For many, Burger Palace at The Quad has been a mainstay of their Hangover Mitigation Ritual for ages. Now, you’ll have to head over to Hash House a Go Go, also at The Quad, because Burger Palace has closed.

Don't cry because it's ending, smile because it happened.

No official announcement of what will end up in the Burger Palace space has been made, but with all the new things happening at The Quad, we’re confident something tasty is on the way.

Speaking of newness at The Quad, we roamed the grounds and snapped some pics of the newness, so hold onto your Spanx! Yes, reading this Las Vegas blog with Spanx is recommended, mainly because we like saying Spanx.

The vortex thingy atop the space formerly occupied by O’Sheas is nearing completion. Down below is The Quad’s newly-opened casino area.

We also like saying "vortex."

The front facade of The Quad is continuing its transformation to something newer and fancier.

It's like magic, but without all the gratuitous hand gestures.

On the Flamingo-facing side of The Quad, there’s a lot of work still going on. This textured wall has wires peeking out, so we anticipate it will have undulating lights, much like the ever-changing, new porte-cochère lights.

In Vegas, a wall is never just a wall.

A few feet away, some tweaks are being made to the north wall of Flamingo Las Vegas. Our extensive research into exactly what’s being built revealed “this blog does not do extensive research, sorry.” We’re thinking it could be a new entrance to the Flamingo from The Linq, the in-progress entertainment district from Caesars Entertainment.

Like putting an extension on your home, but Flamingoier.

On the Carnaval Court side of The Quad, the building is in the process of getting a sleek new facade.

Thank you for all your hard work, dudes that seem to have no fear of heights, who definitely aren't this blog.

Speaking of Carnaval Court, between The Quad and Harrah’s Las Vegas, the popular party spot has a new construction wall. A new VIP area is being built out, including the removal of a couple of go-go dancing platforms, but don’t panic, there are more on the other side of Carnaval Court. Disaster averted.

In Vegas, construction walls portend delights.

Coming soon to Carnaval Court is the Carnaval Grill. Here’s a sign for it. Details to come.

Spare your arm hair and let someone else do the grilling.

The changes at The Quad pretty much happen daily, so keep on your toes when looking for your favorite places to hang out. The sports book has changed its days and hours of operation, as evidenced by the sign below, saving us the need to take notes, which we appreciated.

There will be a quiz.

The good news is there’s a new self-betting race and sports kiosk on the casino floor for times when the Race & Sports Book at The Quad is closed. It’s located across from The Quad Wine & Spirits, in the hotel’s new casino area.

The aforementioned sports betting kiosk thingy.

The Emperor’s Buffet has some interesting hours, too, so print out the photo below and bring it with you to Las Vegas. Or use the Internet or whatever.

Until we saw this sign, we did not know there was a Verge tower at The Quad. Formerly, the Pagoda Tower. This blog is so informative, it actually learns things from itself.

We’ll do our best to breach security and keep you up-to-date on all the latest news from center-Strip, the world’s most exciting destination, other than your mom’s house, if she’s making that dessert you like.

We’ve decided we don’t visit Harrah’s Las Vegas enough. Why? Because there’s so much to love! Here are 15 things this blog is loving about Harrah’s right this very minute.

1. This Shirt

Who wouldn’t want to stroll down The Strip with a little Hugh Hefner vibe going on? Get this long-sleeve tee in the gift shop at Harrah’s.

Waxing not included.

2. Pool Season

It can never arrive too soon, or stay too long.

Insider tip: Go up the stairs on this end of the pool for some sweet rooftop tanning action.

3. Poolside Mimosas

Speaking of the pool, don’t miss the eye-opening mimosas at the pool’s bar. There’s a deal going on at the moment, but we can’t remember what it is, for obvious reasons.

Champagne glasses are for babies.

4. Cheap Keno

Looking for a great value in the casino? Check out the keno “Stimulus” deal below. You get to play 100 keno games for a nickel each, for a total of $5. “Catch-all” means you have to hit 100% of the numbers you select. Tough, but not impossible. And did we mention your total investment is $5?

Insider tip: You can buy-in for 1,000 keno games at once at Harrah’s. Do it as you’re heading back home, and check to see if you’ve won online at KenoUSA.com. Yay, technology.

See all the stimulus jokes we're not making? Maturity is this blog's calling card.

5. Brandi

What we meant to say is we’re loving Numb, where Brandi works as a bartender. Unlike many of its slushy drink bar competitors, Numb is a full bar, with a number of delicious signature cocktails.

Thanks for playing along, Brandi.

6. 500-Degree Plates

After trying Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, it’s going to be weird going back to a regular steakhouse. That’s because Ruth’s Chris serves its amazing meat on plates baked to 500 degrees. That means your steak is sizzling when it arrives, and that makes a great steak incredible.

