Gentleman’s Guide to Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a haven for adrenaline-junkies who want to feel alive during the dead of winter. With over 300 days in the year, Las Vegas offers something for everyone no matter what your taste may be: from gambling and shows to adventures such as skydiving or even visiting Death Valley National Park.

Las Vegas is located in the Mojave Desert, and is a popular destination for vacationers. It’s known for its casinos, nightclubs, and shopping.

Joe Weber of Dappered.com has written a guest article for us.

To begin, a word about the term “gentleman.” It may come out as snobby to others. As if he were a stuffy Victorian gentleman who would never get his hands or clothing filthy. However, for the sake of this piece, understand that the word refers to a big group of guys who wish to visit Las Vegas without feeling like extras in The Hangover. You know, the kind that wants to go to Sin City without committing such heinous crimes that St. Peter has the proof saved for quick access when he arrives at the pearly gates. In Las Vegas, there are plenty of wrong turns to be made, as well as far too many dark alleys to explore. These tips should help you get the most out of America’s Playground while also keeping some money in your pocket and allowing you to tell others about your trip when you return.

Pay for your journey in cash in advance.

It generally goes like this: “Whoo hooo!” A vacation to Vegas! I’ll simply put it on my credit card and pay it off all at once when I come back.” This is a bad concept. Pay for your trip when you book it in full if you’re planning it a few weeks or months in advance. While you’re down there, you won’t have to worry about any niggling financial commitments. And having a clean mind allows you to make better judgments. Many individuals travel to Las Vegas knowing they’ll have a debt to pay when they return, and bet irresponsibly in the hopes of “winning” their vacation while they’re there. Pay for the accommodation and flights ahead of time, as well as any pre-planned activities. You’ll have a lot more fun this way.

Arrive on a Thursday and depart on the following Monday.

You won’t have enough time to rest if you arrive on Friday and go on Sunday. On top of that, McCarran Airport is congested on certain days. Arrive on Thursday and depart on Monday. Because of the additional days, you’ll spend a bit less in airline and a lot more in lodging, but it’ll be well worth it in the end. If you have some flexibility in your job schedule and vacation time, you can go full maverick. Consider going solely on weekdays. The town is far from abandoned, but it will be much simpler to accomplish your goals.

Make a reservation at a reputable hotel. Take less chances.

Men frequently save money on lodging so that they may wager more. That’s a really inexperienced move. You’re losing money unless you’re really talented and go to “earn” money. Without a question, pounding the tables can be a lot of fun. However, the home (nearly) always comes out on top. And, unless you win a fortune, your dingy room at the Laughing Jackalope (I slept there before the hotel closed–big mistake) will remove all joy off your face after you collapse for the night. The additional money spent on luxury accommodations is well spent. It’s all worth it and then some to have access to nice cuisine, non-smoking floors, exhibitions, gardens, shows, the pool, good staff, pleasant vendors, a great bed, and a restroom where a cockroach doesn’t crawl out of the roll the first time you spin a few sheets of toilet paper off it (true story). Most of us who have visited Las Vegas several times stay in a cheap and filthy hotel the first time, learn our lesson, and subsequently reduce our gaming budget to cover our lodging costs. I hope no one has to learn this lesson the hard way in the future.

Make a good first impression. Almost no one else does.

This necessitates the wearing of a well-tailored suit. It’s possible that Las Vegas is the only city in the world where you can be eating an expensive, gourmet dinner in a wonderful restaurant while sitting next to men in cargo shorts and crocs. That’s all right. They’re almost certainly all multi-millionaires. Everyone will treat you better if you seem to be deserving of respect.

When you dress up for a trip, it makes it seem much more special than it actually is. If you and your girlfriend or wife were going out on a big night out, wouldn’t you dress up for her? Consider this a significant period of time. There’s no need to be dressed to the nines all the time, but stepping on the aircraft and checking into your hotel in something other than what you’d wear if you were sick makes the whole vacation more enjoyable—and more of an experience. Skip the pinstripes and double-breasted numbers if you don’t want to seem like you’re going to a board meeting or court. Also, no black suits (you’ll come across as a hotel employee). A light grey two-button suit with lighter brown dress lace-ups is a safe choice. If you don’t want to check baggage, wear it on the aircraft. With a few brilliant white and light blue dress shirts, a pair of dark wash jeans, a navy cotton sport coat, and a couple of pocket squares, you’ll be ready for practically any occasion. If the weather is very hot at any time of year, choose textiles that are light in color and weight.

