May 17, 2012

5 Places to Dance (and Learn to Dance) in Las Vegas

Line dancing at Sante Fe Station's Revolver.

THE POPULARITY OF that “Dancing with the Stars” show is dangerous. It prompts women to say things like, “We should go dancing sometime” or “How come we never go dancing?” or “We should take a dance lesson.” Instead of scrambling for excuses as to why you can’t go – here’s three of my favorites

  • I really don’t dance
  • Busy that night
  • I think I hurt my leg

– guys, you could put your right foot in, put your right foot out, and shake it all about. Or, ladies, you could just go with the girls. And then, of course, there are also other reasons for singles to give dancing in Las Vegas a whirl:

  • To meet women
  • To meet men
  • It might be fun

At Station Casinos, you really don’t even need to know how to dance as we also offer Las Vegas dance lessons (free of charge) at a few locations. Here are five places to learn, and then practice your new dance steps at Station Casinos.

Salsa, Merengue, Wawangko, Cumbia and Bachata
Free dance lessons are Wednesday night at The Railhead at Boulder Station starting around 9 pm. Noches Sabrosas, featuring live music with Volume 1, starts at 10 pm so you can immediately practice your new moves.

Line Dancing
The ginormous hardwood dance floor at the Revolver Saloon & Dance Hall at Santa Fe Station is hot Wednesday through Saturday nights with line-dancing lessons and a bunch of cowboys and cowgirls. Boots are cool; so are heels…it’s that kind of place.

Nawgahyde Show
The craziness that is a Nawgahyde performance (along with drinks specials) on Saturday nights at Club Madrid at Sunset Station always fills up the dance floor. Free admission at 9 pm. Most any shoes will do. The band might be in bare feet.

Old School Dance Party

Free dance lessons are held 3:30 pm Sunday afternoons at South Padre at Texas Station. Live band music begins to swing at 4 pm.

Seduction Sundays

Sunday nights heat up in the Access Showroom at Aliante Station. Hosted by TWIX with music by DJ Poun, the dance party with free admission starts at around 10 pm and goes til 4 in the mourn.

Where’s your hotspot for Las Vegas dancing? Let us know below!

7 Great Las Vegas Happy Hours (in 7 days)

Two bucks is always the price for a big beer at four Texas Station bars.

FINDING A LAS Vegas happy hour or drink special is about as difficult as finding a sunburnt tourist on Memorial Day weekend. But what some people call a “drink special” is, well, not so special. (TRUE STORY: I recently bought a 20oz domestic draft at a Strip property for $12. $12!!!)

Here at Station Casinos we think we do drink specials and happy hours at many of our Las Vegas bars and lounges better than anyone in town. The winning formula: The right cocktail at the right price with the right crowd. In that spirit, here’s seven day’s worth of “drinking on the cheap” in Las Vegas…

MONDAY
The Drink: $2 16oz Bud Light drafts, 99¢ frozen Margaritas and $2 Tequila shots
Where/When: Whiskey Bar, Race & Sports Book Bar, Splitz Bar and Garage Bar at Texas Station, 24/7
Vibe: Texas makes it easy with three drink specials (none more than two bucks) at four bars with no time limit. In other words, they aren’t even really drink specials; it’s just way we pour.

TUDAY
The Drink: Half price drinks
Where/When: Havana Lounge at Boulder Station, nightly from 11pm – 4am
Vibe: The Havana Lounge is a cool place to shoot some pool and light up a cigar (they sell premium cigars). This is a late-night drink special so rest up.

WENDESDAY
The Drink: Half price martinis
Where/When: Hank’s at Green Valley Ranch, daily from 5pm – 7pm
Vibe: Hank’s is a first-class steakhouse with the main dining room opening at 5:30pm daily. The half-priced martinis start flowing in the bar at 5pm with an appetizer menu. Live piano music at 6:30 Tuesday – Saturday.

THIRSTYDAY!
The Drink: $2 domestic draft beer, $3 imported drafts, 2-for-1 shots of Jameson and Patron Silver
Where/When: Jack’s at Palace Station, daily from 3pm – 7pm
Vibe: Jack’s is a comfy Irish-pub-type hangout with Guinness and other brews on tap. It’s a friendly place to watch the game or meet up with friends. Live music with Evenflow starts at 7pm on Thursday.