"Would you like a side of aloe with that?"

7. The Purple Strap-On

Hey, that’s not our name for it! The Purple Strap-On is sold at everyone’s favorite place to party mid-Strip, Carnaval Court. You get the equivalent of 8-10 cocktails (see below for scale), which would normally cost $100 or more, for $40.

Bonus: You get to hang out with a Vegas legend, Brian Thomas. He formerly did a stint as Lucky the leprechaun at the now-closed O’Sheas casino, and was recently featured on “Counting Cars,” the reality show on the History channel.

Two of our favorite things in Las Vegas.

8. French Kiss Oysters

Oyster Bar at Harrah’s has some die-hard fans! Here’s a little tip: Before you visit, download the Oysterpedia app. You’ll need it to keep up with all the varieties of oysters at this popular Harrah’s hot spot. We used the free app to learn French Kiss oysters come from Neguac, New Brunswick, Canada and have a flavor profile that’s “high in salinity, with a sweet finish.”

French Kiss oysters, like many Las Vegas performers, have "deep cups." Hey, it says so in the app!

9. Jerry Lee Lewis

So, in an ensemble show like Million Dollar Quartet, you’re not supposed to play favorites. Everyone is equally awesome and contributes to the overall blah, blah, blah. Seriously, though, Martin Kaye, who plays Jerry Lee Lewis in the hotel’s new musical, steals the show and will blow you away with his unbelievable talent, musical and otherwise. We promise.

Martin Kaye, one of the many talented performers in "Million Dollar Quartet." Happy now?

10. The Dessert Station at Flavors Buffet

Flavors Buffet doesn’t get a lot of glory, but it’s dependably good, especially the desserts. When you think you’re done tasting everything, there’s another dozen or so offerings beyond that, and the temptations never seem to end. Our tip: Start your Flavors Buffet visit with dessert. Rules, schmules. It’s Vegas.

Tell the tarts at Harrah's we sent you.

11. This Bank of Slots

We love to play slots, but the machines below hold a special place in this blog’s heart.

Can you tell what makes them special?

Why do we love them, despite the fact we’ve never played them? Because they’re aspirational! See, on these machines, you have a choice to make your “coins” worth $100 or $500. And it’s two coins a spin. That means if you see someone playing them, they could be betting $1,000 per spin. Hey, in Vegas, it’s go big or go home!

They don't call them "high limit" slots for nothing.

12. Craps With Fresh Air and Sunlight

Hey, we love a casino with a little smoke for atmosphere as much as the next blog, but at Harrah’s Las Vegas, the craps table is close to a wide open door (facing Carnaval Court and The Quad), so you get fresh air and real sunlight.

The ideal mix of inside and out.

13. IcePan

This one’s never leaving our list of things we love at Harrah’s, ever. Made from scratch, this low-cal, no-additives ice cream can alter your state of being and magically transport you to your happy place.

The Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream is made from both actual strawberries and actual cheesecake.

14. KGB Burgers

It seems like KGB: Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers adds new menu items almost hourly, which makes it worthy of frequent visits. Below, some kind of heavenly concoction of sauteed mushrooms and Swiss cheese and a fabulous set of buns.

Watch for monthly specials that pair burgers and KGB's signature shakes.

15. This

Stop by the Higuchi Gallery shop at Harrah’s for this monster. Hey, we did say “go big or go home,” right?

That oughta hold you.

We feel like we’re just getting started! Now, stop daydreaming and get back to work. Or, alternatively, “Come to Las Vegas. The official opposite of work.^{” TM}

Royal India Bistro is the newest culinary offering at Rio Las Vegas, and serves up some seriously authentic Indian dishes you won’t soon forget.

Let the salivating begin.

Royal India Bistro replaces the former Gaylord India restaurant, in the same location at Rio Vegas.

The interior of the restaurant is newly-redesigned, brighter and with charming decor flourishes reflecting Indian culture.

We'll get to the food. We're trying to set the mood.

We love the new look of the place.

Fancy, but not too fancy.

Authenticity and freshness appear to be the top priorities at Royal India Bistro. Restaurant manager Phulpreet Singh (“Phul” for short, pronounced “full,” which will become increasingly relevant as your meal progresses), says, “We have focused on north Indian cuisine, centered around the Punjab region of India.”

Every dish at Royal India Bistro is a cultural adventure all its own, drawing upon the experiences of the restaurant’s staff and time-honored food preparation techniques. See the menu.

“One of the unique aspects of our restaurant is our use of clay ovens,” says Singh. “Our naan and other breads are baked fresh, on-site. It’s very hot, more than 450 degrees. Our bread is made-to-order.”

The naan dough is stuck to the wall of the super hot ovens for baking. Heaven in the making.

Honestly, this blog would be perfectly happy with a meal of Royal India’s naan alone. It’s otherwordly.

