Trader Vic's to open in VEGAS!! (Closed)

I'll be stopping over in Vegas at the end of the month on a cross country journey to Huntington Beach. I'll have to give it a look see if it's open by then.
At least it is further along than Chicago. :wink:

I am thirsty for Rum and hungry for Bongo Bongo soup!!! ZAZZ!

Veronica (sp?) who answers the telephone on-site says construction delays now project the opening until the following week.
She says the current thinking is Monday 10/08/07, almost certainly the week of 10/08/07.
TVLV will accept reservations now beginning for next week, but I'm not sure what happens if you make one and they're not yet open...

The Trader Vic’s web site still reads Opening Sept 2007.
The Tangerine Club at Treasure Island is owned by Doc Wierner whose development group is putting in the new Trader Vic’s. Las Vegas Trader Vic’s will have something for everyone they claim. Including a dress code at the management discretion perhaps?
So again, my question is what about silk?

Effective 09/13/2007, new operating hours noted below.
The speakeasy style of 1920s burlesque sweetens Las Vegas’ newest nightspot: Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub at Treasure Island. Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub features an indoor lounge and outdoor deck, plus a DJ spinning rock and dance with live musical interludes by a saxophone, percussion and stand-up bass trio highlighting burlesque performances.
With its deck overlooking Sirens’ Cove, Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub offers premium views of the steamy Sirens of TI performances and the Las Vegas Strip.
Click Here to Experience Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub
NEW HOURS AS OF 09/13/2007
Lounge/Patio open:
Thursday – Sunday 9 p.m. – 4 a.m.

Burlesque Performances:
Thursday – Saturday at 9 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Note: Each performance is approximately 15 minutes long.
COVER
Men: $20
Women: $10
Las Vegas Local Ladies: FREE*
TI Hotel Guests: FREE*

• Note: Free cover excludes Special Events, Saturdays after midnight, and other dates based on availability. All guests must be at least 21 years of age. TI Hotel Guests must show valid room key. Tangerine management reserves the right to refuse free cover and/or admission to any guest.
  VIP TABLE RESERVATIONS
  Call 702-306-7100
  DRESS CODE
  Casual Chic: Fashionable attire is required. No sports jerseys, tank tops on men, or athletic wear of any kind will be permitted. The dress code is at management discretion.

[ Edited by: Ojaitimo 2007-10-03 13:19 ]

A few of us got to go to a pre-opening party last week in a ballroom in Planet Hollywood. We wer egiven a tour of the restaurant and upstairs "ultralounge". My guess is it will open any week now.
One of their execs was talking about the planned new Vic's to be opening in the future. Places like; Chicago (we knew that), Houston , Austin, Miami and Kansas City. Also Madrid, Valencia(Spain), a non-alcoholic one somewhere in the Middle East and about 12 more in Dubai. PS-Lake Surfer, send me an email or PM before you hit Vegas-Smiley

yeah - the non-alcoholic one was their first one ever to have no booze - in Kuwait.
Can't wait for the Chicago & Austin locations.

Here's one shot from the pre-opening:
with one of the very big tiki poles in the main dining room.

Oh, It was really cool to see "Las Vegas" on a Trader Vic's napkin!

It was really great to meet some of the Vegas ohana at the pre-opening party last week. Thanks to everyone who was so welcoming to us easterners. We'll have to go back when it's open for real!

On 2007-10-09 18:54, mrsmiley wrote:
A few of us got to go to a pre-opening party last week in a ballroom in Planet Hollywood. We wer egiven a tour of the restaurant and upstairs "ultralounge". My guess is it will open any week now.
One of their execs was talking about the planned new Vic's to be opening in the future. Places like; Chicago (we knew that), Houston , Austin, Miami and Kansas City. Also Madrid, Valencia(Spain), a non-alcoholic one somewhere in the Middle East and about 12 more in Dubai. PS-Lake Surfer, send me an email or PM before you hit Vegas-Smiley

Ok, so I found out there was no food as promised (I won't get into the shitty communication) and my old punk rock attitude took over. The wife and I flew into town with visions of Vic's but were met with dust clouds and stinky construction workers! Did I mention no dinner as promised! So I said fuck it and went to see Penn & Teller instead! The Goldfish trick and bullet trick are worth the price of admission! By the way, I was looking through my old Penn & Teller books the other day and there is a picture of them lounging in front of a Tiki! I'm too lazy to scan the picture, but it caught me off guard.....

