Las Vegas - NYE 09/10

Hi all,

I'll be coming over for my second visit, this time for NYE, and I haven't been able to dig up any info on the net for parties / crazy shenanigans.

Question is, outside of the (hopefully) spectacular fireworks displays, what's going down over the period?

Will be arriving 29/12 and leaving 5/1 staying in the Bellagio with my OT.

Not into the paying $300 to stand in a generic club, could do that in London with mates...just wondering if something a little different could be coming my way?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

cheers,

Jono

The best parties and events are by invitation only.

Invitations start arriving in November.

IMO, Vegas is a bit less pay to play since it's still a casino town.

Of course, if you still desire to pay to play, expect to drop some significant coin. Since I note you are NOT interested in dropping even $300; me thinks you might just be hanging with a bunch of drunk folks on the strip. :p:p:p

My suggestion, book a reservation [in advance] at a nice restaurant; and spend most of your time [on NYE] enjoying a 3+ hour dinner.

The best parties and events are by invitation only.

Invitations start arriving in November.

IMO, Vegas is a bit less pay to play since it's still a casino town.

Of course, if you still desire to pay to play, expect to drop some significant coin. Since I note you are NOT interested in dropping even $300; me thinks you might just be hanging with a bunch of drunk folks on the strip. :p:p:p

My suggestion, book a reservation [in advance] at a nice restaurant; and spend most of your time [on NYE] enjoying a 3+ hour dinner.

Thanks for the prompt response and advice. As I said in my post, inside of an overpriced club is the same wherever you go so looking for something a little more memorable. The strip may be the way to go - the people I met in NYC were far more interesting than standing around for 6 1/2 hours in the freezing cold to watch a ball drop.

Plus, the beer will help pass the time ;)

Quality restaurant it is (unless concierge comes up with something decent) - at least I'll feel I'm getting something for my money :D

It should be noted that the fireworks weren't as spectacular last year. Because of the Monte Carlo fire, they didn't let the city set off fireworks from the hotel rooftops. They set the fireworks off from ground level, which wasn't as good. I don't know what they have planned this year.

Quality restaurant it is (unless concierge comes up with something decent) - at least I'll feel I'm getting something for my money :D

You mention you are staying @ Bellagio.

If you don't want to wander too far that evening,

Michael Mina (http://www.michaelmina.net/michaelmina_lasvegas/) is one of my favorites.

It should be noted that the fireworks weren't as spectacular last year. Because of the Monte Carlo fire, they didn't let the city set off fireworks from the hotel rooftops. They set the fireworks off from ground level, which wasn't as good. I don't know what they have planned this year.

Not exactly. Because of the Monte Carlo fire, Clark County put in new regulations that required extensive inspections and preparations ($250k +/-) and the casinos chose not to spend the $$.

There was a ton of local outcry regarding the lame fireworks, and more than likely, it will improve for the 09/10 New Years Eve.

For the July 4th fireworks, Stations did a multi (5 or 6 IIRC) casino synchronized Grucci show that was quite nice. Along with the M Resort, the City of Henderson and tons of local action, the entire sky was illuminated.

Watching from the top of a mountain in the SouthWest valley, the Strip ground fireworks looked quite lame.

Thanks for the info guys, will gauge interest from the OT and keep an eye out for any offers / promotions / emails from the concierge.

I'll make my own fireworks if I have to :D

Just noticed that Vegas will be shooting off fireworks from the rooftops this year.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20091116/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_las_vegas_new_year_s

Thanks for the prompt response and advice. As I said in my post, inside of an overpriced club is the same wherever you go so looking for something a little more memorable. The strip may be the way to go - the people I met in NYC were far more interesting than standing around for 6 1/2 hours in the freezing cold to watch a ball drop.

Plus, the beer will help pass the time ;)

Quality restaurant it is (unless concierge comes up with something decent) - at least I'll feel I'm getting something for my money :DHaving done both, you won't freeze in LAS. But it is also not as much fun. Expect decent fireworks from the roof of Caesars Palace next door to the Bellagio. Expect temperatures in the mid fifties. But in the end -- unless you can buy, gamble, or sneak your way into one of the A-list high roller parties -- there won't be much more than food, booze, and gambling, the same as every other day in LAS.