“We make a traditional naan bread from northern India, with garlic and papadum (smashed, sun-dried garbanzo beans),” says Singh.

It is difficult to overstate this blog's affection for the naan.

Oh, all right. Take-backs on the “naan only” thing. The restaurant’s Chicken Tikki Masala, easily its most popular menu item, is perhaps the best we’ve had in Las Vegas.

We watched as our Chicken Tikki Masala was prepared, and every dish has a dizzying number of ingredients, each more colorful, and tasty, than the last. The chefs at Royal India Bistro are as much alchemists and chefs.

Slogan: "So good, your face will bribe you to return."

Meat used in the various dishes is prepared on skewers, placed in the aforementioned clay ovens. A great way to sample the restaurant’s flavorful meats is The Sizzler with lamb chops, Tandoori chicken, Seekh kabobs, garlic chicken and chicken tikka kabobs. It’s a monster, so bring a friend!

It's called The Sizzler because it comes out sizzling. Please try and keep up.

Vegetarians will be happy to find a healthy selection (see what we did there?) of specialty dishes, such as the Navratan Karma (below), with vegetables and farmers cheese and nuts, cooked in a cream sauce. We loved it, and we are not even a vegetables person.

Good Karma.

The restaurant offers a buffet lunch, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., that’s well worth a look.

The buffet area, replete with awesome.

Of course, one does not live by naan alone! Probably.

The restaurant’s intimate bar has a Happy Hour, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., featuring lots of cocktails with “ini” at the end, such as the Mangotini (picture below), Appletini and Hibiscus Martini.

We have no idea if the Mangotini is a traditional Indian cocktail, but by the time you're done, you won't care.

Check out the full menu on the Royal India Bistro site, or find out more on the official Rio Las Vegas site.

Yes, you can dine at the bar. We know how you are sometimes.

Enjoy more photographic goodness from our visit to Royal India Bistro, a delicious diversion just 2.6 minutes off the Las Vegas Strip.

Come for the party, stay for the laughs. Carlos’n Charlie’s restaurant at Flamingo Las Vegas has the best sense of humor of any restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip, and we’ve got photographic proof.

Just to set the tone.

Obviously, we’re not dealing with your run-of-the-mill Las Vegas restaurant here.

Carlos'n Charlie's keeps its tongue planted firmly in its cheek.

When you enter Carlos’n Charlie’s, it’s immediately clear you’re required to have a good time.

Cash or credit card.

Make sure to stroll out onto the restaurant’s patio, where more amusement awaits. Related: Carlos’n Charlie’s recently got a new DJ booth outside, which should amp up the party even more. Fair warning.

Photo ops galore, obviously.

Carlos’n Charlie’s is full of surprises. For example (spoiler alert!), the quarter pictured below. Just a quarter, right? Not at Carlos’n Charlie’s. Trying to pick this one up will result in not only a hernia, but also a certain amount of public humiliation. It’s permanently affixed to the floor.

This blog would never fall for a prank like this, and that's the story we're sticking to.

And our final amusing thing at Carlos’n Charlie’s? A heartwarming sentiment in the restaurant’s gift shop.

Oh, like you haven't had that feeling.

Oh, and Carlos’n Charlie’s also serves food and drinks. We probably should’ve mentioned that. Stop by when you’re at Flamingo Las Vegas.

The beauty of the new Catalyst Bar at The Quad hotel isn’t just skin deep. There’s some specialty cocktail chops to back it up.

Although we also think it's pretty.

This blog forced itself to try some of these new signature cocktails on your behalf, because we’re self-sacrificing like that.

First up is the Jal-E-Berri, with muddled strawberries and jalapenos (don’t say we didn’t warn you), Skyy vodka, fresh lime and grapefruit juices.

"Jal" as in "jalapeno." An important detail.

Next, try the Diablo El.

Yes, after you have this one, you may be transposing your Spanish. It’s got Patron tequila, creme de cassis, fresh lime juice, ginger beer and a splash of ginger ale. Say “hola” to “Senor Buzz.”

The devil could not be reached for comment.

A fine member of Catalyst Bar’s family of tempting signature cocktails is the Strawberry Cucumber Collins, a refreshing combination of Hendrick’s gin, strawberry puree and Collins mix.

This one's particularly zippy.

The cocktail menu has an entire section devoted to “skinny” offerings, cocktails that skimp on the calories, but not on the flavor. The Skinny Margarita has Sauza tequila, fresh lime juice and Cointreau, whatever that might be.

Is this the perfect margarita? And don't you just love rhetorical questions?

Hope you’ve been pacing yourself, because our next cocktail is the Cable Car. It’s a mouthwatering confluence of Captain Morgan spiced rum, Cointreau and fresh sour.

The Cable Car is a modern take on the classic Sidecar. Which we knew off the top of our head, thanks.