I'm heading to Vegas for the SEMA show at the end of October, hope to check out Vic's then. Will post a review by Nov. 3!!

Ok, so I found out there was no food as promised (I won't get into the shitty communication) and my old punk rock attitude took over. The wife and I flew into town with visions of Vic's but were met with dust clouds and stinky construction workers! Did I mention no dinner as promised! So I said fuck it and went to see Penn & Teller instead! The Goldfish trick and bullet trick are worth the price of admission! By the way, I was looking through my old Penn & Teller books the other day and there is a picture of them lounging in front of a Tiki! I'm too lazy to scan the picture, but it caught me off guard.....

Matt,
Hate to burst your bubble but we ate like Kings. Lobster, shrimp, duck. It was awesome. They took us up to a banquet room in the hotel. They had hula dancers, mai tais, and free mugs. We got to meet Eve, Trader Vic's granddaughter and tour the unfinished restaurant.

On the subject of food, I thought the executive chef (Rick Giffen, somehow lured away from Mon Ami Gabi at Paris next door) and his team did a great job considering they were using portable stoves and other jury rigged equipment.

We were planning to go to a late dinner after the tour but no one was hungry! So we went to the Peppermill for (more) drinks instead.

On 2007-10-10 21:39, TikiPug wrote:

Ok, so I found out there was no food as promised (I won't get into the shitty communication) and my old punk rock attitude took over. The wife and I flew into town with visions of Vic's but were met with dust clouds and stinky construction workers! Did I mention no dinner as promised! So I said fuck it and went to see Penn & Teller instead! The Goldfish trick and bullet trick are worth the price of admission! By the way, I was looking through my old Penn & Teller books the other day and there is a picture of them lounging in front of a Tiki! I'm too lazy to scan the picture, but it caught me off guard.....

Matt,
Hate to burst your bubble but we ate like Kings. Lobster, shrimp, duck. It was awesome. They took us up to a banquet room in the hotel. They had hula dancers, mai tais, and free mugs. We got to meet Eve, Trader Vic's granddaughter and tour the unfinished restaurant.

Bummer, I was told by Hugo(?) that there was no food and that they were only going to do a quick presentation on the patio and a tour of the incomplete restaraunt...liars...I hate you Pug!

[ Edited by: Tiki Matt 2007-10-11 15:05 ]

I am also going to SEMA!

I know earlier in this thread I chided some of you for wanting to write off the Vegas Vics before it even opened. Well, the wife and I had lunch there last Monday (10/15) and I have to say that you folks are pretty much right. We were quite disappointed.

The atmosphere was not what I would call "Tiki Bar". Most everything was cold & shiny and virtually no bamboo or thatch. There were about 3 or 4 very tall (maybe 25 feet) tikis made out of something to resemble wood and lots of 5 foot tikis made out of painted styrofoam!! They also have an outside bar and dinning area with a a floor to ceiling glass wall to separate it form the inside which, in my opinion makes the lighting way too bright for a tiki bar at least during daytime. We did not venture to the upstairs lounge.

We had a "Tiki Bowl" to drink that we shared and it was not good. Tasted like pineapple juice with a little rum. The food was OK. The background music was not tropical at all. However, the service was excellent and the folks there really wanted to make everything right.

We have not been to other Vic's so I don't know how this one would stack up against them but I'm betting some others are much more genuine tiki lounge.

Anyway, it may turn out to be a great popular place but I can't reccomend it as a tiki lounge. It's more of an ultra-lounge.

Sorry.

Brady

If you would like to see some snapshots we took there click the link below.

http://www.threetikis.smugmug.com/gallery/3667303#209568382

good god thats horrendous.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

God, that's worse than I'd imagined. I really feel bad for the locals who were looking forward to this place. Hopefully the drinks will improve so people have someplace to go to get a decent Mai Tai.

W-O-W ! What is this? Kahunaville in brown? Things seem to be slightly out of proportion here. NO bamboo, BIIIIIG Tikis!? Those chairs...jeeez...do I count THREE evenly spaced fishnet floats over the bar? WHOOA, careful here, that's two too many!
Is this the set for "TIKI MONSTERS INVADE THE UNIVERSITY CAFETERIA"? Where am I?
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!....(That's the sound of the Trader spinning in his grave)

"TIKI MONSTERS INVADE THE UNIVERSITY CAFETERIA"? LOL...sure looks that way. That is really grotesque....not looking like a TV at all. Food is not sounding good either.