FRYDAE
The Drink: $4.99 Skyy martinis and 4 Bud or Bud Light beers for $9 (4949 Lounge). $1 Jack Daniels shots and $1 domestic draft beer (Revolver)
Where/When: The 4949 Lounge Happy Hour runs daily from (you guessed it) 4pm – 9pm. Friday night is American Badass night at the Revolver Bar & Saloon.
Vibe: Hey, it’s Friday night so here’s two options at Santa Fe Station. 4949 is sexy and ultra-loungy so you can meet up with friends in a cool spot before riding the dance floor (and mechanical bull) at Revolver.

SPATERDEE
The Drink: $3 Margaritas, $2 draft beers and $6 Coronita buckets
Where/When: Camacho’s Cantina at Aliante Station, nightly from 6pm – 8pm
Vibe: This is the Pre-Party Fiesta that foreruns Caliante Noche Latina featuring music from Volume 1 in the Access Showroom at 9pm, so it’s always a festive warm-up for a big Saturday night in North Las Vegas.

S@N%&?
Better take the night off and get some sleep (or your cognitive functions like spelling may become impaired).

Sincerely, please be safe when drinking.
Cheers!

BINGO! Steven Won Big in the $1M Game

STEVEN WAS THE big winner of $150,000 in the Jumbo Million Dollar Bingo Game held in February at seven Station Casinos locations.

More than 1,700 played for $1 million in cash prizes during in the two-day event.

The next Million Dollar Bingo game is scheduled for September 20 and 21. Tickets for the upcoming game are on sale now through Vegas.com at 1.866.961.3361. Seating charts and other information is available online at www.stationcasinosbingo.com.

Las Vegas Bars: ‘Sipping’ Tequila in a Margarita? Darn right!

Red Rock's Cabo is one of several Station Casinos restaurants and bars where you can get a great "shaken" margarita. Say Hi to Rick at the bar.

NOT TOO LONG ago, a buddy of mine had a tequila tasting at his birthday party. Ok, I know some of you are making the sign of the cross with your fingers, while backing away from your computer. But fear not, there are some really fine sipping tequilas out there. I’m talking Añejos, meaning tequilas that have been aged in fine oak barrels for 1 to 3 years. Some of the bottles at the tasting were Condé Azul, Gran Centenario, Don Eduardo, Don Julio 1942, and my personal fave Chinaco. And the other night, I wandered over to Cabo, in Red Rock, to see what tequilas they poured. Happily, I found all of those mentioned above — and then some! So I hopped onto a bar stool and ordered, “Don Eduardo Añejo margarita on the rocks. No salt.”  

“What?” you say. “He wasted a ‘sipping’ tequila in a margarita?” Darn right I did! And I wouldn’t call it a waste. In fact, using an añejo tequila in a margarita can take it from merely refreshment to being one of the finest mixed drinks you’ve ever tasted. And let me tell you, the margarita that Rick (the bartender at Cabo, Red Rock) placed before me was one fine sip. I asked Rick about the “mix” he used, and he told me it was made fresh, every day, with hand-squeezed lime juice. Rick also informed me that the harder you shake a margarita (never, never stir), the better the flavor. Well, Rick must have shook mine within an inch of its life because it was near perfection. Now, a word to the wise: a well-made añejo margarita goes down real easy. Maybe a little too easy, if you know what I mean. (And I think you do.) Meaning you could find it a bit more difficult to get up from your seat (read nearly impossible). But upgrading to an añejo can change everything you thought you knew about tequila and margaritas. 

Tequila & Margarita Specials at Station Casinos

If you have a favorite añejo tequila, let me know below what it is. After all, margarita season will be on us before we know it.

Cheers,
Jeff Perry
Sr. Ad Writer, Station Casinos

Hot in Las Vegas Slots: Progressive Jackpots on Fire

This slots info ain’t so hot anymore…Read the latest Hot in Slots post for the newest buzz from the floor!

Double Double Bonus Poker players will love the new 25-cent Progressives now at Aliante Station.

EXCITING NEWS ABOUT PROGRESSIVES highlight this installment of the Hot Slots blog.

Santa Fe Station has a half-dozen new Reel Slots with progressive jackpots. Boulder Station’s Triple/Five Play progressive sits at more than $40,000. Aliante Station has a new 25-cent progressive for “Double Double” players. And Sunset Station’s Keno Progressive is prime to pay more than $94,000!

Here’s more of the latest buzz straight from the casino floors at Station Casinos.