Ever hear of a “Q-ini”? Of course not. Until Catalyst Bar invented them, they didn’t exist.

Q-inis are Champagne-based, and you can choose to add one of a variety of freshly-made purees: strawberry, blueberry, pineapple, mango or raspberry. This be the mango version.

Yes, "Q-ini." Just deal.

So many delicious new cocktails to help kick-start your Las Vegas adventure! Drop by the new Catalyst Bar and try some of these lusty libations for yourself.

Oh, and not for nothing, but The Lusty Libations would make a great band name.

We had some amazing times at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall before it closed, but Bill’s (and before that, the Barbary Coast) had seen better days, so it was high time something new took its place. It’s Las Vegas, after all.

That something new will be a boutique hotel, Gansevoort Las Vegas, a collaboration between Caesars Entertainment, New York-based luxury hotel company Gansevoort Hotel Group and Vegas nightlife wizard, Victor Drai.

Bling worthy of the epic intersection of Flamingo and Las Vegas Boulevard.

The new Gansevoort Las Vegas will open in early 2014, after a hefty $185 million renovation, and will feature 188 “Parisian apartment-style” guest rooms and 19 suites.

The hotel will also boast a redesigned lobby bar, ultra-lounge, retail outlets and 40,000 square-foot casino.

Dibs on the chair.

One of the more buzzed-about parts of the planned Gansevoort Las Vegas is the addition of Drai’s Beach Club and Nightclub, a massive, 65,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor nightclub and rooftop pool experience. The panoramic view alone should make Drai’s Beach Club a must-visit addition to the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip.

The popular After Hours by Drai club, a staple of Las Vegas nightlife for the past 15 years, is set to return, in its same location.

Please, Mr. Drai, keep the lips.

Gansevoort Las Vegas is a serious departure from Bill’s, but it seems a good fit given the ongoing re-vitalization of Center Strip, including projects such as The Linq and The Quad. This blog is always up for some Las Vegas newness!

It should be noted, as an additional perk, that when Gansevoort Las Vegas opens in 2014, it will be part of the Total Rewards loyalty program (Bill’s was not).

Read more about Gansevoort Las Vegas in USA Today.

Oh, all right, we made up the heel-clicking part, but the other part is completely true.

Gordon, a lucky player at the Margaritaville Casino inside Flamingo Las Vegas, won a whopping $1,452,799.89 playing a “Wizard of Oz” progressive slot on March 9, 2013.

We forced the folks at the casino to send us a photo of the winning machine so we can spoon with it every night.

Not much is known about the winning video slot machine player, although it doesn’t take a CSI sleuth to conclude he was, as it’s known in casino parlance, “pretty flipping happy.”

We also know Gordon was playing on the “Oz” machine for about 15 minutes before the wizard granted his wish.

Trivia: $1.5 million will purchase 44,024 of those Margaritaville margaritas in the keepsake blender cup (see below). Not that anyone other than this blog would spend their slot jackpot this way, but we’re just saying.

Not your everyday brain freeze.

Get lucky at Flamingo Las Vegas. (You know what we mean.)

It seems like only yesterday (because it was yesterday) we were peeking our head in at The Quad’s new casino area, and there was so much to be done! The dealertainer tables were being assembled. The shelves at the new “Q” Wine & Spirits store were yet to be filled. The roulette wheels were being leveled. And the shiny, new Catalyst Bar at The Quad was still dry. (Insert retroactive sad face here.)

Today, seemingly miraculously, The Quad’s casino floor is bustling with guests, the liquor store has opened, hooch is flowing at the Catalyst Bar and there are two new entrances into the joint. What a difference a day makes!

One of the two new ways to access the fun, just across from Margaritaville at Flamingo.

The hotel’s dealertainers (blackjack dealers who also perform onstage) are already settled into their new digs.

The dealertainers didn't skip a beat. See what we did there?

The two new entrances should make getting into The Quad easier than it’s been for the last few months due to renovations. Now, guests can enter adjacent to the hotel’s porte-cochère (see below), as well as on the other end of the casino (across from Margaritaville at the Flamingo, mentioned previously).

This work-in-progress entrance is near the porte-cochère, and not too far from Carnaval Court at Harrah's Las Vegas.

Here’s a video highlighting some of the changes to The Quad.

For guests who frequented O’Sheas back in the day, these will be familiar stomping grounds, as much of the expanded casino sits where O’Sheas used to be.

Tons of new tables and machines. These are happy times for this blog.

There’s a lot to take in, but all of it’s good!

We're pretty sure this is new, too. Who can keep track?

And perhaps the crown jewel of the newly-unveiled casino at The Quad is the Catalyst Bar, sure to be a popular launching pad for any number of Vegas adventures as word spreads about this dramatic new addition to the Vegas nightlife scene.

