Las Vegas Mixtape v20: What’s New Since 2020

1. Track #1: Allegiant Stadium

Vegas needed a modern, world-class stadium, and this 65,000-seat facility with a translucent roof was the answer. Debuting in 2020, Allegiant Stadium is the place to see games by the Las Vegas Raiders and the University of Nevada’s Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels college football team.

Musicians who’ve lit up the venue include the Stones, The Weeknd, and Guns N’ Roses. Look for country’s Morgan Wallen to perform August 8-9, with gal-power hero Pink dialed in for September 13.

2. Track #2: Area 15

Vegas hasn’t been the same since Area 15 landed in late 2020. People flock to this massive, breathtakingly lit funhouse for experiential art installations like the surreal supermarket Omega Mart, the dizzying Museum Fiasco, and Wink World (created by Chris Wink of Blue Man Group).

Plus, there’s entertainment inside at the visually immersive Portal, where I’ve seen the consciousness-raising metal/goth burlesque act Little Miss Nasty, and on the outside EDM stage. You can also eat here—try the Asian Kaia and the gastropub selections at The Beast—and drink at the Oddwood Bar under a “digital maple tree” whose “5000 leaves are lined with individually programmed LED lights.”

3. Track #3: Bagelmania

When Vegas staple Harrie’s Bagelmania expanded in 2021 into a newly built 10,000-square-foot space with neo-mid-century design, the bakery and delicatessen became known as the simpler Bagelmania. Situated next door to the Convention Center, it offers 20 varieties of bagels and bialys and many unique sandwiches.

Among them: “Kutrzman’s Jewish Sliders” (brisket, latkes, melted muenster, and gravy on mini challah rolls), “Abbie’s Chicken Parm” (a perfect Jewish/Italian merger, with crispy chicken, melted and provolone parmesan cheese with pepperoncini on a toasted asiago bagel), and my favorite, the heavenly “Summerlin Girl” (avocado, tomato, feta crumble, veggie shmear stacked with two egg whites, and hash brown cake).

There’s also a full bar with a sign over it that beckons “Soup of the Day: Whiskey” and slot machines. Free complimentary self-parking, too.

4. Track #4: Beverly Theater

The newly built downtown arthouse cinema and performance venue known as The Beverly Theater was unveiled in early 2023. Smart crowds come here to see left-of-center films like Martin Scorsese’s quirky classic “After Hours” and revelatory documentaries including “Have You Got It Yet? (The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd).”

The theater also doubles as a musical performance space. Upcoming shows include introspective Bennett Coast (July 23) and catchy alternative rockers The Palms (July 28).

5. Track #5: Circa Resort & Casino

This 21-and-over jumping spot with a retro groovy design is the first new hotel-casino built on the Fremont Street Experience since 1980, and it began welcoming visitors in late 2020.

The Stadium Swim pool experience is a big selling point. As Circa Resort & Casino’s website notes, “Chill in one of our six pools on three different levels for a perfect view of our massive 40-foot-tall high-definition screen.”

Also visit Legacy Club Rooftop Cocktails on the 60th floor overlooking the city. Gamblers enjoy the world’s largest sports betting experience, including a three-story sports book.

For dining, there’s the acclaimed Barry’s Downtown Prime steakhouse, which is smart enough to offer a vegan option—the flavorful Salisbury steak, a soy plant-based meat with roasted pepper, mushroom gravy, and crispy onion straws.

For Pan Asian food, head upstairs to 8 East. It’s chef/owner Dan Coughlan’s intimate spinoff of his popular Le Thai eatery downtown.

6. Track #6: Durango Casino & Resort

The Durango Casino & Resort debuted in late 2023 in the booming southwest. It stands out with restaurants like Santa Monica’s Summer House, with its healthy options and dreamy earth-toned interior, and creative Mexican eatery Mijo (with its not-so-secret Wax Rabbit speakeasy).

Don’t miss the well-thought-out Eat Your Heart Out food hall. Among the 11 choices are eateries from LA (Irv’s Burgers, Uncle Paulie’s sandwich shop) and NYC (Prince St. Pizza), plus outposts of Vegas favorites Shang Artisan Noodle and Yu-Or-Mi Sushi.

