Hidden speakeasies and high-profile sex toys: 6 new Las Vegas attractions
On her first visit to Las Vegas in almost two decades, our writer discovers new Las Vegas experiences offering celebrity spotting, hidden bars, punk rock memorabilia and much more
Striking a pose in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, watching the Fountains of Bellagio or riding a gondola along the canals of The Venetian might be the bucket-list activities Las Vegas-bound clients have their hearts set on, but what if they’ve already ticked off the most famous attractions and are hungry for more? After all, Las Vegas does have an assuredly addictive personality that encourages visitors to return time and time again.
Whether it’s for a couple’s break, family holiday or stag or hen do, there’s always something new to add to a Sin City itinerary. Take these six new hotels and attractions for example, which offer all manner of experiences beyond the wonders of Caesar’s Palace:
Desirable dining at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Located at the north end of The Strip, Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened in December 2023. As with any Vegas hotel it’s a city in its own right, but this city is a classy one – or at least as classy as a hotel can be with a glitzy 24-hour casino at its heart. It’s a stay for lovers of the finer things in life, with a VIP check-in service and lounge offering complimentary drinks and snacks all day long that fast gets me used to champagne and macarons on demand.
Fontainebleau’s dining options are as impressive as the multi-storey crystal chandelier of bow ties floating above its Bleau Bar. The dimly lit Chinese restaurant Chyna Club by Hakkasan and Wagamama founder Alan Yau serves roasted-to-order Peking duck, Jasmine tea smoked ribs, scallop shumai and a show-stopping Club Carbonara with sea urchin that arrives with a raw egg yolk that is mixed table-top.
La Fontaine, meanwhile, makes an elegant brunch choice (recommend the 90-minute bottomless brunch bubbles for $29pp and generously plated lobster Florentine), while the poolside La Cote offers a more laidback but just as fulfilling breakfast experience. The luxury Oasis Pool Deck is a whopping six acres and for an extra extravagant experience, guests can reserve daybeds or cabanas for 4-15 people for between $300 and $1,000.
Ducking into the hotel’s Lapis Spa is a wise way to decompress away from the hustle and bustle. With its labyrinthine 55,000-square-foot layout it’s easy to spend hours hopping between hot and cold pools, indulging in salt mist therapy or drifting in and out of consciousness in the stargazing lounge. During my visit I melt into a 60-minute Odyssey Massage designed for muscle recovery and relaxation – I can confirm, much like everything inside Fontainebleau, it exceeds expectations.
Travel agents receive 10% commission on Fontainebleau Las Vegas bookings.
Secret speakeasy at Resorts World Las Vegas
Just across the road from the Fontainebleau (which in reality is a 15-minute walk due to the sheer size of Vegas’ infrastructure) is Resorts World Las Vegas, a 3,500-room property that opened its doors in 2021. Inside, tucked behind a bookshelf beside the casino is a secret Tokyo-themed speakeasy named Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den. Tell clients to look out for three golden maneki-neko, otherwise known as “beckoning cats”, on a blue bookshelf that doubles up as an entrance door. To enter, they must lean towards the central cat, make a “meow” sound, wait a few seconds and then push the shelf. Anyone bold enough to take the risk will be rewarded with a hidden bar adorned with rich-red lanterns – it’s a romantic spot for a date – and mixologists who will happily make bespoke cocktails based on visitors’ personal tastes (mine feature a personal favourite: mezcal).
Dinner at Resorts Worlds’ Fuhu makes a perfect precursor to drinks at Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den. The entrance is unmissable thanks to a blanket of Barbie-pink florals and the food even more so. Suggest ordering the buttery yellowtail sashimi ($27), crispy tiger shrimp ($30) or Fuhu fried chicken ($23) if a client likes their spice. For an Instagrammable add on to a Resorts World visit, suggest stopping off at Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge and ordering its cocktail in a giant disco ball.
Also worth noting, is that the hotel and casino is home to The Strip’s first fully plant-based fine-dining restaurant Crossroads, a 5,000-capacity theatre and Famous Foods, a destination that has the most Michelin- and Bib Gourmand-recognised concepts under one roof.
Games galore at Area15
This entertainment district that opened in September 2020 is a playground on steroids. Continuing to evolve since, new visitor challenges and experiences are revealed every year, with the latest addition being a Superplastic “digital character universe”, due to open this autumn.
