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Jeff Does Vegas takes listeners on a thrilling journey to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip…and beyond! Offering a unique blend of insider tips & tricks, captivating stories, and in-depth interviews with local experts, entertainers, and Vegas insiders, Jeff Does Vegas also dives into the fascinating history & evolution of the city including the stories behind the iconic landmarks, legendary performers, and notorious characters who’ve helped to shape the city’s unique culture. Whether you’re a ”seasoned Vegas veteran” or preparing for your first visit, this is the podcast for all your Las Vegas needs!
Episodes
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
When you think "music" and "Las Vegas" there's likely a few names that come to mind almost instantly like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Liberace or Wayne Newton.
But I'm willing to bet that "Punk Rock" isn't even on your radar. However, a new attraction, sandwiched between the growing Arts District and the World-Famous Las Vegas Strip is hoping to change that.
The recently-opened Punk Rock Museum houses the world's largest collection of Punk Rock artifacts & memorabilia including posters, instruments, clothing, and artwork - all donated by the people who LIVED it.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Vinnie Fiorello, the former drummer & lyricist for the Ska-Punk band, Less Than Jake. Vinnie is also the Chief Marketing Officer and one of the co-founders of the museum.
Vinnie & I talked about the inspiration behind the foundation of the museum, some of the notable names who've come together to create the museum, and the incredibly unique experiences offered by the Punk Rock Museum.
If you'd like to learn more about The Punk Rock Rock Museum be sure to visit their website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.
Get your punk rock fix with the Punk Essentials Playlist on Spotify!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Sunday Feb 12, 2023
Sunday Feb 12, 2023
Roughly 85 miles northwest of the Las Vegas Strip, you'll find what might be the most famous classified military installation in the world:
If you believe what you see in pop culture, Area 51 - or "Homey Airport" as it's officially known - is the secret base where the U.S. Government stores dead alien beings & their spacecraft, and works on advanced technology like weather control, time travel, and teleportation.
But what REALLY happens there? My guest for this episode is going to help shed some light on the subject...maybe.
Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis is a Professor of Intelligence and Security Studies at Coastal Carolina University, where he's also the program manager for the partnership between the university and the National Security Agency (aka: the NSA). He's written several books on intelligence, espionage, and security and he's also a senior editor at IntelNews.org.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Sunday Feb 05, 2023
Sunday Feb 05, 2023
Here comes another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report! This time around, it's a recap of my most recent trip to Vegas from January 23-26, 2023.
I've got reviews of my stay at Planet Hollywood plus meals at Flight Club in the Venetian, Ramsay's Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay at Harrah's, and the famous Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge at the north end of the Strip. I'll also share thoughts on The Carroll Shelby Heritage Center and the Atomic Saloon Show at the Venetian.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Get ready for another World Famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report! This time, we're recapping mine & my wife's most recent trip to Vegas from December 11th-16th, 2022.
This episode includes reviews of our stay at Paris Las Vegas as well as meals at Roy Choi's Best Friend in Park MGM, Yellowtail Restaurant & Lounge at the Bellagio, The Steakhouse at Circus Circus, and others. Plus, I share our experiences at Cirque Du Soleil's Mad Apple, Reckless In Vegas and Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical.
I also discuss the latest at The Mob Museum (including drinks & food at The Underground) and share a few thoughts & observations on recent goings-on in Las Vegas.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Nov 28, 2022
Monday Nov 28, 2022
Back a few weeks ago, I decided it might be fun to step outside of my comfort zone and host an official Jeff Does Vegas Ask Me Anything session.
I put it out to you, the amazing listeners of this podcast, to ask me questions about anything you wanted to know - whether it was about Las Vegas, podcasting, my radio career, my personal life...literally ANYTHING.
And you guys didn't disappoint! You asked some really great questions - both in advance and during the session - and it was a blast to engage with everyone and answer them.
