Jam sessions?

It's time for another business trip to Vegas, and this time I want to spend some evenings not standing at a dice table. Where are my priorities?

I'm bringing an alto and I want to use it. I remembered that the Sand Dollar had a blues jam from a decade ago when I was a local. I just checked - the bar has been renamed (but the website hasn't?) and the calendar lists two events for next week: Open Mic w/ Smokin' Joe and the FUNK JAM. Has anyone been to either? If so, any feedback?
http://www.sanddollarloungelv.com/events/calendar/

But I only found those because I specifically remembered the bar. My search mojo isn't working this morning and I can't find any other jam options around Las Vegas. Can anyone point me toward other venues? I'm looking for any open/jam session where an alto sax as a sideman would be appropriate: blues, jazz, funk, etc. So not country, hip-hop, beat poetry, baroque, etc. (I could actually make a baroque improv session work but that's a conversation for another day, and probably another horn...)

Any pointers are appreciated.

I thought that sand dollar opened and closed and reopened and who knows what now.

Have you thought of Fremont Street or The Strip.... with a hat in front of you?

Did you see that youtube video of the American Jazz Band touring France that stopped by a road side pasture to play to the COWS?

Mugshots Casino on Boulder Strip used to have one every Sunday but the place closed down.

May 21st the regular house band hosts an open mic jam session at King Tut's Pub... no fees, no minimum drinks. 6138 WEST Charleston. Poker also.

email DoubleDownSaloon at gmail dot com to confirm their Wednesday Jam session still exists. 4640 Paradise. "Shut Up and Drink" Never a cover charge even when nationally known bands join the stage for the internet radio broadcasts. Good VP pay tables I hear.

Call: Saddle 'N' Spurs Saloon 2333 N Jones Blvd Ste 108, Las Vegas, Nevada 89108-6541 They used to have open blues jams.

Quote: MathExtremist

It's time for another business trip to Vegas, and this time I want to spend some evenings not standing at a dice table. Where are my priorities?

I'm bringing an alto and I want to use it. I remembered that the Sand Dollar had a blues jam from a decade ago when I was a local. I just checked - the bar has been renamed (but the website hasn't?) and the calendar lists two events for next week: Open Mic w/ Smokin' Joe and the FUNK JAM. Has anyone been to either? If so, any feedback?
http://www.sanddollarloungelv.com/events/calendar/

But I only found those because I specifically remembered the bar. My search mojo isn't working this morning and I can't find any other jam options around Las Vegas. Can anyone point me toward other venues? I'm looking for any open/jam session where an alto sax as a sideman would be appropriate: blues, jazz, funk, etc. So not country, hip-hop, beat poetry, baroque, etc. (I could actually make a baroque improv session work but that's a conversation for another day, and probably another horn...)

Any pointers are appreciated.

Seriously you do not want to go there. It was one of the only casinos I had not been to in Vegas until recently. A friend took me knowing it was the one place I had not been yet .

Its a Very rough crowd, mostly the Hispanic community, I'm talking fresh out of Mexico. It was very crowded. I noticed what looked like some gang members mixed in with some Mexican cowboys and senorita's. I think we were the only 2 white customers in the place.

We were patted down (a bit to hard and close for my taste) by some unfriendly security as we entered. They wanted a cover charge. I said, I was here to gamble at the bar, they made sure and watched me go to bar. Everyone was starting like, WTF are you guys doing in here are you cops.

The music was very loud and annoying. It was very old, ugly and dirty. The inside was more like a dance hall set up. The bartender didn't speak English. I have a lot more to add about the gaming I will save for later, but you have the gist of it.

Quote: MathExtremist

It's time for another business trip to Vegas, and this time I want to spend some evenings not standing at a dice table. Where are my priorities?

Blackjack?

Quote: AxelWolf

Seriously you do not want to go there. It was one of the only casinos I had not been to in Vegas until recently. A friend took me knowing it was the one place I had not been yet .

Its a Very rough crowd, mostly the Hispanic community, I'm talking fresh out of Mexico. It was very crowded. I noticed what looked like some gang members mixed in with some Mexican cowboys and senorita's. I think we were the only 2 white customers in the place.

