📓 The Swetta24 Black Book: Las Vegas (2026 Ultimate Edition)

If you have DM'd me asking for my "real" list—the one with the hidden gems, the locals-only beauty spots, and the specific tables to book—this is it. Consider this the Swetta24 Black Book. No gatekeeping, just the absolute best of Las Vegas right now.

🏨 Favorite Hotels

• Resorts World Las Vegas: Modern, tech-forward, best food hall.
• Waldorf Astoria: The ultimate quiet luxury escape. Non-gaming, incredible spa, and the best high tea in the city.
• Fontainebleau Las Vegas: The new king of North Strip luxury.
• Four Seasons Las Vegas: Non-gaming, quiet luxury.
• Palms Casino Resort: Off-Strip luxury (check out the Grand Loft).
• Bellagio Las Vegas: The heartbeat of the Strip. It defines "classic Vegas luxury." You stay here for the romance, the Conservatory, and the unbeatable convenience of being center-strip.
• ARIA Resort & Casino: The sleek, modern choice. The rooms are high-tech (everything is one touch), and it puts you steps away from the city's best food scene (Carbone, Catch, Din Tai Fung).

💎 Most Curated Reservations

• Bazaar Meat by José Andrés (The Palazzo): A culinary celebration of meat. Order the Vaca Vieja.
• Jaleo by José Andrés (Cosmopolitan): The best tapas in Vegas. The Paella is non-negotiable.
• Carbone Riviera (Bellagio): Theatrical Italian and seafood excellence.
• Delilah (Wynn): The ultimate 1920s supper club. No photos allowed.
• Gymkhana (ARIA): The London icon brings elite Indian fine dining to Vegas.
• Komodo (Fontainebleau): High-energy Southeast Asian cuisine with a party vibe.
• Mother Wolf (Fontainebleau): Evan Funke’s Roman pasta masterpieces.
• COTE (The Venetian): The world’s first Michelin-starred Korean Steakhouse.
• Pisces Bar & Seafare (Wynn): Stunning Mediterranean seafood on the Lake of Dreams.
• Carversteak (Resorts World): A modern masterpiece with a curated knife menu.
• Chyna Club (Fontainebleau): Cantonese-style eclectic dining in a stunning, clubby atmosphere.
• Don's Prime (Fontainebleau): Old-school luxury steakhouse with trolley service.
• Michael Mina (Bellagio): The gold standard for seafood. The Lobster Pot Pie is legendary.
• The Mayfair Supper Club (Bellagio): The ultimate "Dinner and a Show." Glamorous, 1920s-style dining with the Fountains dancing in the background and a live jazz production on stage.

🍽️ Best Fine Dining

• Pisces Bar & Seafare (Wynn): The stunning new Mediterranean seafood spot on the Lake of Dreams. Book a patio table for the show.
• Wing Lei (Wynn): Michelin-starred Chinese. The Imperial Peking Duck is a masterpiece.
• BOA Steakhouse (Forum Shops): A celebrity magnet. Famous for the tableside Caesar salad and high-energy vibe.
• Mott 32 (The Palazzo): Modern Hong Kong cuisine. You must pre-order the Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck 24 hours in advance.
• Carbone Riviera (Bellagio): Theatrical Italian excellence. The Spicy Rigatoni is a rite of passage.
• Mother Wolf (Fontainebleau): Evan Funke’s Roman pasta masterpieces.
• Gymkhana (ARIA): The London icon brings elite Indian fine dining to Vegas.
• Delilah (Wynn): The ultimate supper club. No photos allowed, pure 1920s glamour.
• Komodo (Fontainebleau): High-energy Southeast Asian cuisine.
• Cote (The Venetian): The world’s first Michelin-starred Korean Steakhouse.
• Nicco's (Durango): Prime cuts and fresh fish in a stunning room.
• La Strega: Incredible coastal Italian (Off-Strip).

