What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, as the old saying goes. And whilst that may be true for some hosting their birthday celebrations in the City of Sin, for others, gaining a few hard-earned stories to tell is all part of the fun!
For coming of age parties in the USA, Las Vegas is the king (uh-huh-huh) of 21st birthday celebrations, but let’s be honest, how many 21 year old Brits can afford a trip to Sin City to splash the cash? If you’re planning to travel from the UK to hit up the strip, best to do it when you’re a bit older, wiser and have a bit more money to play with, we think. That way, the coolest cocktail bars and just a sip away, the Michelin-starred restaurants ready to feed you, and the tables a little less intimidating.
With a wallet equipped for a weekend of fun, if you’re going to be celebrating your big day in the City of Sin, here’s how to throw a legendary birthday party in Las Vegas.
Shameless Birthday Freebies
Yep, we realise we already mentioned it, but allow us to reiterate; a birthday bash in Vegas is expensive. One of the best ways to reduce the cost somewhat is to be shameless and announce to the city that it’s your birthday at every available opportunity. Honestly. Because though the City of Sin is indeed expensive, it’s also a generous, flashy place, and the freebies and gifts do tend to flow if you’re celebrating.
The first step is letting your hotel know that you’re celebrating a birthday, preferably when booking (there’s usually a dedicated space to do this). Las Vegas hotels regularly select guests ‘randomly’ for upgrades, and this will certainly stack the odds in your favour.
At the very least, you’ll be earmarked for an ‘upgraded experience’. That means, at the least, free birthday chocolate, flowers and wine. Mention it to the bartender, waitress and hostess during your evenings out, too – you may get a free drink or two out of it.
Take Advantage Of Happy Hours
Happy Hour is one of the best ways to be kind to your wallet on your trip to Las Vegas, but instead of wandering around aimlessly, hoping to stumble on a random Happy Hour, head over to the community website lasvegashappyhour.net. Dedicated to discovering the best deals in Vegas, the site lists nearly all (hedging our bets here, in true Vegas style) of the Happy Hour offers in the city.
One place that we have to mention is the ‘High Roller Happy Half Hour’. For thirty minutes, you can ride the world’s tallest observation wheel, the LINQ’s High Roller, and enjoy the delights of an open bar. For a daytime ticket, you’ll have to put down $40, however, considering you get a spectacular view of the city combined with free drinks, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
Have A Blowout Birthday Meal
All that money that you’ve saved on birthday freebies and Happy Hour cocktails is the perfect excuse for a blowout birthday meal, don’t you think? After all, if there’s one place in the world to go all out on your birthday, it’s Las Vegas.
There’s a reason that they say ‘’it’s easy to leave Vegas broke, but you won’t leave hungry’’; Las Vegas is one of the world’s premier places for fine dining, attracting top notch chefs from all over the globe keen to cash in (and serve up) on the city’s hunger for opulence and indulgence.
Here you’ll find three-star Michelin level restaurants rubbing shoulders with more down-to-earth diners, all-you-can-eat buffets and globe trotting menus, all within a chip’s throw of each other.
Head to Caesar’s Palace to find Gordon Ramsay, Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay and Nobu Matsuhisa all under one roof. Not to be outdone, the Venetian boasts Thomas Keller whilst The Palazzo has Wolfgang Puck. Alternatively, you could focus on quantity rather than quality, and try out the world famous Buffet at Wynn, which has 15 live cooking stations and some of the most extravagant all-you-can-eat treats around.
Read: 5 IDEAL tips for eating in Vegas
Save On Shows
Shows in Vegas are notoriously expensive, with some of the residencies from huge, international artists commanding the highest ticket prices in the world.
There are ways around this, however. Tix4tonight, for instance, are a company who sell discount Las Vegas show tickets to the lucky ones who sign up to their website, though be warned that you can’t currently use their website to buy their discounted tickets. Instead, look out for any of their four booths in and around Las Vegas Boulevard, from the Premium Outlet Mall north of The Strip to the Town Square Mall on the south end. Encore!
Birthday Slots & Player Club Cards
Many casinos will have promos that encourage you to celebrate your birthday in your style, and whilst it pays to be wary of all the freebies on offer enticing you to gamble more, a little economic fun can be had if you keep your head.
It’s worth signing up for a player’s card at any casino you visit. It’s complementary and the casino will give you free stuff just for signing up. Last time we checked, Park MGM offered $25 free play as long as it’s your birth month while Luxor gives $20 in free plays if your birthday is within seven days of the date of your visit.
Should you be a newcomer, it’s a good idea to get some practice first, for free – with no financial commitment necessary – in order to get familiar with the rules and flow of the tables in advance. In doing so, you may ease the burden on a birthday bank balance which so often falls victim to the temptations of the city.
Morning After Remedies
We all know that hangovers are bad in Vegas, but a really bad one can ruin your whole weekend. Best to come prepared, then.
When it comes to hangover cures, the Guardian urges that you “Forget rehydrating the old fashioned way (by forcing yourself to consume two litres of H20).’’
They go on to report that ‘’the latest miracle quick fix requires a drip, a nurse and a vein. Drip Hydration [in Vegas] offers mobile iv therapy infusions that can be delivered straight to your hotel including their aptly named ‘Hangover’ IV treatment which they say “Includes a blend of IV fluids, electrolytes, vitamins and medications to detoxify your body and cure your hangover symptoms.”
In fact, Vegas has its very own Hangover Heaven IV Hydration Clinic, too. Taking 45 minutes, it costs a whopping $409 per two people. The clinic is found just two blocks north of the Strip, on South Highland Drive. Alternatively, they’ll come to your hotel room!
Call us traditional, but for us, a dip in a refreshing pool is the ideal hangover cure. GP Dr Bartlett agrees, telling the BBC that “there is definitely a benefit to swimming in cold water when you’re hungover…the shock to the system causes the body to mobilise its energy stores, while helping to take your mind off that dehydrated pounding headache feeling.”
Then, of course, there’s always the ol’ hair of the dog, and Las Vegas has plenty of bottomless brunch options, including at either Lago or the Buffet, both at the Bellagio, or at the Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Looking for some alternative things to do which don’t involve drinking and gambling? Check out these 7 unique birthday party ideas in Las Vegas, IDEAL for those wanting to give the casinos a swerve.
Consider A Birthday Party Package
Trying to figure out where you want to go, what you want to see in Vegas can be overwhelming. Why not let someone else do all the hard work for you? There are plenty of companies offering birthday party packages for your big day.
They can take care of everything from limo hire to getting you on the best guest lists, all the way to booking you into a relaxing sauna to prep for the night’s activities. They’ll even make sure you get a sun lounger at one of the luxurious resorts. You’ll also get more bang for your buck by using a service like theirs, skipping queues and getting first access to the hottest tickets and deals in town – it’s always good to know someone, right?
And if your squad comprises a bunch of thrifty kings and queens, then don’t leave us without checking out these 10 cheap things to do in Las Vegas for 2023. You (and your bank balances) won’t regret it!