For the foreseeable future, if you can't easily reach this blog, this is where we are.

Oh, and let’s not forget one of the more miraculous aspects of today’s new offerings. Yesterday, the “Q” Wine & Spirits store was looking a wee light on the actual wines and spirits.

There's a chance this blog wept openly upon seeing this.

Fear not, however. There are some things Vegas does very, very well.

Here’s the same store today!

This Las Vegas blog does not use the term "miracle" lightly.

According to the hotel’s Director of Retail, Keith Burns, the overnight transformation of the “Q” Wine & Spirits store (which sits just across from the dealertainer area, and just inside the porte-cochère-adjacent entrance) was months in the making. Each area of the store’s space was mapped out, down to the smallest detail, so once the space was ready to be filled, the glorious bottles of liquid joy could be stocked quickly and with precision.

Even the treats are part of the plan (see below). One side salty. One side sweet. We have no idea why we’re so fascinated by all of this other than to say a blog cannot live by craps alone.

One of each of anything edible, thanks.

So, you may want to check out the newly-expanded casino at The Quad for yourself. From the liquor store to the new dealertainer pit and the Catalyst Bar, there’s sure to be something to catch your fancy. Whatever a fancy might actually be.

We may never leave our chair. They sort of caught our fancy, too.

Find out more about The Quad.

Today’s Las Vegas temptation? The Cotton Candy Cosmo from Sugar Factory at Paris Las Vegas.

Anything but child's play, this baby has quite the kick.

This sweet concoction features Pinnacle Cotton Candy Vodka with a mix of orange, citrus and cranberry flavors.

You’d sort of expect excellent food at an Italian restaurant, especially in Las Vegas. (Las Vegas Official Motto: “Everything in Las Vegas tastes better because we also have pole dancing.”)

But Trevi Restaurant, inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, does great Italian food one better by also serving up some mind-blowing signature cocktails.

Yes, there's a fountain. It's not the Trevi fountain. Long story. Please try and stay focused. We're talking about cocktails here.

Here, then, are five libations sure to make you feel like you just tossed a coin into an Italian fountain and got lucky. So to speak.

Stealing the show, right off the bat, is the mesmerizing Pomegranate Cosmo. This Sin City-worthy temptation has Sobieski Orange vodka, fresh pomegranate juice, triple sec liqueur and fresh-squeezed lime.

Come to mamma. Or mamma mia. Whatever.

Also ridiculously good is the Capri Coral Crush, with Smirnoff Melon vodka, along with a blend of mango, guava, pineapple and passion fruit juices.

Speaking of "Capri," did you know The Quad hotel in Las Vegas was once called the Flamingo Capri? Yes, there will be a quiz.

The Italian margarita has Sauza Gold tequila, Cointreau, Amaretto and fresh lime juice. What it mostly has is the ability to help you get past pretty much any drama in your life, at least for awhile.

You can tell it's an Italian margarita because after you drink one, you'll feel like putting on a striped shirt and singing to tourists. Probably.

The Coconut Mojito is not only pleasing to the palate, but also to the eye. It contains Pearl Coconut vodka with fresh mint and lime, with splashes of soda and pineapple juice. Don’t try to replicate a “splash” at home. The cocktails at Trevi are prepared by professionals trained in the art of splashing.

Waiter, would you mind bringing over a diving board? Thanks.

Last, but in no way the least, is the Sangrini. It’s one of the best slushy drinks we’ve had in town, and while we can’t entirely remember what was in it, we’d call that a tremendous selling point.

"Peach Bellini with Valpolicella wine" seems to ring a bell.

Every signature cocktail at Trevi is more saporous than the last. And while we can’t guarantee the cocktails will suddenly make you start using big words like “saporous,” we’re pretty sure they can help you mispronounce a few.

It is with mixed feelings this blog reiterates the fact Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon will shut its doors on Feb. 4, 2013.

The popular hotel, at the corner of Flamingo Boulevard and Las Vegas Boulevard, is set for a multi-million dollar renovation and will re-open with a new name (we vote for “Pulse of Vegas Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon”) in early 2014.

Temporary sad face.

That means all the things we’ve loved doing at Bill’s will have to be done elsewhere, at least for the time being. Here’s our top 11, probably because we don’t entirely grasp the metric system.

1. Beer Pong

It’s a captivating combination of alcohol, balls and trash talk, and now we’ll have to seek out another location for all our beer pong needs. Two great options are inside The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, just south on The Strip a bit. Blondies Sports Bar & Grill and DB’s Pong and Pool have everything serious beer pong players (oxymoron, if ever there were one) could desire.

Look at the ball jokes we're not making. This blog's maturity level is truly epic.