Last time we did TSNYE we didn't get near Times Square, the neighborhood was a mob scene, but we had a memorable time riding downtown on the subway playing spin-the-bottle, walking crosstown to Chinatown because there were no cabs, watching barefoot people tramp through mud and snow in search of a cab, etc. etc.

Last time we did TSNYE we didn't get near Times Square, the neighborhood was a mob scene, but we had a memorable time riding downtown on the subway playing spin-the-bottle, walking crosstown to Chinatown because there were no cabs, watching barefoot people tramp through mud and snow in search of a cab, etc. etc.

Same here, no Times Square; well, we were in Times Square in the afternoon.

Instead, we hosted a private party in our 2 bedroom suite @ the Waldorf-Towers, after a lovely dinner out. ;)

Last year, I went to the party on Fremont Street and had a really fun time. We were there for most of the evening and then left at 11pm to go to the strip to see the fireworks. Everyone I was with thought the scene on the strip was lame in comparison. Fremont Street was much more of a festive, party atmosphere, whilst the strip was just mostly filled with people just "standing around." On Fremont Street, there was music, entertainment, inexpensive drinks, and easy access to the casinos, etc. They sell wristbands, which you need to enter the festivities, but we all got ours for free by planning ahead and going down to one of the casinos during the day.

Stay close to your hotel.
Due to the huge masses of people on the street, often during and after the fireworks show - until about 3:00 AM or so - they stop allowing anyone into the casino/hotels who does not have a room key from that location. They don't want several thousand drunks all rushing into a casino property en masse. There are exceptions, but just beware that this might be the case and sticking close to your hotel is probably not a bad idea on that night anyway.

There will be tons of parties that night - I see a new nightclub is opening at the City Center that night. Yes, it can get pricey to go to some of those clubs, but on NYE, that is pretty much normal in any major city. You might consider quickly getting tickets at the Foundation Room on the top of Mandalay Bay, or at the Voodo Lounge (top of Rio) or on the top of the Palms...might cost a bit, but you can see all the fireworks from any of those locations, it will be warmer, not so insane with the masses roaming the streets, and when the fireworks are over, you are already where you want to party.

Stay close to your hotel.
Due to the huge masses of people on the street, often during and after the fireworks show - until about 3:00 AM or so - they stop allowing anyone into the casino/hotels who does not have a room key from that location. They don't want several thousand drunks all rushing into a casino property en masse. There are exceptions, but just beware that this might be the case and sticking close to your hotel is probably not a bad idea on that night anyway.

Very true - room key for most (player's card works for some). This should be incorporated both in your distance and drinking determinations. I spent last year at Robbie Maddison's jump at Paris onto the replica Arc de Triomphe.

Only time I celebrated NYE in Vegas I walked out to the strip at around 11 pm, saw the masses and went right back in. Went up to my room, ordered room service and watched the fireworks from there. My friends still gives me grief about this but I have never regretted it.

Only time I celebrated NYE in Vegas I walked out to the strip at around 11 pm, saw the masses and went right back in. Went up to my room, ordered room service and watched the fireworks from there. My friends still gives me grief about this but I have never regretted it.

Two years ago I stayed in Ballys North Tower for NYE, my room had a view of 3 different fireworks displays, I did pretty much what you did, stayed in my room and watched the "explosions".^

Great news about the fireworks being put back where they belong. Checked out the restaurant offerings from the Bellagio and decided to take my chances with the masses.

Happy days - not too long to go now.

I am a MGM MIRAGE employee and if you are looking to find the New Year's parties and deals you should follow Your Vegas Beat on Facebook or their twitter @vegasconcierge. I hope you have a great time here for the holidays.

I am a MGM MIRAGE employee and if you are looking to find the New Year's parties and deals you should follow Your Vegas Beat on Facebook or their twitter @vegasconcierge. I hope you have a great time here for the holidays.

Great tip, I'm Twittered up, will keep an eye out for the updates.

cheers again.