To put into perspective the sorts of out-there activities visitors can expect from Area15, they can walk into a fake supermarket fridge in search of hidden clues (Omega Mart by Meow Wolf), soar around a warehouse on Haley’s Comet (which is somewhere between hang-gliding and zip-lining) and pretend they’re Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible as they leap over lasers to press various buttons against the clock (Laser Maze). Audio visual spectacles created in collaboration with deadmau5 (Museum Fiasco) and Chris Wink of the Blue Man Group (Wink World) are also highlights, plus the multi-sensory 360-degree visuals of Illuminarium; an attraction that is currently donating a portion of every ticket sale to communities in need.
But who will enjoy Area15? Most of the attractions are best for visitors aged 10 and above, but there are some options for younger children as well as adult-only events on Friday and Saturday evenings. There are four ticket types ranging from $49pp to $250pp, and the attraction offers group discounts so is a great option for stags and hens.
Area15 told TTG it will offer travel agents commission when they contact its team directly.
High-profile memorabilia at the Punk Rock Museum
Las Vegas’s Punk Rock Museum claims to have been “shoving in your face the history, culture and absurdity of rock ‘n’ roll’s bastard step-child” since April 2023 – and it’s not wrong. This unassuming building is a mecca for punk rock fans, filled to the brim with artist memorabilia spanning instruments, posters, clothing and photographs. A leather jacket worn by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and a guitar once strummed by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong are among the items displayed, as well as some more, shall we say “quirky” items, such as The Clash’s Joe Strummer’s last bag of marijuana and a phallic sex toy used by Tesco Vee of The Meatmen to playfully beat the audience with during performances.
An added bonus of the museum is its Jam Room, where visitors can play guitars through the actual amps famous artists used on tour; The Triple Rock Social Club where guests can grab a drink between browsing; and a tattoo parlour for those who prefer to purchase a more permanent souvenir. Plus, the Punk Rock Museum offers weddings.
General admission tickets are $39 for adults, $19.50 for children aged 4-12 and free for kids under four years old (although do proceed with caution when recommending this attraction to families given the museum’s contents!). It offers free admission for visitors if it’s their birthday, and there are guided tours available for $100.
Celebrity spotting at Cathedrale
In May 2023 Cathedrale marked its launch into the Las Vegas dining scene with an opening evening attended by stars including Mark Wahlberg, Perez Hilton and Wiz Khalifa – it was clearly starting as it meant to go on. This celebrity-approved restaurant housed in Aria Resort and Casino has 266 seats, from which diners can tuck into mouthwatering “coastal cuisine” inspired by dishes from France, Spain, Italy and Greece.
Recommend the Wagyu steak tartare ($34) or handmade burrata ($26) to start and then the Maine lobster rigatoni ($52) or black truffle fettuccini ($60) as a main. The wine list is so extensive it’s handed over on an iPad, with the glass-walled cellar a feature within the restaurant itself. This modern design is reflected throughout, with diners entering through a navy, gold-leaf-lined corridor and given the option of sitting in tan leather seats or blue leather booths. It’s the perfect pre-show dinner for those booked in to see a 9.30pm showing of Mad Apple, just around the corner (see below).
Cathedrale is open 5-10pm Sunday to Thursday and 5-10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations highly recommended. Private dining also available for up to 30 people.
Impressive acrobatics at Mad Apple Cirque du Soleil
Premiering in May 2022 and set on an intimate-yet-majestic stage inside New York New York Hotel and Casino, Mad Apple is a flamboyant Cirque du Soleil show of acrobatics and dance blended seamlessly with comedic flare and live music. Circus performers swing from the ceiling and make the impossible possible during gasp-worthy balancing acts while drummers and saxophonists blare out their takes on modern tunes, and singers belt out popular tracks from the likes of Lady Gaga. Clever lighting and an immersive theatre layout – as well as the opportunity order a drink from the centre-stage Empire State Building bar pre-show or at the interval – make viewers feel like they’re really part of the 80-minute show.
Performances take place from Thursday to Monday at 7pm and 9.30pm, with tickets costing from $49. Due to the languages and themes of Mad Apple, the show is adult-only with those under the age of 18 not permitted.
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