2. Big Elvis

Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee, was a talent too large for Bill’s to contain, so he moved to Harrah’s Las Vegas a few months ago. Catch his free show at the piano bar. Phew. That was an easy one. By the way, when we asked Pete how many shows he did while at Bill’s (and before that, Barbary Coast), he said 7,000. Wow.

B.E. T.C.B. at H.L.V.

On a related note: Another Vegas institution, lounge icon Cook E. Jarr, will also grab a spot at Harrah’s. He’ll perform each Saturday and Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., starting Feb. 9, 2013.

If you haven't done a Cook E. Jarr show, you haven't done Vegas.

3. Rapid Craps

A hybrid version of craps, Rapid Craps, has been exclusively at Bill’s for years, and loyal fans of the game were worried it would disappear when Bill’s closes. However, we’re pleased to provide a Pulse of Vegas blog exclusive: There are tentative plans to move Rapid Craps to The Quad. Crisis averted.

Rapid Craps is expected to re-emerge at The Quad, like an electronic phoenix of some sort.

4. Poker

The intimate poker room at Bill’s hosted many lively games, but there are plenty of alternatives nearby. Poker fanatics can try the famed poker room at Caesars Palace, across the street, or the poker rooms at Bally’s Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood.

You were small, but nevertheless adorbs, Bill's Poker Room.

5. Nightclubbing

We hear Drai’s Nightclub at Bill’s will take up temporary digs while Bill’s is being renovated, but a location hasn’t officially been announced yet. Until we get more scoop, get up off your thang (if people still do that) at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace or Chateau Nightclub at Paris Las Vegas.

Vegas is full of places to get your "oontz" on.

6. Show Tickets

The Tix4Tonight Half Price Shows booth was a hit at Bill’s. There are other locations around Las Vegas, including downtown. Check out the alternatives here.

We're pretty sure tearing your ticket in half invalidates it. We're just saying.

7. Western Union

Yes, Bill’s had a full-fledged Western Union office. While weird, people liked it. Come to find out, you can pick up money wired through Western Union at the cashier cage at Harrah’s Las Vegas. Which we should have known before an Internet search two minutes ago. Hey, you try fitting all this stuff in one brain.

Western Union may have other signs, but they'll never be as fancy as the one at Bill's Gamblin' Hall.

8. Steakhouse at Bill’s

This joint was old-school Vegas, and had a loyal following. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of steakhouses on The Strip that provide delicious eats and world-class service. Try Center Cut Steakhouse at Flamingo Las Vegas, Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas, the new Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Harrah’s or this blog’s personal favorite, Old Homestead Steakhouse at Caesars Palace.

There are plenty of other restaurants in Vegas that will take care of your meat. Umm, about that maturity thing.

9. Slushy Drinks

We’d grown emotionally attached to some of the great beverages at Slush inside Bill’s, but Las Vegas has never been at a loss for those frosty diversions. Drop by Numb at Harrah’s or Caesars Palace, Margaritaville or Carlos’n Charlie’s at Flamingo and Fat Tuesday at The Quad. Also try Cabo Wabo Cantina or PBR Rock Bar at Planet Hollywood. Oh, and let’s not forget Evening Call at Rio and Bally’s. Vegas definitely knows slushy.

You'll still be greatly missed, Vegas Vice.

10. Craps Lessons

The free craps lessons at Bill’s drew crowds. But here’s the thing: They were at 10:30 a.m. Chances are, if you visit ANY craps table in Vegas at 10:30 a.m., you’ll find idle dealers more than happy to give you a craps lesson. During lulls, dealers are happy to share the basics and their insights from years of watching the highs and lows of the world’s greatest casino game. Objectively speaking, of course.

Craps, the cause of, and answer to, all of life's problems.

11. Go-Go Dancers

Oh, no! If we can’t see go-go dancers at Bill’s, where on Earth will we ever see go-go dancers in Las Vegas? Yeah, right. Sin City always has a back-up plan. Find a slew of shimmying seductresses in the Pussycat Doll blackjack pit at Caesars Palace, onstage in the casinos at Rio and Flamingo, in the Pleasure Pit at Planet Hollywood or in the Ooh La La Party Pit at Paris. Please note, we’re only sharing this video because we like the music.

So, after an appropriate period of mourning over the loss of Bill’s, get out there and find other great places in Las Vegas to play, eat, drink and drink. Oh, did we say “drink” twice? How ever did that happen?

We’ll own up to having cravings from time to time. Maybe we’re pregnant. Although we hope not, since our cravings, quite often, involve cocktails.

Las Vegas is to cocktails what Middle Earth is to dwarves. Although, granted, in a much less nerdy way. We’ve put together an all-star list of 10 cocktails we’re craving right now, and which may also serve as reminder of just how wonderful life is.

