Las Vegas

My husband and I went to Las Vegas over the Superbowl weekend, 2025. Man, it was fun. However, I wouldn’t do it again, specifically over Superbowl It was crowded, the party was expensive, and Las Vegas just isn’t as fun as it looks like from afar. I did win $2,800 and lost it all, the power of the slots. But if I had to do it over, I’d go when it was hot and could do a lazy river. Maybe that will be my next review.

Aria Hotel

Anyways – Las Vegas 2025. We stayed at the Aria hotel, my first time ever being in there. The drive up and initial walk in is beautiful. There was a long golden dragon for Chinese New Year and an entry bar. We were able to get all checked in via mobile app and an alert arrived when our room was ready, with our key being on our phones. Easy check in. Initial thought of the room was, clean, spacious, crappy view.

The bed was comfortable and the bathroom was a nice size, tiled shower with a soaking tub inside. Okay but the real issue, the neighbors. They came up to their room at 3 am and partied until 7 am. We called the front desk, TWICE, and they didn’t stop. Nor did the hotel do anything. I found that to be frustrating, you need sleep after drinking that much in Vegas. But whatever, I’d stay again if the price was right, not at $360 a night though. Not that nice.

We went for our friends birthday, the main reason and it being over Superbowl was a “plus”, I’m sure in someones eyes. I don’t like football so take that for what it is. I went for the food and the drinks, so prior to the engagement I did my research.

Speak Easies

We checked out quite a few speak easies throughout the weekend, I had no idea Las Vegas had so many. The first being in our hotel called Easys Cocktail Lounge. It is behind a donut and coffee shop on the second floor. We went twice, Friday we walked in, there was a short line and standing room only at the bar. The service was quick, the music was good and the drink was decent. Saturday night we had a reservation, which included a couch and a minimum spend. But the music Saturday was soulful. The singer had great vocal range and really got the crowd going, up and dancing.

1923 Prohibition Bar at the Venetian – we got there when they opened. You go up in the elevator and through a picture door. We were the only ones in, so I can’t say how the nightlife would be. But there was a pionist who was a bit over the top but was fine. The waitress was very attentive and made good drinks. I would not go out of my way to go again, but if I was in the area, sure why not.

Ghost Donkey at the Cosmopolitan was by far my favorite. The vibe was it. The drinks were good and the Truffle nachos were 9/10, such a strange combination that just worked. You walk through the Block 6 eating area, there is a donkey and you are in. It was packed. We ended up snagging a couch in the corner, our waitress was attentive. The music was good and not too loud. If you can grab a seat, I’d give it a shot.

The Barbershop at the Cosmopolitan, unfortunately was a bust. They have a dress code which is fine, but they are strict. One of the people we were with wore a matching suite, not jeans but not sweats, anyways they wouldn’t let us in because “no sweat look alike allowed”. When we went back without the guys, the line was out the door and they had people lined up. Totally defeats the “speak easy” vibe.

Restaurants

I mean let’s be honest. I go to Las Vegas for the food and alcohol. the rest is a plus I suppose. We did check out a few places, some where a total bust, some where fantastic. I can’t believe how much food we consumed for being in Vegas for two and half days.

Alexxa’s being my favorite. My husband and I had gone one time before, we had to go back. I know there are other places for brunch but whatever, this place is fantastic. Alexxa’s is across form the Bellagio, attached to the Paris hotel. I highly recommend getting a reservation, when we showed up for our Saturday reservation, the wait was one hour 20 minutes! If you buy the unlimited mimosa at $35/pp you have a two-hour time limit. They come around and top you off every time they walk by, I have absolutely no idea how many mimosas I consumed, my glass was never empty.

Being sat outside and on the strip is nice. Luckily, it wasn’t hot, but they do have heaters and fans so depending on your tolerance, you could sit outside the entire year. We ordered the food. I do remember it being better the first time I’d gone, but it wasn’t bad. They also gave my friend a cute little cake for her birthday.

We ordered, Snow Crab Cakes (8/10), Meat Lover’s Omelet (10/10), Snow Crab Omelet (7/10), Breakfast Burrito “Mojado” (7/10) and Classic Eggs Benedict (7/10). The comments I heard were the crab cakes had good flavor, but a bit dry, Snow Crab omelet didn’t have much crab, burrito had too much sauce and egg benedict didn’t have enough hollandaise. I had zero complaints about the Meat Lover’s Omelet, maybe I’m not picky like my travel partners. Overall, it was good and the mimosas plus seats makes this place worth the stop, if you can grab a reservation.

Off the Strip The Linq Hotel + Experience, that was a random and fantastic find. First, the unlimited mimosas drew me in. Our server was a funny guy, making jokes which was a nice touch. He even got us mimosa to go, score! The food was the real showstopper. I never order pasta and for some reason, in my tipsy state, I order Chicken Alfredo and it blew me away. The sauce was the perfect amount, a hint of garlic and the bread was grilled to perfection. The chicken wings were fried yet moist (ick! to that word) on the inside, which I’ve noticed is hard for most restaurants to do. The Calamari was slightly under salted, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. It was not rubbery, which often happens making it a solid 9/10. This was one I’d recommend if you are nears Caesars Palace and the Flamingo.

Posh Burger at the Aria hotel – the perfect drunken stop for the evening. Although the line is insanely long, they have an online ordering system you can use. Gamble and wait. The burger was cooked to slightly over medium rare, the cheese melted and it was HUGE. Easily could get a single patty but for some reason (being drunk) I thought two patties and bacon would be a good add on. Was it good, yes! Do I remember how good, no. But it was good enough to order two nights in a row before bed.

We also went to some not-so-great places, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Bar being one of them. I mean, we cancelled our food and asked for our check, 20 minutes later, still no check, we had to ask again. The service was awful, the drinks were meh. The live music was nice but with the service being lack luster, who wants to sit around waiting to get the party started. We are in Vegas after all.

Momofuku at The Cosmopolitan was another place we did not have good luck at. My husband was very excited to give this place a try. It started with the hostess being rude because of our guests was using the bathroom. Anyways, the food was 100% forgettable. The Shishito Peppers had zero flavor, the Pork Belly Buns were dry and unseasoned. It was underwhelming and a disappointment.

Super Bowl

We did it. I was convinced to buy a $550 + fee tickets to WATCH the game at Chickie’s & Pete’s Las Vegas. And guess what, that was best part of the trip. The tickets ended up costing us $685 with a $550 credit towards food and alcohol. We didn’t want a buffet (so many germs) so this was a good alternative.

With the initial hangover I started with mozzarella sticks (8/10), chicken fingers (6/10), boneless wings (6/10), dry rub bone in wings (10/10)… (so good I ordered some to go), traditional Philly cheesesteak (8/10). Finally, the show stopper, 1.5 pounds of King crab for $140. It was AMAZING. The seasoning amazing. Our Friends got crab cakes (9/10), dry rub bone in wings (9/10) and similar to what we had purchased. We all loved it.

The bummer was, we didn’t even buy enough food and alcohol to use our full credit! We only ended up spending $495, while close, we just didn’t hit the mark. Our friends drank hard alcohol all night and they just missed it. With that being said, it was a great deal, the service was over the top and I loved every minute of it, when I wasn’t hung over.

It was fun, it was a great get away, I came home with my nose pierced and no money. Las Vegas is a place that 2 hours feels like 10 and frankly, 48 hours is enough for me, that extra 12 was over the top. Going in February was also nice leaving the PNW for sun and clear skies.