Las Vegas Super Bowl Party Guide: Best Bars, Tips And Tricks
The Super Bowl in Las Vegas is just a few days, and that means it's time for my official party guide.
Now, it's not a secret at all to OutKick readers that I'm a huge fan of Sin City. I think Las Vegas is the best vacation destination in America. The city is designed to cater to people ready to spend money to have a good time. It knows what it is and isn't ashamed to lean into its reputation and brand.
I've been to Vegas far more than I'd like to admit, and certainly more than my girlfriend would like to discuss. That means there's nobody better positioned to give everyone going to Vegas all the tips and tricks they need to succeed for Super Bowl weekend.
I'm going to break down the best bars, gambling advice, hotel advice and much more. Let's roll.
Official Las Vegas Super Bowl party guide revealed.
Let's start with the bars because I think it's going to likely be the most important advice I can share here. If you're going to be on The Strip, then you better be ready to pay strip prices.
What does that mean? Great question. You could easily be paying more than $12 for a Miller Lite and upwards of more than $20 for a cocktail. Prices can go even higher than that.
Strip prices are insane. It's important to know that going into Vegas. If you're okay with that, then it doesn't matter. I just don't want there to be any surprises.
The good news is I have four spots for you that are a ton of fun and won't bankrupt you in the process.
Stage Door:
Stage Door is wildly affordable. It's located behind the Flamingo, and you can get a beer and a hot dog here for as little as $3. A single beer costs only $1. There's no better deal anywhere near the strip. I stop in for a few beers every single trip. Can't beat it.
Ellis Island:
Ellis Island is a smaller property about a five minute walk away from Stage Door on Koval Lane. It has a great casino with cheap prices, and it also has an awesome outdoor bar with its own beer that sells for between $4-$6. Another location I spend a lot of time at, and the food is also great.
Hogs & Heifers:
If you're going to spend time in the Fremont area, I can't recommend Hogs & Heifers enough. It's maybe the best bar in Las Vegas when it comes to overall atmosphere. The bartenders will insult you (all in good fun, of course), dance on the counter, there's a 9/11 memorial in there, the crowd is…..interesting to say the least and it's cheap. You simply can't go wrong by spending a couple hours or an entire afternoon in Hogs & Heifers.
While it's not a sports bar and doesn't feature TVs, it's 100% worth a visit.
Frankie's Tiki Room:
This place is off the beaten path and not really close to any major part of the city you'd usually find tourists in, but it's 100% worth checking out. Drinks cost $14 a piece when I was there, which is pricey. However, they're worth the money and the bartender was a mega-based Ukrainian woman the last time I went. Give it a shot. You can thank me later.
Frankie's Tiki Room is a great spot. (Credit: David Hookstead)
Breweries in the arts district.
Do yourself another favor and visit the arts district in Las Vegas. There are a handful of really interesting breweries worth your time.
My favorite is Able Baker, which has an atomic bomb theme to it. Whether you go there or not, there are plenty of options in the area.
What about hotels and gambling in Vegas?
While strip prices are crazy for drinks, I'd recommend finding a room there if you can. You definitely want to be in the middle of the action for an event like the Super Bowl.
You might think you're being smart if you stay off the strip or in a random spot. You might save some money, but the hassle of trying to find Ubers and such isn't worth it.
Now, hotel prices are insane for the Super Bowl when it comes to rooms, but you might just have to bite the bullet.
As for gambling, my advice is simple. Find places with 3:2 blackjack. No matter what you do, never sit down at a 6:5 blackjack table. You might as well just donate your money to the casino. It might require playing somewhere with higher table limits or going off strip to a place like Ellis Island or down to Fremont, but it's absolutely worth it.
DO. NOT. PLAY. 6:5. BLACKJACK.
Anyone who does is dead to me as an OutKick reader. The ruling is final
Random pieces of advice for a great Super Bowl Las Vegas trip.
Here are some quick hitters and tips to make sure your bases are covered:
- Leave your debit card in the hotel room if you hit up a strip club. I don't have anything against strip clubs, but you do need to be smart. The stripper's goal is to separate you from your money. Bring the cash you're willing to spend and leave the rest at home.
- Prepare for the weather and indoor temps. This isn't Vegas in the summer when it's blistering hot. It's February. It can get cold at night and casinos can be chilling. Bring a hoodie for even your indoor activities.
- Tip and tip well. Vegas runs on a culture that's pro-tipping. When it doubt, tip and if you get great service, tip very well. Great employees can elevate any Vegas trip.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Generally speaking, The Strip and Fremont areas are very safe, but just like any big city, there is crime in Vegas. If someone is giving you a funny feeling, then go a different direction or bring it to the attention of security. There is security and cops all over the city.
- People watch. A big mistake I see people making in Vegas is they don't take an hour or two to people watch. Grab some beers, walk the strip and enjoy the circus. It's some of the best time you'll spend in Vegas.
- Get to the airport for your return home with plenty of time to spare. The Vegas airport is always chaotic. Now, multiply that probably by 100x for the Super Bowl. You might not want to hear this, but three hours before your plane leaves is probably what you're going to need if you leave Sunday.
- Don't be afraid to get up early and do some things in Sin City. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Mornings are criminally underrated in Vegas. You don't have to deal with crowds and a lot of stuff is open.
Finally, have fun. You're going to Las Vegas. It's a paradise for a quick vacation, and it's the Super Bowl. Take some money, grab some drinks and cut loose. Let me know your thoughts on Vegas at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.