An exclusive first look at Diablo’s Cantina
No hard hat necessary. Diablo’s Cantina at the Monte Carlo is completed and preparing for a September 15 soft opening and an October 13 grand opening. Seven nights a week, the Light Group’s two-story, weathered-looking, beam-and-plaster cantina will re-create treasured Spring Break memories (assuming you remember ...), plying you with 40-ounce Sancho margaritas, shot girls, hourly drink specials courtesy of the Wheel of Sin and tasty south-of-the-border cuisine by Executive Chef Noé Alcalá. Live bands rule the rooftop patio in the shadow of Diablo’s 20-foot she-devil mascot Thursday through Saturday, while a DJ spins downstairs. The marketing plan includes a pimped-out 1968 fire truck driving the Strip manned by Diablo’s own “mood director,” Moose-o Libre, while Wednesday through Saturday, a YouTube correspondent broadcasts the party to the world.
Another Monte Carlo bar/restaurant, Fat Bob’s Barbecue (the name is rumored to be up in the air), will reportedly break ground in February 2008, mirroring Diablo’s and book-ending the Monte Carlo property. No word on an alternative name for the Pure Management Group-owned venue slated to open in September or October of next year. Just this: “As we are with all of our new ventures, we’re very excited about our upcoming project at Monte Carlo,” says managing partner Steve Davidovici.
Palazzo to sport Jay-Z’s 40/40
The latest celebrity-owned nightclub venue to hit Las Vegas Boulevard will be the fifth location of rap mogul Jay-Z’s 40/40 club. This 24,000 square-foot ultra-sports bar and lounge features 85 plasma screen televisions, an upscale sports viewing auditorium and lavish 24-karat gold and platinum floors. With an anticipated soft opening of December 20, this coincides with the opening the Venetian’s new $1.8 billion dollar Palazzo Resort. The grand opening will be held on New Year’s Eve.
For the curious, the club’s name refers to one of major league baseball’s most prestigious achievements, the exclusive 40/40 club that includes players who hit at least 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in one season. When asked if he plans to blend any of his many other entertainment companies into the 40/40 club, Jay-Z tells the Weekly “I’m not going to throw any of our other brands in anyone’s faces, but if they show up there from time to time, then that’s what happens.” Regardless, given Jay-Z’s reach into the entertainment and sports world, we can certainly expect to see a number of his label’s artists and fellow celebrity colleagues hosting buzz-worthy events at the 40/40 club.
The suite life
If you thought celebs got red-carpet treatment just when they use Vegas as their personal party zone, you should have seen the reception laid out for visiting talent during this past weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards.
At the official MTV’s VMA Talent Hospitality Lounge at the Palms, Laurie Ziegler of Branded Entertainment Marketing assembled a $10,000 gift package for the 100-plus presenters, talent and winners. In addition to Michael Kors Collection sunglasses and Swiss Legend tank watch were vouchers for $1,000 towards tattoo removal by Dr. Tattoff, a stay at the Palms and a year of Real Rhapsody music service. A few hand-picked celebs were offered the ultra-exclusive Neutrogena Amber Card. With only 200 ever made, the lucky ones will be given lifetime access to Neutrogena’s products for themselves, their families and their pet causes.
At the Hard Rock’s Star Lounge, hunky Vegas models Benjamin Bradley and Ethan Reynolds handed out the Ginch Gonch underwear and reportedly gave singer Joss Stone the tiger print undies she would be wearing during her performance. Venetian hosted the Tao Hospitality Suites and Tao Beach became the Xbox Oasis all weekend. At Friday’s private Linkin Park concert, MC/guitarist Mike Shinoda encouraged the crowd to jump into the pool, but sadly, there were no takers.
Access West Marketing brought the Style Villas to Caesars’ Venus Pool Lounge, where antiviolence, pro-music actor/designer Orlando Jones went out of his way to make sure the underage members of Panic! at the Disco weren’t left out; he took his Gangstir Rock hoodies out to the band himself. Vegas’ denim queen, Sheila Marie of Sheiki, modeled her own line of very desirable butt-lifting jeans. Lia Sophia jewelry designer Dani Stahl was on hand to personally outfit 50 Cent with two heavy gold and Swarovski crystal-studded chains, $3,600 each. “Man-bling is where it’s at,” remarked one Lia Sophia rep. In fact, the guys seemed to be hitting the swag stalls harder than the ladies! Fitty picked up a Le Sportsac tote for his mother, Apple Bottoms apparel for “someone special” and even had his skin mapped by Dermalogica in preparation. But the best news came from the Hanes reps who reported giving Britney’s cousin and former assistant, Alli Sims, two pairs of the Hanes Perfect Panty for the star. Maybe it will start of a new trend in Vegas—keeping one’s business to oneself. We can only hope.