CNN Calls Arts District Hottest Neighborhood In Las Vegas
CNN recently gave some love to Las Vegas’ beautifully chaotic area, The Arts District.
An article for CNN by Matt Villano, a freelance writer who’s currently based in Las Vegas and calls himself “#Vegas pro” on Instagram, published an exploration through the bustling area that’s packed with shops, art, great bites and necessary libations. He writes about the food, the history, the bars and the people of this well-loved gem, calling it Vegas’ “hottest” neighborhood.
CNN Calls Arts District Hottest Neighborhood In Las Vegas, This Is Why
From food, beautiful works of art and so much more, the culture of the Arts District vibrates with dreams of people who’ve opened culinary experiences, turned concepts into successful business models and have beautified blocks of our city encompassed by highways and construction.
“In the beginning, the neighborhood revolved around a destination called The Arts Factory, a circa-1920s building that was repurposed to hold studios for more than 30 artists,” Villano writes in his article.
Many locals adore Esther’s Kitchen, Velveteen Rabbit and the antiques shops dotted around the corners of the area, which Villano also mentioned in his article.
Here’s some context to how much the Vegas community loves Esther’s Kitchen: “By early 2023, it was harder to get a reservation at Esther’s than it was to get one at many high-end restaurants on the Strip,” the CNN article reads.
Our Favorite Spots In The Arts District Not Mentioned
Here are some other places that weren’t mentioned in the article and are totally worth visiting the next time you’re in the Arts District.
Berlin Bar, located at 201 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104, is the epitome of a grungy, dark and perfect dive bar. The bar has punk rock karaoke, and that’s a total blast. It’s lowkey, but gets a good crowd during the weekends. It’s a fun place to let loose. Just order a bucket of beer, take a seat and enjoy some life.
Bungalow Coffee Co, the address is 201 E Charleston Blvd Suite 180, Las Vegas, NV 89104, is a simple and delicious coffee house that’s great if you work from home and want a change of scenery. It’s a immaculate “working” coffee shop, but it also curates a great vibe for catching up with friends.
Mezcla – Ceviche & Tequila Bar at 197 E California Ave Unit 110, Las Vegas, NV 89104 is a fun spot that serves an amazing Guadalajara Sour. That delicious drink contains Gran Centenario Añejo Tequila, lime, agave, egg white, house sangria float, according to their website. The bar also has other liquors from Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico and more.
They also have grab-and-go snacks like butter mochi and Spam musubi. But, the coffee shop also has a great menu with ribeye teppanyaki that we dream about. The menu changes, but the entrees are usually stellar and great for a quick bite to eat if you’re in the area.
The desserts are heavenly as well. The panna cotta also has different flavor variations, such as ube, and the Basque Cheesecake Cup is topped with a lemon ricotta frosting, dolloped with whipped cream and sparkled with fresh berries.
What About Shopping In The Arts District?
There are a plethora of vintage stores, eclectic antique malls, and unique clothing brands. I personally love picking up a graphic t-shirt at Nightmare Toys, a store dedicated to horror-themed items.
The Red Kat Vintage, Off The Threads and Alt Rebel are just a few clothing stores that have great finds and one-of-a-kind pieces.
The beauty of the Arts District is that you can stroll around and find something interesting. So, just take a walk, explore the area and find something magical!
10 Big Scams In Las Vegas To Look Out For, According To Tourists
1. Blue Man Group
Guests look on as members of Blue Man Group carry leaf blowers with streamers during a pop-up appearance celebrating the return of their show at Luxor Hotel and Casino on June 25, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I saw Blue Man Group several years ago and it wasn’t too bad. But maybe the quality has gone downhill since then. At least that is what’s implied by the 5.5% of scam-related reviews from TripAdvisor. Former patrons of the show have said it was a waste of time and money and that your money would be better spent elsewhere.
2. Criss Angel's Mindfreak
Illusionist Criss Angel escapes from a straitjacket while hanging above the field before a game between the Chicago Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I don’t know that there are many people who have seen Criss Angel anywhere who can’t say he seems like a fraud. And, according to the 3.9% of scam-related TripAdvisor reviews, former patrons feel the same about his show. Nearly all of those reviews called the show a ‘waste’ (casino.org). And said the tricks weren’t that impressive. Some reviewers went as far as to call the show a ‘marketing scam’.
3. Penn and Teller
Penn Jillette and Teller of Penn & Teller perform during The Give Back-ular Spectacular! fundraiser in partnership with The Union Solidarity Coalition at The Orpheum Theatre on October 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Almost all of the 2.9% of scam-related reviews said the Penn & Teller show was grossly underwhelming. And I’m sure their feeling of being ripped off has a lot to do with the outrageous ticket prices. Reviewers also mentioned the bar at the show was vastly overpriced, claiming they spent an average of $20 per drink. Even for something as simple as a beer or rum and coke.
Rounding Out The Top 5
The Ka Cirque Du Soleil show came in at number four on the study, with 2.4% of scam-related reviews. And the fifth place went to the Jabbawockeez show, with 2.3% of the reviews.
Venetian Gondola Rides
People take a gondola ride at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada. While the gondolas continue to draw tourists, many reviewers have expressed frustration at the value they are not getting for their money.
Another attraction in Las Vegas that many TripAdvisor reviewers felt was a scam was the gondola rides at the Venetian Resort. According to the study by casino.org, 3.7% of reviews mentioned patrons feeling ripped off by the cost of the attraction and how it wasn’t worth the short amount of time they got to spend on the ride.