Thanks for the reviews...not planning on going there at all now. Rather have a drink at Treasure Island and watch the Pirate festivities. SAD....just SAD. :(

It's the IKEA version of TV.

Dear Las Vegas Trader Vic's,

What the @#*& were you people thinking?

Oh boy.

I don't think I can drag myself in there at the end of the month, as much as I want to check another Vic's off my list...

that's just sad.

Very, very sad.

I wish Taboo Cove was still around.

Wow - when can I expect Eeyore and Cruela de Ville add their thoughts to this comment thread?

Best wishes to TV Las Vegas - get the drinks right, and I'll be there in December with a full wallet and empty belly.

DOA

Wow. In my worst imaginings, I could not have come up with a worse-looking Trader Vic's. I was going to go to Vegas this winter. Not any more. That SUCKS!

From the pictures, this is the worst looking Trader Vic's ever. I'm sick to my stomach for so many reasons. Make note to self: Next time in LV, don't go to TV's.

[ Edited by: Chub 2007-10-18 03:00 ]

Seriously, THIS is what all the construction delays were for?

C'mon, TV, get your goddamned head in the game!

TV's Las Vegas is basically the front door of the Planet Hollywood casino complex, and it's unfortunately designed to match their style. (Mimicking the Caesar's Forum Shops policy.) Which at Planet Hollywood is brown, chrome, bright, glossy, 70's-ish lounge. It's like a corporate version of the famous Peppermill down the street, but beige. And well lit.

Every aspect of this idea was wrong from the start; why match the overall casino design when people want pockets of adventure to visit in Las Vegas? Why design a bland look when you're copying an ancient Decadent Roman Walkway? Why invite Vic's to reside there, then tell them to change their whole concept?

Have no idea why Planet Hollywood took on this brown & chrome look, it's neither Hollywood or very Vegas. It's retro in the worst possible way. The lights of the inside concourse reflect off white tiles on the ceiling; they actually hurt your eyes. But it was a cheap redo.

Of course I could be wrong, and this could simply be the way ALL the new Trader Vic's are going to look!

Holy crap, that is an insult to the Trader Vic's legend. From these pics, not a scrap of thatch, grass mat or bamboo to be seen. Way to go with the sculpted strofoam/fiberglass tikis :(. Seems the only reason to visit Vegas 'TV' is to "obtain" the menu and the S & P shakers. Very Sad

odd.

Just so everyone knows, the small, foam Tikis that Leisure posted a picture of were for TV's guerilla marketing campaign. They were placed around Vegas in the weeks leading up to the Grand Opening to create excitement and awareness. Their placements included in a boat in the middle of the Bellagio Lake, one painted blue and in the Blue Man Group show, one in the audience at Mariah Carie's show (I know...but lots of people go to Vegas just for that show), one in Cirque de Soile, etc. They had nothing to do with the construction delays.

The delays were actually due to permit delays thanks to the City of Las Vegas. Anyone who's ever been involved in a construction project and grand opening of any type knows what a hassle and how frustrating that experience is.

Yeah, this Vic's is really different than many of the others, but it's Vegas, and bars/restaurants have short lives in Vegas so anyone who wants to have staying power needs to play to their audience. Who knows, maybe as time goes on and their client loyalty develops they'll become more like a "traditional" Vic's, but until then, if you don't like it, don't go...my experience there was that the customer service was outstanding, better than any other Vic's I've been to (and I've been to six others), and the drinks I had (Menehune Juice, Mai Tai, and Zombie) were all definitely up to Vic's standards, as was all of the food I sampled.

On 2007-10-17 23:59, Koolau wrote:
Wow - when can I expect Eeyore and Cruela de Ville add their thoughts to this comment thread?

Best wishes to TV Las Vegas - get the drinks right, and I'll be there in December with a full wallet and empty belly.

Man, you got that right!!!
It's like you all were just chomping at the bit to hate the place.

We all could tell from the early communications coming out of Vic's that it was going to be "adapted" to Vegas, right?? So, c'mon, guys, give them SOME leeway. As much as I LOVE the traditional TV's, like Chicago (R.I.P.), I didn't expect the new Vegas location to look like the Chicago location. Could they use some more actual carved tikis from the TV's vault of goodies? SURE! Could they use maybe some plants & decor to make it less stark? Also true. More floats? Would love to see 'em!