🥩 Best Steakhouse

• Nicco's (Durango): Prime cuts and fresh fish in a stunning, modern room. The new gold standard for off-Strip power dining.
• Mae Daly’s Fine Steaks & Whiskeys (Strip-North): A new, hidden gem across from The Strat. 1920s Prohibition vibes, incredible whiskey list, and great dry-aged steaks.
• Bazaar Meat by José Andrés (The Palazzo): A culinary celebration of meat. Order the Vaca Vieja.
• Don’s Prime (Fontainebleau): Old-school luxury with trolley service and a stunning mid-century room.
• Carversteak (Resorts World): A modern masterpiece with a curated knife menu (choose your own blade) and massive Tomahawk chops.
• SW Steakhouse (Wynn): The classic power spot. Request a patio table for a front-row view of the Lake of Dreams show.
• Scotch 80 Prime (Palms): Sleek, dark, and sexy with one of the best Scotch collections in the city.
• Prime Steakhouse (Bellagio): Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s classic. The best view of the Fountains from a dining table.
• STK Las Vegas (Cosmopolitan): High-energy, DJ-driven "party steakhouse." Great for groups who want a club vibe with dinner.
• High Steaks (Rio): The best view in Vegas, period. Located on the 50th floor (formerly Voodoo Steak), it offers insane panoramic Strip views. Chef James Trees’ menu features wild game cuts (bison, elk) and a legendary "Piecaken" for dessert.
• Barry’s Downtown Prime (Circa): Vintage Vegas glamour in the basement of Circa. The best steakhouse in Downtown.
• Harlo Steakhouse & Bar (Summerlin): The locals' favorite. High-end service and food without the Strip hassle.
• Papi Steak Las Vegas (Fontainebleau): The ultimate flex. Order the "Beefcase" (steak in a briefcase) for the show.
• Bourbon Steak (Four Seasons): Michael Mina’s masterpiece. Famous for the duck fat fries trio and impeccable service.

📍 Off The Strip Restaurants (Locals Only)

• Vintner Grill (Summerlin): A hidden gem in a business park. Famous for its white decor, patio, and Mediterranean-American fare.
• Harlo Steakhouse (Downtown Summerlin): The current "it" spot for locals. High-end steakhouse energy away from the Strip.
• La Strega (Summerlin): Chef Gina Marinelli’s incredible coastal Italian. (Order the rigatoni).
• Nicco's (Southwest / Durango Resort): The new power-dining spot. Prime cuts and fresh fish in a stunning, modern room.
• T-Bones Chophouse (Red Rock Resort): The classic Summerlin power spot. Patio dining here is a rite of passage.
• Honey Salt (Summerlin): Farm-to-table comfort food in a cozy, home-like setting. Great for brunch or dinner.

🍸 Best Rooftops & Bars with Views

• Hard Shake (Waldorf Astoria): The new spot that replaced SkyBar on the 23rd floor. Dark, sexy, and modern with incredible floor-to-ceiling Strip views and a "hard shake" cocktail technique.
• Peacock Alley (Waldorf Astoria): The elegant lobby lounge right next to Hard Shake. Famous for its tea, but arguably the best place for a quiet, sophisticated drink with a stunning view of the Strip.
• Legacy Club (Circa): Rooftop fire pits and the best view of Downtown.
• Allē Lounge on 66 (Resorts World): Stunning high-floor Strip views.
• Top of the World (The STRAT): Iconic rotating views.
• Skyfall Lounge (Delano): Sleek, romantic, and perfect for sunset into night.
• The Mayfair Supper Club (Bellagio): Glamorous fountain views with dinner and a show.
• Aft Cocktail Deck (Wynn): Right on the water at the Lake of Dreams.
• Eiffel Tower Restaurant Bar: The best spot to watch the Bellagio fountains.
• Chérie Rooftop (Paris): Right under the Eiffel Tower—romantic and energetic.
• 108 Drinks (The STRAT): The highest bar in Vegas.
• Ghost Bar (Palms): Glass floor balcony looking down 55 stories.
• Bottled Blonde: High energy, pizza, and Strip views.
• VooDoo Lounge (Rio): One of the highest rooftop lounges with insane Strip and city views.

🤫 Best Speakeasy

• The Vault (Bellagio): Ultra-exclusive and intimate. The service is ceremonial, and the cocktails are precision-crafted. Perfect for a romantic, dressy night out where conversation matters.
• The Underground (The Mob Museum): A true Prohibition experience in the basement of the museum. It features a working distillery (moonshine!), artifacts, and a speakeasy vibe that feels like a time capsule.
• The Laundry Room (Downtown): Downtown’s most exclusive secret inside Commonwealth. 22 seats, strictly no phones, and bespoke cocktails created based on your flavor profile.
• Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den (Resorts World): Hidden behind a bookshelf in the Famous Foods street market. A moody, neon-lit Singaporean vibe that is perfect for small groups.
• Caspian’s (Caesars Palace): A hidden gem blending speakeasy theatrics with luxury caviar service and live music. The vibe is "glamorous rebellion."
• Ghost Donkey (Cosmopolitan): Hidden behind a nondescript door in Block 16. A tiny, high-energy room dedicated to mezcal and truffle nachos.
• The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails (Cosmopolitan): Enter through the janitor's door of a working barbershop. A whiskey-forward saloon with live rock bands and great energy.
• The Ski Lodge (Cosmopolitan): Hidden near Superfrico. An alpine cabin experience with digital snow windows and inventive cocktails.
• Easy’s Cocktail Lounge (ARIA): Hidden behind a donut shop in Proper Eats. A sultry, velvet-draped jazz lounge famous for its "Smoke & Mirrors" and mushroom-glass cocktails.

