Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/593724
PHOTOGRAPHY cOuRTesY Of VeneTiAn And PAlAzzO (lAGAsse's sTAdium); bY bRiAn mAnnAsmiTH (THeRAPY) SPORTS BOO STEROIDS: ARIA RACE & SPORTS BOO The Aria Race & Sports Book (866-359-7111; aria.com) is one of the most opulent betting venues in a major Las Vegas resort, yet its focus on style doesn't detract from the high-tech accessories. A foor-to-ceiling wall of 90 high-defnition TVs, including two spectacular 220 -inch screens, comple- ments a jewel-tone main room and VIP areas, which may be smaller than those of most other sports books on the Strip but empha- size Aria's commitment to comfortable luxury. Plus, if you get hungry, you're only steps away from Shawn McClain's Five50 Pizza Bar and menu of customiz- able, wood-fred pizzas. ULTIMATE VIEWING: LAGASSE'S STADIUM Vegas may be chock-full of sports bars, but Lagasse's Stadium (702-607-2665; palazzo.com), with its white- leather stadium seating and more than 100 high- defnition TVs—one of which measures 16 feet across—is the most fully immersive dining, entertainment, and sports-viewing venue. There's an Emeril-designed menu, plus private suites, betting stations, and outdoor pool tables. In the spirit of the season, the Palazzo hot spot is debuting a collection of limited-time menus— offered on Monday and Thursday nights—inspired by championship teams, like this fall's football-centric selections (think Manhattan clam chowder for the New York Giants and Chicago- style hot dogs for the Bears). UNDER THE RADAR: PUB 1842 Leave it to Michael Mina to take the traditional pub setup and transform it into a sleek, sexy hangout like Pub 1842 (702-891-3922; mgm grand.com), MGM Grand's wood-paneled trove of rare whiskeys, international craft beers, and elevated fnger foods (think lobster fritters and pulled-pork sandwiches). A less crowded alternative to Tap, MGM Grand's sports book-adja- cent bar, Pub 1842 is rolling out several seasonal perks to attract fans on game day, including a build-your-own, bottomless Bloody Mary bar on Sunday mornings and Monday-night raffes that give entrants a shot at scoring limited-edition prizes, including authentic helmets, jerseys, and hats. HIGH-GLAM HANGOUT: LAVO CASINO CLUB The Strip certainly isn't a stranger to fusion con- cepts, but longtime Palazzo favorite Lavo is changing the game with a swank new addition: the Lavo Casino Club (702-791-1800; palazzo.com). Combining Lavo's full menu of signa- ture Italian dishes with an elaborate tableside mixol- ogy program and blackjack tables (baccarat, craps, and roulette are soon to follow), the second-story retreat offers a more intimate viewing experience, with 18 strategically placed fat- screen TVs broadcasting the latest college football and NFL games. Though typi- cally open only on Friday and Saturday nights, the space is hosting exclusive sporting events on Saturday and Sunday mornings for the remainder of the season. A FOODIE'S DREAM: THERAPY Downtown's newest culinary sensation, Therapy (702-912-1622; therapylv.com), has made a name for itself with quirky- cool dishes like oxtail empanadas and fre-roasted street corn. For football sea- son, though, the two-story restaurant has launched an indulgent game-day menu, served on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays, that gives diners tastes of treats like caramelized-honey chicken wings and fried alligator tails with pickles. The gastropub's 32-foot bar is backed by a number of high-defnition TVs, but if you're craving a side of privacy with your small plates, consider booking the upstairs loft, which features plenty of lounge seating and even more screens. V Lagasse's Stadium is a game- viewing sure bet. right: Multiple high-defnition big screens behind the bar provide peace of mind for sports fans at Therapy. Game On SCORE BIG ON GAME DAY WITH FRONT-ROW SEATS AT SOME OF THE STRIP'S BEST VENUES FOR SPORTS-WATCHING. by tess eyrich 64 vegasmagazine.com CULTURE Good Sports