We probably could have seen the negative aspects coming; other cities have griped about the social littering of the weekend. Things started to chip away early when promoter Bigger Than Life Entertainment's plans for All-Star Weekend 2007 fell through before the festivities even began. All bets were off when they failed to secure their primary venue (i.e.: they didn't pay their bills) and Caesars Palace canceled the company's street-ball game and some high-profile parties.
Over at Ice, what seemed to be a fabulous rekindling, at least for a few days, turned into a promoter's migraine. LeBron James was scheduled for a party and a basketball game at the same time on Thursday. Unfortunately for all the eager fans waiting outside, he decided to go to work. Then Jay-Z filed a restraining order against Ice's Friday night shindig, which was advertised as being hosted by his likeness and Roc-a-Fella Records. Didn't happen. When things did go off, they did so literally. On top of the three people shot outside Minxx nightclub on Monday morning following an NBA party with Nelly, there was the shooting in the MGM Grand parking garage reportedly involving fans in town for the game.
The national headlines grabbed by those rather large party fouls probably didn't help the upscale image Vegas has been trying to push for these events.
There was brawling at Tryst, and an eyewitness tells us that the night before, a Rumjungle manager left with a rapper's blood on his suit following a fight in which empty Grey Goose bottles were used as bats, and rocks glasses as missiles. Fun. And to show it wasn't just the Strip, Mike Jones, Chamillionaire and Lil' Flip were all supposed to perform at Beauty Bar on Saturday and no-showed.
Finally, so we can get it off our chest and move on: We heard from several service-industry folks that this past weekend saw an unprecedented level of poor tipping and bailing on checks without paying. "I am short probably $2,000 from where I should have been considering the amount of business that came through here," said one cocktail waitress at an upscale Strip restaurant. "I had people walk on tabs and then try and lie about it. I had one lady who had a bill for like $44.60, she gave me $45, asked for the change and kept it without tipping. ... I just couldn't believe some of the manners of our customers this weekend."
Plus traffic just downright sucked.
Okay, we feel better.
Overall the game was great, Jam Session was loads of fun and the NBA personnel put on a flawless production. We're spoiled and we know it. But it just makes the local-tourist relationship so much better when visitors add to the city, not subtract.
Happy birthday, Hooters; not so lucky for 13
The Hooters casino-hotel will celebrate its first birthday this weekend, but we are sad to say it is also a farewell to its martini bar, 13.
Slated to close by the end of the month, the space next to Dan Marino's Fine Food & Spirits will be gutted to make way for a comedy club. Among the 13 signature martinis that will be missed the most are the Snickertini and the Panty Dropper. Goodbye, 13, but hooray for Hooters.
Another, completely different, birthday of note, with no hooters involved: Our favorite local pugilist, Floyd Mayweather, turns 30 this Friday and will celebrate at Jet. Happy birthday, Floyd! Now stop partying and get back in the gym—you have the biggest fight of the decade coming up in May.
Skin and sin are in
Just to show that we're not in a completely foul postgame mood this week, let us welcome the two newest entrants to the party scene.
Skin & Sin kicks off at Rumjungle this week, a limited-engagement run of eight Thursdays in which to celebrate the seven deadly sins and the bonus no-no, Original Sin. Spa packages will be given away to help a few lucky patrons truly experience this week's appointed sin: Sloth.
And speaking of forbidden fruits, Eden, the reincarnation of Striptease Gentlemen's Club, is now open at 3750 South Valley View for your garden-variety sinning pleasure 24/7. Tell 'em the snake sent you.
Pure juice
Seeing no reason not to spread the good word, Pure Management Group is setting up shop in Miami, creating a replica of the Las Vegas club, Pure Lounge, for Wine Spectator's Best of the Best this Friday. Part of the South Beach Food & Wine Festival, the satellite party spot is only a precursor to the club taking up a permanent residence in the Fontainebleau sometime in 2008.
Not any given Sunday |
"This weekend, the true measure of your All-Star cachet is not how many points you score, but how many parties you host."
– Sportswriter Ken Berger of New York’s Newsday has no idea just how right he was.
Cocktail of the Week |
Green Tea Martini Ra Sushi, $8
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Skyy Vanilla
2 oz. Zen Green Tea liquor
Splash of half & half
Dot a chilled martini glass with raspberry sauce in five places
Shake vigorously
Strain into a chilled martini glass
As we celebrate the Chinese New Year in our own special Sin City way, this is the tea we want to toast the lunar celebration with.
Gung hay fat choy!
DJ Trading Cards |
Xania Woodman |
[email protected] for more information!