🥃 Fav Cigar Lounges

• Eight Lounge (Resorts World)
  Vibe: Modern, sexy, and high-energy. It feels less like a traditional "boys' club" and more like a luxury nightlife spot.
  The Humidor: Custom-built with over 150 premium cigars.
  Why I Love It: The outdoor terrace is stunning, and their cocktail program (try the Barrel-Aged Boulevardier) is just as good as the cigars. Perfect for a younger, trendier crowd.
• Montecristo Cigar Bar (Caesars Palace)
  Vibe: The gold standard. Dark leather, high-tech ventilation (so you don't smell like smoke afterwards), and pure old-school class.
  The Humidor: A massive walk-in vault with over 1,000 cigars and 300+ brands.
  Why I Love It: You can order food from Old Homestead Steakhouse right to your leather chair. The whiskey selection is elite (think Pappy Van Winkle), and the "Library" area is perfect for meetings.

🍳 Fav Brunch Spots

On The Strip

• La Fontaine (Fontainebleau): Elegant and modern French. You must order the fluffy pain perdu (topped with salted butter and caramel) and the decadent Lobster Florentine Eggs Benedict.
• La Cave (Wynn): The ultimate bottomless brunch ($54). It’s "butler-style," meaning servers keep bringing trays of pancakes, shrimp cocktail, and lamb chops until you tap out. Sit on the patio.
• LPM Restaurant & Bar (Cosmopolitan): Feels like the Côte d’Azur. The 10-course brunch tasting menu is legendary, but the a la carte Lobster Benedict and airy ricotta pancakes are just as good.
• Mon Ami Gabi (Paris): The quintessential Vegas brunch. Request a patio table facing the Bellagio fountains, order the classic Eggs Benedict with a mimosa, and soak in the view.
• Bardot Brasserie (ARIA): Michael Mina’s Parisian cafe. The pastry basket (canelés, kouign-amann) is non-negotiable, and the seafood platter is a showstopper.
• Spago (Bellagio): Wolfgang Puck’s flagship with front-row fountain views. The lemon ricotta pancakes are a cheesecake-pancake hybrid that you need in your life. Order the "Caviar Cones" for the photo.
• Chica (The Venetian): Vibrant Latin energy. The strawberry guava waffles and crispy shrimp arepas are worth the trip alone. Great for groups (get the mega-mimosas).
• Veranda (Wynn/Four Seasons): Al fresco dining with views of the waterfall. A relaxed, airy atmosphere perfect for sharable plates and watermelon-gin punch.

Off The Strip (Worth the Drive)

• Mijo Modern Mexican (Durango): A lush, new spot with tequila lockers and an open kitchen. The birria tacos and chilaquiles (with bright salsa verde) are top-tier.
• Honey Salt (Summerlin): The locals' favorite. Farm-to-table comfort food in a homey setting. The sweet potato gnocchi and avocado toast are fresh and seasonal.
• Bottiglia (Green Valley Ranch): Hearty Italian in a Tuscan-inspired room. Share the gigantic ricotta-and-sage dumplings and the beef short rib Benedict.

☀️ Best Pools & Day Clubs

High Energy (Party Vibe)

• LIV Beach (Fontainebleau): The hottest new energy on the Strip.
• Tao Beach (The Venetian): A Balinese-inspired tropical party.
• Encore Beach Club (Wynn): The gold standard for pool parties.
• Ayu Dayclub (Resorts World): A tropical island oasis with top-tier DJs.

Upscale Lounging (Chill Vibe)

• Rouge Room (Red Rock): Parisian-style cabaret vibe poolside.
• Kassi Beach House (Virgin): Coastal Italian vibes; feels like a European summer.
• Bel-Aire Backyard (Durango): Chic, relaxed, and very "locals in the know."