I hosted the original live stream on October 21, 2022 and, as promised, I'm now releasing it as a podcast episode. I've cleaned it up and done a bit of editing but, for the most part, it's presented here exactly as it happened.
If you'd like to check out the original video version of the Jeff Does Vegas Ask Me Anything live stream, you can find on the Jeff Does Vegas YouTube Channel.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jul 25, 2022
Monday Jul 25, 2022
As frequent listeners to the podcast know, one of my favorite parts of visiting Vegas is the food.
Over the last several years, Las Vegas has become a Foodie's paradise with dozens of new restaurants opening each year, featuring celebrity chefs and cuisine you can possibly imagine. But you know what? No matter how hard you try, you just can't beat a classic.
The Golden Steer, located just off the strip on Sahara Boulevard is Las Vegas's oldest continually operating steakhouse. They opened back in 1958 and over the course of it's almost-65 year history, they've become legendary not only for their amazing steaks but for the incredible service, old Vegas atmosphere, and their famous (and infamous) customers.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Nick McMillan, Managing Partner of the Golden Steer. Nick and I talked about the early days of the Golden Steer, it's evolution from "western roadhouse" to "cool celebrity hangout", their place in Vegas Mob History, and what makes the Golden Steer different from other Las Vegas steakhouses.
If you want to learn more about the Golden Steer and make a reservation for your next Vegas trip, visit their website. And for drool-worthy pics of their awesome food, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
July 16th, 2022 marks the 77th anniversary of the detonation of the very first atomic bomb and to honor that milestone, I've decided to release a re-packaged version of one of my favorite episodes of Sin City Stories, my Las Vegas history spin-off podcast.
And although the actual test occurred in the desert just outside of Los Alamos, New Mexico, it led to one of the most interesting periods in Nevada's history and a very bizarre tourism industry for the city of Las Vegas.
Just as the cold war with Russia was beginning to heat up, the US Government selected a spot a little over 60 miles away from the glitz and glamour of the Vegas Strip where they could test atomic weapons. The explosions lit up the sky and the mushroom clouds that came with the blasts could be seen for miles around - including from the rooftops of the hotels in downtown Las Vegas.
If you want to go even further in-depth on the history of Atomic Vegas, check out the complete shownotes on the Sin City Stories website featuring articles, photos, videos and more! And if you've got a Las Vegas trip planned anytime soon, be sure to visit the National Atomic Testing Museum.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jul 04, 2022
Monday Jul 04, 2022
Las Vegas - or more specifically, Lake Mead, located just outside Las Vegas - has found itself in the spotlight as of late & is attracting the attention of two very different groups of people:
Mob Historians and Climate Scientists
Lake Mead is known as a water playground for both tourists & locals, but it's also one the United States' largest reservoirs providing water for over 20 million people across 3 states. However, due to drought and increased water demand, the lake's water levels have dropped drastically over the last several years, which has led to some bizarre and horrifying discoveries.
Returning for this bonus episode of the podcast to discuss recent events at Lake Mead is Anthony Smith, one half of the creative force behind Mayhem In The Desert, a Las Vegas True Crime blog that takes a deep dive into some of the stories that helped shape Las Vegas's history.
If you want to learn more about Vegas's true crime past and the darker side of Sin City, be sure to visit Mayhem In The Desert. Also, be sure to follow Mayhem In The Desert on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jun 27, 2022
Monday Jun 27, 2022
Anyone who knows me well knows I'm a MASSIVE airplane nerd. I love flying and everything to do with flying. Over the course of my life, I've had the chance to do some really cool aviation-related stuff from logging hours in a Cessna, to flying a full-motion Boeing 737 simulator, to visiting aviation museums around the world.
If you've ever wanted to try your hands at the controls of an airplane - and see some unique sights while doing it - my guest for this episode is the guy you need to talk to!
