Nothing sizzles like Las Vegas in July. And with the temperature topping 100 degrees, these weekend events were no exception.
Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Weekend Takes Over Resorts World
It was an action-packed weekend at Resorts World Las Vegas as Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Weekend took over the property from July 6 to 9.
The actor and comedian celebrated his 44th birthday in partnership with AEG Presents and Resorts World, drawing J. Cole, Jack Harlow, Ludacris, Kaskade and RL Grime to Zouk Nightclub and Ayu Dayclub. Also on deck was stand-up comedy, exclusive events, podcast tapings, and the final shows of Hart’s Reality Check tour inside Resorts World Theatre.
Elsewhere in the comedy realm, the return of BET’s ComicView—featuring host and executive producer Mike Epps—highlighted live stand-up comedy performances at the resort’s Jalisco Underground. Additional headlining events included the inaugural Hartbeat Poker Invitational.
Victor Wembanyama & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Connect at NBA Con
Just three days after a member of his security team was accused of “backhanding” Britney Spears, 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4-inch San Antonio Spurs phenom, sat down with 76-year-old Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the inaugural NBA Con hosted by basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas.
A family-friendly celebration of hoops culture, NBA Con welcomed thousands of diehard basketball fans, over 100 talented stars and hosted a series of industry conversations to Mandalay Bay Convention Center on July 7 to 9.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, formally announced the new NBA In-Season Tournament where he revealed it will culminate with semifinals on Dec. 7 and a championship on Dec. 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the 11-day NBA Summer League 2023 continues through July 17 at Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV where fans can witness the rise of talented rookies who are making their NBA debuts. Many special packages are available.
Denver Nuggets Bring Championship Trophy to Hakkasan
Keeping with basketball, the newly crowned NBA champions Denver Nuggets headed to Tao Group Hospitality hotspot Hakkasan at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino for a victory celebration. NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and the team fueled up for the night with dinner at the restaurant, feasting on signature dishes before making their way to Hakkasan Nightclub where they entered to cheers from the packed crowd at the stroke of midnight.
Players including Jamal Murray, Michael Porter, Bruce Brown, Aaron Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope took over VIP tables on the stage and joined DJs Pauly D and Justin Credible in the booth and toasted their win with a three-liter bottle of Perrier Jouët Brut Champagne.
Vegas Golden Knights Showcase Stanley Cup at Wynn Las Vegas
The Vegas Golden Knights reaped the rewards of their championship victory by visiting multiple Sin City venues. Wynn Las Vegas welcomed the team to Delilah supper club where they indulged in a full six-course meal from executive chef Joshua Smith, accompanied by bottles of Screaming Eagle wine.
The team continued their evening at Encore Beach Club at Night, where FAED duo DJ Five and EricDlux kept the party going. The night concluded with the team checking into Encore Tower Suites. The team also brought their post-game celebrations and Stanley Cup to OMNIA Nightclub inside Caesars Palace. The champs and the Stanley Cup joined DJ Steve Aoki in the booth to the cheers of the ecstatic crowd.
Later in the week, Barry’s Downtown Prime at Circa Resort & Casino welcomed the team fresh off their championship parade. Chef Barry S. Dakake prepared a feast for the 2023 champions and the team continued to celebrate its historic win in style. On another day, the team was spotted at Ski Lodge at Superfrico inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas where players celebrated their win by drinking out of the iconic Stanley Cup and toasting with the crowd.
If that wasn’t enough, Wynn Las Vegas welcomed the Vegas Golden Knights back to the resort for a second time in one week, where this time they celebrated at XS Nightclub. After joining award-winning DJ duo The Chainsmokers onstage, the Knights showered Perrier Jouët champagne over the crowd.
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar Debuts at Mandalay Bay
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end and two-time Pro Bowler, Maxx Crosby, co-hosted the grand opening of Carver Road Hospitality’s Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. UFC Light Heavyweight champ Jamahal Hill, retired NFL great Marshawn Lynch, Las Vegas Raiders’s O.J. Howard and Matthew Butler, and “Big Brother” alumnus Corey Brooks were among those in attendance.
Described as “the evolution of the Vegas sports bar,” Flanker features American favorite dishes like steaks, burgers, seafood, salads, and over-the-top desserts. The beverage program features craft cocktails and one of the Strip’s most formidable beer lists. The elevated environment is complete with a ceiling lighting design inspired by the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix track at night which guides guests through the main dining room and towards the massive 30-foot by nine-foot-tall LED viewing screen. Flanker also features a hidden and private karaoke room.
Ocean Prime Restaurant Opens in the Heart of the City
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants has officially opened the nearly $20 million Ocean Prime Las Vegas at 63, the new four-story shopping complex at the southwest corner of Harmon and Las Vegas Boulevard, steps away from The Cosmopolitan and Crystals mall. The restaurant boasts 14,500 square feet with a nearly 2,500 square-foot rooftop terrace, more than 400 total seats, three bars and three private dining rooms. Numerous items are uniquely designed and exclusive to Ocean Prime Las Vegas including caviar and vodka service and the lounge menu featuring several new creations such as chips and caviar dip, crispy whole Maine lobster and A5 Wagyu Stix. The Las Vegas outpost is also the first Ocean Prime to offer regular brunch service every weekend.
