Las Vegas NightLife and Entertainment

Las Vegas calls itself the "Entertainment Capital of the World." This is true, particularly in terms of the sheer number of live entertainment productions staged daily. On any given day in Las Vegas a visitor can select from dozens of presentations, ranging from major production spectaculars to celebrity headliners, from comedy clubs to live music in lounges. The standard of professionalism and value for your entertainment dollar is very high. There is no other place where you can buy so much top-quality entertainment for so little money.

But here's the bad news: The average price of a ticket to one of the major production shows topped $54 in 2003, a whopping 95% increase since 1992. To balance the picture, however, the standard of quality for shows has likewise soared. And variety, well, there's now literally something for everyone, from traditional Las Vegas feathers and butts to real Broadway musicals. And believe it or not, the value is still there. Maybe not in the grand showrooms and incessantly hyped productions, but in the smaller showrooms and lounges and in the main theaters of off-Strip hotels. There's more of everything now, including both overpriced shows and bargains. Regarding the former, you'll be numbed and blinded by their billboards all over town. As concerns the latter, you'll have to scout around, but you'll be rewarded with some great shows at dynamite prices. Want to see the Doobie Brothers, Ray Charles, Crystal Gayle, or the Righteous Brothers? They're a mile from the Strip at the Orleans. Meanwhile catch Confederate Railroad or Jose Feliciano at Boulder Station's Railhead Saloon. Second City, a comedy act at the Flamingo, is one of the best buys in town, at about $30 plus tax, and there are always discount coupons floating around for productions at the downtown showrooms.