Where to watch, scream, bet, and get in on the action yourself.
Published on 1/26/2024 at 12:04 PM
Las Vegas Aces mascot BUCKET$ | Ethan Miller/Getty Images Sports
It’s hard to believe now, but there was a time when the idea of hometown sports in Las Vegas was frowned upon. Having a major-league team in a town driven by gambling—much of it sports betting—seemed like a combination with too many variables. Those days are gone. Vegas is officially a sports town with some big players driving the action, including The Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL expansion franchise most responsible for the current sports boom. The team gave Las Vegas something to believe in after the 2017 mass shooting on the Strip and defied expectations by reaching the Stanley Cup finals in the team’s inaugural season. The Vegas Golden Knights went all the way and won the championship in 2023 with hopes of repeating this year.
There’s also The Las Vegas Aces, the defending two-time WNBA champions proving that a women’s sports team can draw in Las Vegas, and The Las Vegas Raiders, the Oakland transplants whose transition to Vegas has been rough at best, but at least it gave us Allegiant Stadium. Then there’s Ultimate Fighting Championship, the Las Vegas-based company that took cage fighting mainstream, that’s gearing up for a series of big shows this year, including UFC 300 in April, Conor McGregor’s pending return during International Fight Week in June, and a debut at the Sphere in September.
And, looking ahead, 2024 will be bigger than ever, with a weeklong series of events leading up to Super Bowl LVIII on February 11 at Allegiant Stadium and the return of F1 (with the accompanying traffic delays and online rage) from November 22 to 23. Efforts to bring new major-league teams to Vegas seem inevitable but are question marks at the moment. The idea of building a baseball stadium at the site of the Tropicana faces some hurdles, while promises of an NBA-ready arena in the north end of the Strip have been little else but talk for years.
The chatter highlights one thing: Las Vegas is on fire as a sports town. Here’s where to continue the fun by enjoying sports in Vegas and even getting in on the action yourself.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Photo by Sam Morris, courtesy of Las Vegas News
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Northeast Valley
Look out for: Fast cars and high-speed thrills
Before there was F1, there was the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 1.5-mile oval track is the home of NASCAR in Las Vegas, hosting annual events like Pennzoil 400, South Point 400, and even truck series racing with the capacity to hold 80,000 screaming fans. Half the fun is partying in the fan zone and camping out overnight. You can also test out the track yourself with Dream Racing, Mario Andretti, and NASCAR fan experiences.
Las Vegas Lights | Sam Wasson/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
Las Vegas Lights
Downtown
Look out for: Goals and glory with no hands
Soccer is starting to catch on in the US and maybe soon, we’ll call it “football” like the rest of the world does. Sin City got into the act with the Las Vegas Lights, whose name was decided in a poll of more than 10,000 fans in 2018. The team is part of the United Soccer League, with a new season kicking off in March under the guidance of former baseball star José Bautista, who was recently announced as the new primary owner. Home games take place at Cashman Field.
Photo by Ryan Gobuty, courtesy of Stadium Swim
Stadium Swim
Downtown
Look out for: The world’s best pool party for watching sports
Stadium Swim is easily one of the best places to watch a big game in Las Vegas. The rooftop pool deck at Circa has a staggered “stadium style” layout with lounge chairs and cabanas facing a massive 143-foot video wall. All six pools are heated, allowing sports fans to take a dip and cheer on their favorites year-round. Just remember to place a bet downstairs at the Circa Sportsbook, one of the largest in Vegas.
Photo courtesy of City National Arena
City National Arena
Downtown Summerlin
Look out for: Public skating where the Golden Knights practice
Between home games at T-Mobile Arena, the Vegas Golden Knights practice at City National Arena in Downtown Summerlin. You may catch a glimpse of the team in action or take to the ice yourself. The general public is welcome for open skate sessions, in-house hockey leagues, camps, and classes. It’s also a great spot to buy official Golden Knights merch.
Las Vegas Aviators at Las Vegas Ballpark | Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Las Vegas Aviators
Downtown Summerlin
Look out for: Minor league baseball next to a Summerlin shopping mall
The Las Vegas Aviators (formerly the 51s at Cashman Field) are a minor league baseball team with home games at the Las Vegas Ballpark in Downtown Summerlin. The 8,000-seat stadium has an easy, breezy atmosphere with comfy net-mesh seats, food counters by local restaurants, and canine team members who retrieve stray bats. Bring your ticket to nearby Frankie’s Uptown for a free beer after the game.
Photo courtesy of Westgate SuperBook
Westgate SuperBook
Off the Strip
Look out for: A jumbo-sized sports betting experience
If you go by pure square footage, the Westgate has the largest sportsbook in the world, with more than 350 seats, including VIP spots, pods, and booths available by reservation. Regular seating is first-come, first-serve. The Superbook also goes big on prop bets, with close to 500 expected for the upcoming Super Bowl. Yes, most Vegas casinos have a sportsbook of some sort, but the SuperBook is the only one with its own dedicated parking lot, giving locals yet another reason to show some loyalty while placing a bet and watching the action on the 220-foot-long 4K video wall.
