283.1K
Downloads
225
Episodes
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 Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
This time on Vegas Book Club, we're going ALLLLL the way back to Episode #25 of the podcast and my conversation with Steve Cyr, the subject of the book Whale Hunt In The Desert by Deke Castleman.
Steve is a Casino Host in Las Vegas - but he's not just any host. Steve is one of the elite hosts who deal almost exclusively with "whales".
What is a "whale", you ask? "Whales" are the extreme high-roller VIP's who come to Vegas and spend MASSIVE amounts of money; it's not uncommon for a "whale" to drop $1 Million or more over the course of a weekend in the city. In order to bring them - and their huge bank accounts - to Las Vegas, casino hosts hook them up with lavish comps...from high-end suites & villas, to private jets, to ringside tickets at UFC events, to pretty much anything you can imagine.
Steve is one of the guys who makes that happen.
We talked about his early days in the casino business, how he re-invented the way hosting was being done in Las Vegas, and some of the more "bizarre" requests he's gotten from his clients.
__________________________________________________________________________
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 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
On this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to and my chat with Dennis Blair, author of the book, Touring With Legends.
A Las Vegas-based comedian & musician, Dennis's career has spanned almost 40 years and over that time, he's worked with some of the biggest names in comedy and music. He co-wrote a feature film, he's worked on numerous TV specials, and he's appeared on the Tonight Show several times.
Dennis and I talked about what got him into comedy, his early days working with the legendary Rodney Dangerfield & what led to their falling-out, his time on the road with the incomparable Joan Rivers, and what it was like spending 18 years as the opening act for the late great George Carlin.
Order your copy of Touring with Legends by Dennis Blair from your favorite online bookseller now!
__________________________________________________________________________
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 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #78 of the podcast and my conversation with David G. Schwartz, UNLV Professor, Las Vegas Historian, and author of the book At The Sands.
December 15, 1952 saw the opening of one of the most iconic hotels in the history of Las Vegas - The Sands Hotel & Casino.
During its heyday, it hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, most notably the legendary Rat Pack featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. And although that might be what The Sands is best known for, there's way more to story than that.
David and I talked about what inspired him to cover the history of The Sands, how "mobbed up" the hotel was, Frank Sinatra's involvement the ownership of the property, and what led to the eventual downfall of The Sands (both figuratively and literally).
Get your copy of At The Sands by David G. Schwartz from your favorite online bookseller.
__________________________________________________________________________
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 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
For this episode of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to Episode #116 of the podcast and my chat with Eric Sherwood, aka "Annoyed Pit Boss" on Twitter, and author of the book Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt.
Eric entered the gaming industry following what I like to call a "forced career change", first as a dealer and eventually moving up to the position of pit boss. As he got further into the crazy world of the casino business, he realized the stories from his day-to-day life were too good to NOT share.
First came the Twitter account, then came the book.
Eric & I talked about his entry into the gaming industry, what inspired him to create his Twitter account & write his book, and he even shared some tips & tricks for novice players thinking of hitting the tables on their next Vegas trip.
Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt is available from your favorite online bookseller.
__________________________________________________________________________
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 26, 2023
Monday Jun 26, 2023
This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're headed back to Episode #93 of the podcast and my conversation with Matthew O'Brien, author of the books Beneath The Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving The Las Vegas Storm Drains.
Underneath the glitz & glamour of the Las Vegas Strip lies a massive network of tunnels which serve the practical purpose of protecting the big casinos & hotels from flash floods that often occur after summertime rainfalls. However, those tunnels have also become a living space for hundreds - if not thousands - of homeless people in the city of Las Vegas.
Matthew is a writer, editor, and teacher who lived in Las Vegas for 20 years. He's considered an authority on homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels and he's the founder of Shine A Light, a non-profit program that helps people living in the tunnels and provides them with resources to get out of the tunnels.
Matthew & I discussed his early experiences with the tunnels, the work that went into writing his books, and what inspired him to create Shine A Light.
Beneath the Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights are both available from your favorite online bookseller.
__________________________________________________________________________
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 19, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
For this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #42 of the podcast and my conversation with Richard Zoglin, the author of Elvis In Vegas: How The King Reinvented The Las Vegas Show.
July 31, 1969 was a day that changed Las Vegas forever; on that date, the King of Rock N' Roll stepped on stage at the newly-opened International Hotel to kick off what would eventually turn into one of the biggest Las Vegas residencies of all time..
Richard and I took a deep dive into Elvis's first appearance in Vegas back in 1956, the unlikely friendships he made during his time in Las Vegas, the toll his Vegas residency took on his health, and the overall impact Elvis made on Las Vegas.
__________________________________________________________________________
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!