It’s easy to locate The Linq. Its macro observation wheel, the Las Vegas High Roller, rises 550 feet into the sky from the east end of the newly built promenade situated between the Flamingo and The Quad. The High Roller can be seen 24/7, unlike the Luxor’s beacon of light that beams upward into the nighttime sky, and provides a directional landmark for the mid-Strip area as well as indicating which way to walk to get to concerts at Brooklyn Bowl. Once at The Linq, it’s possible to spend an entire day shopping, dining by the slice or with a sit-down open-air view, and enjoying a drink while listening to live music, but a visit to The Linq isn’t complete without a slow journey into the sky.
The High Roller was recognized by Guinness World Records as being the world’s tallest observation wheel upon its opening in April. It’s 107 feet taller than the 15-year-old London Eye, and is higher that the Singapore Flyer and Star of Nanchang. Statistics can’t relate the experience of the High Roller, which begins by taking in the massive white supports, wheel spokes and passenger pods from the ground. The journey from entry to boarding platform is fast and the pods never stop moving, but there is plenty of time to safely board.
From there the journey ascends gradually, providing an overhead view of the platform, then moving upward through the skyline. Needless to say, the photo opportunities are amazing. Daytime and evening rides provide different looks for the Strip and mountain ridges on the horizon, with sunsets enabling Instagram excellence as solar rays reflect from mirrored hotels. Yard House, Brooklyn Bowl and Sprinkles can be seen from above, but the majestic distance views and cityscape shots are probably what will be transformed into Polaroid-style shots at Polaroid Fotobar upon disembarking.
The Linq
Patrons of other Yard Houses will likely recognize the one at The Linq as the largest they’ve ever been inside. This one is two stories and has an outdoor area on its second level that is blessed with shade beginning in the afternoon. Yard House devotees also know this is the place to go for an extensive beer selection and sports-bar spectating, but high-angle people-watching is made possible by the patio. Brooklyn Bowl has quite a few beer choices, too, but fans of Blue Ribbon fried chicken know the Bowl is their destination. There’s a lot more to the menu, bowling, of course, and concerts nearly every night, but time spent at Brooklyn Bowl without trying the chicken is like visiting Vegas without placing a bet.
Chayo Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar offers first-floor outdoor seating, which, at The Linq, is to tequila what Yard House is to beer. The fare is a cut above casual dining, but you’ll also find Taco Tuesday here, with two-for-one margaritas. We are talking tasty tacos with choices of crispy fish, Maine lobster, grilled chicken, carnitas and ribeye.
Casual dining options include pizza by the slice at Flour & Barley (large but foldable and authentically old-school tasting) and hot dogs ranging from no-frills to the works and gourmet-level at Haute Doggery. The storefronts of Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop and Sprinkles are prominent enough to remind passersby that dessert awaits, with the latter’s store being the cupcake franchise’s flagship. It also has an automat-style dispensary for a different self-serve experience.
Shopping options include the Polaroid Fotobar, which can take impermanent images sent from a phone and turn them into distinctively designed keepsake gifts. Walk out of 12A.M. Run and Bella Scarpa with new shoes, and check out Goorin Bros. for its inventory of hats, from vintage to modern. Rare and off-the-wall gifts can be found at Koto and Kitson, with the former focused on “gadgets, trinkets … quirky home décor and unique, trendy knickknacks” and the latter having a similar iconoclastic inventory, but with even more floor space and clothing selections.
Just about any evening can wind up at Brooklyn Bowl, but Vegas visits can be timed to special shows such as Jane’s Addiction’s transcendent three-show stopover in early May when the band played its classic album Nothing’s Shocking in its entirely at each show to a mix of locals and Vegas visitors. The Tedeschi Trucks Band has a three-date engagement this week at the sonically sophisticated sound room, so slide guitar fans should consider The Linq the place to be. Seems a lot of people living in or visiting Vegas are finding The Linq the place to be lately. Deservedly.
The Linq, thelinq.com