But what about:
What's it like at night? What's the upstairs like? What would someone whose actually been to a TV's before think of the drinks??? What about the fact that they had to make a place that they hope will be able to stay open in Vegas (no easy feat)? Did anyone talk to the staff to find out about the decor & if it is "done" or about plans for the place? Did anyone get the scoop on what they are looking to do?

I was at the pre-opening reception in early October & the drinks we had that night were all perfectly upto TV's standards, and the food was really, really amazing, with some new pupu add-ons that worked beautifully. And, the staff, I just don't know where to start, they are great & are trying to do the right thing to build a TV's that will stay open in a town that's too egar to move onto the next "thing". They'd be more than happy to chat about the place and do anything to meet your needs. They deserve more of a chance than a big pile-on of negativity from a bunch of people that haven't even been there.

& those styrofoam tikis....well, those are NOT part of the decor. They will be used as promotional tools to be placed all over Vegas to raise awareness & traffic after the place is officially open - right now, from what I understand, it's the "soft opening", and they are working the kinks out. No one is saying it's perfect, nor should anyone expect a traditional TV's "feel". It's just different.

Is it realy needed to DUMP on TV's without giving them a chance and more of a try than a lunchtime stop in daylight without talking to the staff that are looking to make this work?

C'mon, guys (& gals), give the place a chance!

It's like buying a house; if you hate the place from the outside, you don't go to the open house!

If every picture posted of Vic's Vegas looks like ass--WHY give it a chance?? Why reward a company that basically just took a whiz on us all?

Paint the ceiling brown.

You would think Trader Vic’s would have some licensing restriction on what a TR has to look like. This place looks like a Holiday Inn done made over with Big Lots. Barney Frank would be turning over in his grave.

There is definitely an influence from DW Enterprises' ties to Pure Management in the design and layout (the top floor is an ultralounge with bottle service after all). But at night that place is going to be fantastic because of the view of the Bellagio fountains.

I think this location is a very unique challenge and has to be in tune with modern Sin City Vegas if they want to be successful (Taboo Cove already tried traditional, right?). But, this concept won't work in other cities and people from the company said as much at the preview event.

On 2007-10-18 06:12, skitiki wrote:

...my experience there was that the customer service was outstanding, better than any other Vic's I've been to (and I've been to six others), and the drinks I had (Menehune Juice, Mai Tai, and Zombie) were all definitely up to Vic's standards, as was all of the food I sampled.

OK, at least this is good to hear. I'm sure I will still check it out....

BTW - any words of comfort for us, Bargoyle? I thought you said you were stopping by TVs this week (while a thirsty nation awaits).

that anyone here expresses suprise and disbelief over this is astounding..what did you really expect??...

welcome to trader vics vegas night club and disco!! whooohoooo!!

..now get back to the important business of supporting your local "real" tiki bars....they are the ones that need your business, not this pile of crap.....

The new TV looks about, as good as, the new "TV Passion Fruit Syrup" tastes - "Not so Good". WTF is going on with these fuckers lately??? I'll still go there in Vegas cause I still likes me a real "Mai Tai" and I haven't found a Mai Tai I like anywhwere else in Vegas. Oh! and I still love their food. But I don't think I'll be going there to relax and enjoy the ambience.

Good thing I am no longer writing reviews of Tiki bars...

I've been waiting for this opening--now I'm not as interested. For me, Trader Vic's is as much atmosphere as it is the food and drinks. Here's an idea, order the food and drinks from TVLV and drive 2 miles south on the strip and consume them at Tahiti Joe's (in the Tahitian Village). At least they have a tiki vibe (although not the drink quality).

I think this location is a very unique challenge and has to be in tune with modern Sin City Vegas if they want to be successful (Taboo Cove already tried traditional, right?).

In my opinion, Taboo Cove failed because they did not keep it traditional....not because of the decor. First of all, it was impossible to find and secondly, they played hip hop. Which rap fan/ hip hopper do you know that enjoys Traditional tiki bars. I'm sure they felt really uncomfortable in this Bosko paradise.

TV has an amazingly better location than Cove could ever have dreamed of. If it had decor (and ambience) to match, it would be a winning formula. Problem is that today's execs have no clue (check out the "modernization" of Hanalei's Islands Restaurant) Somehow they think that stark white walls and minimal decor are "oh so cool"!! More like "oh so clueless"!!

