Hard-3: My Vegas “Musts”
Author-For-A-Day “Hard-3” Shares His Must-Do Vegas Favs
When I heard about the author for a day topic of “Vegas Musts” my mind went wild with all the things I like to do when I am in Vegas. It did not take long, however, to narrow it down to the three must-have’s when I go to Vegas. They are: to have a fancy dinner, get a few Bloody Marys at 4 Queens, and finally to have an old school straight razor shave.
My first Vegas must-do is to have a fancy dinner every time I am in Vegas. One of the reasons I love Vegas is because you get a chance to eat at the best restaurants and stay in some of the nicest hotels for a more affordable price then in another major city. My wife and I love to get dressed up and take in an expensive meal. I bring out a suit, and my wife wears a dress, and we do a full meal with drinks and all of the courses.
Being in a blue collar job, I don’t get dressed up unless it is for a funeral or wedding. And due to my wife’s and my busy schedules, we do not get out to really fancy restaurants when we are at home. However, we always make it a point when we are in Vegas to hit up a nice place. Some of the places we have gone in the past include Gordon Ramsey Steak, the old Flame at El Cortez and Oscar’s.
My wife and I love downtown Vegas for the better values not only gambling but for rooms and food also. Due to the way the Strip seems to be going, we find ourselves spending more and more time downtown than on the Strip. I find that the bars at the 4 Queens seem to have a hidden secret in that they have some of the best Bloody Marys you can get. Now with the addition of many places doing the big Bloody Mary bars, it can be hard to compete. But if you just want a simple Bloody Mary, this is your place.
Sometimes it is best just to keep things simple, and that is what they do at 4 Queens. You cannot go wrong with a classic Bloody Mary and a few olives. I tend to like spicy things, and when they make it spicy, they mean it. We normally will go in after a nice big breakfast and have a few while playing video poker.
Finally, I like to get a nice old-school straight razor shave when I am in Vegas. I think it stems from watching Rounders, when Edward Norton and Matt Damon decide to get a shave after a long night of poker as a way to relax and rejuvenate. After a couple of days of doing Vegas hard, few things will make you feel better as a man as does getting a straight razor shave.
Depending on where you go depends on all the steps that are taken but they all include a nice hot towel on the face and hot lather with a nice finish-off after the shave. Once I get a shave, I feel like a new man, ready to take on Vegas for a few more days. Two of the places I go to get a good shave are at the barbershop inside El Cortez and The Art of Shaving (which has a couple of locations in Vegas).
It did not hurt that last time I was up getting a shave at the El Cortez, my wife hit a nice $800 jackpot on a slot! That’s a lot of shaves.
Photos: [Greg C., Sammasseur, Donnie Hawley]
9 thoughts on “Hard-3: My Vegas “Musts””
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Never thought about getting an old-school straight razor shave! This is a great idea and a new MUST I might add to my list next time I am in town! I will think of Mike and Worm in Rounders (and you) when I am having it done.
Thanks! I’m glad I was able to add to your list. Like I said there is nothing better to start a day or night in Vegas.
thx for sharing. the barber looks creeeepy… just sayin.
It is all part of the charm
What an awesome idea! I usually do a day at the spa, but I’m taking more of a budget trip later this year and I may opt to do this instead! Thanks for the idea!
For me a Vegas must do is to get a Royal Shave from Johnny at the Bellagio! It’s a one chair private room barber shop, makes me feel like a high roller every time.
Brendon-the El Cortez is very budget minded when it comes to the barber shop but you would never know from the experience.
Rick-I will have to try that next time I am in town.
Great article the only thing I would point out is, when my wife & I dressed for Oscars, we were the only people there dressed up, all the other folks had dressed down
One guy never removed his odd looking sailor’s hat & most customers looked to be kitted out for a picnic. Shorts,flip flops, ball caps, which is fine but it can make you feel uncomfortable if you did make the effort.
Thank you,
That is a good point Bill. I noticed the same thing last time I was there. I hope they start to hold people to the dress code ad business at the Plaza picks up.