rhc's guide to

Hanging Around the Neighborhood: Vegas

This June, some of the most lauded chefs in the world will descend on Las Vegas for World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and long time Las Vegas resident and RHC team member Jenn Smulo has put together a quick guide of the best things to see, eat, and drink if you're heading to Sin City for the first time.

What to See

The best entertainment in the city is courtesy of Spiegelworld, a modern circus that creates spectacular productions which blend the best of world-class acrobats with burlesque and adults only humor.

Absinthe debuted 13 years ago, which is many lifetimes for a city that is dominated by residencies. Set in a magnificent spiegeltent in front of Caesars Palace, the show is hosted by the filthy rich and just plain filthy Gazillionaire and has been lauded as the “#1 greatest show in Las Vegas history.” For 75 minutes, The Gazillionaire will showcase some of the incredible talent he’s discovered around the world, from a troupe of high flying Ukrainian acrobats to a sword-swallower from Coney Island. Before the show, explore Absithe’s Green Fairy Garden for the best smash burger on the Strip from No Pants or head to Pier 17 Yacht Club for a cocktail.

Or if a journey to the Wild West is more your scene, book a visit to Atomic Saloon Show in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. The proprietress of the Saloon, Madame Boozy Skunkton, will introduce guests to a raucous cast of characters including nuns, ne’er do wells, and outlaws who feature a range of talents from singing, hula hoop juggling, aerial arts, and more. The stunning venue features multiple bars so guests can grab a cocktail before, during, or after the 75-minute show. 

If you’re looking for a true taste of Vegas history, visit the Neon Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. The non-profit museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs. Take a guided tour of the 2.27-acre campus and learn all about the history of Las Vegas while admiring signs from the 1930s up to present day. We recommend a twilight or early evening tour so you can really admire the signs lit up. 

What to Eat

Dubbed Italian-American psychedelic, Superfrico at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas serves a treasure-trove of reimagined Sicilian family heirloom recipes alongside creative cocktails, original art, and entertainment. The restaurant, which was the first fully integrated dining and cocktail concept by Spiegelworld, breaks the walls between fine dining and anything-goes, subversive experiences. While enjoying Superfrico’s signature Chicken Parm or frico-crusted pizza, guests can expect short performances that could range from a ballerina fist fight to a tableside magic show that turns into a burlesque strip tease.

For a taste of coastal Mexican cuisine, head to Bajamar. Located in a blue shipping container just off the Strip, the unassuming restaurant serves some of the best fish tacos, aguachile, and tostadas in Las Vegas and beyond. If you’re visiting with a group, don’t skip sharing the Surf & Turf Fries which are loaded with shrimp, carne asada, and all the fixings. 

Venture a little further off the Strip and enjoy an elevated dining experience at Anima by EDO. The restaurant offers a menu of tapas that expertly layer Spanish cooking with global influences, like the Peruvian Scallops Crudo featuring Tom Khao sauce, lemon grass, candied lime, and coconut. Treat yourself to a tasting menu with wine pairings and enjoy a truly exceptional dining experience. 

What to Drink

Hidden in an alley in the Arts District is Liquid Diet, a new bar that features an ever rotating menu of creative cocktails. The evening’s offerings are scrawled on butcher paper and prepared prior to opening, so when they run out, they’re out. Some favorites include a Pandan Whiskey Sour, Pico de Gallo Michelada, and a Shiso Daiquiri. Liquid Diet’s shot selection is unexpectedly delightful – including a horseradish shot chased with clarified tomato basil water.

One of the most iconic bars in Vegas is Frankie’s Tiki Room. The unassuming dive bar is celebrated for its menu of incredible tiki drinks, ranging from classics like the Zombie and Scorpion to a vast selection of original creations like the five skull Wai’anae Wipeout made with overproof rum, mango and ginger. Frankie’s is open 24 hours a day, so stop by anytime for a tropical pick-me-up. 

Explore the only Ski Lodge on the Las Vegas Strip at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Tucked away on Level 2 of the Chelsea Tower, the unmarked Ski Lodge is a wintery parallel universe inspired by some of the best ski resorts around the world. Stop and enjoy an elevated classic or a seasonally-inspired cocktail, created by Spiegelworld’s Executive of Beverage, Niko Novick, as well as tableside s’mores and one of Superfrico’s signature pizzas or make it a party and order a shot-ski for your group.