What's Hot, Not & Happening In Sin City

It's time for our recurring Vegas check-in! So much goes on in this city in just one week that sometimes it's hard to keep tabs on it all. If you're headed to town, live amongst us, or just a Vegas fan in general, then here's the scoop on what's new, what's shuttering, and what's on it's way...

The Riviera is Closing

Closure news usually just comes from an outdated restaurant or something, but when it starts to hit the levels of an entire casino that's been a part of our Strip life for 60 years? It's a bit more melancholy. The Riviera Hotel & Casino will close its doors at high noon on May 4. The hotel was sold to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority for $191 million in February after a unanimous vote. We'll miss its $1 blackjack, those golden showgirls, and their comedy club for sure, but it tugs on our "Classic Vegas" heart strings. Whenever you're feeling nostalgic for The Riviera, pay homage by watching Casino, Showgirls, Vegas Vacation, 21, The Hangover, 3000 Miles to Graceland, Austin Powers I, or the classic Oceans 11. Tons of Vegas history and movie magic has been made here, and we'll remember its legacy accordingly.

Bare Pool Cabana Revamp

Now that spring is in the air (and for Vegas that means Summer is already rounding the corner) everyone's getting pumped up for pool party season. If you plan on hitting up Bare Pool this season, it might be worth splurging for a brand new cabana. They've just revamped the cabana area for a refreshed look and feel, plus it's always more fun to get a cabana with your friends. (We've got you covered.) Check our list for the Hottest Day Parties here.

Griddle Cafe -> Northside Cafe

The huge-portioned breakfast spot out of LA has undergone a branding revamp inside the SLS Hotel. The original location on the Sunset Strip has been running well for 15 years and we're guessing its location at SLS didn't get nearly the same amount of traffic, despite being on the Vegas Strip. Enter: Northside Cafe. New management, new hours.; 24/7 to be exact, which is awesome. Still large portions, but the addition of non-breakfast food will help its appeal during the rest of the day and night. Although, I stand by breakfast options all the time. Locals discounts available, too. Swish.

Fashion Show Mall Facade Redesign

When it comes to Strip shopping, Fashion Show Mall is the juggernaut to be reckoned with. The Strip-facing front facade is in the midst of a big revamp to reorganize some dining outlets, add some new, and clothing store Zara will undergo an expansion that nearly triples its size. ("They must be killing it with their $75 tank tops," the student-loan-swamped blogger said, begrudgingly.) That's about it for now at Fashion Show. We'll update you after our next loan installment and payday if we go shopping to check it all out.

Bar Vdara -> ViceVersa

If you haven't heard of or stayed at Vdara Hotel, it's likely because they are the quiet puma of the hospitality industry perched silently in the midst of the CityCenter jungle. Non-gaming, non-smoking, and non-fuss, Vdara totes a really great spa and the rest of the hotel follows suite in a zen-like fashion. Their outdoor bar and patio area, formerly called Bar Vdara, is now relaunched as ViceVersa, a chic upgrade of the usual hotel bar. You'll still be able to enjoy their patio swings (my personal favorite as an eternal 5 year old) on the outdoor side (Vice? Versa?). The bar inside (shown) has undergone a gorgeous revamp and looks a lot more open and fresh than its predecessor, which always felt a bit elongated and segregated. You can grab appetizers like lobster tacos and surf & turf sliders, plus a slew of cocktails and specialty wines and liquors. Worth checking out.

Simon at The Palms is Closing

I know we've already had an influx of sad news with The Riviera, but sadness happens with these roundups and we've got one more to mention. Chef Kerry Simon, who has been courageously battling multiple system atrophy, will be closing his namesake restaurant at Palms as well as his KGB burger spot. Likely a combination of both Simon's health concerns and the management contracts coming to an end, closing the venues now makes more sense. We're comforted knowing that Simon will be working with Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Healthy to aid in research, as well as the fact that Carson Kitchen will remain open in Downtown Vegas. We wish Kerry the best and thank him for bringing so much deliciousness into our lives.

Searsucker at Caesars, Mar. 27

That's right, Vegas - Top Chef star Brian Malarkey is bringing his New American Classic cuisine to the city in the form of uber-successful Searsucker. Searsucker will be open nightly for dinner & late night dining in its laid-back atmosphere and we're really excited to see the design of the place. It is 7,500 square feet of retro Americana, with cowboy-esque roadside diner vibes with rope chandeliers and tumbleweed-shaped light fixtures on the walls. Of course we can expect some humongous paintings of food and food culture, as displayed in the San Diego location. Food, of course, will be the main draw with all of these tasty words showing up on the menu: Tomahawk ribeye, pork belly, duck fat fries, short rib & horseradish, jalepeño-chorizo corn off the cobb, and cocktails to make your head spin. In a good way. The Jalaberry Strawpeño margarita, the New World Fashioned – a variation on the common Old Fashioned, as well as the Peter Rabbit – a spin on the traditional Pimm’s Cup made with Pimm’s gin-based herbal liquor and the restaurant’s housemade signature basil lemonade.

Itsy Bitsy Ramen & Whiskey in DTLV

I can't believe someone is making such an awesome combination of foods, drinks and clever branding for this new downtown hotspot. I'm already dubbing it a hotspot, because I don't see how this could go wrong. They're currently in casting for staff spots, so we can get pumped up for the "spring" opening inside The Ogden. It will be a create-your-own-ramen concept where you choose from an array of noodles, broths, and toppings to satisfy your random ramen cravings. There will be other menu items like seaweed salad, gyoza, edamame, rice, and hand rolls, so I'll likely be found here after opening for all my Japanese #nom needs.