Crush
Las Vegas will host more than 300,000 visitors for Super Bowl weekend, with more than $100 million likely to be wagered on the 50th match-up on Feb. 7 between the NFL’s conference champs. It’s easy to get in on the betting action, but deciding where and how to watch the Big Game requires a little foresight and planning. Plan ahead, get there early, and remember first-come/first-served as a general rule, if you’re not going to make a reservation at a party or viewing area. Since nearly every casino bar, sports book, restaurant or club will be showing the game, the only real issue is making a decision.
Sports books are go-to choices for visitors spending the weekend on casino properties, but many if not all the books favor VIPs and big bettors, so get there early for remaining open spaces. At MGM Grand, reserving a VIP skybox in the 60-screen sports book will ensure a good view of the game if sleeping through a wake-up call is a danger. Mandalay Bay has one of the larger sports books on the south end of the Strip, while the jumbo screens at Caesars Palace’s book on the north side of the property (next to Omnia nightclub) allow glimpses of the game while walking by, as do the screens at the Palms’ sports book by its west parking entrance. If it’s too crowded at the Palms book, the casino’s Hooters offers five drink tickets with $50 entry.
Tom's Urban
Planet Hollywood Resort’s book, Playing Field Lounge, boasts the feel of a “sleek sophisticated bar” with 33 flat-screen screens, two jumbo screens, a VIP area and draft beer “yard-longs.” For a full-on sports bar experience, Blondies at Planet Hollywood Resort at Miracle Mile Shops hosts its “Super Sunday Party” with a top-shelf open bar and premium buffet featuring prime rib, crab legs and wings for $300 per person ($100 deposit/$200 at door). Miracle Mile’s Cabo Wabo Cantina offers an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet to compliment its 80-inch screens at the bar, with $200 endless tailgate favorites and buckets of Bud. Hyde Bellagio offers VIP Big Screen seating and a $150 open bar with its views of Bellagio’s iconic fountains, and provides food-and-beverage packages ranging from $750 for three people to $5,000 VIP table seating for 12.
Playing Field Lounge
Restaurants are in on the Big Game as well. Guests at New York-New York Hotel and Casino can head to Tom’s Urban starting at 3:30 p.m. for its $150 Big Game Viewing Party with open bar and buffet stacked with prime rib sliders, nachos and street tacos, pizzas and wings. Mid-Strip, The Hard Rock Café offers The Big Game Viewing Party at $175 per person (via ticketweb.com) with a five-hour premium open bar, game day menu and a guaranteed seat. Umami Burger, Beer Garden & Sports Book at SLS prices open bar tickets at $75 and table packages starting at $100. Back at the MGM Grand, Crush offers an $85 “endless feast” tailgate menu of tray-passed selections like Angus mini burgers, baby back ribs, Nana D’s meatball flatbread, Mexican street corn and desserts.
Some viewing parties have become annual events. Tao Bowl at The Venetian offers a $135 open bar and “Asian Emperor’s Buffet,” while Lavo Bowl at The Palazzo provides a $145 open bar/buffet deal as well as well as an à la carte menu featuring steak and lobster. For a more sports-oriented environment at The Palazzo on Game Day, Lagasse’s Stadium, with its raked seating, can’t be beat. But the biggest Game Day celebrations may be happening at Westgate Las Vegas, where the 30,000-square-foot Superbook features 28 giant screens (and one behemoth screen). The Westgate ballrooms are also the location of Casa Di Amore restaurant’s Ninth Annual Big Game Party. Unlimited branded liquor and Italian subs, Philly cheesesteaks, ziti, chicken and Greek feta wraps are included for $158, seating is guaranteed, and the Vegas Vanguard Entertainment Drumline promises to pound the party into a frenzy.
