Enjoying yourself Las Vegas
Timetable Las Vegas
As is often the case in the U.S., the first services take place around 5 p.m. and last well into the evening. However, while restaurants, particularly those in casinos, close between 11pm and midnight, kitchens may close around 10pm. Room service in hotel-casinos is generally available 24 hours a day.
Breakfast is generally served from 6:30 or 7am to 10am. Popular brunches start between 10 and 11 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.
For lunches, the hours are quite extensive: count on 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beware, since the Covid crisis, many establishments have reduced their opening hours.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially in the famous casino restaurants. Reservations can be made by telephone or, more simply, on the Internet.
Budget & Tips Las Vegas
The establishments located on the Strip and in the casinos are renowned for their high prices, with bills that can quickly reach $50 per person, excluding taxes and tips. Beware of surprises! Most establishments also offer Food Courts featuring some of the big names. Prices are more modest, but the quality is not always up to scratch. If you want to eat more cheaply, you'll have to move away from the Strip and take advantage of restaurants frequented by locals. As an international city par excellence, you can pay your bill using any means of payment. Please note: some foreign credit cards may not be accepted in certain establishments. This is quite exceptional, but it can happen.
What costs extra Las Vegas
Taxes, services... it's the subject that always gets the French talking when they come to the United States.
Gratuities are used throughout the country. In restaurants, it represents between 15 and 22% of the bill. If you're satisfied, you can leave between 18 and 20%. This service gratuity is calculated on the total amount (including state tax). For fast-food restaurants or takeaways, we recommend leaving $1 or $2 in cash.
If you're a group of 6 or more, the establishment will de facto apply a 20% service charge.
Taxes vary by city and state. In the case of Nevada, the tax is set at 8.375% and does not appear on menu prices. The tax will appear when you pay the bill.
If you pay by credit card, you'll need to make the calculation and enter the amount of the tip in the appropriate box on the bill. This must be done before the waiter takes your card and deducts the amount from the restaurant's terminal. Depending on your credit card, you may be asked to give your code. In this case, the waiter will come back to you and you may have to follow him to enter your code on the payment terminal.
Some establishments may apply the service directly to the bill without telling you, of course. It's not common, but it can happen. It would be a shame to add another tip!
The local way Las Vegas
Since Las Vegas is such a cosmopolitan city, it's hard to talk about local specialities. As a result, you'll find specialties from all over the world.
As soon as you're seated, they'll bring you a tall glass of water with lots of ice. It's a habit in the U.S
Unlike in France, Americans tend to overcook meats, not least to avoid food poisoning. Here are a few tips when ordering steak in English, depending on the desired doneness. Rare: blue (you're likely to be stared at with wide eyes); medium rare: rare; medium: medium-rare; medium well: well done.
Meat cuts include sirloin , ribeye , hanger steak , porterhouse steak, flank steak, short ribs, brisket, ribs , breast and chicken wings.
Because of theMexican influence in this part of the country, chillies are omnipresent. In most cases, a small logo will indicate whether the dish is moderately or very spicy.
Eggs are a must for breakfast or brunch. They can besunny side up,scrambled,poached,hard boiled orsoft boiled.
Menu names can sometimes be confusing. Anappetizer is called an "appetizer", a main course is called an"entrée" and the side dish is called a"side".
Kids Las Vegas
If you have young children, almost all of our establishments are equipped to cater for them (baby chairs, for example). You'll also find a menu for children up to the age of 12. After that age, you'll need to order from the à la carte menu.
No alcohol is allowed under 21. ID will be systematically requested to verify age.
Smokers Las Vegas
As elsewhere in the U.S., smoking is prohibited in all establishments, with the exception of casino gaming areas. If you wish to smoke, you'll have to go outside, or to a smoking area such as the casino gaming rooms if the restaurant is located in one of the city's many hotel-casinos.
Take a break Las Vegas
Timetable Las Vegas
Unlike some businesses, which may close around 9pm or even 10pm, cafés and tea rooms can be open 24 hours a day in Las Vegas. This is particularly true of those located in the casinos. Bar opening hours vary from one establishment to another. Some bars will be open 24 hours a day (especially those with slot machine gaming areas), while others may close between 11pm and 1am. Much has changed in Las Vegas since the Covid-19 pandemic. Some establishments are finding it difficult to recruit staff, and so have had to adapt their opening hours. As for entertainment and atmosphere, bars are often much livelier on Thursday to Saturday evenings, with live music and broadcasts of games from the four major US sports (US soccer, baseball, basketball and field hockey). Happy hours are frequent, usually between 4pm and 8pm, or even 3pm in some places.
Budget & Tips Las Vegas
Drinks are subject to the same tax and tipping systems as meals. Expect to pay 15-22% for table service and 1-2 US$ for bar service. In some bars, especially casinos, waiters will take your credit card to validate its imprint. Until you ask for the bill ("check" in English), they will continue to put your drinks on it.
As far asalcoholic beverages are concerned, they are always very expensive, especially when it comes to cocktails. The pint of beer, which holds 42 cl, is the most commonly served at the bar. In reality, a pint contains 47.3 cl, but glasses are never filled to the brim. Beers cost between US$7 and US$10, sometimes much more depending on where you are. On the Strip, prices can sometimes be outrageous, especially in the clubs, where a beer costs US$12. In casinos, you can get free beers if you gamble and tip cocktail waitresses US$1 per beer.
The nextsize down from the pint is the shooner (28.5 cl). Draft beeris more expensive than bottled beer. A glass of wine rarely costs less than US$15. Lastly, cocktails are generally priced between US$12 and US$15, and can go as high as US$20 to US$30.
Age restrictions Las Vegas
No alcoholic beverage may be sold or served to anyone under 21anywhere in the United States. It is always necessary to show proof of identity for any purchase or consumption of alcohol, and some bars even require proof of identity on entry. In supermarkets, if you buy alcohol, the cashier will also ask for ID. If you go through a self-checkout (increasingly common in the U.S.), you'll have to wait for an employee to come and finalize and pay for your shopping.
If you're taking a road trip from Las Vegas to Utah, you should be aware that the state has very strict rules. Current law sets a 4.0% alcohol limit for beer sold in stores as well as in "beer only" licensed establishments, such as beer bars and certain restaurants. Beer over 4.0% is available inState Liquor Stores andPackage Agencies, as well as in clubs and restaurants licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. It is also forbidden to drink alcohol in public places.
What's very local Las Vegas
With its Hispanic and Mexican history, Nevada is a state strongly influenced by Latino culture. In addition to food, there are many Mexican brands of beer and spirits.
Kids Las Vegas
Obviously, bars and establishments selling alcohol are forbidden to under-21s. Some casinos, such as Circa (with its many bars) even prohibit access to minors.
Smokers Las Vegas
Smoking is prohibited in cafés and bars, except on terraces. The latter permission is increasingly disappearing, especially on the Strip. For the most part, electronic cigarettes are treated in the same way as conventional cigarettes. Only casinos still allow smoking with a drink. The only condition is that you must be in the gaming area. Don't forget that some casinos have banned smoking for good.
