Vegas in your 30's is way different than Vegas in your 20's. Gone are the days of $1.99 meals, drinking cheap booze (well, at least for some) and shoving ten people into a room. Our palates have elevated; craft cocktails and fine food replace Smirnoffs and burnt steaks.
Fortunately, Las Vegas has grown with us. Dining options now include everything from high-end food festivals, to hipster eateries in downtown. Not feeling the VIP lines of da' club? A champagne lounge is probably a better fit. If you're a 30-something looking for a change of pace, here are a few options to consider next time you're in sin city.
Lounges
If huge nightclubs with large crowds are no longer your thing, a lounge that caters to your quality-cocktail desires might be a better fit. Fizz at Caesars Palace is an intimate champagne bar, with luxurious tables for reserve. You can order a bottle of bubbly, or take a gander at their iPad menu of champagne and craft cocktails. Prices are steep (cocktails start at $19) but the quality is high. Restaurant bars are also a way to get your drink on, while avoiding the club life. Javier's at the Aria has a bustling bar area with Mexican aperitivos and margaritas like the pepino, which are refreshing and worth the $16 price tag.
The Fraise cocktail at Fizz Caesars Palace
Credit: Peter Harasty
Food Festivals
Some of these can be overwhelming. There's a ton of crowds and depending on the time of year, you can be in some serious heat. The upside is you can enjoy a bevy of food and drink, in a small amount of time. In late April, Bon Appetit Vegas Uncork'd brings chefs from around the world for foodies to sample their best bites. In the fall, Wine Amplified combines a classic wine festival with live music and Life is Beautiful recently completed its 3rd year of food, music, art, and inspirational speech festival in the heart of downtown Vegas.
Wine Amplified
Credit: Courtesy Wine Amplified
Downtown Dining
Speaking of downtown; once considered a culinary wasteland, this neighborhood has transformed into a gentrified and hipster-friendly area with choice food spots. Carson Kitchen, home to the recently passed Chef Kerry Simon, has a rooftop patio with views of downtown, and fun dishes like bacon jam and devil's eggs. Park on Fremont is a quirky hipster eatery with indoor and outdoor seating, fried bites like mac n' cheese balls, cocktails and a simple brunch menu.
Bacon Jam at Carson Kitchen
Credit: Chris Wessling
Spa Dining
A day at the spa can be super rejuvenating in the chaos of Vegas. Massages and treatments at any spa on the Strip are going to be incredibly pricey, but most have a reasonable fee of $30-$75 to use the facilities. A perk of the spa at the Palazzo/Venetian is the Canyon Ranch Grill. It has a variety of healthy choices, including; freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and a tofu scramble. It's not a very large space, and since it's hidden in the midst of the spa area, the wait isn't nearly as long as you'd experience at a Vegas buffet.
High Roller Observation Wheel
It's totally gimmicky and touristy, but with a stellar view. If you're looking for something to kill 30 minutes of your time, the High Roller is Vegas' answer to the London Eye. The Happy Half Hour takes place Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. -1 a.m. and Friday through Sunday from noon-1 a.m. Generally $45 (they often have $10 discounts online) this includes an open bar in your cabin, with your 30-minute ride. Be sure to go at night to catch the twinkling lights of the Strip.