Warm up for the 4th at Sammy Hagar's All-American Beach Party Wednesday, July 2, at SOUNDWAVES on the Hard Rock's Paradise Beach, brought to you by Beach Bar Rum. Doors open at 8 p.m.; Sammy and the Wabos will be taking the stage at 9 to rock through the summertime hits. The Hard Rock says this is an "All Ages" show, so what the hey; party by the stage or enjoy the show from a poolside cabana, just because you can.
Tuesdays beginning at 8 p.m., The Linq Bloq Party is offering up a slew of discounts for locals, including half-price or two-for-one deals at Brooklyn Bowl, TAG, Squeeze, O'Shea's, Purple Zebra, Starbucks, Chayo Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, and even rides on the High Roller. Your Nevada ID also gets you free admission to the Polaroid Fotobar and lots of shopping discounts. Oh, and the Fukuburger food truck will put in an appearance. Check here for a comprehensive list of locals deals.
Still haven't settled on your plans for the 4th? Hot local entertainers Zowie Bowie will perform at the Stratosphere's 4th of July pool party, featuring fireworks, and Pool Cafe food and drink specials. Admission is $10 per person, or you high rollers can shell out $28 to view the pyrotechnics from atop the Strat tower.
If your idea of a hot time is watching women gorge themselves on poultry, then you're in luck: Diablo's Cantina, Stripside in front of the Monte Carlo, is hosting its 4th annual "Hot Chicks vs. Hot Wings" wing-eating contest Tuesday, July 1. Watch 40 beautiful women eat their way to glory! Doors open at 9 p.m., with $5 pitchers and $3 well drinks as a bonus.
Get out your raincoats! Comedy icon and renowned mallet-wielder Gallagher, last seen here in a residency at the Tropicana, is bringing his act back to town for a limited engagement at the Golden Nugget, from July 8 through 19. Tickets start at $19.99, so get ready to get your fruit fix.
Find your spot early at the Fremont Street Experience and celebrate July 4 (or UFC Fight Week, take your pick) with a triple bill of Papa Roach, P.O.D. and Lit. The hits continue with Seether on Friday, August 9, and the quadruple threat of Fuel, Filter, Royal Bliss and Local H on Saturday, August 30. Not to mention the summer shows we've already announced here. Get prepared to start your bangin', or moshin', or whatever it is the kids are doing these days.
The Railroad Pass first won me over when I discovered a flyer in town for a $25 room night. Located just this side of Boulder City and surrounded by stark but scenic mountain views, it's always an affordable stop for a last night on your trip to Vegas, especially if you'd like to get a slight head start on your trip back South or East. Inside, the casino has plenty of slots, $5 blackjack, and even a $1 minimum craps table. Heck, I couldn't resist stopping in and racking up a $4 win rolling the bones. Speaking of bargains, they also have a $1 hot dog special on the marquee.
Aside from its virtues as a casino hotel, the Railroad Pass also offers a small museum, the Heritage Room, with photos and memorabilia from the casino's history, as well as artifacts from the area's mining days and the construction of nearby Hoover Dam. Originally opened in 1931, it claims to the nation's oldest continuously-operated casino; photos along the walls document its original construction and several incarnations after subsequent renovations. The Vegas history buff in me can't resist.