Photo by Brian Oar, courtesy of Wynn Golf Club
Wynn Golf Club
Wynn Las Vegas
Look out for: Old-school golfing on the Vegas Strip
If you go back a few decades, it wasn’t uncommon for a big resort on the Strip to have its own golf course. The value of both real estate and the water at Lake Mead has caused that tradition to fall by the wayside in recent years. The Wynn even planned to replace its iconic golf course with some kind of lake attraction a few years ago but backpaddled and decided to keep the course, which remains open to the public. It isn’t cheap to play, but you get a great view of the Sphere, which may or may not be judging your swing.
Denise Truscello/WireImage/Getty Images
Mayweather Boxing Club
Chinatown
Look out for: Boxing lessons from the guy who trained the best
Long before big-league teams and cage fighting came along, boxing was the sport that drove this town, with some of the biggest championship bouts in history taking place on the Strip. Step inside the ring and learn the sweet science yourself with instruction by Floyd Mayweather Sr. (who guided his son to GOAT status) and Jeff Mayweather. Dewey Cooper handles the MMA and kickboxing training. The gym is quick to point out that the business isn’t affiliated with Floyd Junior, who has his own line of franchised Mayweather Boxing + Fitness studios.
Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn Bowl
The LINQ
Look out for: Bowling that’s better with booze, food, and music
Vegas has its share of bowling alleys, most notably at the South Point,Orleans, and Red Rock Resort, but Brooklyn Bowl is a different beast altogether. The restaurant, bar, and concert hall have a prime Strip location on The LINQ promenade and 32 hardwood lines to bowl between bites of fried chicken and sips of beer. You can even book a lane during a concert with the stage in full view.
Photo by Chris Wessling, courtesy of Beer Park
Beer Park
Paris Las Vegas
Look out for: Rooftop viewing parties with Strip views
Beer Park has something most sports bars in Vegas don’t: a rooftop deck with views of the Bellagio fountains across the street. The open-air venue also has more than a hundred beers on tap, wine, cocktails, and game-day grub that includes house-smoked BBQ. The whole thing has a clubhouse feel to it, with high-definition TVs at every angle to watch the latest game.
The Park
The Strip
Look out for: The ultimate party spot to celebrate the Knights
The Park stretches from the T-Mobile Arena to Shake Shack at New York-New York, making it the ultimate party spot before and after Golden Knights games. There’s usually some pop-up fun at Toshiba Plaza, but you’ll want to check out the beer and brats at Beerhaus, roast beef sandwiches at Top Round, and lobster rolls at Luke’s Lobster. Walk across the street for cocktails and live music at NoMad Bar.
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels | Louis Grasse/Stringer/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
East Valley
Look out for: Star athletes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The legacy of college sports is strong in Las Vegas, dating back to when the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels won the men’s basketball championship in 1990. Today, the Rebels are currently in a less spectacular season but continue to draw fans to the Thomas & Mack Center. You can also show your support as UNLV athletes compete in baseball, softball, golf, swimming, cross country, and other endeavors, including football, with games taking place at Allegiant Stadium. The Thomas & Mack and Cox Pavilion also host the NBA Summer League each year.
Topgolf
MGM Grand
Look out for: The most fun you’ll have driving golf balls
This isn’t your average, ordinary driving range. Topgolf has four levels of temperature-controlled bays, allowing guests to load up on food and booze while whacking golf balls toward color-coded targets with views of the Vegas Strip as the backdrop. Some keep score on digital screens. Most just hang out and enjoy the fun. You can also sign up for lessons, book a private VIP suite for large parties, or take a dip in a pool. You can’t argue with Topgolf’s success, which has inspired a wave of new golf-related entertainment attractions in 2024.
Allegiant Stadium | Photo courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau
Allegiant Stadium Tours
Off the Strip
Look out for: An inside look at the largest stadium in Vegas
The season is over for the Raiders, but Allegiant Stadium is still welcoming football fans for private tours of the 65,000-seat venue. The 75-minute experience, offered on weekends when a major event isn’t taking place, provides rare access to the stadium with interactive multimedia touches like drone cameras capturing guests as they enter. Check out the Al Davis torch (near the “lanai” window overlooking the Strip), owner’s suite, broadcasting booth, and Raiders locker room. The tour ends with the option of drinks on the observation deck.
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar | Photo by Anthony Mair, courtesy of Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar
Mandalay Bay
Look out for: One of the newest and coolest sports bars in Vegas
Location is everything in Las Vegas. Flanker is in a perfect spot–the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, to be exact–making it the most convenient sports bar for those walking over to Allegiant Stadium to catch the Super Bowl (or the Raiders’ return this fall), Aces or Desert Dog games at the Michelob Ultra Arena, and the Super Bowl Experience (a four-day fan festival leading up to the big game) at the Mandalay Bay Expo Center. Even better, the menu is pretty awesome, with a killer burger, late-night pizza parties, and a well-stocked cocktail bar.
Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Michelob ULTRA Arena | Ethan Miller/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
Las Vegas Desert Dogs
Mandalay Bay
Look out for: The beautiful aggression of professional lacrosse
The Desert Dogs, an expansion franchise for the National Lacrosse League, share the Michelob Ultra Arena with the WNBA world-champion Aces but are starting to build its own following in season two. The team’s owners include Wayne Gretzky, who describes the sport as a cross between hockey and American football. Translation: get ready for some crazy, violent tackles. Former star player Shawn Williams is the general manager and head coach.
