Yep. Place is falling apart while simultaneously getting more expensive than ever. They're trying to charge ultra-premium prices for the memory of how things used to be, while constantly skimping on maintenance and upgrades. We're definitely in the decline of Vegas era.

[–] Speculater@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago

No more free drinks. Shit is expensive. Hotels want city prices. Nah.

If I want to get drunk and lose money, I'll buy a bottle of Everclear and install Kalshi.

[–] setsneedtofeed@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Vegas can be pretty fun for a non-gambler.

[–] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 6 points 2 hours ago

I've been there. I don't gamble, yet it was fun. I don't think I'd go again, but a vacation is a vacation and the price could be right.

The big draw to me and, subconsciously, I'd bet most people, is that it's walkable. You can arrive by plane, taxi to the hotel, and not need a car until you leave for the airport. I walked 7 miles on the day I went around the different casinos to see the "architecture", including the one you've pictured, without ever really exiting an entertainment area. Other days were under 3 miles. One day, I saw a comedy show, a magic show, and an EDM set (concert?) and walked to each. Plenty of places to eat and drink, easy enough to find something between your hotel and destination to break the walk in half. Prices matched what I've seen in major cities.

So why wouldn't I go again? Because I live by a major city already. With a little extra walking to get through residential blocks, I can get about the same experience. Travel to the city is the hangup, as it likely means a car for 90% of the area. If everyone is getting inebriated, that's obviously an issue for the return drive. So, sure, Vegas is cool in that everyone can imbibe and no one has to take the brunt of the responsibility. It certainly has a particular flavor to it's shows in both style/genre and quality, being it's a world-renowned city.

But I would get baja blasted in the Taco Bell bar again.