La Popular CDMX Reveals Third U.S. Location at Palms
Mexico City’s premier restaurant group, Grupo Carolo, and California-based Eureka! Restaurant Group have unveiled the third La Popular CDMX location in the U.S. inside the Palms Casino Resort. Located on the casino floor, in the former Bobby Flay’s Shark space, the upscale chef-driven Mexican restaurant is an elevated take on classic dishes.
To celebrate its Sin City opening, La Popular’s Las Vegas location features specialty items exclusively available at Palms, such as quesabirria tacos, al pastor enchiladas and ribeye or adobo prawns fajitas. La Popular also serves breakfast all day from Friday to Sunday. La Popular’s cocktail menu features rare Mexican spirits, as well as emerging artisan products sourced from a variety of small-batch distilleries in Oaxaca, Jalisco, and Guadalajara.
True to La Popular’s brand, guests will be able to spot the signature disco ball in the center of the restaurant, along with nods to the mirrored globe throughout. A custom neon sign stating “Vegas Made Me Do It” is also featured on the extended veranda.
Green Valley Ranch Undergoing ‘Elevated’ Transformation
Station Casinos is continuing to reinvest in its portfolio of off-Strip resorts and has announced the start of a transformation coming to Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino in Henderson this year.
The property, which opened in 2001, recently showcased a newly refreshed pool and cabanas experience at the Backyard. Polaris Bar has opened and is centrally located on the casino floor featuring multiple screens for sports watching and a craft cocktail menu inspired by key coordinates worldwide.
Eric and Bruce Bromberg of Bromberg Bros. Blue Ribbon Restaurants will bring Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill to the resort and the brothers will unveil an all-new Mediterranean concept featuring daily fish, meat, poultry and vegetable selections prepared in an open-concept kitchen. An upscale high limit slot will room will feature approximately 125 of the latest games and will offer personalized service and access to a dedicated bar and 14 bartop games.
Stars Around Town: Mark Wahlberg, Carrie Underwood and More!
- Continuing his Flecha Azul Tequila tour, Mark Wahlberg manned the bar at SOAK Pool at Palms Casino Resort on June 24. Fans lined up to catch a glimpse and have a chance at being served by the star who spent time posing for photos and interacting with the crowd.
- At Resorts World, Carrie Underwood dined with her family in the private Whiskey Room at Carversteak. The superstar, who has a residency at Resorts World Theatre, rocked a black Guns N’ Roses T-shirt and black Louis Vuitton pants and enjoyed the Cookie Monster dessert.
- Also at Carversteak, Alex Rodriguez, with his lady-of-the-moment, Canadian fitness model Jaclyn Cordeiro, dined with a large group.
Also spotted at Resorts World was former LA Laker and now Washington Wizards star Kyle Kuzma, who just re-signed to the Wizards with a four-year, $102 million contract. He and girlfriend, Winnie Harlow, celebrated his new contract in a three-bedroom Crockfords suite at the resort and they dined at FUHU restaurant alongside 25 of his friends and family. After, the group made their way to Zouk Nightclub with over 200 guests for his private afterparty including Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Tim Hardway Jr., Jayson Tatum, Matt Barnes, Larry Nance, and Frank Vogel. Kuzma and Harlow were also seen taking in Usher’s residency show later in the weekend at Dolby Live at Park MGM.
Kathy Griffin performed a sold-out show at The Mirage Las Vegas’s Center Stage Comedy venue. The show was the comedian’s first performance in Vegas in more than six years. The crowd greeted the comedy legend with a nearly three-minute standing ovation as she walked onto the stage. Spotted in the audience were Sia, Stormy Daniels and other friends. Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble sent Griffin flowers in honor of the milestone show. Later, the group headed to Griffin’s private lanai at the resort for an intimate afterparty.
Swae Lee made a surprise appearance at Drai’s Nightclub on June 30 by hopping on the stage alongside headliner and resident artist French Montana to perform their smash hit “Unforgettable.” Also at Drai’s, Floyd Mayweather, along with Las Vegas Aces superstars, Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson, enjoyed 2 Chainz’s show stopping performance the next night.
Down the strip at Wynn Las Vegas, Avril Lavigne performed with Marshmello at Encore Beach Club where she performed her hit songs “Girlfriend,” “Bite Me,” “What the Hell,” and “Sk8er Boi” as the crowd sang along. The singer was seen posing with fans for photos throughout the club. Lavigne also had some catch up time with rumored ex Tyga, who sat in a VIP section of the deejay booth watching her perform.
Not far away, Jackie Siegel (The Queen of Versailles) participated in a conversation with Vernon Davis at the PlayersTV + Victoria’s Voice Foundation event at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, where Russell Wilson was also in attendance.
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