Aliante Station tells us…

  • A new nickel Triple/Five Play Progressive is now close to the non-smoking Bingo Room
  • A new Keno Progressive is also near Bingo
  • The Sports Bar is now featuring two machines with a hot $1 Progressive
  • If Double Double Bonus Poker is your game, you’ll love our new quarter Progressive by the Access Showroom. Progressive is on all of your favorite hands – Royal Flush, Aces with a Kicker, Four Aces, Four 2s, 3s or 4s with a Kicker, Four 2s, 3s, or 4s, and Four 5s thru Kings
  • Be on the lookout for even more Smokin’ Hot Progressives like Centennial Royals, Suited Royals, and $1199 Quarter Royals…COMING SOON!

At Boulder Station

  • The Triple/Five Play Progressive is now over $40,000
  • Boulder has paid two $50,000 jackpots within 30 days

Green Valley Ranch is excited to offer the latest themed games to hit the market…

  • Amazing Race, Queen (We Will Rock You) and Sex and the City video slots are all now at GVR! Sex and the City and Amazing Race are both located across from the main cashier…and Queen is located right in front of the Feast Buffet.

Palace Station

  • Just added Monopoly Advance to Boardwalk across from the Feast escalator, and Jackpot 7′s and Fireball near The Broiler steakhouse

Santa Fe Station‘s has

  • New GAMES
    • You can’t miss Konami’s “Podium” games near the main Cashier cage
    • JUST IN: new theme from the popular Monopoly series “Advance To Boardwalk” located near the Iguana Bar
    • Just-released Star Trek Episode 5 is now located near live Keno
    • Wizard of Oz Yellow Brick Road is across from the Chrome Showroom
    • The Monkees Spinning Streak and Mayan Sun are near Sushi Avenue 2
    • Also, new 3- and 5-reel slots with progressive jackpots include Zeus, Rose of Cairo, Rockstar 7s, Triple American Spirit, Triple Charms and Treasure of Machu Picchu
    • A new Multi-Game Video platform, which allows play of four games at one time  with a bonus feature that crosses from one game to another, is now available on titles Samurai Master Super Multi-Play and GEMS_GEMS_GEMS Super Multi-Play located against the wall between live Keno and Cabo Café
  • And new themes and game moves
    • Egyptian Riches Reel Em In – you can find next to the west Bingo entrance
    • Jackpot Block Party located between the Food Court and the Pit
    • Long-awaited “Airplane” video slots with great bonus features based on the 1980 hit movie
    • Double on Double Double Bonus Poker located between the Poker Room and High-Limit Slot area
    • We relocated Wheel Poker games from in front of the Cashiers cage to behind the 4949 Bar. We now have more Wheel Poker to choose from.
    • JUST IN: “Wheel Poker Deluxe” lcated behind 4949 bar, along side original Wheel Poker

Alerts from Sunset Station‘s slot floor include…

  • Keno Progressives
    • Don Quixote Keno, in front of the Bullfighter’s Bar, will pay over $94,000 to the lucky winner hitting 10 out of 10 with a $1 bet
    • Keno Select, in front of the Gift Shop, will pay over $26,000 for hitting 10 out of 10 with a 20-cent bet
  • Reel Progressives
    • Mixed Penny Slots, in front of the Bullfighter’s Bar, will pay over $84,000 to a lucky winner hitting this progressive meter
    • Mixed Penny Slots, in front of the Gaudi Bar, will pay over $19,000
    • Mixed Penny Slots, in front of the Rewards Center, will pay over $26,000
  • New Games
    • The latest 3-D video reel game themes in Pennies next to Fat Burger
    • For the latest in ergonomic comfort for Penny video reel players, check out the new Aruze video reel games next to Fat Burger
    • The Penny demon for Airplane, from the hit movie, is the new Jackpot Block Party. Both are located in front of the Seville Bar
    • The Penny demon for Monopoly Advance To Boardwalk is out front of Hooters
  • Come rock out with Rock You Queen, 1-cent video slot premiering the world-famous band
  • Advance to Boardwalk, a brand-new theme for our Monopoly reel slots, is now located in front of the buffet
  • We’re offering up to 95% payback on fresh new themes on our Aruze video reels, Giant Panda and The Last Emperor, located near the Food Court
  • We also paid out two $10,000 CASH awards to two lucky Jumbo Reel Cash Bonus winners since January 25!

Read more Hot in Slots posts

Got questions for our slots experts? Let us know below!

A Six-Pack of Las Vegas NASCAR Packages at Station Casinos

Starting at $29.99 per night, six Station Casinos locations are gearing up for NASCAR weekend with special hotel packages.