Paul Sallach is the founder & president of All In Aviation, a unique Las Vegas-based flight school that not only offers you a chance to learn how to be a pilot but do it while cruising over spots like Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and the Vegas Strip.
Paul & I chatted about what got him into flying, what sparked his move to Las Vegas and what makes All In Aviation different from other flight schools.
If you want to learn more about All In Aviation and maybe even set up your first flight lesson, head to their website and book today! You can also follow All In Aviation on Facebook and Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Shortly after I launched this podcast, I put together an episode called Vegas FAQ, where I gathered together some of the more common questions that I saw being asked about Las Vegas and attempted to answer them.
It's been over 2 years since I released the original Vegas FAQ and in that time, the city has gone through some big changes. As such, some of the information covered in that episode is no longer accurate & the LAST thing I want to be doing is sharing incorrect advice. Plus, with the easing/removal of COVID-related restrictions, there's a large segment of the population that might be making their first ever trip to Vegas and I'd love to help make that trip a little more enjoyable.
I go over A LOT of material in this episode - including money & budgets, getting around the city, how to choose hotels, restaurants & shows and I'll also be covering the "sin" in "Sin City" (alcohol, drugs & prostitution).
And because there's so much information jammed into this episode, I've made my notes available to you to as a downloadable PDF file.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Get ready...we're going on a little road trip.
We're heading about 35 miles southeast of the Vegas strip, to Black Canyon, where one of the greatest feats of engineering in the United States - and possibly the world - is located: Hoover Dam
Constructed in the late 1920's & completed in the early 1930's, Hoover Dam serves a multitude of purposes including flood mitigation & hydro-electric power generation. Present day, millions of tourists visit each year to both marvel at this amazing structure and to take advantage of the many surrounding amenities including Lake Mead and the numerous hiking trails in the area.
My guest for this episode is Patti Aaron, Public Affairs Officer for the Bureau of Reclamation in the Lower Colorado Basin. Patti and I talked about the history of Hoover Dam including its planning & construction, the "controversy" behind its name, some of the economic benefits of the dam's construction, and she shared some fun bits of trivia about Hoover Dam.
For more information on Hoover Dam and to plan your trip, visit the Bureau of Reclamation's website and be sure to follow Hoover Dam on Facebook.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
* This episode contains paid promotional content
Long-time listeners know that I'm a total Vegas history nerd. There's nothing I love more than digging into the history of Las Vegas and sharing those stories - and based on how well all of the Vegas history episodes I've done have been received, I'd say it's a fair statement to say that you guys enjoy it too.
As such, I'm happy to share news with you about a new podcast that I think you're really going to enjoy.
Pop culture podcast, Spectacle is back for its second season and this time around they're taking a deep dive into your favorite city and mine...LAS VEGAS!
Your host is journalist, artist and cultural critic, Brent Holmes - who also happens to be the son of longtime Vegas headliner & performer, Clint Holmes. In this series, Brent examines "Sin City" through the lens of pop culture. From mob movies to Elvis weddings and much more, each episode explores the story & impact of America's most unforgettable city.
To check out all of season 2 of Spectacle: Las Vegas, subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
My guest for this episode of the podcast is a somewhat "unique" performer.
John Shaw is a magician, illusionist...and sideshow stunt artist.
He spits fire, swallows swords, eats light bulbs, and dangles paint cans from hooks attached to his eyelids. And that's just a small sample of his repertoire.
Over the years, John has appeared on numerous TV talk shows, most recently on the Late Late Show with James Corden.
Currently, you can find him freaking out the visitors at Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum and performing twice-weekly with Late Night Magic at the Alexis Park All-Suite Resort Las Vegas.
John & I talked about the crazy path that brought him to Las Vegas, his past TV appearances & the lessons he learned from them, what got him interested in magic & sideshow performances, and some of the various injuries he's sustained as part of those performances.
Be sure to follow John on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook.