Well I was one of the fortunate ones who got to attend the TVLV pre-opening party so I didn't even get to see the finished product. Instead, I noted the following:
-Since they were in no shape to host the party in the space, they got a conference room, decked it out Polynesian style, outfitted it with two bars, plenty of booze and skilled bartenders, all of the hors d'oeuvres on the menu prepared under battlefield conditions over alcohol stoves and hula gals shaking it to ukulele tunes. The audience responded in kind with enough aloha shirts to outfit Hilo Hatties for a year. This was a last minute event and boy it did not show--drinks were top notch, food was excellent across the board, service was very attentive. The food and drinks flowed liberally.
-They took us into the space to show off the ultra lounge, which was the most complete area and I liked the room a lot: good subdued lighting, lots of cushy chairs, nice looking bar and incredible view of the Bellagio fountains and the lights on the Strip, very pretty at night.
-One’s impression of the space is not Styrofoam tikis, it is of VERY large moai. It’s a Vegas scale because, well, you’re in Vegas. I had just seen the Scottsdale location a few days before and I thought LV compared favorably.
-Everyone got souvenir coconut mugs which was a very nice gesture
-Management circulated the whole time and was happy to field questions and take suggestions. The GM is very interested to see Vic’s succeed in Vegas, which is no mean feat. The VP of American and German ops specifically noted that when opening a new operation they like to get in touch with the tiki community and throw this type of party to show they appreciate the support.
-They are clearly actively expanding the brand and they are also clearly having financial success, which indicates both that the general public will support Vic’s and that they can continue to expand, perhaps into your town. If they succeed in LV, and that is one TOUGH market, they may return to New York and Boston, also tough markets. I, and I believe the NYTC folks I've met, would certainly like to see them give NYC a chance again, a town which has shown its appreciation for tiki by submitting most of its “real” tiki bars to the wrecking ball.

Is it realy needed to DUMP on TV's without giving them a chance and more of a try than a lunchtime stop in daylight without talking to the staff that are looking to make this work?

Respectfully, I have to say "yes," it is necessary to dump on them. The decor is not going to change when the sun sets. We can all see what it is. Plus, Trader Vic's brass do read Tiki Central, and they need to know what the tiki community thinks.

I also believe most of the disgruntlement is coming from reaction to the decor, not so much the service and food. Certainly, any new restaurant deserves a chance to prove themselves in that capacity.

Also keep in mind, the decor that was chosen was not really the decision of Trader Vic's as a company, but more so the investors who put this project into place. I'm beginning to see why the Dallas group pulled out of it.

Also, I'm curious to know if the drink menu is a typical Trader Vic's drink menu. I heard it was going to be "limited."

Bowing to the environment of the market is just what Trader Vic's never was. An excape from what's outside its doors was the idea. (So I'm told, anyway, and isn't that the idea of tiki bars?)

The big plastic tikis in the pictures seem way too LV and not enough TV.

I was recently at the Beverly Hills Trader Vics and I understand from posts here that it is nothing like what it used to be. But I did like it. A gentleman's tropical club is what I'd call it. The outdoor-theater-size surfer movie projected by the pool was cool.

So the Vegas TV may be an indication that corporate is too liberal with different interpretations of its brand. And none of these interpretations are the TV of old.

[spelling edit]

[ Edited by: Bongo Bungalow 2007-10-18 15:11 ]

I agree, Bongo. The problem is the in the heart of the LV Strip, commerce takes over and the ROI needed means they want to appeal to every possible restaurant goer, not just those wanting an escape--and for many, just escaping to LV is enough, anyway.

I can see a traditional TV working in a more suburban area of LV, or any city.

I'm confused,
A friend of mine was just in Veags for a few days,
and he said TV's was still not open.

what gives?

Jeff(bigtikidude)

On 2007-10-18 11:04, captainquad wrote:
-They are clearly actively expanding the brand and they are also clearly having financial success, which indicates both that the general public will support Vic’s and that they can continue to expand, perhaps into your town. If they succeed in LV, and that is one TOUGH market, they may return to New York and Boston, also tough markets. I, and I believe the NYTC folks I've met, would certainly like to see them give NYC a chance again, a town which has shown its appreciation for tiki by submitting most of its “real” tiki bars to the wrecking ball.

so when are they going to Open a real TV's in LA again?

Jeff(bigtikidude)