🧖‍♀️ Best Resort Spas

• Lapis Spa & Wellness (Fontainebleau): The new "it" spa. It’s designed with a celestial theme and features a massive hydrotherapy circuit, starry-night ceilings, and an incredible co-ed sauna event.
• The Spa at ARIA: A Forbes Five-Star gem. Famous for its Shio Salt Room (walls made of illuminated salt bricks) and heated Ganbanyoku stone beds—perfect for detoxing after a long night.
• Awana Spa & Wellness (Resorts World): The "Sauna-Meister" experience is non-negotiable. It’s a modern, social spa with heated crystal laconiums and a unique Fountain of Youth pool.
• The Spa at Green Valley Ranch: A private sanctuary off-Strip. Locals love it for the private "backyard" pool that feels miles away from the casino.
• The Spa at Red Rock (Well & Being): The best for active wellness. Combine your spa day with wall-climbing yoga or a hiking excursion for a full reset.
• Spa Mio (M Resort): The ultimate locals' favorite in Henderson. Famous for its organic treatments and spacious facilities.

💉 Best Med Spas (The "Glow Up")

• Hera Glow: The premier spot for authentic **Korean facials** and "glass skin" treatments. Their techniques are viral for a reason.
• Infusion Care & Aesthetics: The go-to for wellness drips, Botox, and full revitalization.
• CWC (Cosmetic & Wellness Center): Trusted, professional, and excellent for aesthetic maintenance.

🎭 Best Shows

• Awakening (Wynn): The most technologically advanced show in Vegas. A 360-degree visual masterpiece with massive puppetry, narrated by Anthony Hopkins.
• "O" by Cirque du Soleil: The water masterpiece at Bellagio.
• Limitless by Shin Lim: Up-close card magic at Venetian.
• Magic Mike Live: High energy; the ultimate girls' night out.
• Penn & Teller: Legendary magic and comedy at the Rio.
• Blue Man Group: Sensory overload of color and percussion.
• Criss Angel - Mindfreak: Gothic spectacle and grand illusions.
• The Mentalist: Mind-reading that will genuinely freak you out.
• Eddie Griffin: Live and Unleashed: Raw, unfiltered stand-up.
• In Pour Taste: Hilarious comedy wine tasting.
• The Ultimate Variety Show: Fast-paced and high energy.
• Allstars of Magic Show: A great variety of illusionists.
• Chippendales Show: The classic Vegas party experience.

🛍️Best Retail Therapy

• The Forum Shops at Caesars: The classic luxury mall.
• The Shops at Fontainebleau: Hard luxury and "The Webster."
• The Shops at Crystals: The architectural gem of the Strip. It houses the largest Louis Vuitton in North America and focuses purely on high-end luxury brands like Tom Ford, Gucci, and Prada.
• Via Bellagio: The elegant glass-ceilinged promenade inside the Bellagio. It feels intimate and exclusive, housing boutiques like Chanel, Dior, and Tiffany & Co. right next to the fountains.
• The Wynn Esplanade & Wynn Plaza: The most curated shopping experience in Vegas. The Esplanade holds the classic luxury houses (Rolex, Cartier), while Wynn Plaza offers trendy, high-fashion spots like Loewe and rimowa.

🎡 Attractions & Free Things

• Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: Stunning, elaborate seasonal floral displays that change throughout the year.
• The Sphere (Exterior): Watching the world's largest LED screen light up the skyline is a show in itself.
• AR VR Wonder Park (Downtown): Immersive virtual reality experiences located at 425 Fremont St.
• The Bellagio Fountains: The iconic water, music, and light show is a rite of passage.
• Lake of Dreams (Wynn): A surreal multimedia show with puppets and holograms on the water.

🎂 Best for Birthday Girls

• Delilah (Wynn): The ultimate "it" girl birthday. 1920s glamour, live jazz, and a strict no-photo policy that makes it feel exclusive.
• The Mayfair Supper Club (Bellagio): Dinner and a show with the Fountains dancing in the background. It turns into a full party late at night.
• Toca Madera (Crystals): High-energy "vibe dining" with fire dancers and loud music. The perfect pre-club dinner.
• Fuhu (Resorts World): A club-staurant vibe with Asian-fusion food. Great for big groups before hitting Zouk or Ayu.
• Vanderpump à Paris (Paris): The ultimate aesthetic. Moody lighting, velvet, and stunning cocktails.
• Kassi Beach House (Virgin): Coastal Italian vibes (wicker, neutrals). Perfect for a relaxed but aesthetic "European Summer" style birthday.
• Nukha (Town Square): A trendy, hidden gem off-Strip. Mediterranean lounge vibes with hookah and a great DJ.
• Wing Lei (Wynn): For the sophisticated birthday. Michelin-starred Chinese in a breathtaking gold dining room.
• Mastro's Ocean Club (Crystals): Ask for a table in the "Treehouse" for a private, magical feel inside the restaurant.
• Don's Prime (Fontainebleau): High-glamour steakhouse with trolley service. Perfect for dressing up and feeling expensive.