Track #1 (of 5): Dark Sister @Arts District
Some like it dark. (Image: Vegas 411)
For many years now, Vegas has steered away from building themed hotels (think the Excalibur, Venetian, etc.) in favor of erecting sleek glass towers like the Cosmopolitan, Aria, and Fontainebleau. Perhaps you’re rooting for the return of more themed palaces? Then you’ll likely applaud the under-construction Hard Rock Hotel, with its signature guitar-shaped tower, when it reportedly opens in 2027.
Until then, those who crave high-concept places certainly have their pick in the Arts District, where there’s one themed bar/lounge after another. To wit: the nautical-styled Stray Pirate, the self-described “jungle cocktail hideaway” Prowl, the desert-centric Dustland, and the Doberman Drawing Room, which definitely “evokes the moody elegance of a 19th-century drawing room” (their words).
There’s also the alluringly named Dark Sisteron Main St which debuted this past September. Fittingly, it has a mysterious ambience with dark woods, old books, skull replicas, and assorted oddities. Everyone looks fabulous under the dark and sympathetic lighting, which is reason enough to be seen here.
Is it a cocktail or dessert? Or both? Either way, it’s a total winner. (Image: Vegas 411)
Among the many drink offerings at this “apothecary style cocktail lounge” that concocts “elixirs for the soul” is “Fireside Ritual,” with graham cracker–infused vodka and espresso, topped with a chocolate-accented marshmallow. It awakened my senses—and kept me up all night. Grab a seat at the bar or at an intimate table with a velvety covering. Also get cozy with others on a couch or at an old dining room table while listening to songs on the sound system like “Walk The Night” by Blood Dance. Why not share the darkness—it’s infectious.
Be sure to view Dark Sister’s calendar of events posted on their Instagram. In December they offered a “Magical Spell Class” and “Vision Board” meet-up, along with tarot card readers. This is a place that proudly wears its dark-but-positive theme on its sleeve.
Track #2 (of 5): The DJ Museum @Filipino Town
A museum with a very big beat. (Image: Vegas 411)
Vegas prides itself on having truly unique museums like the Las Vegas Showgirl Museum, the Atomic Museum, and the Punk Rock Museum. Notably, the city is now home to the DJ Museum, which celebrates the history of turntable culture. It opened this past October in newly designated Filipino Town (not far from the convention center). If you’re driving north on Maryland Pkwy, look to the left and you’ll see a large mural—painted alongside a driveway that leads to a free rooftop parking lot—with the words, all capped: “LET THE RHYTHM TAKE YOU.”
Owner Sam Maxion—a Filipino American also known as DJ/producer “Slammin Sam”—proudlydescribes this shrine to big beats as “the only DJ museum in America.” It’s an impressive, massive space with high ceilings and multiple rooms including the main exhibit area, an interactive music room, and gift shop. The artifacts here come from Maxion’s own collection, alongside memorabilia that continue to be donated weekly by an array of DJs.
The museum lovingly preserves DJ culture. (Image: Vegas 411)
Wandering through the space, you’ll see rare turntables and early mixing consoles—“all DJ-related gear and relics from the 1900s through today,” notes Maxion—plus collectors’ vinyl, influential magazine covers (including ones from Urb and DJ Times), rave flyers from around the globe, old T-shirts, and more. I was glad to see a framed photo of pioneering DJ Nicky Sarano, who helped kickstart disco in the very early ‘70s in NYC.
Owner DJ Slammin Sam is more than ready to serve the community. (Image: Vegas 411)
“It’s time for DJs to shine in a museum,” says Maxion, who grew up in the Bay Area, moved to Vegas in 2019, and currently DJs at Aliante Hotel/Casino (“I spin everything, open format”). Given the number of superstar DJs who perform on the Strip and the annual EDC festival, it makes perfect sense that the DJ Museum is here in Vegas.
The museum also serves as a community space that can be rented for parties, weddings, and more. It includes a huge graffiti-adorned “chamber lounge” for folks to dance in an environment that’s reminiscent of early trend-setting underground dance events
Track #3 (of 5): Aroma Retail @S Valley View Blvd
A world of fabulous fragrances awaits you. (Image: Vegas 411)
I’ve always been fascinated by signature scents in public spaces, especially hotels. Whenever I walk into the Aria Hotel and Casino, my mood instantly brightens. The fragrance there evokes happiness, glamor, and divine luxury—and I’m glad of course it largely masks the residual cigarette smoke odor.
The Aria scent is known as “Asian Garden”—comprised of “jasmine, vanilla, gardenia and more”—and you can buy it, along with 100-plus other fragrances, at Aroma Retail, on S Valley View Blvd near Allegiant Stadium.
Want to sample all their scents? Stop into their “Smelly Bar” which is part of a large space where they produce and ship the scents globally. Diffusers, oils, room sprays, candles, and more are for sale here and online.