Future Stars of Wrestling at FSW Arena | Ethan Miller/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Future Stars of Wrestling
East Valley
Look out for: Body slams, headlocks, and trash talking at its finest
Pro Wrestling is equal parts athleticism and showmanship–and is having a resurgence with fans rating matches online and splitting loyalty between WWE and AEW at arenas around the country. Future Stars of Wrestling is the top indie in Vegas, with a training center east of the airport that doubles as the FSW Arena for live shows. Buy a ticket and watch up-and-coming “rasslers,” or sign up and learn the ropes yourself. There’s even a Juniors Division with Saturday afternoon classes for kids 5 to 17.
Photo courtesy of Shelby Heritage Center
Shelby Heritage Center
Off the Strip
Look out for: An only-in-Vegas auto-racing legacy on display
Shelby American, the auto manufacturer behind groundbreaking sports cars like the AC Cobra and Shelby Mustang, has a production plant and visitors center near Town Square along Interstate 15. The Shelby Heritage Center is free to tour, with more than 30 cars on display and exhibits dedicated to founder and champion racer Carroll Shelby. Spend a few bucks at the gift shop or sign up for behind-the-scenes tours to see how the cars are assembled, painted, and perfected.
Xtreme Couture MMA | Brandon Magnus/UFC/Getty Images
Xtreme Couture MMA
Off the Strip
Look out for: On-the-mat training courtesy of a UFC legend
As the home city of UFC, Las Vegas is loaded with mixed martial arts training facilities. If you’re serious about grappling, striking, and jiu-jitsu, it’s hard to beat Xtreme Couture MMA, which is owned and operated by former champ Randy Couture, one of the all-time greats. The facility is decked out with wrestling mats, punching bags, weight-training equipment, and its own version of an octagon, complete with a surrounding cage.
Greg Doherty/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
The Raider Image
Town Square
Look out for: Postseason discounts
If you’re searching for swag, the Raider Image has you covered as the official merchandise outlet for the Las Vegas Raiders. There is no cheap bootleg stuff here. Stock up on jerseys, t-shirts, jackets, and other gear to show your loyalty. The Town Square location is the most convenient, but you can also find the Raider Image at Fashion Show mall, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, Shoppes at Mandalay Place, Downtown Summerlin, and, of course, inside Allegiant Stadium. Look for stores by the C and E gates while waiting for a flight at Harry Reid International Airport.
The George Sportsmen’s Lounge | Photo by Clint Jenkins, courtesy of The George Sportsmen’s Lounge
The George Sportsmen’s Lounge
Southwest
Look out for: A next-level sports-viewing experience
The George is one of the coolest things about the new Durango resort in the Southwest Valley. The sports bar has a fantastic layout for viewing any game, whether on the surrounding collection of television screens or the massive video wall at the adjacent sportsbook. The menu is loaded with delicious food and cocktails, including a Root Beer Old Fashioned made with locally produced syrup. The George also has an action-packed backyard with its own outdoor video wall, games, and bar with a staggered stadium-style layout of tables. Live entertainment keeps things interesting during commercials.
Photo courtesy of Life Time Fitness
Life Time Fitness
Henderson
Look out for: A fierce workout with light paddles
Chicken N Pickle is coming to Henderson later this year, and Electric Pickle is scheduled to open in the Southwest in 2025, sharing a mission to turn pickleball into a social experience with food and dining. Until that happens, you’ll have to make do with the pickleball courts at parks throughout Las Vegas. If you prefer to beat the heat indoors, Life Time Fitness has indoor tennis and pickleball courts for those who sign up for memberships.
Silver Knights at The Dollar Loan Center | Candice Ward/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
Silver Knights
Henderson
Look out for: The best hockey that doesn’t involve the Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are so popular that the team’s success inspired the creation of the Silver Knights, a sister minor league team with its own home arena in Henderson. The Dollar Loan Center (yes, that’s what it’s called) is a fun spot for watching games at a price that’s more affordable than the T-Mobile Arena. Yet another arena, the America First Center on Water Street is another arena where the team practices and hosts public skating.
NBA G League Ignite at The Dollar Loan Center | Mike Kirschbaum/National Basketball Association/Getty Images
New Dollar Loan Arena
Henderson
Look out for: Up-and-coming sports heroes
The Dollar Loan Center is a busy place these days. The Las Vegas Thrill are the newest tenants, kicking off an inaugural season as one of seven teams in the Pro Volleyball Federation. See the first-ever home game as the Thrill face the Omaha Supernovas on February 15 Meanwhile, the arena is also home to the Ignite, a developmental team in the NBA G League, which preps prospects for the NBA Draft. New this season: a mascot named Bluff and the Shock Squad dance team to pump up the crowd. If you still need a football fix after the Super Bowl, the Vegas Knight Hawks are kicking off a new season in late March 31 as part of the Indoor Football League.
Photo courtesy of Raiders Tavern & Grill
Raiders Tavern & Grill
Henderson
Look out for: Officially sanctioned football viewing
The Raiders Tavern & Grill, the only restaurant officially affiliated with the Las Vegas football team, has jerseys, helmets, and other Raiders memorabilia throughout the dining room with views of the pool deck at The M Resort. Between burgers, BBQ, pizza, and tacos, there’s a lot of variety—even on the overnight menu that runs until the wee hours of 3 am. Watch NFL games on one of 45 televisions while sipping on beer from 20 taps. Don’t leave without browsing the gift shop.