If you want to see John in Late Night Magic, get your tickets via TicketKite.com or Vegas.com.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jan 24, 2022
Monday Jan 24, 2022
Back in March 2021, for various reasons, I put this podcast on a hiatus. However, I noticed people were still listening and downloading past episodes. As I watched the numbers grow, I made a commitment that when I hit 100,000 total downloads, I'd start releasing new episodes again.
I hit that mark in September of 2021 and since then, I've had the chance to have some great conversations with some incredible guests.
As I reach another milestone - Episode #100 - I thought it would be fun to go back and re-share some highlights from a few of those recent conversations.
If you want to check out the complete conversations, check out (in order of appearance):
- Episode #88: My Special Guest - Jonathan Jossel
- Episode #89: Vegas Unfiltered with Sam Novak
- Episode #94: Guys Gone Vegas
- Episode #91: Crime & Punishment - Mayhem in the Desert
- Episode #93: Beneath the Neon - The Tunnels of Las Vegas
- Episode #95: My Special Guest - David Perrico
- Episode #92: Reinvention - The Family-Friendly Era
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Welcome to another world famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report! This is an episode that's been almost 2 years in the making, chronicling my & my wife's most recent trip to Las Vegas, from December 11th-18th, 2021. This was also my first trip to Vegas since January 2020, which was right before COVID-19 shut down the world.
Being that this was our first trip in a very long time, we covered a lot of ground on this trip - meaning this is a king-sized trip report!
This episode includes reviews of our experience staying at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as well as meals at Hussong's Cantina in the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay, Noodle Den at the Sahara, District and Lardo at the Block 16 Urban Food Hall at the Cosmo, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar at the Venetian, Maxie's at the Linq Promenade, Ri-Ra in the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay, The Henry at the Cosmo, Village Pub & Cafe at Ellis Island, and Oscar's Steakhouse at The Plaza in Downtown Las Vegas.
I've also got reviews on the shows we checked out including Fantasy at the Luxor, the Magic of Jen Kramer at the Westgate, the Bronx Wanderers at the Westgate, America's Got Talent Las Vegas Live at the Luxor and the Mondays Dark 8th Anniversary at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
And, as always, I've got a few extra thoughts to share as well as a few tips & tricks that might make your next Vegas vacation just a little more enjoyable!
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Sin City has served as the setting for dozens of movies over the last 75 years. Drama, comedy, horror, action...films of every genre have used Las Vegas as a backdrop. And if you've ever wanted to visit the spots where some of your favorite Vegas movie scenes were filmed and get the backstory on those scenes, my guest for this episode of the podcast has you covered.
Chris Ramirez is the CEO and founder of Las Vegas Movie Tours, a brand new tour experience that takes riders along the famed Vegas Strip, through the arts district and into Downtown Las Vegas showing off the spots that served as the settings for films like The Hangover & The Hangover Part III, Austin Powers, Jason Bourne, Oceans Eleven, and many others.
Chris and I discussed his background in the movie industry, what attracts film makers to Las Vegas and the inspiration behind the creation of Las Vegas Movie Tours.
If you'd like more info on Las Vegas Movie Tours and want to book your place on the tour, visit their website and secure your spot today! You can also follow Las Vegas Movie Tours on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Dec 06, 2021
Monday Dec 06, 2021
I love having other Vegas content creators on the podcast. It's always a blast having conversations with people are as equally - or even more - passionate about Las Vegas as I am.
My guests for this episode are Jordan & Ashden, the creators of Show Me Vegas on YouTube.
Hailing from Missouri, the couple makes frequent trips to Las Vegas, sharing their adventures with their 3500+ subscribers. They do live streams, room & hotel tours, restaurant & show reviews, and have recently launched a weekly Vegas news video series titled, This Week In Vegas.
We talked about what sparked their love of Las Vegas, what inspired them to start vlogging their Vegas trips, some of their favorite spots to stay & play, and much more.
Subscribe to their videos on YouTube and follow them on Facebook for exclusive content.