Avoid being inebriated.

This is self-evident for individuals who don’t drink or don’t like the sensation of being inebriated. If you’re the sort that loves to drink, be aware that if you don’t ACTIVELY avoid overindulging in drinking, you’ll be hungover in your hotel room for at least a full day, if not longer (another reason why you want a nice, clean place to crash). There’s a reason why booze is available everywhere in Las Vegas: the looser you become, the looser your pocketbook becomes. When the cocktail waitress comes around with the freebies at the tables, don’t expect a free drink every time. She’ll offer you a glass of water or a can of club soda. Make a request for it. And what if you start to feel like you’ve had too much alcohol? Return to your room, get some rest, and drink some water. And, for the love of the person who will be seated next to you on the return trip, don’t get wasted the night before you go. Wait till you have a throbbing hangover on a too warm aircraft that’s a bit rough on takeoff if you don’t believe you’re the sort that gets airsick. You’ll quickly get acquainted with the little blue bag in front of you.

When it comes to gambling, be kind and tip your dealers. Even if you come up short.

It’s not their fault you placed a large wager and lost. Always keep a few chips aside for the dealers. You’re done before you use them, since as long as they’ve been nice, they should go to the dealer. The greatest dealers can make you feel as though your time spent losing at a table, particularly if it’s for an hour or more at craps, was well spent. Show them how much you value their efforts. When the drink waiter comes around, tip her as well. If she asks what you want, gently ask if she may commandeer some high shelf items (don’t be greedy, however), and she returns with it in hand. If you treat your cocktail waitress well, a $10 – $15 glass of liquor at the bar may cost you little more than a $4 tip. Here, everyone wins.

Know who else you should tip.

Yes, the tip will be appreciated by the dealers and cocktail servers. The doorman/bellhop in charge of obtaining you a taxi at the hotel, as well as your cabbie, the person who checks your baggage at the airport curbside check-in, and the cleaning crew who cleaned your pigsty of a room throughout your stay, will all know who you are. It’s just a few dollars here and there, but it adds up over time, and you’ll be treated much better.

Investigate the costs of eateries’ menus.

There’s always the risk of getting a terrible waiter. It’s better to spread your money out across a few mid-priced dinners than to go all-in on one restaurant and end up with a snobby waitress. “Some people in this town forget what industry we’re in,” one very lovely rake guy once commented to me while playing craps after a particularly horrible encounter at a very pricey restaurant. It’s all part of the hotel industry.” There are some terrible apples in the world. Know how much you’re willing to spend at a restaurant, do some research online before you arrive, and don’t spend too much in one location.

Take in a show… or three.

There’s a lot to see and do there. A slot machine that blinks is about as dull as it gets. The majority of people desire to gamble. That’s all right. However, Las Vegas offers some world-class entertainment. Set aside a night (or more) when you will not gamble. Get a delicious supper. Attend a performance. Take a walk about and take in the sights and sounds. The Bellagio’s fountains are worth seeing. Turn in knowing you won’t have a roaring hangover the following morning, nor will your wallet have been emptied due to a terrible half-hour at the blackjack table. Las Vegas is so much more than what every bachelor party full of 23-year-olds gets to enjoy. This, excuse the expression, “gentleman’s” approach should leave you with no regrets (imagine that) and the sensation that you truly won in Las Vegas. Even if your wallet is a bit lighter than when you came.

Joe Weber is the Director and Editor of www.Dappered.com, a website dedicated only to inexpensive style. He thinks that living well, living well, and looking nice does not need becoming bankrupt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a guy wear to Vegas?

A: A suit.

What can a single man do in Vegas?

A: A lot of things, if youre single. You can go to the Strip; see a show at any venue or casino with live entertainment (hard rock or disco), grab tickets for one of many sporting events shown in person on multiple screens throughout Las Vegas Stadium and Mandalay Bay, shoot pool like a pro at some of the best bars in town. If all else fails, head down to Fremont Street Experiences Slotzilla Arcade to play classic coin-operated games while watching people gamble their money away from across the street.

How do locals dress in Las Vegas?

A: Locals dress in Las Vegas by wearing mostly casual clothing, such as jeans and a t-shirt. Some locals may also wear party attire, like cocktail dresses and cowboy boots.