Las Vegas Openings, Closures and All-Around Craziness

This city is in a content state of flux. We shutter venues and buildings left and right then revel in the excitement of a newcomer, poised to deliver judgement about all faults and strengths since we're all self-proclaimed experts. And maybe we are. If experience brings us wisdom, then perhaps Vegas can be the perfect judge of character, business and uniqueness.

Bardot Brasserie at Aria - Opening Early 2015

Get excited, francophiles - your beloved French cafe cuisine is coming straight out of the mind of James Beard award-winning Chef Michael Mina and into Aria next year. Taking over the former American Fish space, Bardot Brasserie will tap into the Parisian atmosphere and pay homage to traditional brasserie fare for dinner and weekend brunch. Think roasted bone marrow with bacon marmalade, foie gras en croute and lots of delicious breads. You can't mess up bread at a place this awesome, nor can you ignore the wine offerings. Bardot will focus on the regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Alsace and the Loire. I personally cannot wait for this delectable new venue.

Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace - Opening Spring 2015

Yes, that's right - another new club is headed for the Strip! Coming from the Hakkasan Group family is the new Omnia Nightclub slated to open this upcoming Spring season. For those of you awaiting a translation, "Omnia" is Latin for "all things" or "everything." We can expect great things from designers Rockwell Group as they deck out 75,000-square-feet of space inside Caesars Palace where Pure Nightclub was formerly located. Read more in our full announcement post here.

Alibi Cocktail Lounge at Aria - Now Open!

Aria must be in full revamp mode right now with all the changes going on there. Alibi Cocktail Lounge is now open and has replaced the former City Bar. Still open 24/7, you can get your craft cocktails in this upscale lounge concept and play some video poker at the bar.

Hearthstone at Red Rock Casino - Now Open!

We wrote about it when it was still awaiting its open date, but we're happy to say that the Light Group's first off-Strip restaurant is open and the hearth is heated and ready.

McCarran Runway -  Finishing April/May of 2015
McCarran Airport is working on construction to renovate their longest runway. It's a multi-phase, $67 million project, but will provide better space for the most-frequently used runway. It handles about a third of the airport's traffic currently." You shouldn't see much difference in any travel times or impact on your trip in any way, according to officials. They will complete the final phase after summer 2015's busy months.
The South Point Bowling Plaza - Now Open!

The South Point Bowling Center debuted its new 90,000-square-foot tournament-quality bowling lanes recently and this won't come as any surprise to those of you who are dedicated tourney bowlers. If you are, you'll already know that South Point is a bowler's paradise in Vegas. The center is open almost 24 hours a day except for their 4 to 6 p.m. lane maintenance. The South Point Bowling Plaza has a 12-year deal with the United States Bowling Congress, Las Vegas Events, and the LVCVA to be the host of several USBC events and championships. When we're talking 60 lanes and 360-seat viewing.

322 Bar & Baker - Opening In The Not-Too-Distant Future

Just this week, Downtown Vegas' Picadilly Pizza put in a request to City of Las Vegas officials to approve their proposal to transform into 322 Bar & Baker. How amazing is that concept? Truly amazing, if you ask me. They're proposing a 24/7 venue with "gourmet baked goods, craft, domestic, and imported beer, and other alcoholic beverages." It's been marked for Approval, because city officials are swayed by the genius of it, just like the rest of us, so we can mark something exciting for our calendars in the not-too-distant future.

The Market - Downtown Las Vegas - Now Open!

Upon finishing a meeting downtown recently, I walked past this new venue on my way to my car and couldn't keep out. It's just what the Downtown area has been in need of since it started hustlin' and bustlin' and the little market & deli shop fit in perfectly. I can imagine The Market will quickly become a popular lunch spot and pick-me-up for DTLV's workforce and hipster armies. KCLV-TV recently went in depth with Mayor Goodman to explore the new spot here.

Uber in Vegas - Open

"Everyone's Private Driver" has cleared the courts and can operate in Vegas, for now. With all the news surrounding social transportation app Uber's legal issues, we can at least note in the fact that Uber is allowed to operate without stepping on the toes of cab drivers and transportation laws.

Haze Nightclub at Aria - Closed