Rob Kachelriess is a full-time freelance writer who covers travel, dining, entertainment, and other fun stuff for Thrillist. He’s based in Las Vegas but enjoys exploring destinations throughout the world, especially in the Southwest United States. Otherwise, he’s happy to hang out at home with his wife Mary and their family of doggies. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.
At the new Flanker Kitchen & Sports Bar in Mandalay Bay, don’t look for walls smothered in jerseys and plaques, pennants and player photographs. This isn’t that kind of sports bar.
“We wanted to do the sports theming in a clever and refined manner rather than putting up sports memorabilia everywhere,” said Sean Christie, CEO of Carver Road Hospitality, the Las Vegas outfit that created the 8,500-square-foot Flanker, lying near the walkway to Allegiant Stadium.
Case in point: The lighting fixture coursing across the ceiling that pays homage to the Vegas Formula One track at night.
As the city continues its growth as a sports capital, not just with F1, but also NCAA basketball, the NFL draft and Pro Bowl, and the 2024 Super Bowl (right next door), Christie is positioning Flanker as a next-gen destination for sports fans (who also like good food and a craft cocktail).
“We’re committed to evolving the idea of what a sports bar can offer,” he said. “We want to be one of the premier venues in town.”
A giant screen
Carver Road has already opened Flankers in Salt Lake City and Phoenix, so the Strip location, opening June 10, is a homecoming for the bar and restaurant. It’s also a homecoming for Christie, who began his hospitality career at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Vegas being Vegas, the new Flanker is going big.
A 30-by-9-foot LED viewing screen (like a map as large as the terrain it represents) commands the main dining room. “Immersive” has become a hospitality cliché, but a 270-square-foot TV (more than twice the size of the average U.S. bedroom) can legitimately lay claim to being immersive.
Smaller LED screens also populate the main dining room and Flanker Kitchen’s other areas: the bar and lounge, three private dining suites (accommodating 20, 40 or 60 guests), a karaoke suite for up to 20, and a 24-seat terrace.
Burgers and boozy
Daniel Ontiveros, corporate executive chef for Carver Road, has created a menu of elevated sports bar standards. Look for a stylish giant pretzel presentation, puff pastry pigs in a blanket, carne asada nachos with Tajin chips, miso chili Atlantic salmon and a Wagyu smash burger.
Boozy shakes include a key lime pie made with lime liqueur, coconut ice cream and a graham cracker. Craft cocktails include house mojitos and old-fashioneds. There’s also an extensive beer program, and a walk-up takeout window where folks can grab beef hot dogs (a sports bar classic) or hot chicken sandwiches (a dish of the moment).
Flanker Kitchen is now taking reservations at flankerlv.com. Carver Road’s other venues include Carversteak in Resorts World.
Contact Johnathan L. Wright at [email protected]. Follow @ItsJLW on Twitter.
From Raiders games to Beyoncé’s concerts, Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar wants to be the life of the after-party on Las Vegas’s biggest nights
by Janna Karel May 10, 2023, 11:48am PDT
Rendering of Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar. | Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar
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Janna Karel is the Editor for Eater Vegas.
There are between 70 and 80 nights a year when 50,000 or so people pass through the doors that divide the walkway between the Allegiant Stadium and Mandalay Bay Casino. Sean Christie, the CEO of Carver Road Hospitality, says that on the one or two days a week that the stadium hosts a Raiders football game or Taylor Swift concert, or even the Super Bowl in 2024, scores of people will walk past Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar — and those people will need to eat.
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The new bar and restaurant is positioning itself to be one of the best — and most visited — sports bars in town, when it opens on June 10. With a walk-up window, boozy shakes, massive TVs, fun lighting, and a speakeasy-style suite, Christie intends to lean into the leading event of the night. “Allegiant will have a 12 percent uptick in events compared to 56 last year,” says Christie. “That’s a lot of people moving through this area.” That means when Beyoncé headlines the stadium this August, the cinema-style signage that wraps around the front of the bar, facing the escalators that lead up to the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, will read something like, “Welcome Bey-hive.” The outward-facing speakers will blast music from her albums, the bar may offer a special Beyoncé cocktail, and the TVs — well, some of them will still show the night’s sporting events — but many of them will display Beyoncé music videos.
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It’s surprising that more bars and restaurants near the stadium decline to lean into the night’s programming. The exodus of fans that fled Allegiant following Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour show in March meandered through Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, the Luxor, and New York-New York to get back to their hotel rooms or ride shares — and nary a Swift song beckoned Swifties into surrounding the bars and restaurants. And Christie is banking on that missed opportunity.
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At more than 8,000 square feet, Flanker will have a bar that stretches across one wall and a trio of private dining suites opposite the bar. Like Carversteak, another venue by Carver Road Hospitality, Flanker will have adjustable partitions that can customize the sizes and shapes of the private rooms, which can be used for dining, meetings for conventioneers, and private watch parties. When it opens next month, Flanker will boast a dynamic ceiling lighting design inspired by the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix track at night. Strips of light will guide guests through the main dining room and toward the bar’s massive 30-foot-long and 9-foot-tall LED viewing screen.
