MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Spring 2014

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At the time, MGM Grand (now Bally's) was the largest hotel casino in the world. However in that incarnation, MGM is better known as the location of the deadliest fire in strip history. In 1999, it opened, once again at the time, the largest hotel casino in the world with the least appealing entrance to Asian gamblers ever created.  It was a giant lion that you walked under. These are just a couple examples that make the MGM Grand a complex property to eloquently summarize. 

When it opened, the emerald green building and the experience within was meant to pay tribute to the studios all time great movie the wizard of oz. Complete with a yellow brick road that lead to an amusement park studio attraction meant to celebrate all of the studios history.  Less than 10 years into the properties existence, both are a different kind of history. 

MGM Grand challenges the notion that bigger is always better.  The largest hotel in the city frequently has guests complaining they need a cab just to get to their room. The casino floor has been described by many as too big and by others as epic. It has a reputation for being home to some of the best and worst dining experiences. Despite all that, perhaps the fact that they refuse to stop trying is the most telling aspect of MGM Grand. Ideas that haven't worked have been replaced with better ones. Sections of the casino have been configured to feel smaller and more intimate and that failed amusement park was turned into condos that were so successful it can be credited with being one of the pioneers of that movement in Las Vegas. Ultimately MGM Grand needs to be experienced...with caution. 

Vegas Mate Rating – 4/5 chips

Mark & Alstair - 4/5 chips

Keren – 3/5 chips

Crazy Horse Paris @MGM Grand Fall 2012

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Many consider the opening title sequences of James Bond movies to be some of the sexiest in the history of cinema.  The female form bathed in color, painted, reflected and projected upon. These sequences are provocative without being obscene and erotic without being vulgar.  However, more than 10 years before filming began on the first Bond film, in May of 1951, Crazy Horse Saloon opened in Paris France with a show that gave a theatrical take on sensuality with a mix of Avant garde.

From the beginning, the concept was to celebrate the female body by showcasing it like the work or art it is. This was done by using lighting and shade, then with color and eventually incorporated choreography.  The shows were not a collective narrative but more of a collection of intimate individual vignettes.  As times changes and evolved, so did the show.  It’s focus on theatricality allowed it to continue to stand apart from other shows featuring nudity and remain, if not become regarded more, as performance art.

La Femme opened up a residency at the MGM Grand in June 0f 2001 in a space designed to match nearly every inch of the original Crazy Horse Theatre.  Six years into a popular residency, MGM renamed the show Crazy Horse Paris.  In 2011, MGM began the “Grand Renovation” to their resort, retooling and updating virtually everything in the resort from the rooms to the dining options and entertainment.  In 2012, Crazy Horse Paris became a casualty of the renovation.  Rumors began almost immediately of relocation to another Vegas property, but to day, the show has not reopened.

Location

• Formerly at the MGM Grand, about a third of the way into the casino if you are entering from the Las Vegas Blvd entrance, in the middle of the casino floor

Run time

• 90 minutes, 1 intermission

Performance Times

• 8pm & 10:30pm Wed-Mon's

Ticket Cost

• $35-90

Restrictions

• Must be 21 or older

Theatre capacity & configuration

• 322 seats, burlesque club

Refreshments

• Drinks
• Drinks served during the show, inside the theatre
• Food
• None Available

Cast

• All of the cast are genuine Parisian females and are all natural.
• To focus on the show being about the female form, producers intentionally cast women with similar body type, shape, height and breast size.

Theme/Music

• Some modern music, some French language

Mark and Keren Rate - 5/5 chips

Centrifuge @MGM Grand Summer 2012

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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.  

Bar Details/Our Experience Interview

Location – between the Poker Lounge and Rainforest Café in MGM Grand

•  Capacity: 80 seated
• Operating Hours:              
• Monday – Friday 12pm-3am
• Saturday 11am-4am
• Sunday 11am-3am

Music/Theme – Remixed Top 40 and club music

Drinks – Centrifuge specialise in fruit infused drinks including Mojitos and feature an extensive list, including: apple, orange, pomegranate and peach

• Average Drink Price:
• Beer $6
• Wine $10
• Cocktails $12
• Cigars $10

No Food, you don't need reservations or happy hours

Vegas Mate - No Rating

Mark & Keren's Review - 5/5 chips