Strip Tips: Art, roosters and New Year’s Eve

So, you've decided to spend New Year's Eve on the Strip, braving the cold, the traffic and the headache that will invariably arise when you try to navigate Las Vegas Boulevard during the craziest, if not the busiest, night of the year.

Hopefully, we can provide a few tips that will make everything better. Or at least not worse.

All good things ...

After two years, Centerpiece Gallery at CityCenter closes its doors Dec. 31. The retail space, operated by Michele Quinn, the curator of CityCenter's art, opened with the resort. The gallery largely featured the artists and architects of CityCenter. While much of the art and merchandise were for sale, visitors could come in and view them for no charge. Art lovers can probably get some good deals on any remaining merchandise.

Though Quinn is leaving that space, she isn't going far. She plans to reopen her downtown salon, MCQ Fine Art, at 620 S. Seventh St.

Human roosters

Craig Gilbert and Michael Frey, the guys behind human rooster fighting at Tacos & Tequila, always can be counted on to come up with something new and different. And if this isn't new and different, well, nothing is.

On New Year's Eve, the duo will go bar and restaurant hopping to all of their bars and restaurants on the Strip. And they will do it by bicycle. First stop is Tacos & Tequila at Luxor, then Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer and, finally, Rhumbar in The Mirage. You can join them, too. All you have to do is pay $175 and BYOB: Bring your own bicycle.

You get access to the venues and beer, wine and cocktails at all three spots on New Year's Eve. There will be food, too.

We're not sure how that's going to work, riding bikes on the Strip on New Year's Eve. But it sounds like it could be fun. Or a disaster. Or a fun disaster.

Whatever you do, don't pedal drunk.

For tickets, call 735-8322 today or buy them in person at Tacos & Tequila Dec. 31.

Question:

How can I access the Strip on New Year's Eve?

Keep in mind, the Strip usually closes around 6 p.m. on Dec. 31. This means you need to be where you're going before 5:30 p.m. or earlier, if possible. Also, the Strip won't reopen before the early morning hours of Jan. 1; so if you want to leave, say, right after midnight, plan accordingly.

Park somewhere at the very end of the Strip and walk. Mandalay Bay is always a good spot, as it's accessible by Russell Road, but half the world knows that, so good luck finding a parking space there. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is another good spot, as you can access Harmon Avenue to get in and out. Another possible spot to park is Caesars Palace, which is accessible from Frank Sinatra Drive. Map out a route that doesn't require freeway access, as the ramps will be closed as long as the Strip is.

The R-J's Road Warrior says visitors can take Koval Lane to access casinos on the east side of the Strip, using the monorail to move around.

The Deuce bus that normally travels along the Strip will instead go along Koval Lane. You'll have to walk a block or so from Koval to the Strip, but it's worth the trouble if you don't want to get snared in holiday traffic.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564. Follow @StripSonya on Twitter.