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Las Vegas is booming into a real sports town in recent years — with the F1 Grand Prix hitting the Strip this November, the NFL Draft taking over the city last year, and the Super Bowl on its way. And Christie says that all necessitates a new era of sports bars. Sure, the walk-up window will sell sandwiches, hotdogs, and drinks for sports fans to take en route to the stadium, but the bar will also offer loads of screens, a sound system, and themed programming for watch parties. With room for 375 people, including a 24-seat indoor patio, the bar also has a back wall of lockers. Opening the right locker will give way to a hidden private room that can be used for karaoke or gameday viewing.
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Chef Daniel Ontiveros, Carver Road Hospitality’s corporate executive chef, describes the food as elevated bar fare, with bites like a puff pastry pretzel dog, fried chicken, fish and chips, and nachos. The burger menu will have selections like a truffle burger with truffle aioli and raclette cheese, a wagyu burger with bacon onion jam, and Ontiveros’s favorite, a Western burger with barbecue sauce, crispy onion rings, and roasted jalapeno aioli. For boozy shakes, both the bar and walk-up window will have a s’mores shake with rocky road ice cream and chocolate rum and an Elvis shake with banana bourbon and crispy bacon peanut butter ice cream. Also on the menu are steak and fries, a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, crispy wings, salads, fried mac and cheese, and a kid’s menu.
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The bar will offer a robust selection of beer, canned beverages, frozen concoctions, and cocktails on draft. Christie, who got his start working at the House of Blues just across the casino floor from Flanker, says that the restaurant fills a gap in the resort’s offerings, providing something more casual than Retro by Voltaggio and S Bar but more cozy than the Mandalay Bay’s quick-service offerings like those at Citizen’s. “We want it to be a place families can take their kids after going to Shark Reef that day, but also good for convention groups who want something more low-key than the Foundation Room.” Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It opens on June 10, just in time to christen the bar with a watch party for the UFC 289 fight.
The ceiling lighting design inside Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar’s dining room was inspired by the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix track at night. (Photo by Anthony Mair)
OCT. 19, 2023 1:04 AM PT
Las Vegas may be known as a 24-hour town, but sadly, like many cities post-pandemic, round-the-clock dining options near the Strip are becoming as scarce as the beloved buffet these days. However, there are still a few late-night dining options available for those craving a midnight snack.
Flanker’s pretzel served up on “goal posts.” (Photo by Anthony Mair)
POST-GAME FARE THAT WILL LEAVE TASTE BUDS CHEERING
Located inside Mandalay Bay, the recently opened Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar has a Late Night Pizza Party menu Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. until midnight and Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. that is perfect for football fans coming from a game at Allegiant Stadium. In addition to featuring three kinds of pizza – Pepperoni, Italian Sausage and Bianco – for just $20 each, the late-night menu offers several game-day favorites, including a Giant Soft Pretzel that comes served on a fun “goal post.” Select cocktails and pints of beer are also available for $8, or fans can toast their team’s victory by splitting a pitcher of beer for only $28. Remember, the Chargers arrive to play the Raiders on Dec. 14! flankerlv.com
(Photo by Anthony Mair)
AFTER-HOURS CULINARY DELIGHTS
While most restaurants close after dinner service, The Henry inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is just beginning to welcome guests — especially those leaving a concert or the club. Known for its sophisticated twist on late-night dining, breakfast and lunch, the modern American eatery serves a late-night menu Monday through Wednesday from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. and Thursday through Sunday from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. Diners can cure their hunger pangs with a variety of delectable dishes, from the braised short rib Tater Tot Nachos to the Henry’s Brioche French Toast topped with strawberries, banana, Nutella, toasted hazelnuts and fresh whipped cream. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/restaurants/the-henry
The El Dorado Cantina shrimp nachos. (Photo courtesy of El Dorado Cantina)
A ROUND-THE-CLOCK LOCAL FAVORITE
Luckily, one of Las Vegas’ best Mexican restaurants is still open 24 hours a day for those hungry after an eventful night on the town. Located on Sammy Davis Jr. Drive behind Resorts World Las Vegas, El Dorado Cantina offers a late-night menu from midnight until 8 a.m. that features an extensive selection of the restaurant’s signature Mexican cuisine. Guests can choose from an assortment of enchiladas, tacos, burritos and small bites, like the buttery Lobster Tacos or the flavorful Wild Shrimp El Dorado Nachos. Whatever you decide on, be sure to save some room for El Dorado’s Famous Flan – it’s the perfect dessert to end an unforgettable night! eldoradocantina.com ♠
-Heather Turk, Vegas Guide Writer
By Allison Mitchell | January 26, 2024 | Food & Drink Feature Events Guide Food and Drink Feature Features Drink Featured Food & Drink Feature Food & Drink Entertainment List – Bars List – Entertainment Restaurants Eat sports Guides
Celebrate Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11 at Las Vegas’ nine swankiest sports bars.
Watch the big game at The George Sportmen’s Lounge at Durango Casino & Resort. PHOTO BY CLINT JENKINS
Book your seat at Beer Park in Paris Las Vegas ASAP since this outdoor venue always sells out during its football viewing parties. Multiple TVs ensure a sightline of the game, but the view of the Bellagio fountains from the outdoor patio is equally enticing. Carnivores will love the menu at Beer Park—an outdoor smoker perfectly prepares meats featured in the popular smoked brisket grilled cheese and barbecue pork ribs.