And, check out Jordan & Ashden's video review of Aria that got them a whole lot of attention!
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Below the glitz & glamour of the Vegas Strip lies a massive network of underground tunnels. In addition to serving the practical purpose of directing flash flood water away from the big casinos & resorts, the tunnels have become a living space for hundreds, if not thousands, of homeless people in the city of Las Vegas.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is intimately familiar with these tunnels, having spent time interviewing dozens of their residents for his books "Beneath the Neon" and "Dark Days, Bright Nights".
Matthew O'Brien is a writer, editor and teacher who lived in Las Vegas for twenty years. He's considered an authority on homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels and is the founder of Shine A Light, a program that helps people living in the tunnels and provides them with the resources to get out of the tunnels.
We discussed Matthew's first experiences with the tunnels of Las Vegas, the work that went into writing "Beneath the Neon", what inspired him to found Shine A Light, and much more.
If you'd like to purchase "Beneath the Neon", "My Week At The Blue Angel" or "Dark Days, Bright Nights" you can visit Matthew's website at beneaththeneon.com.
If you want to know more about Shine A Light and see the amazing work they do, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
(NOTE: I shouldn't have to say this, but I will. DO NOT go exploring the storm drains under Las Vegas. It's a very hostile environment for anyone who's not familiar with the miles and miles of tunnels. By going into the tunnels, you're risking severe injury or even death.)
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Monday Oct 25, 2021
After operating for almost 25 years, the former Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - just off the Vegas strip at the corner of Harmon Avenue & Paradise Road - shut its doors on February 3, 2020 in preparation for a massive re-brand and renovation to become the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, which officially opened in March 2021.
In addition to being Sir Richard Branson's first entry into the Vegas market, it also marked the first tribal casino presence in the city with Mohegan Sun Gaming & Entertainment taking over operations of the new 60,000 square foot casino.
My guest for this episode is Joe Hasson, the General Manager of the Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. We discussed his early career & how he got into casino management, the partnerships between Mohegan Sun & the other operators on site, and the challenges of opening a new property during a global pandemic.
For more information on Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit their website where you can also book your stay at the resort.
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Monday Oct 18, 2021
"Probably Biased. Definitely Honest."
Sam Novak has been been using that tag line over the last few years for his blog, Vegas Unfiltered.
Sam has become known around Las Vegas as the guy who isn't scared to share his opinion. Whether it's a show, restaurant, hotel or any other Vegas attraction, if it's a complete and total train-wreck, he'll tell you exactly that. However, if it's worth your time & money, he'll tell you that as well.
Sam and I talked about what inspired him to create Vegas Unfiltered, we reminisced about some of his more "savage" reviews, we discussed the changing Vegas entertainment scene, and much more!
You can follow Sam on Twitter & Facebook, and be sure to check out Sam's unfiltered reviews & recommendations at Vegas411.com and the Vegas Unfiltered blog.
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Oct 11, 2021
Monday Oct 11, 2021
When it first opened on July 1, 1971, at the corner of First and Main in Downtown Las Vegas, The Plaza Hotel & Casino was billed as "the largest hotel & casino in the world" with more than 500 rooms on the property.
Over the last half-century, in addition to cementing itself in Las Vegas pop culture, the property itself has seen a variety of changes. It's been through renovations, upgrades, and ownership changes.
And as the Plaza celebrates it's 50th Anniversary, I'm joined on this episode of the podcast by Jonathan Jossel, the CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
We talked about his pre-Vegas life & what brought him to Las Vegas, what's behind the recent uptick in interest in Downtown Las Vegas, his plans for the future of the Plaza, and much more.
Be sure to follow Jonathan on Twitter & Instagram and make sure you check out the Plaza's official podcast, "On the Corner of Main Street" by heading to the Plaza's website (or wherever you listen to podcasts). While you're there, book yourself a stay and take in some of their 50th Anniversary celebrations!