1. HK Antioxidant at Gordon Ramsay Steak

The HK stands for “Hell’s Kitchen” (Chef Gordon Ramsay’s hit reality cooking show) of course, but you’ll be in heaven when your face closes in on this flavorful concoction. Want to make one? Muddle 15 blueberries and the juice of a lemon in a pint glass. Add ice, an ounce of agave and two ounces VeeV acai liqueur and shake. Fill a rocks glass with ice, double strain your mixture and garnish with fresh mint leaves and blueberries. Find it at Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas.

If you can't stand the heat, this.

2. Negroni at Old Homestead Steakhouse

A Negroni is equal parts Beefeater 24 gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, whatever that might be. We got ours at Old Homestead Steakhouse inside Caesars Palace. This drink is especially delicious because it was named after an Italian Count, Count Camillo Negroni. This seemingly useless trivia could help you win some serious clams on a game show someday.

Like a shiatsu massage for your tongue.

3. Pink Velvet at Eiffel Tower Restaurant

The Pink Velvet, served at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant boasts Grey Goose, watermelon liquor, pomegranate syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, Angostura Bitters and one of the best views in town.

Our next band name: Pink Velvet.

4. Sangria at Carlos’n Charlie’s

Carlos’n Charlie’s at Flamingo Las Vegas knows liquor. Their traditional sangria has layers of flavors, all intended to put you into the mood to make sweet love to a complete stranger in a photo booth. (Actual results may vary.)

It's akin to archeology, except with a buzz.

5. Caipirinha de Uva at Central By Michel Richard

The Caipirinha de Uva is a signature cocktail at Central restaurant (and bar, ahem) at Caesars Palace. It’s so good, we don’t even care that “Uva” sounds like something you’d learn about in an anatomy class. This cocktail features Cachaca, grapes, basil, honey and lime.

Bonus: "Cachaca" sounds like the sound of a coin coming out of a slot machine.

6. Margarona at Yolös Mexican Grill

This blog isn’t really a beer drinker, but this combo won us over. This is the Margarona, served at Yolös Mexican Grill at Planet Hollywood, complete with an up-ended Coronita.

The Margarona once auditioned for Cirque. True fact.

7. White Violet at Payard Patisserie & Bistro

The White Violet, exclusively at Payard in Caesars Palace, has Sauvignon Blanc, violet syrup and muddled basil, garnished with Payard’s lavender honey, basil and an edible flower.

An even better band name: Lavender Honey and the Basils.

8. Amazonian at Carnival Buffet

The Carnival World Buffet at Rio Las Vegas is known for many things. But along with food as far as the eye can see, it should be known for the Amazonian. This 45-ounce monster has Midori (a melon liqueur), Berry Vodka and Blue Curacao liqueur.

Suitable for sharing. With a football team.

9. Swedish Fish at Sugar Factory

Sugar Factory at Paris Las Vegas has an uncanny knack for adding sweet twists to its signature drinks. The Swedish Fish is like licking a gummi fish while getting a foot rub in an IKEA. Or something.

Sugar rush delivery device.

10. Caramel Apple Martini at Center Cut Steakhouse

A martini at Center Cut Steakhouse at Flamingo Vegas is the best way to enjoy your meat to its fullest. And if you read anything into that, you’re a lot less mature than this blog thought.

Writer E.B. White called martinis the "elixir of quietude," because you can never have too many band names.

We’d share more Las Vegas cocktails, but that would involve: 1) Amending the title of this blog post and, 2) you being even less productive. And we wouldn’t want that.

We don’t make up the news, we just report it.

Oh, Las Vegas, you're just so...you sometimes.

Learn more about this event on Facebook and about Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace, although “Pure” should probably be in quotation marks.

It looks like celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has another Las Vegas success on his hands.

BurGR recently opened at Planet Hollywood, and the joint’s been pleasing palates ever since with a flavorful selection of burgers, dogs, salads and signature cocktails. (If you thought we’d leave out the cocktails, you’ve clearly never visited this blog before. Welcome!)

Conveniently located, near our mouth.

This is Gordon Ramsay’s third restaurant in Las Vegas, following the recent openings of Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas and Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace.

We went a little snap-happy capturing all the mouth-watering menu offerings! You’ll live.

The aforementioned buns.

Aside from the visual appeal of the burgers and hot dogs and BurGR, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the restaurant’s great first impression, specifically the eye-catching uniforms, and smiles, of the hostesses (below).

Note the smiles.

Oh, in case we forgot to mention it, the BurGR name is written that way because Chef Gordon Ramsay’s initials are part of the name. Just so you didn’t think we’d accidentally broken our cap lock key.

BurGR is near Planet Hollywood’s Extra! Lounge, just inside the casino entrance (where the Total Rewards desk used to be).

Ask for the aloe dipping sauce. Unless we just made that up.