Charlie’s Sports Bar at Wynn Las Vegas; PHOTO BY BARBARA KRAFT
Located next door to Wynn Race & Sports Book, Charlie’s Sports Bar serves a winning lineup of 16 on-tap beers, stacked burgers, giant pretzels and loaded nachos while games stream on screens all around. Situated within Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, the all-American sports bar, named for the late Charlie Meyerson, will offer a ticketed Big Game Viewing Party on Sunday, Feb. 11 with unlimited food and beverage offerings. wynnlasvegas.com
Known for its famous crab fries, Chickie’s & Pete’s brought a taste of Philadelphia to Las Vegas when it opened at SAHARA in 2021. Billed as a crab house and sports bar, the 8,200-square-foot space delights fans with VIP gaming pods, myriad TVs in the bar and dining room, and rare sports memorabilia from greats like Tom Brady. Come hungry for the crinkle-cut French fries that made this family-owned spot famous—they’re dusted with a secret blend of crab spices and served with a proprietary white creamy cheese sauce for dipping.
Bottle service and Electra Cocktail Club’s 40-foot HD TV screen are a winning combination on game day. Cocktails, mocktails and beer flow at this swanky lounge inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, a hot spot that keeps the party going until 2 a.m. seven nights a week and opens at 10 a.m. on Sundays to ensure you don’t miss a second of the end zone action.
Indulge in plenty of big-game fare at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar. PHOTO BY ANTHONY MAIR
Whether you’re heading to Allegiant Stadium for the big game or watching it on TV, Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar should be on your weekend roster. Tucked within Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, steps from the Allegiant walkway, Flanker will host its Big Game Brunch from Friday, Feb. 9 to Sunday, Feb. 11, followed by its Big Game Viewing Party on Sunday at 2 p.m. Buy a ticket to enjoy a premium open bar, an all-you-can-eat menu and a post-game party. Flanker’s 30-foot-long LED screen in the main dining room and HD TVs throughout the venue will be streaming Super Bowl LVIII.
The energy is high at RedTail at Resorts World Las Vegas, where games are streamed live on oversize TVs as guests sip one of 24 ice-cold beers and snack on jalapeño pepper poppers or poke nachos. An arcade, interactive gaming area and three private karaoke rooms ensure all attendees are entertained. Reserve your spot now for RedTail’s Big Game Viewing Party from 2 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 11.
The exterior of Stadia Bar at Caesars Palace is shaped like a football helmet, an homage to the games you’ll find on the LED screens inside this luxury sports lounge. Book a table package to reserve your spot in the intimate space, which includes a beverage credit. “We have a beautiful bar designed by Rockwell Group, extraordinary amenities and handcrafted cocktails, but Stadia is all about the viewing experience,†says Caesars Entertainment Regional President Sean McBurney. “No matter where fans look, they can enjoy the game.â€
The patio at The George Sportsmen’s Lounge at Durango Casino & Resort; PHOTO BY CLINT JENKINS
The George Sportsmen’s Lounge
Open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, The George Sportsmen’s Lounge at Durango Casino & Resort ensures sports fans can watch games regardless of air time. Chefs Josh Laquet and Carlos Gonzalez are serving innovative takes on classic American dishes across weekend brunch, lunch and dinner, including Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and 24-hour short ribs. Nab a spot in front of the 70-foot LED wall on the outdoor patio when it’s time for kickoff.
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The Tavern at Fontainebleau Las Vegas offers plenty of screens for taking in Super Bowl LVIII. PHOTO BY CONNIE ZHOU
Panoramic screens surround this elevated sportsbook and restaurant at the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Indulge in bar fare with a twist—think adobo chicken nachos—during its Big Game Viewing Party on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. Upgrade your experience by reserving VIP seating and enjoy a premium open bar and an unlimited dining selection. Winning!
