Here’s where you need to go in Las Vegas to find NCAA Tourney parties
As the city braces for an onslaught of visitors, restaurants and casinos are preparing for partiers, bettors and basketball fans alike with scheduled viewings for the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
The tournament is expected to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
With the first round kicking off Thursday, here’s some of the packages offered. Arrive early at many places for the best seats.
ALIANTE
Where: The Race & Sports Book and ETA Lounge
Cost: Free. Includes $2 beer and other drink specials.
CAESARS PALACE
Where: Forum Ballroom
Cost: $199. Package includes premium seating, buffet, open Miller Lite and Coors Lite bar, betting stations and table games.
THE COSMOPOLITAN
Where: The Chelsea
Cost: From $45 to $375 for three-day VIP pass. Single day general admission includes two drink tickets. Premium package includes interactive games and premium seating, blackjack, betting, shuffleboard, pool and a hardwood basketball court.
THE D
Where: Detroit Ballroom
Cost: Two packages from $150 to $275. Private rooms available for groups of six or more. Includes table games, betting, free T-shirt, open beer and wine bar, game-day fare.
EL CORTEZ
Where: Fiesta Room
Cost: Free. Food specials include $2 beer, $2 hot dogs, $3 brats.
FLAMINGO
Where: Sunset Ballroom
Cost: $149. Packages include Miller Lite and Coors Light bar, all-you-can-eat buffet, giveaways, live betting and table games.
GOLDEN NUGGET
Where: The Grand
Cost: Free general admission to $150 VIP package. Package includes unlimited bar, all-you-can-eat stadium food, guaranteed seat.
HARD ROCK CAFE
Where: Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip
Cost: $150 per day or $350 for three. Includes open bar, guaranteed seat and all-you-can-eat buffet.
HARD ROCK HOTEL
Where: The Joint
Cost: $100 per person, per day to $250 for three days. Features unlimited draft beer, giveaways, betting station and party games. Also offering two hotel VIP packages.
HARRAH’S
Where: Nevada Ballroom
Cost: $149 for open Miller Lite and Coors Light beer bar, all-you-can-eat buffet, giveaways, betting, table games.
THE LINQ
Where: The LINQ Promenade Fountain Stage, ameriCAN
Cost: $50 beverage package to $75 for all day. Menu includes beers from all 50 states.
MIRAGE
Where: The Still
Cost: Food and beverage minimums upon request. Features craft cocktails, 50 craft beers and bar food.
PARIS LAS VEGAS
Where: BEER PARK
Cost: $150 per person, including food and beverage minimums. Features more than 100 beer selections.
PLANET HOLLYWOOD
Where: The Mezz
Cost: $149. Includes open Miller Lite and Coors Light beer bar, giveaways, betting, table games, all-you-can-eat buffet and a 16x40’ LED wall.
Where: PBR Rock Bar & Grill
Cost: $125 for half day to $200 for full day. Tickets include food and beverage, access to 120 HDTVs.
TREASURE ISLAND
Where: TI Ballroom
Cost: Free. Features betting station, food and drink concessions and first-come, first-serve seating.
THE VENETIAN
Where: Rockhouse at the Grand Canal Shoppes
Cost: Half day for $125 to $200 for full-day food and beverage credit. Food includes game-day fare and craft beer.
RAMPART
Where: Grand Ballroom
Cost: Free. Food specials and drink specials, with beer as low as $2.
SOUTH POINT
Where: Grand Ballroom
Cost: Free. Includes food and drink specials, giveaways, betting stations.
SLS LAS VEGAS
Where: Umami Burger, Beer Garden & Sports Book
Cost: $125 per person to $650 for table package for four people. Includes more than 50 TVs, open bar, giveaways. Table package features open bar and food credit and $5 bet per person.
STRATOSPHERE
Where: Stratosphere Theater
Cost: Free. Includes betting stations, free Wi-Fi, blackjack, $3 and $6 food specials, $15 Budweiser pitchers.
WESTGATE
Where: International Theater
Cost: Free. Has more than 1,500 seats, betting stations and food and drink specials, including beer buckets for $25 in smoke-free environment.
Review-Journal reporter Betsy Helfand can be reached at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @BetsyHelfand
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