IT’S ALMOST TIME for NASCAR in Las Vegas! (The big race weekend starts February 26 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.)

So it must be time for NASCAR math at Station Casinos.

Here’s the test:

a) Mark Martin x David Ragan
b) Kurt Busch x Kyle Busch + Elliott Sadler
c) Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Jeff Gordon + Greg Biffle
d) Jeff Burton + Tony Stewart
e) Brian Vickers – Ryan Newman – Denny Hamlin
f) Carl Edwards – Jimmie Johnson + Kasey Kahne

All the answers match the starting prices (in dollars) for our special NASCAR hotel packages. Check out the six Las Vegas NASCAR room deals for the big race!

Answers: a) 30, b) 55, c) 80, d) 45, e) 33, f) 60

Las Vegas New Year’s Eve Parties at Station Casinos

Oops! You found an old Las Vegas New Year’s Eve Guide. Here’s the 2011-2012 one. Happy New Year!

Station Casinos has festive parties, live music, special dining menus and affordable hotel packages for New Year's Eve.

Low-key & casual. Loud & festive. Quiet & romantic. No matter the New Year’s night you’re looking for, Station Casinos has the party…or should we say “parties.” Whether you’re wanting to Ring, Rock or Romance in the New Year, here’s a whirlwind tour around Las Vegas Station Casinos locations for 2010 fun.

At Aliante Station

At Boulder Station

  • Yellow Brick Road will be rockin’ in 2010 with a special performance at the Railhead.
  • Van De Guzman will be providing live entertainment at Kixx Bar when the clock strikes midnight.

At Green Valley Ranch

  • Count down to the New Year with a live concert from Sin City Sinners in the Ovation Lounge. Special guests include Dizzy Reed of Guns N’ Roses along with hosts Vinny Paul of Pantera and Brandi M from Rock of Love.
  • More live music at GVR on NYE includes Michael Grimm (Ovation Lounge from 6pm – 9pm); Royal Purple Rockers and Darby O’Gill and The Little People (Quinn’s Irish Pub); and Peter Love (Hank’s Steakhouse).
  • GVR is also offering a New Year’s Eve package deal that includes tickets to the Sin City Sinners show, hotel room and more NYE goodies.

At Palace Station

Make your last meal of the year memorable!
Check dozens of special
New Year’s menus at Station Casinos.

At Red Rock Resort

At Santa Fe Station

At Sunset Station

At Texas Station

  • Things are sure to get steamy at Texas’ NYE Lingerie Party at the South Padre nightclub featuring world-renowned DJ Micah.

At Fiesta Rancho

More great music continues in 2010 with New Year’s weekend concerts

Aaron Lewis from Staind plays New Year’s Day at Aliante Station and then the next night, Jan. 2, at Green Valley Ranch.

Country star Phil Vassar has a New Year’s Day concert at Green Valley Ranch.

The legendary Doobie Brothers perform on Jan. 2 at Texas Station.

Gotta Love the Gift Card!

giftcardsarticle

Billions of dollars in gift cards go unused every year. We're thinking that they aren't for Station Casinos.

Everyone loves gift cards. We love to give ‘em. We love to get ‘em. Want proof? Americans spend tens of billions of dollars, about $80 billion according to market research, on gift cards every year.

Why the fascination?  They’re easy. Flexible. And people can get what they really want.

Somewhat shockingly, a fair percentage of those billions of dollars go unused. Some $8 billion, or around 10 percent, in gift cards go unused nationally each year.

Here’s a solution: Give a gift card that people actually want, will use, and enjoy.

Like at – you guessed it – Station Casinos!

EASY: You can buy online or at most of our casino locations.

FLEXIBLE: Station’s gift cards can be used for thousands of choices at eight of our Las Vegas casinos including hotel stays, spas visits, restaurants, gift shops and more.

PEOPLE WANT IT: Who wouldn’t want to choose from dozens of delicious dining options, exciting Las Vegas hotel deals or smoothing spa treatments.

Happy Holidays!

Have you ever received a gift card and not used it. Tell us below.

Las Vegas Concerts: Two Chances to Catch Walter Trout at Station Casinos

Bluesman Trout playing Thursday and Friday. PHOTO: Martijn Barth. Source: www.waltertrout.com.

Bluesman Trout plays Thursday and Friday nights. PHOTO: Martijn Barth. Source: www.waltertrout.com.