With Superbowl LVIII taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this season, the city buzzes with anticipation for the start of the 2023-2024 NFL season. The Kansas City Chiefs defend their title against the Detroit Lions on September 7 at Arrowhead Stadium beginning at 7 p.m. EST. Partake in the festivities of America’s favorite sport at these watch parties, viewing events and sports venues in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium
Home to the Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium is the ultimate spot to watch home games live this NFL season. Support the local pro team in person and catch the action as it happens, play-by-play. Website | 3333 Al Davis Way
Beer Park
Beer Park at Paris Las Vegas hosts viewing parties often for the most exciting games. Watch in the outdoor social spaces or inside for a memorable start to the NFL season. Website | 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S
BetMGM Sportsbooks
Place your bets online or in person at the BetMGM Sportsbook at Aria, Park MGM and additional locations. Enjoy these game-day destinations with plenty of post-game celebratory opportunities within walking distance. Website | 3730 Las Vegas Blvd. S
Clique Bar & Lounge
Clique Bar & Lounge at Cosmopolitan accommodates football fans. Enjoy the game at this upscale cocktail lounge on the Las Vegas Strip. Website | 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S
Electra Cocktail Club
Catch every play on the 40-foot screen that spans an entire wall at Electra Cocktail Club. The 70 million pixelated screens provide a view from every seat so as not to miss a moment. Website | 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place caters to sports fans and food enthusiasts. Walking distance to Allegiant Stadium, this establishment is ideal to meet friends before or after a Las Vegas Raiders game for bites and drinks. The 30-foot LED viewing screen in the main room, 8,445 square feet of sports design and displays, suites for private dining and patio seating all contribute to the upscale sports environment. Website | 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S
Illuminarium Las Vegas
Every Monday night at Illuminarium Las Vegas is dedicated to football as the AREA15 venue transforms into an immersive watch party beginning September 11. The 360-degree screens, surround sound and projection mapping provide an exhilarating sports viewing experience. VIP tables offer reserved seating, buffet access and an appetizer, charcuterie or crudité platter. Website | 3246 Desert Inn Rd. W
Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa Sportsbook
Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Summerlin has an open-space sportsbook to watch your favorite teams go toe-to-toe. The 96-foot display wall makes every seat a good seat from all angles. Website | 11011 Charleston Blvd. W
Stadium Swim
Stadium Swim offers a bold and vibrant way to cheer and watch every punt, touchdown, fumble and interception. Order bottle service, beer buckets, cocktail pitchers and food for the ultimate game day at Stadium Swim in Circa Resort & Casino. Website | 8 Fremont St. E
Tap Sports Bar
Tap Sports Bar at MGM Grand Las Vegas serves draft beers on tap. Enjoy flights of beer to explore the entire selection while the game plays. Website | 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S
Topgolf
Topgolf displays the most significant sports events in The Yard and throughout the venue. Choose from menu items like the baked pretzel charcuterie, sliders, pizza and other game day foods. Book the chairman’s suite for private football viewing parties with a personal bay open to the driving range. Website | 4627 Koval Lane
Yardhouse
Head to Yardhouse to catch the kickoff and select ice-cold draft beers ranging from stouts, IPAs, sours, and Hefeweizens. With locations at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Summerlin, Townsquare off of Las Vegas Boulevard, and The Linq in the heart of The Strip, Yardhouse offers boisterous gameday environments throughout the city. Website | 11011 Charleston Blvd. W
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RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay was a paragon of Strip dining for nearly 15 years. Its location bridging one of the city’s most massive casinos with the Shoppes at Mandalay Place lent even more gravitas to the restaurant, which seemed like an impossible act to follow after closing in late 2018.
But the resort and the entirety of the south Strip have changed quite a bit over the past couple of years, and a seemingly perfect fit is on the way. Carver Road Hospitality, co-founded by longtime Las Vegas innovator Sean Christie, is growing its Flanker Kitchen & Sports Bar concept from the original location at downtown Salt Lake City’s Gateway development, and it will take over this big spot next summer.
“As the sports scene in Las Vegas has evolved with professional teams coming to town, sports bar and grill concepts have also evolved,” Christie said in a statement. “Flanker Kitchen and Sports Bar will strive to become the next generation leader by delivering an approachable premium dining, drinking and sports-viewing experience.”
Mandalay Bay is the gateway to Allegiant Stadium, with plenty of sports fans walking from the resort to the game. With Flanker, they’ll be able to hit a walk-up window for tacos and sliders to nosh during their journey, or grab a seat in one of five different dining areas before or after the game to sample an expansive beer selection with their meal. Sounds like a win-win.
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LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A new sports bar concept is coming to the Las Vegas Strip.
Carver Road Hospitality announced it will open Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar this June at Mandalay Bay.
Flanker Kitchen is described as a fully immersive fan, dining and drinking experience. Covering nearly 8,500 square feet, the restaurant will feature sports stadium elements and unrivaled views to go with a menu of enhanced American classics.
Menu items include scratch burgers, shareable tacos and a selection of salads and bowls. There will also be a full beverage program with signature cocktails and a selection of draft and bottled beer.
“Ideally located at the gateway to Allegiant Stadium and Mandalay Bay, we’re creating an exciting and dynamic destination that will not only be one of the best spots in town to watch your favorite sporting events but also a go-to spot for a fantastic burger and a pint from one of the most extensive beer programs on The Strip,” Carver Road CEO Sean Christie said in a news release.
The main dining room will fit 102 seats, each with a “50-yard line” experience and views of multiple screens along each wall, according to Carver Road. There are also three private dining suites and a private 20-seat karaoke room, plus a dining patio just steps from the walkway to Allegiant Stadium.
Flanker Kitchen is expected to open on June 10 later this year. Visit linktr.ee/flankerlv to learn more.
A new restaurant is headed to Mandalay Bay, Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar.
Yes, we’re sharing this regardless of the sports. It’s called making sacrifices for you.
Flanker Kitchen now has an opening date: June 10, 2023.
Here’s a peek at what this new Mandalay Bay offering has in store.
First word of Flanker Kitchen was shared in August 2022.
Surprisingly, Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar isn’t being billed as “immersive.” It’s being promoted as “fully immersive,” which is a very different animal. We are honestly so sick of these partially immersive restaurants in Las Vegas. If you’re not going to be fully immersed, why even bother? It’s like being partially pregnant. Fully pregnant or nothing! Which is probably controversial, but you get the point, so nevermind.
