The Morning After

Coral and I are going to back to Las Vegas in June and I am amped! It’ll be our first time there together since we got married in 2009.

I’ve looking up some fun places ( I hope) to check out. I’ve been to Vegas a few times, Coral has been twice, so we’ve done *most* of the more affordable tourist stuff. Coral wants to see a show (we’re not sure what) and I’ll see if any touring bands are in town to check out.

A big part of our trip will be rest and sun. We’ve been going pretty hard for the past year and Coral has been hustling as a stay-at-home Mom…so pool, sun, palm trees and cocktails are priority one. Sweating on the gulag march down the strip in June is low on the list.

I do like to seek out some fun and interesting places to enjoy a pint. I find the best places in Vegas tend to be downtown. Away from the Strip, Las Vegas is like any other city. There are some hip joints serving up good food and drink for a reasonable price when you get away from the tourists.

Here are three places I am excited to check out this go around.

01) The Griffin (511 Fremont Street, Downtown)

I’ve been to this place before and it was pretty groovy. You get a decent cocktail and a normal American price. It was the first time I had drank anywhere in Vegas that had a good beer list. Good energy, good vibe, and not a far wander away from the tourist part of the Fremont Strip. (man, I sound like Jim Benning, The Griffin is real good. Real good.)

Happy Hour (Su-Th 10-11PM) is a good idea:  Well drinks are $3. Hamm’s beer is $1. Either one will keep you warm by the fireplace.

02) Beer Garden (1 S. Main Street, Downtown)

Never been here…so I am going to check this place based on the hype. Drink beer, outside on a real grass lawn. I like that idea.

03) Park on Fremont (506 Fremont, Downtown)

Looks like Coral and I will start a little bar crawl at Main then work our way down Fremont to the other end of the strip (and likely duck into at least one tourist place for a sugary cocktail or an ABC for a tall can).

Park shows up on a bunch of lists for having a chief patio (and good beer selection). I love the desert heat and I love patio beers. Can’t wait to check this place out.

Happy Hour (M-F 4P-7P) doesn’t suck: The Fremont East watering hole is big on bar-food snacks. The Mac & Cheese Balls, Chicken Bar Bites, Garbage Fries, fried pickles, and chicken wings are all each $5. Drinks include $3 well cocktails, $4 domestic draft beers, and $5 draft beers.

This one is kinda cheating because it is Fremont AT Las Vegas Boulavard….but you know we ARE TOURISTS….so it’s OK if every moment isn’t some authentic life experience trouncing around back streets of Vegas.

We’ll also hit the Outlets I’m sure. And Blondie’s legendary all you can drink Happy Hour. Coral wants to wander down to Mandalay Bay at some point to go to Border Grill.

Coral also likes her Caesars which in Amurika are called Bloody Marys. I’m sure we’ll find something interesting (or silly).

Oh right! Neon Graveyard! Coral wanted to go here. I think this will be part of the Downtown day.

and maybe a ghost town tour?

When I think of a Vegas song… I hear the beginning (about a minute in) part of this Chainsmokers song as the soundtrack to one of those “Vegas Party” video montages.

Go with yourself.