We were patted down (a bit to hard and close for my taste) by some unfriendly security as we entered. They wanted a cover charge. I said, I was here to gamble at the bar, they made sure and watched me go to bar. Everyone was starting like, WTF are you guys doing in here are you cops.

The music was very loud and annoying. It was very old, ugly and dirty. The inside was more like a dance hall set up. The bartender didn't speak English. I have a lot more to add about the gaming I will save for later, but you have the gist of it.

ME,

Having met him, I would have thought there was no Vegas bar too skeezy for Axelwolf to survive or even thrive; he has a talent for blending in no matter the demographics. If HE wouldn't go there, you don't stand a chance. :)

Quote: AxelWolf

Seriously you do not want to go there. It was one of the only casinos I had not been to in Vegas until recently. A friend took me knowing it was the one place I had not been yet .

Its a Very rough crowd, mostly the Hispanic community, I'm talking fresh out of Mexico. It was very crowded. I noticed what looked like some gang members mixed in with some Mexican cowboys and senorita's. I think we were the only 2 white customers in the place.

We were patted down (a bit to hard and close for my taste) by some unfriendly security as we entered.

Are we talking about the same place? Sand Dollar was a blues bar, not a casino, and it was pretty popular until about last decade. I played there in the early 2000s just as the market tanked. I guess it shut down and was reopened a few years ago, then it was overhauled by Bar Rescue last year and renamed Bar 702:
http://www.spike.com/episodes/qm5yg7/bar-rescue-dont-mess-with-taffers-wife-season-3-ep-311

If you're not talking about the Sand Dollar (Bar 702), which place are you talking about that I should avoid? I'm not a big fan of the sort of place that needs a security pat-down.

As I said,,, it went out of business and the new owner has rights to use the name but it is now bar 702 though I wouldn't quite describe it as being as rough though there is definitely a security frisk for weapons and outside booze.

Quote: AxiomOfChoice

Blackjack?

Nah, if I'm going to sit down and add up numbers, I'll just work. My hourly win rate is better and I get better drink service. :)

Quote: FleaStiff

May 21st the regular house band hosts an open mic jam session at King Tut's Pub... no fees, no minimum drinks. 6138 WEST Charleston. Poker also.

Yelp reports King Tut's as closed, and Google Maps street view shows a place called "Time Out" in its place. Oh well.

Quote: MathExtremist

Are we talking about the same place? Sand Dollar was a blues bar, not a casino, and it was pretty popular until about last decade. I played there in the early 2000s just as the market tanked. I guess it shut down and was reopened a few years ago, then it was overhauled by Bar Rescue last year and renamed Bar 702:
http://www.spike.com/episodes/qm5yg7/bar-rescue-dont-mess-with-taffers-wife-season-3-ep-311

If you're not talking about the Sand Dollar (Bar 702), which place are you talking about that I should avoid? I'm not a big fan of the sort of place that needs a security pat-down.

Sounds like he's describing the Silver Saddle Saloon

http://www.yelp.com/biz/silver-saddle-saloon-las-vegas
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/las-vegas-casinos/small-casinos/1669-silver-saddle-an-adventure-by-a-chip-collector/

Quote: MathExtremist

Are we talking about the same place? Sand Dollar was a blues bar, not a casino, and it was pretty popular until about last decade. I played there in the early 2000s just as the market tanked. I guess it shut down and was reopened a few years ago, then it was overhauled by Bar Rescue last year and renamed Bar 702:
http://www.spike.com/episodes/qm5yg7/bar-rescue-dont-mess-with-taffers-wife-season-3-ep-311

If you're not talking about the Sand Dollar (Bar 702), which place are you talking about that I should avoid? I'm not a big fan of the sort of place that needs a security pat-down.

I should have clicked the link, I thought you were talking about a different place, not sure why.

The 702 bar or whatever it may be called now, is just a normal bar in a normal location, you should be fine. They may even have a few ok pay tables left, 9/6 with a short royal and bonuses.

It is a bit hard to find, from the outside you cant really tell its a bar, it looks more like an old business complex.