The $70 million, 350,000-square-foot expansion of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center is complete, giving the facility more than 2 million square feet total and 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space. That raises its rank in both categories to fifth in North America but only third in Las Vegas behind the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sands Expo.
The two biggest convention facilities are still outside Las Vegas, in Chicago and Orlando, Fla. MBay is also entering the final phase of a $100 million renovation of all of its 3,211 guest rooms which will feature the addition of in-room work areas.
Center Bar back: The famous Center Bar at Hard Rock that closed in June is now back in business. Located in the same spot as the former Center Bar, it’s been expanded, redesigned and equipped with new sound and video technology. There’s still no update regarding what will take the place of nightclub Body English, which closed a few days after the Center Bar.
Tryst renovation: Tryst, the powerhouse nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas, will close just after Halloween to undergo a major renovation. The club is expected to be closed for up to six months.
Betting deal: With football season in full swing, the best place to make a bet is at Westgate Las Vegas on Thursdays, when from 3 p.m. to close the book offers -105 pricing (bet $105 to win $100 as opposed to the standard $110/$100). The offer is limited to college and NFL sides only (no totals).
Question: What’s the story behind the new statue at downtown’s D?
Answer: The statue is a larger version of the artwork from Brussels called Manneken Pis (“Little Man Pee” in Dutch), which depicts a naked boy urinating into a fountain. Located at the back (north) entrance, the publicity-savvy D expects that it will become a popular photo op for partying tourists.
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