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Don't forget: Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Monday Feb 22, 2021
One of my favourite things about being a frequent Vegas visitor and having friends who live there has been them taking me away from the tourist areas to check out some of the locals' spots around the city.
And I've been noticing more and more lately that people have been asking about these locals' spots; they want to know some of the cool places around Las Vegas where the residents go to eat and hang out - and my guest for this episode is here to help out!
Robert Harley is a Vegas local who runs a vlog called "Let's Get Vegasy". He does live videos on Facebook & YouTube on an almost-daily basis showing his adventures around the city, and something he focuses quite heavily on is the food & beverage scene. So, I thought it would be helpful for Robert to jump on the show and share some his picks for these so-called "hidden gems".
We talked about the big three - Pizza Joints, Steakhouses & Dive Bars - as well as a few other spots that Vegas visitors might want to check out.
If you want to check out Robert's latest videos, you can join the Let's Get Vegasy Facebook Group or subscribe to the Let's Get Vegasy YouTube Channel!
Monday Jun 29, 2020
Monday Jun 29, 2020
Sergio Portesan is the creator of the website, Viva Las Value - an awesome site crammed with tons of great tips & tricks on how to do your Las Vegas trip on a budget. Sergio is also my first ever "three-peat" guest on the podcast, with first 2 appearances being among my top 10 most-downloaded episodes of all-time.
I asked Sergio to hop back on the podcast for a couple of reasons...
First, with the Canada/US Border closed, I'm not able to travel down to Las Vegas but Sergio can, so I asked him if he'd be willing to join me for a "trip report by proxy" to share a few reviews from his most recent trek to Sin City.
Secondly, Sergio's trip coincided with the re-opening weekend of Las Vegas following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. As such, I wanted to get his thoughts & opinions on how he thought Vegas was doing in welcoming back visitors and - most importantly - whether or not he thought he'd be heading back down for another trip anytime soon.
If you've got Vegas-related questions for Sergio be sure to reach out and follow Viva Las Value on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
My special guests for this episode are Las Vegas entertainers - and married couple - Makenzie Fly & Colin Cahill.
Before COVID-19 shut down Las Vegas, Makenzie was one of the leads in the show, Sex Tips For Straight Women From A Gay Man at the Paris and Colin was a member of the cast in Spiegelworld's newest show, Atomic Saloon at The Venetian.
When they were forced out of their respective gigs by Coronavirus, the pair wanted to keep performing - so they launched Mak and the Cheese.
Makenzie & Colin joined me via Zoom to chat about their life before the shutdown, predictions on what Vegas shows might look like when things re-open and whether or not Mak and the Cheese have a future beyond the pandemic!
Be sure to check out & subscribe to Mak and the Cheese's YouTube Channel and enjoy their music including:
- "You Can't Spell Virus Without Us"
- "Don't Cough on Betty White"
- "The Quarantine 15" (as performed for the Mondays Dark Livestream Telethon)
- And "Spare Me a Roll"
Monday Apr 06, 2020
Monday Apr 06, 2020
A lot has changed in Las Vegas since I released my last regular episode; Hell, a lot has changed in the 3 weeks since I released the last SPECIAL episode.
As such, I thought it might be a good time to jump back on with a brand new episode to provide some news on what's happening in the city & share some of my predictions of what a re-opening of Las Vegas might look like. I also wanted to check in with everyone & let you know what's going on in my life, what's happening with my friends living in Vegas, what the future of the podcast looks like and - most importantly - reach out to everyone to find out how all of YOU are doing.
And don't forget: If you need someone to talk to during these difficult and - frankly - weird times, feel free to reach out and send me a direct message on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I'm always here and willing to connect!
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
I recently had a request from a listener who wanted a few suggestions for planning a "girls vacation" to Las Vegas. Since I'm a 44 year-old married man who usually travels with Vegas either solo or with my wife, I felt I was drastically unqualified to assist - which is why I reached out to my guests for this episode of the podcast...
