinner from Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
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The pros and cons of landing in Las Vegas during the Super Bowl (aka "The Big Game")
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Thoughts on the current state of the GO Rooms at The Flamingo
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And a safety tip/PSA on how to correctly cross the street in Las Vegas
The topic for this episode comes from one of our listeners: Brandon dropped me a note on Facebook wondering about my thoughts on staying on at a hotel/resort ON The Strip vs staying at a hotel/resort OFF The Strip. I thought that was a great idea...so here we go!
This week's episode is about a topic that always manages to get people going online - whether it's on Facebook, TripAdvisor or any of the thousands of other Vegas-related blogs or websites out there:
BRINGING KIDS TO VEGAS
Big thanks to my guests who joined me to talk about this very polarizing topic:
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Jessica aka "Vegas Princess Bella" - She's a long-time Las Vegas visitor who runs Las Vegas Pics and Tricks on Facebook and a mom, who recently took her 8 & 10 year-old children to Vegas.
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My good friend Adam West, Midday Host & Program Director at Hot 100.5 FM in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - He's a frequent Vegas visitor and a dad of 3 who has some strong yet valid opinions about the PARENTS who bring their kids to Las Vegas. Find him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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And Maria-Leena Kerr - She's the owner of DanishTourGuide.com, an online concierge platform and sightseeing company. Maria also provides tour services in Las Vegas and helps families organize their trips to Vegas. Reach out to her on Twitter and Instagram.
Listen in for great insight on bringing children to Las Vegas.
This week's episode is a nice little follow-up to last week's crossover with Faces And Aces: Las Vegas and the "So You Think You've Done Vegas" episode.
After we posted our episodes on-line, Chris and I got talking about some of the things we missed on our lists (including a couple of REALLY embarrassing ones...ha ha!). Then after we Tweeted out about the show, our followers starting sending us messages with their suggestions for things to add to the list.
So, in no particular order, presented within this episode are a few "honourable mentions" for things you need to do in Vegas to officially say you've "done Vegas".
Thanks so much for listening!
There have been so many EPIC crossovers in history; The Flintstones & The Jetsons, Family Guy & The Simpsons, Power Rangers & TMNT, Full House & Family Matters...and now you can add ANOTHER one to the list:
The Faces And Aces Las Vegas Podcast & The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast!
After much brainstorming, Chris & I managed to get together via Skype and put together what I think is a pretty great episode for both of our podcasts!
We're both regular visitors to Las Vegas and in all those visits, we determined that there are certain things you have to do in order to say you've "done Vegas"...so in this crossover episode, we present our lists - but with a bit of a twist:
If you want to hear our discussion & thoughts on the COMPLETE lists, you need to listen to BOTH of our podcasts! Numbers 10 through 6 are over at Faces And Aces Las Vegas & Number 5 through 1 are heard here in my podcast.
If you really can't wait to listen to both episodes of the podcasts, then here's my complete list of the Top 10 Things You Have To Do To Say You've "Done Vegas":
10) Get a photo with a showgirl or character on the street 9) Visit Fremont Street/Downtown Las Vegas 8) See a Cirque du Soleil Show 7) Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel 6) Ride the Linq High Roller 5) Do a Gondola Ride at the Venetian 4) Go to a strip club (or at the very least, a topless show) 3) Get bottle service/VIP table service at a night club 2) Take a helicopter ride over The Strip 1) Visit the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign Thanks so much for listening and checking out The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast!
Don't forget to give us a follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
To quote Puff Daddy, this episode of the podcast is "All About The Benjamins Baby".
Hopefully, this episode will be helpful for Vegas vets and virgins alike; One of the most popular questions I see posted about planning a Vegas vacation is "How much money should I bring with me?" There are several different answers to this question, all dependent on the type of trip you're planning...so hopefully, I'll be able to help you with some guidance.
Thanks for listening and thanks for checking us out!
If you're after some great ways to save cash in Vegas, check out the following links:
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Sign up for Caesars Total Rewards and MLife Rewards programs
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Watch for discounted show tickets at Tix-4-Tonight, Tickets On Demand and Vegas.com
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And look for discounts on rooms, shows, restaurants, attractions and tours at SmarterVegas, TravelVegas and Vegas4Locals
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 24/2018 - Welcome to Episode #4 of The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast!
This episode is an in-depth trip report of my most recent getaway to Las Vegas from December 16-20, 2018 featuring:
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A review of my first ever stay at Caesars Palace
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My experience trying to take an Uber from Caesars to the Hard Rock Hotel
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Meals at Nine Fine Irishmen at New York New York, Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, Culinary Dropout at the Hard Rock Hotel and Yardbird & Black Tap both at The Venetian
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A recap of the Mondays Dark 5th Anniversary Celebration
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And a review of Human Nature: Jukebox at the Venetian
So sit back, relax and enjoy this audio trip to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 14/2018 - This episode is - admittedly - a shameless plug for a special event coming up on Monday, December 17th at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. My friend, Mark Shunock - who I've talked about on previous episodes - is celebrating the 5th Anniversary of his charity show, "Mondays Dark".
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 7/2018 - Episode #2 of the Jeff Does Vegas podcast includes tips & tricks on things to avoid while walking the strip as well as a few must-do attractions both on and off the strip.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 1/2018 - Welcome to the debut episode of The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast! For the debut show, it's a trip report from my most recent trip to Sin City from November 12-14, 2018. I recap my experience at The Flamingo Hotel, talk about some of the great restaurants I checked out and talk about a "hidden gem" off the strip - the National Atomic Testing Museum.
So sit back, relax and enjoy this audio trip to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!