Flanker comes from Carver Road Hospitality, and its CEO, Sean Christie, pretty much invented Las Vegas nightlife, so he has thick skin when idiots like us make jokes about immersion.
Here’s the official description of Flanker Kitchen: “Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar boasts a menu of enhanced American classics. Created by Chef Daniel Ontiveros, Carver Road Hospitality’s corporate executive chef, scratch burgers, sliders, shareable tacos, and a healthy selection of salads and bowls are among the offerings. A full beverage program by world-renowned mixologist Francesco Lafranconi, vice president of beverage and hospitality culture, features signature cocktails and an enviable selection of draft and bottled beer.”
Chef Daniel Ontiveros is bomb, or slays, whatever the kids are doing now. He was the former executive chef at the excellent Scotch 80 Prime at Palms and so-so T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Resort, and he oversaw the launch of Carversteak at Resorts World.
We broke the Carversteak thing, of course. Ontiveros is on the left.
Flanker Kitchen will have a 102-seat main dining room, just to irritate our fellow OCD sufferers.
There will be three private dining suites, accommodating 20, 40 or 60 people. The restaurant will include a 24-seat dining patio.
There will also be a private, 20-seat karaoke room which we aren’t going to talk more about because we don’t want to encourage any venue to have karaoke.
The original Flanker (Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club), located in Salt Lake City, Utah, has lots of interactive activities, like duckpin bowling and golf simulators. We couldn’t find those things in the renderings for the Mandalay Bay location, but we’ll have to see what’s there when it opens. We did spot what might be tabletop shuffleboard in the rendering below, but it has a glass covering, so possibly also not.
Oh, and the original location has sunset yoga. We would not be mad if Sean Christie used his nightclub connections to paper the place with atmosphere models in activewear. Just saying.
Are you really going to make us zoom in on the Captain Morgan and add a big red arrow pointing to it? You can’t just trust us on this?
Here are the hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.; Saturdays, 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.; and Sundays, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar will be here before you know it, and the Utah location menu looks delicious, so you know we’ll be there, wearing Lycra under our T-shirt and mom jeans.
Premium views, private and group dining, and karaoke suite among highlights as clock ticks toward Flanker’s June 10, 2023 debut
LAS VEGAS, (March 7, 2023) – Carver Road Hospitality has unveiled the first look at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, its third Flanker concept, set to make its debut at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip on June 10, 2023. Incorporating sports stadium elements and unrivaled views into its design, and complemented by Carver Road Hospitality’s signature approach to hospitality, the 8,445-square-foot Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar is a fully immersive fan, dining and drinking experience.
“Our team is proud to reveal what we’ve been working on this past year,” says Sean Christie, Carver Road Hospitality’s chief executive officer. “Ideally located at the gateway to Allegiant Stadium and Mandalay Bay, we’re creating an exciting and dynamic destination that will not only be one of the best spots in town to watch your favorite sporting events but also a go-to spot for a fantastic burger and a pint from one of the most extensive beer programs on The Strip.”
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar boasts a menu of enhanced American classics. Created by Chef Daniel Ontiveros, Carver Road Hospitality’s corporate executive chef, scratch burgers, sliders, shareable tacos, and a healthy selection of salads and bowls are among the offerings. A full beverage program by world-renowned mixologist Francesco Lafranconi, vice president of beverage and hospitality culture, features signature cocktails and an enviable selection of draft and bottled beer.
Conceived with award-winning international studio DesignAgency, every view in Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar’s 102-seat main dining room creates a “50-yard-line” experience, heightened by the latest in audio/visual technology. The signature LED wall touts the highest resolution in town and with screens along each wall, as well as above the 66-seat bar and lounge, optimum viewing is ensured throughout. Offering a highly customizable environment for groups of up to 350 guests, in addition to a full venue buyout, Flanker’s three private dining suites accommodate 20, 40 or 60 guests and a private 20-seat karaoke room is available for group dining and intimate parties.
Additionally, a 24-seat dining patio puts guests just steps from the entrance to The Shoppes at Mandalay Place and Mandalay Bay’s walkway to Allegiant Stadium, home to the Big Game in 2024; and a full takeout window program inspired by stadium concession stands will offer grab-and-go food and drinks to enjoy en route to a game, event or elsewhere within the resort.
Carver Road Hospitality introduced Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club in Salt Lake City in December 2021, and in 2022 re-imagined the concept inside BetMGM Sportsbook at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium.
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sundays, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. For updates, additional information and to follow Flanker Kitchen and Sports Bar, visit linktr.ee/flankerlv.
About Carver Road Hospitality
Carver Road Hospitality is an investor, developer, operator and marketer of premier hospitality concepts founded by award-winning hospitality executive Sean Christie and real estate, media, and marketing executive Nelson Famadas. The company debuted Carversteak at Resorts World Las Vegas and Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club in downtown Salt Lake City in December 2021. The reimagined Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar opened at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium in 2022 with another coming to Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas in June 2023. Rosevale Kitchen + Cocktail Room and Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge debuted at the new CIVILIAN hotel in New York City in Fall 2022. The company is also an investor in the award-winning and fast-growing Emmy Squared Pizza with 21 locations across the country. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in Miami and New York City. For additional information, visit linktr.ee/carverroadhospitality.
About Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.