If you prefer a sit-down meal, try one of the food hall’s four restaurants, like Fiorella from Philadelphia master chef Marc Vetri. 

7. Track #7: ENGLiSH Hotel and Pepper Club

The Arts District was reenergized with the February 2022 opening of the ENGLiSH Hotel. This 21-and-over boutique hideaway contains a cozy 74 rooms and The Pepper Club, an eclectic restaurant headed by award-winning chef Todd English.

The Pepper Club is dubbed an “Ocean Asian Fusion and Sushi Bar” because of crowd-pleasers like the  “Crispy Rice” (coconut rice, spicy tuna, avocado, and microgreens) and the Orange Miso Salmon (plated with bok choy and serrano rings).

If I were on death row, a meal from The Pepper Club would be my final request.

8. Track #8: Fontainebleau Las Vegas

It was worth the wait for the ultra-posh and towering Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which finally opened its doors in December 2023.

Choose from signature dining experiences like Papi Steak, the Chyna Club, Washing Potato, and Ito. The latter, on the hotel’s top floor, features a Japanese omakase menu and stunning views for 12 guests.

On the more affordable is the Promenade food hall housing big names like Capon’s Burgers from NYC celebrity chef Josh Capon, Roadside Taco out of LA, and the premium sushi-focused Bar Ito, sister-concept to Ito.

See live music at the excellent-sounding BleauLive Theater—the recent Daryl Hall/Elvis Costello doubleheader was exceptional.

9. Track #9: The Punk Rock Museum

Vegas is now the world’s punk rock epicenter. Consider the long-running  Fremont Country Club (Green Day performed there last year), the three-day Punk Rock Bowling Music Festival at Downtown Events Center (notably on track for its 25th year in 2025), and The Punk Rock Museum (which rocked its way into our noisy hearts in 2023).

Across 12,000 square feet, the photo-and-artifact-packed two-floor museum founded by “Fat Mike” Burkett of veteran punk band NOFX has many visually striking rooms. Each is well laid out, especially the one housing the historic fanzine collection.

There’s also a tattoo parlor, bar, music room, store—and a wedding/wake chapel. Check the website for dates when notable punk musicians lead guided tours.

10. Track #10: Resorts World Las Vegas

When the posh Resorts World Las Vegas emerged in 2021, it enlivened the northern part of the Strip. It’s three Hilton-branded hotels in one—Conrad, Hilton, and Crockfords—with 3,500 guest rooms.

At the resort, you can luxuriate in an array of Asian food in their Famous Foods Street Eats food hall, which tips its hat to the street markets of Southeast Asia. Look for the truly hidden speakeasy Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den.

If you miss Southern California, try these LA imports—Crossroads Kitchen (vegan), Wally’s Wine and Spirits, Mulberry Street Pizzeria, and Randy’s Donuts—and shop for stylish clothes at Fred Segal inside The District. 

11. Track #11: Sphere

“From the sublime to the ridiculous…that’s our job this evening,” U2 frontman Bono said confidently from the Sphere’s stage last January. “If you’re gonna run away with the circus, this is the big top,” he added—no doubt a reference to the interior’s 160,000 square-foot wraparound LED display.

U2’s groundbreaking Sphere residency began in September 2023. 

In June, I went to the Sphere again to watch Dead & Company dazzle some 20,000 attendees with exuberant energy, iconic songs, and a trippy kaleidoscope of LED visuals. Mickey Hart’s percussive jam odyssey “Drums/Space” was paired with especially hallucinatory images—the utterly breathtaking spectacle made the Sphere seem like the only place to be in the world.

The three-hour Dead & Company experience runs on select nights until August 10. The Eagles take over next, with shows beginning September 20. 

12. Track #12: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

The visually seductive Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, formerly the Hard Rock, launched in 2021 after a reported $200 million renovation. You can find it a mile east of the Strip.

Highlights include The Theater (I saw Limp Bizkit here), the smaller 24 Oxford, and The Shag Room. The latter is a sexy bar/casual lounge with live entertainment and an “Upside Down Tea Party” (Sundays 12-4:00 pm).

The hotel’s culinary portfolio features the globally hailed Japanese restaurant Nobu, Casa Calavera (a spinoff of the Mexican eatery in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico), and buzzy Italian spot Kassi Beach House.