MJ & Bree are the hosts of the Keeping It Casual Podcast, a sex-positive dating & relationship advice podcast based in Las Vegas. Whenever I'd listen to their show, they'd talk about all the cool spots they were hitting in Vegas so I thought they'd be perfect to help me plan out the Ultimate Girls Trip!
We covered all the important stuff - including hotels, restaurants, clubs and spas - plus we covered how to avoid "drama" on a girls trip and how to keep yourself safe in Sin City.
The ladies also hit me with a few questions they like to ask the guests on their podcast, which was an absolute blast!
If you'd like to check out the Keeping It Casual Podcast you can get it wherever you find your favourite podcasts of visit their website - where you can also get info on live appearances & merchandise. And be sure to connect with both MJ & Bree on social media where you can "slide into their DM's" for Vegas hook-up's:
Follow @MJRadioDiva and @Breemixed on Twitter
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Welcome to another world famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report chronicling my most recent trip to Vegas - my first of 2020 - from January 11-14.
This time around I've got a brief review of my stay at The Flamingo plus my experience of trying to add a night to my original booking at the Linq. I've also got quick reviews of the restaurants I hit up this time around including Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar at the Linq, Ri-Ra Irish Pub at Mandalay Bay, Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood and Evel Pie downtown.
Also on this trip, I visited The Mob Museum, hung out at Downtown Container Park with MJ & Bree from the Keeping It Casual Podcast (watch for them to appear in an upcoming episode of the podcast) and learned how to play Craps in a YouTube Live Stream with past guest & friend Heather Ferris from Vegas Aces.
I also got to experience my very first Vegas Jackpot/Handpay Slot Win on this trip...and got the experience the fun of having the government take 30% of the win
Monday Jan 20, 2020
Monday Jan 20, 2020
If you're of a certain generation, chances are that you spent a fair portion of your youth wasting time at the local arcade, hanging with your friends and dropping quarters into your favorite video games & pinball machines. And if you're planning on visiting Las Vegas anytime soon, you can re-live those memories at the Pinball Hall of Fame.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Tim Arnold, the founder of the Pinball Hall of Fame - which is always ranked as one of Vegas's top attractions & is always at the top of my list of recommendations for folks headed to Las Vegas.
During one of my recent Vegas trips, I headed over to see Tim at the Pinball Hall of Fame where he took a break from working on a vintage machine to sit and chat with me. We talked about his start in the arcade business, the beginnings of the Pinball Hall of Fame and the future plans for the Hall of Fame - including a new building south of the strip, set to begin construction this year.
To learn more about the Pinball Hall of Fame - including location, hours and history - be sure to visit their official website.
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Welcome to another world famous Jeff Does Vegas Trip Report featuring a recap of my most recent trip to Las Vegas - my EIGHTH of the year - from December 15-19, 2019.
My wife was along for this trip and this time around, I've got reviews of our stay at Bally's as well as meals at La Pizza e La Pasta in Eataly at Park MGM, Le Thai on Fremont Street, Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and the legendary Golden Steer Steakhouse. We were also lucky enough to take in a few shows including Atomic Saloon at the Venetian, Carrot Top at the Luxor and Bronx Wanderers at the Linq.
I've also got thoughts on three major trends happening in Las Vegas and why/how pigeons are better behaved than the tourists.
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
When people think of "Burlesque", they usually think of scantily clad - or perhaps even topless - women, titillating & teasing crowds with their seductive dance moves. But there's way more to it than that...as you're about to learn.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Dustin Wax of The Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum in Las Vegas - which, by the way, is the ONLY burlesque museum in the world. Dustin and I chatted all about the history of the museum, their annual Miss Exotic World Pageant & Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend as well as the history, evolution and recent resurgence in the popularity of burlesque performances.
If you want information about The Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum, be sure to check out their official website and also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.