Vegas Virgin/Iraq Vet

My oldest son has recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. He is now holding me to a promise that I made to him when he was 18, six years ago: “I will take you to Las Vegas for your 21st birthday.” True to my promise but three years late, I’ve planned a five day, long weekend, in January, which will mean 3.5 days/4 nights in Vegas to show him a good time. Interestingly, he never expressed any interest in gaming, or learning to play BJ, Craps or JOB and still is not motivated to learn the statistics of gaming or basic strategy for BJ. I plan to show him the best and worst of Las Vegas, including the steak special at Ellis Island, breakfast at Bouchon, the Circus Circus Buffet and the Pleasure Pit at the Golden Gate. I would appreciate any suggestions for Strip Hotel nightclubs to send him, solo, after 10pm on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday night. I should be able to get him a line pass to MGM/MLife clubs through the concierge at our hotel. Thanks again. BTW, this kid graduated from University in May, left a week after graduation for Iraq, earned a combat badge, wrote and had published several war time experiential articles and was awarded the Army Commendation Metal for his service. I’m hoping he can enjoy Las Vegas as much as his old man. Can you tell that I'm a proud Dad?

You're a good father. If he or both of you would like a guided hike/climb in Red Rock, just say the word. Five days is a lot of time to spend in the casinos, so perhaps he might like to see the natural side of Vegas too.

The Vegas nightclubs do not cater to lone men well. Most people that go are in groups and the doormen give preferential treatment to women. Once he gets inside it will be hard to meet anybody, except perhaps a hooker. About specific nightclubs, I'm not a good one to ask. I don't like any of them much and am only familiar with a couple. You might read Jim's article Vegas Nightclubs 101.

I'd be interested to know how the Circus Circus buffet compares to the mess hall in the military. For the "worst" casino, may I suggest the Western.

My thanks to your son for his service, and I hope he has a great time.

Quote: robbiehood

Can you tell that I'm a proud Dad?

You have much to be proud of.

Sorry I can't help you with any recomendations you asked for. But as to the worse of Vegas, you may want to gauge the CC buffet against the one at IP. Or just any randomly chosen VP machine at a Caesars property...

I heard the tables at GG are closed for a renovation right now...

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

I heard the tables at GG are closed for a renovation right now...

Don't you work at Golden Gate?

I was actually there playing craps over the weekend.

The tables are all up and running with dealertainers in the evening. No signs of any renovation that I saw on the casino floor.

My buttermilk pancake breakfast special at Du-Par's this morning was excellent.

Bob, I actually thought NIck worked there too, as I introduced myself to one of the younger craps dealers with a name tag that said "Nick". He claimed that he was not our Nick.

To be honest, I enjoyed the dealertainers and music much better across the way at the Las Vegas Club. Some VERY HOT ladies(strippers?)!

Quote: Wizard

You're a good father. If he or both of you would like a guided hike/climb in Red Rock, just say the word. Five days is a lot of time to spend in the casinos, so perhaps he might like to see the natural side of Vegas too.

The Vegas nightclubs do not cater to lone men well. Most people that go are in groups and the doormen give preferential treatment to women. Once he gets inside it will be hard to meet anybody, except perhaps a hooker. About specific nightclubs, I'm not a good one to ask. I don't like any of them much and am only familiar with a couple. You might read Jim's article Vegas Nightclubs 101.

I'd be interested to know how the Circus Circus buffet compares to the mess hall in the military. For the "worst" casino, may I suggest the Western.

My thanks to your son for his service, and I hope he has a great time.

Thanks for your kind offer and regards. He and I have discussed hiking at Red Rock, snowboarding at Mt. Charleston, walking across the new Hoover Dam bridge and/or driving to a National Park in Utah; However, the dynamics of this trip may have changed because he has invited a girlfriend from Oregon to Las Vegas. He continues to demonstrate his resourcefulness and has taken responsibility for his own “nightlife” success. I am, now, an Instant Fifth Wheel, as it should be.

I will advise about the Circus Circus Buffet- if I survive.

If he seems uninterested in casino gambling, but likes other gambling like poker with his buds, or private sports betting, he could have found some casino experience off-putting that simply relates to being intimidated by ignorance of the rules and other etiquette matters. If so I would bone up on it myself and figure out how to get him comfortable.

Quote: Wizard

You're a good father.

My thanks to your son for his service, and I hope he has a great time.

Ditto.

Quote: Wizard

... Once he gets inside it will be hard to meet anybody, except perhaps a hooker.

Does that fall under the category of the "Best" or "Worst" of Vegas?
(Note: I thought of that before I saw the update that he's bringing a girlfriend.)

Quote: odiousgambit

If he seems uninterested in casino gambling, but likes other gambling like poker with his buds, or private sports betting, he could have found some casino experience off-putting that simply relates to being intimidated by ignorance of the rules and other etiquette matters. If so I would bone up on it myself and figure out how to get him comfortable.

On the subject of Poker Room Etiquette, I'm in the middle of writing an article about it. I.E.: The intimidating differences between a poker room and a dining room, and how to avoid being labeled a novice.

It should be ready in a couple days.

>It should be ready in a couple days.

Good. That type of thing does great service IMO.