So many scents, so little time. (Image: Vegas 411)
Aroma is owned by Cristina Reding whose husband, CEO Jim Reding, created custom signature fragrances for top Vegas resorts, casinos, and other commercial environments before Aroma began offering their scents to the public in 2017.
Aroma’s website includes a list of 40-plus resorts and their fragrances. Caesars deploys “Empire,” a potion containing “orange, rose, cedar, wood, and more.” Beyond Vegas, the London Marriott favors “Leaf Spring,” with "orange, freesia, cedarwood, and more.” If you want your home or office to smell like you’re on permanent vacation at a high-end resort, Aroma has your vacation fantasies covered.
Track #4 (of 5): Du-par’s @Suncoast Hotel and Casino
The newly remodeled and glass-enclosed Du-par’s will take you back “home.” (Image: Vegas 411)
Given how the new year has started with global upheaval, you might be seeking out comfort food to calm your frayed nerves. May I suggest a visit to the newly remodeled Du-par'srestaurant and bakery at the Suncoast Hotel and Casinoin the Summerlin area?
Feeling nostalgic? Order this dish to get back "home." (Image: Vegas 411)
Try their satisfying “Gourmet Meatloaf,” consisting of “all-natural chuck and mushroom gravy, served with buttery mashed potatoes, root vegetables, and savory spices,” as noted on the menu. The kitchen sends it out with a complimentary fresh and fluffy dinner roll—a nice little bow on top of a meal that recalls much simpler times. Other nostalgic, gravy-rich options include the pot roast, chicken pot pie, oven roasted turkey, and fried country steak.
The 24/7 Du-par’s is also a place to enjoy their famous buttermilk pancakes, omelets, French Toast, and pies. They proudly honor Vegas’ ever-growing Hawaiian population with “island favorites” like loco moco and the no-kidding “Big Kahuna Plate,” comprised of Portuguese sausage, spam, steamed rice, katsu soy, green onions, and two eggs.
The past is beautifully honored here, as it should be. (Image: Vegas 411)
If you didn’t know, Du-par’s is a Southern California institution that opened in 1938 in LA; the only one left there is the original Farmers Market location. Fortunately, Vegas is home to the only other Du-par’s. Be prepared to smile when you view the museum-quality, feel-good photos on the walls reflecting the restaurant’s history.
Track #5: Around Town Medley: Neal Portnoy Gallery, Soulbelly BBQ, Marigold Fine Indian Cuisine
The Prince of Darkness sends his love from the other side. (Image: Vegas 411)
Being in the presence of Ozzy Osbourne (a PR client of mine from 1987 through his passing) and his signature smile is something I will always miss. The portrait above by acclaimed artist Neal Portnoywonderfully illuminates that stadium-size smile. I’ve marked my calendar to see his felt marker illustrations of Ozzy, Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan and more at a reception on Wednesday, January 28, 7-9pm at Portnoy’s downtown Vegas gallery. That day happens to be the nationally recognized “Pop Art Day.”
Soulbelly’s embrace of Jewish deli food was a big success. (Image: Vegas 411)
Bravo to Soulbelly BBQchef-owner for Bruce Kalman hosting a Hanukkah pop-up collab with Sobel Brothers Pastrami. The December event was wildly successful with lines out the door. Clearly many folks were longing for, in Soulbelly’s words, “the soulful, smokey and nostalgic flavors of Jewish deli culture reimagined through the lens of modern live-fire cooking.” I fell under the spell of the house pastrami—probably the best I ever tasted—and the Reuben-style knish that was a soul-satisfying meal unto itself. I washed it down, of course, with a chocolate egg cream which conjured memories of the ones I used to enjoy at the now-shuttered iconic Gem Spa in NYC at the corner of Saint Mark’s Place and Second Avenue.
Indian food on Christmas Day. Well, why not? (Image: Vegas 411)
My family has kept alive our California tradition of taking out Indian cuisine on Christmas Day—this time from the outstanding Marigold Fine Indian Cuisineon Flamingo near the Palms. Pictured above: vegetable samosa, garlic naan, lamb coconut curry, aloo gobi (with cauliflower and potato), bindhi masala (with okra), eggplant curry, and the green-colored hariyali chicken tikka (marinated in a paste of mint and other spices). The flavors were deep and seductive, with so many taste sensations designed to lift you higher. If you like Indian, may I also recommend these other fine places all over town where I’ve had excellent meals? Angara India Spice Grill (Grand Canyon/Flamingo), Mint Indian Bistro (Durango/Flamingo),and Saffron Flavors of India (Tenaya/Craig). On the list to try: Curry Leaf Flavors of India (Fort Apache/Tropicana) and Taste of Gujarat (Silverado Ranch area).