360 Vegas Review: Vesper Bar @Cosmopolitan Summer 2012

Download M4A

Vesper Bar is a funky, eclectic bar located just past the check in desk lobby and immediately lets you know the type of experience you can expect to find at Cosmopolitan.  This place exudes cool and has frequently drawn comparisons to something you would find in a James Bond movie, which is exactly what they are going for.

The bar is covered in broken, reflective glass and has old school, Jetsonesque seating.  Mirrored, tile columns surround the lounge area as the retro-futuristic seating continues the theme as well as creates

many public seating areas that still somehow feel intimate.  Even the light fixtures compliment the space and illusion.

But Vesper is more than pretty, it features a wooden liquor cabinet and a rotating menu of signature cocktails that can be best described as modern takes on old school classics.  For those of you intimidated, don’t be.  Those enjoying the lounge will have a hostess sit down and talk to you about the libation options as well as make suggestions based on your tastes.  The experience can make anyone feel like a high roller.  Everything about this place draws you to it and millions agree.  In a 2013 USA Today poll, Vesper Bar was listed one of the 10 best hotel bars in America

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 chips

Mark and Keren Rate - 4/5 chips

360 Vegas Reviews: Tacos & Tequila @Luxor Summer 2012

Download MP3

From the outside, T&T or Taco’s and Tequila looks like it could be a tattoo parlour more than a restaurant.  This 8,000 square foot restaurant’s open-air concept, styled with industrial steel lighting and décor accents, creates an edgy and hip vibe. 

Inside, the restaurant is styled with a mix of both modern Mexico and lavish Vegas. The colour scheme is a blend of dark wood furniture with rich red highlights and contrasted against brushed steel. The centerpiece of the bar is a metal sombrero sculpture with hand blown glass. All this styling is surrounded by 4 large murals that are painted onto the walls, featuring provocative Mexican styled artwork.

The food is modern takes on traditional Mexican food, offering unique options in familiar settings, like a Mediterranean taco filled with falafel.  With bold flavours, strong drinks and cool atmosphere, T&T is a great choice to do everything from meet up with your friends for a drink or sit down and enjoy a meal, oh yeah, and did we mention the over 100 types of tequila to choose from.

Vegas Mate Rating - 3/5

Mark and Keren Rating - 4/5

360 Vegas Reviews: EyeCandy @Mandalay Bay Summer 2012

Download MP3

EyeCandy isn’t just a bar, it’s a sensory experience, designed from the ground up by Sound and Technology wizard, Roger Parent to excite all the senses.  If you manage to score one of the 3 Ipod tables, you are able to send your songs to the DJ. You simply plug your Ipod into the dock and the DJ can choose whether to incorporate your suggestions into his set, or reject them.

The table tops are also another unique feature. With these, you can paint and write messages onto the screen and then have them projected onto the walls around the bar.

Many of the booths and tables move, so you can reconfigure where you’re sitting, or move to gain a better view of the dance floor. If that feels like too much work, you can access 8 different camera feeds, displayed on your table top.

Vegas Mate - No Rating

Mark and Keren - 4/5

360 Vegas Reviews: Centrifuge @MGM Grand Summer 2012

Download MP3

Despite its name, Centrifuge is located to the far north west of the MGM Grand casino floor.  The lighting is dimmed down and the central bar glows and changes color while constantly moving, creating a changing atmosphere, from intimate to party in a matter of minutes.

It’s a circular bar and lounge that plays remixed top 40, hop-hop and techno music with multiple plasma screens that pulsate to the music.  At night, the staff mounts the bar and performs both choreographed as well as freestyle dances.

The bar is fitted with several seating options, bar front, plush tub chairs and low set dining tables for bottle service.  It’s the perfect place to start or end you night.  

Vegas Mate - No Rating

Mark & Keren's Review - 5/5 chips

360 Vegas Review: STACK @The Mirage Spring 2012

Download MP3

 This 7000 square foot restaurant and bar is designed in a modern yet warm styling. Resembling a wooden canyon, the design draws you in, creating a comfortable and intimate setting despite the restaurants size.

Stack is fitted with a fully stocked bar and 4 large screen LCD flat screens located discreetly throughout, as not to take away from the restaurants high end feel.

Vegas Mate Rating – 4/5

Keren's Rating - 4/5

Mark's Rating 5/5

360 Vegas Reviews: Baccarat Bar @Bellagio Spring 2012

Download MP3

Baccarat Bar at Bellagio is the place for exotic specialty drinks and blended fruit and wine cocktails. Sit back and peruse the extensive cigar list while listening to the sounds of a baby grand piano while.

A laid-back, classic luxury Vegas atmosphere pervades, and loungers can overlook the high-stakes tables in the Casino. Nothing takes the edge off of paying eighteen dollars for a drink, like watching some unfortunate tourist lose five thousand dollars on one roulette spin.

Mark & Keren Rate - 4/5

360 Vegas Review: Ambhar Lounge @Tropicana Spring 2012

Download MP3

Ambhar Lounge is a collaboration between the Tropicana and Ambhar Tequila. The 4,000 square foot live music venue and bar was opened on December 1^st 2011 and is aimed at attracting the young hip crowd back to the Trop.  The bar features an extensive list of tequila cocktails, many designed by legendary mixologist Bobby Gleason, as well as a large beer menu.  Ambhar is also a great place to watch sporting events as it's fitted with several large LCD TV’s and features comfortable tub chair seating throughout. 

Mark & Keren Review – 4/5 chips

360 Vegas Reviews: Octane @Excalibur Spring 2012

Download MP3

Octane Lounge is a small, but high energy night spot. Styled after a mechanics motorcycle garage with a twist of Las Vegas flair, the bar is decorated with modern metal inspired artwork and motorcycle paintings lining the walls. The center piece of the bar features 3 bad ass phantom motorcycles. 

Equipped with a full bar, this is a lounge where you can feel comfortable in jeans and a leather jacket. This is further enhanced by the leather clad waitresses who are often found dancing on the bar and performing sexy dance routines to get the party started.

Keren and Mark Rate: 4/5

360 Vegas Reviews: Rhumbar at the Mirage

Download MP3

Rhumbar is a 2000 square foot outdoor/outdoor bar that opened in early 2009 and is themed as a modern Caribbean oasis right on Las Vegas Boulevard. Inside the design is bright and modern which contrasts sharply against the lush outdoor patio.

The patio has excellent views of the infamous Mirage volcano and lake and provides a great spot to watch the show at night. With comfortable patio seating and cool misters for the hot summer days and carefully placed heat lamps for the brisk nights, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail.

Rhumbar features an extensive cocktail menu and over 40 different rums. Further enhancing the Cuban feel, Rhumbar is fitted with a large humidor complete with local and imported cigars. For something different, patrons can partake in unlimited hookah pipes for $65, in a wide array of flavors. 

Vegas Mate Rating – 3/5
Mark & Matt Rating - 4/5
Keren Rating - 3/5