If you like the Blues, I’ve got the hot tip of the week. Walter Trout will be burning up The Railhead at Boulder Station at 8pm on Thursday and Texas Station’s South Padre on Friday at 9:30pm. And get this: it’s FREE! No cover. Zip. Nada. Bupkis!

When it comes to hard Blues, Walter’s the real thing. He’s played with John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Percy Mayfield, Joe Tex, Jeff Healey, Coco Montoya, Richie Hayward, Guitar Shorty, James Harman, John Mayhall’s Blues Breakers (like Clapton & Page), and too many others to mention. His version of Hendrix’s Red House will blow you away. I used to go see him all the time at Perk’s in Huntington Beach, and you can bet I’ll be at South Padre Friday night.

Oh yeah, if you have sensitive ears, wear some plugs because Walter likes to turn it up!

Later,
Jeff Perry
Sr. Ad Writer, Station Casinos

Have you ever seen Walter blaze?

If you go to either show, come back to The Blog and tell us about his performance.

Special Thanksgiving Meals at Station Casinos

Oops! These are Thanksgiving leftovers from 2009.

Please go this way for our 2011 Las Vegas Thanksgiving Dining Guide.

Happy Turkey! Station Casinos is stuffed with Thanksgiving Day Dining Specials.

Happy Turkey! Station Casinos is stuffed with Thanksgiving Day Dining Specials.

All the trimmings with none of the cooking or dishes.

Station Casinos is extending Thanksgiving dining options at all of our casinos including a company-wide Turkey Day feast at the Feast Buffets. Be our guest and join us for a scrumptious holiday meal at your favorite Station Casinos or Fiesta location.

Here are the delicious details (and don’t forget your Boarding Pass or Amigo Card to get the nice price):

Feast Buffet at Aliante Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.


Feast Buffet at Boulder Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.


Festival Buffets at Fiesta Henderson and Fiesta Rancho
$12.99 with Amigo Card | $14.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Includes hand-carved Roasted Turkey, Glazed Ham and Prime Rib to go with all the trimmings. Fresh soups, salads, entrees and sinful desserts. Plus your favorite live-action cooking stations with over 60 fresh selections.


Feast Buffet at Green Valley Ranch
$18.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $21.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Luxurious holiday feast that includes Champagne and Mimosa. From Roasted Prime Rib with all the trimmings to an unmatched selection of shrimp and seafood to the traditional Tom Turkey.


Feast Buffet at Palace Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.


Feast Buffet at Santa Fe Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.


Sunset Station
Feast Buffet
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.

Sonoma Cellar Steakhouse
$25.00 + tax/ gratuity
Thanksgiving Menu
Includes Brined, Herb-Marinated, and Roasted Turkey Breast and Thigh with house-made dressing with oyster mushrooms, water chestnuts and herbs. Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Haricot Verts with creamy onion and bacon sauce. Turkey Demi-Glace, House-Made Whole Cranberry Sauce, Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream and orange-cranberry relish. Book your reservations online!

Capri Italian Ristorante
$19.99 + tax/gratuity
Thanksgiving Menu served 3pm – 9pm
Corn and Crab Chowder Soup, served with crustinis and garnished with king crab meat. Traditional Tom Turkey, white and dark meat with stuffing, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables and giblet gravy. Pumpkin Pie for dessert.

Guadalajara Bar & Grille
$11.99 + tax/gratuity
Thanksgiving Menu served 3pm – 9pm
Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, mixed vegetables and cranberry sauce. Pumpkin Pie for dessert.

Hooters
Special Thanksgiving Day hours from 11am – 6pm

Coco’s Bakery & Restaurant
Open 24 hours
Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner $11.29 +tax/gratuity
Moist, flavorful turkey breast roasted to perfection and served with all of your favorites: Hearty stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, rich turkey gravy, seasonal vegetables, tangy cranberry sauce and your choice of today’s soup or green garden salad. Includes a free slice of pumpkin pie. Children’s menus available in kid-friendly portions for $6.99. Take home a fresh baked holiday pie!


Feast Buffet at Texas Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.


Red Rock Casino Resort Spa
Feast Buffet
$18.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $21.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Luxurious holiday feast that includes Champagne and Mimosa. From Roasted Prime Rib with all the trimmings to an unmatched selection of shrimp and seafood, to the traditional Tom Turkey.

T-bones Chop House
1pm – 8pm Thanksgiving Menu
Features Herb-Marinated, Slow-Roasted All-Natural Turkey with all the trimmings.