The 10 Best-Kept Secrets in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is not a “speakeasy” town. Generally speaking, if anything is worth knowing about here, it gets broadcast loud and proud every single day. On a jumbotron screen the size of a football field. Still, somehow, a few of the best things this city has to offer stay in the “who knew?” category. This article is dedicated to them.

E by Jose Andres

Forget about those high-roller spots. The most exclusive restaurant on the Vegas Strip doesn’t even have a sign out front; it’s nestled inside Jose Andres’ Jaleo at the Cosmopolitan. It serves only eight people at a time, prix fixe for $250 apiece (beverage pairings supplemental), paid in advance. What do you get? Course after course of unique edible creations prepared right before your eyes—and an unforgettable experience. If you love food, you have to do it.

El Cortez coin slots

Want to gamble old-school style? El Cortez, one of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas still operating under its original name (and sign!), maintains a room of OG coin-slot machines for the dedicated. There is nothing quite like the sound of all that metal rushing down when you cash out a big pot.

ClairBnB

You can sleep with Claire Sinclair. Well, no—not like that. But the former Playboy Playmate and headlining showgirl has just opened up a cozy downtown boutique hotel called ClairBnB. Its theme rooms are inspired by Claire’s pinup fantasies, such as the Jayne Mansfield Pink Palace room, with “sparkly glitter walls that twinkle like crazy under custom-built lights, gorgeous, dark wooden floors and golden paneling… Take a bath with your lover in our killer Jacuzzi hot tub, equipped with a waterfall feature and mood lighting. Sleep in like royalty in our glamorous golden tufted bed.” Warning, though: Despite “B&B” in the name, there doesn’t appear to be any breakfast.

Forte European Bodega

The Vegas Valley is splattered with boutique groceries and specialty food shops, from Max Market on the westside to Artisanal Foods in the southeast. But one of the least known is inside Forte Tapas, a Spanish-Bulgarian restaurant (hey, it works) where you can find a selection of uncommon Iberian, Eastern European and California wines, raw Spanish cheeses and sausages, Iberico ham, Bruno Paillard champagne, sandwiches on house-baked rolls, and even genuine Black Sea caviar for sale. Your picnic just went into hyperspace.

Gamers and Nerds

Think the only kind of gaming in Las Vegas involves betting? You would be wrong. Even though the beloved Insert Coins bar is gone from East Fremont, gamer hangouts of all descriptions are popping up everywhere, including new video game lounges Reboot Gaming and Power Up Gaming; Meepleville Board Game Café, for those who like to do it analog; Pinball Hall of Fame, for those who like to do it old-school; primo barcade Hi-Scores (two locations!); and the Nerd, a renegade downtown spot offering free bowling, billiards and video games, in its desperate need to be accepted. Just kidding!

Lion Habitat Ranch

The biggest lion sanctuary in North America (we hear), Henderson’s Lion Habitat Ranch began as the homestead of the lions featured in the MGM Grand’s lion habitat. Once that exhibit closed, the lions and their keepers were set loose. But rather than spread the big cats to the wind, they have kept them close, grown the herd, and even added ostriches and a giraffe (who paints!) to the family, all of which you can get closer to than in probably any other spot west of an African safari. It’s definitely a unique experience—especially when the lions start their ground-shaking roars.

El Dorado Cantina

A Mexican restaurant? What’s so secret about that? How about a Mexican restaurant that’s all organic/sustainable, has great vegetarian options, is open 24 hours, boasts a killer tequila collection, and shares a building with the city’s largest strip club. That last part is a bit hard to explain (well, not really—the owners are in the same family), but it shouldn’t deter you from checking out one of the most well-executed, round-the-clock eateries here.

Pickleball

Wanna play pickleball? You totally do, even though you have no idea what it is. But what you do know is, it’s not beer pong, thank God. The only place in Vegas to play the hybrid racket game that is regulation pickleball (yes, there are regulations) is the cool rooftop pool deck at the Plaza, overlooking Fremont Street. Make sure you’ve got the proper equipment.

Writers Block

Vegas has no culture, blah blah blah. Okay, it may not be brainiac central, but you might be fooled—at least for a bit—if you visit this smartly curated boutique bookstore on East Fremont. It offers a full calendar of readings, events, and activities nurturing the lucky literates of LV.

Rinky Dink

Vegas finally gets a hockey team (no comment on the name), and people are like, “Ice in the desert? How does that even work?” So, I suppose we should add to this secrets list the fact that there are two (yeah, two) legit, year-round ice skating centers here: Las Vegas Ice Center and SoBe Ice Arena at the Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel (that’s on top of many outdoor seasonal rinks). Oh, and as long as we’re talking skating, there are also two Crystal Palace roller skating rinks. Strap on some skates and shut it.