Celebrating New Years Eve In Las Vegas

Hard to believe that the calendar is about to flip over to another year. We are just days away from 2025. And that means parties, festivities ands fireworks to celebrate new years eve in Las Vegas - there is truly nothing like it!

December 31 is a big, lively and crazy day in Vegas, so the Las Vegas Metro Police Department wants to make sure you stay safe.

Each year, multiple local agencies and officials come together to go over preparations for new years eve in Las Vegas. It's going to be a big one. LVMPD estimates about 400,000 visitors between the Las Vegas strip and Fremont Street, downtown.

If you are planning on going to The Strip or Fremont Street, here are the road closures you need to be aware of:

LVMPD said they will be keeping everyone safe. The National Guard, alongside other agencies in the valley, will be deployed on Tuesday. They plan to keep your neighborhoods safe, too. They said if you see anything suspicious, call the police.

If you are celebrating on the Las Vegas strip, or on Fremont Street, here is what you CANNOT bring with you: Here is a list of items LVMPD said officers will be cracking down on while you are celebrating on the Strip or Fremont Street:

LVMPD will be cracking down on anyone caught with these items, See ya - do not pass go, do not collect $200. Monopoly fans, you know what I'm talking about.

Fireworks will launch from the rooftops of Aria Resort & Casino, Caesars Palace. Fontainebleau Las Vegas, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Resorts World Las Vegas, The STRAT Hotel, Casino &Tower, TI (Treasure Island), and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

Happy 2025 to all!

Where are the best happy hours in Las Vegas?

It's always five o'clock somewhere, right? Especially in Las Vegas. But when it comes to happy hour, let's face - you want a bargain. You want to save a little money on that drink, and those nachos.

The Las Vegas Strip isn’t exactly known for its bargains these days. Gone are the days of cheap drinks, and 99 cent shrimp cocktails. So let's leave the Las Vegas Strip, and be a true local.

There are some great happy hours in Las Vegas, and you don't have to go anywhere near the strip. Some of your favorite restaurants offer a great happy hour, that you may not have even known about.

In Las Vegas, restaurants with some of the best happy hour menus are no where near the Las Vegas Strip. They are in neighborhoods, strip malls, or your favorite brewery. Yes, of course, many resort restaurants have happy hours. But as a local, we're not going to the strip, or even necessarily a casino -unless we have to. Or, those cousins are visiting from Milwaukee, and they have to get a yard of margarita, and see the KISS street performers, in ass-less chaps.

You can thank the US Navy for Happy Hour. In the 1920s, after World War I, happy hours were periods of time on naval ships where sailors could participate in relaxing activities, so they could remove themselves from the toll of life at sea. Those activities were supposed to be morale boosting - mostly boxing, and other athletics.

Of course the US was in the midst of prohibition. But Americans got around that (shhhhh) by going to speakeasies to get a drink before dinner. Happy hour as we know it today!

These are just 5 of the better happy hours in Las Vegas - at least some of my favorites. Remember though, happy hour deals change often, so be sure to check the restaurant’s website or social media for updates before popping in for a drink.

Great 'hoppy' hour specials include $5 LVBC drafts, $13 LVBC flights, $5 house wine, $6 well drinks. Sloppy Joe Sliders, fried pickles - that are AWESOME - and a really great "pubcuterie." I'm not the biggest beer drinker, but this place has some of the best beers in Las Vegas. Do a flight, and try a few!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/D3fbda77Y85kPssBA

The Spot has some GREAT food! And one of their favorites, and mine, is offered on their happy hour menu - their pork belly burnt ends. YUM!!!! Six chicken wings for $8. Happy hour is in the bar only, of course, and they do it from 3pm-6pm, AND again at 9pm-close.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/g4wUdypZ61HvMh9aA

Yes, the Cheesecake Factory. They have always had a great happy hour menu! Sliders, pot stickers, hot pretzel bites, spinach and cheese dip, fried zucchini, a happy hour burger, and tons more. Several delightful cocktails for $8.50, draft beers $4.95, bottled beer $3.95. Seriously - you can't go wrong! Try the fried zucchini - just like my grandma's!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zZCVFTo4LpRVKoGr7

Lazy Dog is just a fun place overall - and you can bring your dog! Happy hour lettuce wraps, crispy brussels sprouts, buffalo cauliflower. $4 wine, $1 off their draft beers. Woof!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2dYo9a83JBBtmvaF6

Echo & Rig is one of the best off strip steakhouses in Las Vegas, and in my opinion - still fairly reasonable. Their happy hour food menu is small, but mighty! A $3 Hotdog - the best hot dog ever! $4 Steak and egg, and Butcher fries with prime steak, homemade teriyaki, and scallions. Half off all draft & bottled beers, half off premium well liquor, $5 house wine, and always a $3 cocktail! It's great, but get there early, it gets busy!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/sjAGMT4w7XbXqzfm9