BurGR is open for lunch and dinner. When business is booming, the restaurant has a unique way of letting patrons know when their table is ready. The hostesses send you a text message (see below), so you’re free to roam the casino, to drink, gamble, drink, gamble and perhaps even gamble during your wait. Hey, you roam the way you roam, and we’ll roam the way we roam.

Although we like those vibrating discs some restaurants give you, this is cooler.

The restaurant seats about 200, so the wait shouldn’t be too long.

If we tried to summarize the menu at BurGR in two words, they’d probably be “bold flavors.” Start your meal with some appetizers, called “Snacks” on the menu, like Fury Chicken Wings, Honey-Pig Bao Buns and Five Spice Chicken Sliders (see below).

Trivia: Sliders were invented so you can eat with one hand and drink with the other. And that's the story we're sticking to.

If you get the Roasted Jalapeno Poppers, beware! The chefs like to play a little game this blog calls “Popper Roulette.” All the poppers have some kick to them, but one of the poppers (you won’t know which one) is sure to be what the menu says is a “fiery surprise,” seeds and all. Good luck with that.

Slogan: "You'll love the Jalapeno Poppers so much, you may not even ask for your face back!"

The burgers are grilled over apple and alder wood, which gives them a distinctive flavor. Prices range from $13 to $16. Make sure to flash your Total Rewards loyalty club card for $1-2 off just about everything.

Popular burgers include the Hell’s Kitchen Burger (asadero cheese, roasted jalapeno peppers, avocado and an oven-roasted tomato), named after Chef Ramsay’s reality TV hit, the Uber Cheese Burger (with fontina, reclette and goat cheeses) and the Earth Burger (grilled portobello mushroom, fontina cheese, arugula and roasted tomato).

You may want to rent a bigger maw.

Fair warning on the Devil Dawgs. There’s a reason they’re called that. These imposing, foot-long dogs are “simmered in hellfire sauce.” Lesson: Read the menu thoroughly. Which we didn’t. Lesson learned.

The Devil Dawgs are will test your fortitude. In a good way.

The fries, as you might suspect, aren’t run-of-the-mill fries. The Truffle Parmesan Fries are especially memorable.

Way ahead of you. We've already reported ourselves to Human Resources.

Desserts in the “Sugar Fix” portion of the menu include a variety of pudding shakes, featuring ingredients like caramel, coconut, butterscotch, banana and chocolate hazelnut. Another item flying out of the kitchen are the Push-Up Pops, complete with salted peanut ice cream.

Crazy in-demand.

Last but not least, the signature cocktails are consistently delicious. Whet your whistle with the wonderfully-photographed cocktail options presented on iPads, then save your favorites and get to drinking!

Don't play favorites, try one of each.

BurGR serves about 30 varieties of beer, and the cocktails are traditionally-made, including made-from-scratch syrups.

Cocktails include the Superfruit Antioxidant (we have a winner!), Whiskey Cherry Lemonade, Ruby’s Kiss, Green Gin Tea, Jalapeno ‘Rita, Blood Orange Cosmo and the Caribbean Dream. Oh, and the Skinny Screw. Which we’re fairly sure we can’t include in a corporate blog. Oh, well.

Bloody brill. Which we understand is a compliment in England.

The service at BurGR is exceptional. For example, it’s a challenge to try and empty your glass of Pepsi before it’s replaced with a fresh one.

Enjoy a few more exclusive photos from Chef Gordon Ramsay’s BurGR, only a few of which will tempt you to drop everything, drive to Planet Hollywood and nosedive into a cone full of Truffle Parmesan Fries.

During its transition from The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood to downtown Las Vegas, the recently-closed Krave nightclub will temporarily take up residence inside Crown Theater and Nightclub at Rio Las Vegas, starting Jan. 18, 2012.

Not to be confused with a proposed supertall skyscraper called Crown Las Vegas, which we didn't know about until six seconds ago.

Unrelated: Read more about the supertall skyscraper thingy.

Krave was one of the premier gay nightclubs in the country, and will open as Krave Massive (see below) in downtown’s Neonopolis later this spring. Learn more here, or visit Krave Massive’s official site.

Krave Massive, which owners claim will be the largest gay nightclub in the world.

Until its move to Neonopolis is complete, Krave will operate as “Krave at Crown,” open each Friday and Saturday night, 10:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Neonopolis is already home to Krave’s sister nightlife extravaganza, Drink & Drag, where the majority of staff members are drag queens.

Drink & Drag is full of surprises.

The Krave club at Rio will bring over many of the same team from the location at The Miracle Mile, and will feature some of the town’s best DJs, including Michael Graves (reader pick for “Best DJ” in the 2012 “Best of Las Vegas” issue of the Las Vegas Review-Journal), Lightknife, Mikey Francis, Dave Aude and DJ Irene.

Krave at Crown will also have its signature go-go-dancers, voted “Best Go-Go Dancers” for 2012 by the staff of Las Vegas Weekly.