Margaritaville gives off the sun and sand vibe all day and night

Whether you’re a Parrothead or a city dweller, a visit to Margaritaville on your Vegas vacation will transport you to a beachy retreat. The entire restaurant at Flamingo embraces a laid-back island vibe, with grottoes, piers, and sand bidding you welcome. Inside, you’ll find seven bars and plenty of casual seating, with some booths nestled into

By Nina King

boats complete with fishing poles, lines stretched to the water, and a seaplane overhead.

The staff here is super friendly and happy to offer suggestions for the perfect beverage to start out your meal. Margaritaville is justly famous for its margarita selection, and the Perfect Margarita is the classic, with Margari- taville gold and silver tequilas, triple sec, orange Curaçao and lime juice served on the rocks. The Who’s to Blame is simple and very tasty, with Margaritaville gold tequila, triple sec and house margarita mix—it’s a lot of frozen fun (OK, it does come on the rocks if you want). But there are plenty of other fabulous margaritas here, like the blueberry pomegranate margarita, with Margaritaville silver tequila and Cointreau, orange liqueur and blueberry-pomegranate purée. Or indulge in Margaritaville’s famous Boat Drinks. Each of those is given a tongue-in-cheek tag, like the 5 O’Clock Somewhere, concocted of Margaritaville silver rum, Paradise Passion fruit tequila, Cruzan Hurricane Proof rum, orange and pineapple juices, sweet and sour and a little grenadine.

Don’t sip too quickly or the volcano eruption might startle you. This classic Margaritaville attraction was upgraded to a computer-enhanced show that makes lava flow over bar and table.

If you order a drink, you almost gotta get an appetizer, and the signature Volcano nachos are it. This enormous plate comes piled with corn tortilla chips, chili, shredded cheeses and queso-style cheese sauce—it’s the restaurant’s best-selling food item, and it’s big enough to feed your friends, your family, and any random strangers you might have invited along. If you need variety, try the appetizer trio, with hand-battered chicken tenders, Caribbean chicken egg rolls and spinach and artichoke dip. Can’t go wrong there.

Seafood dishes are big here (no surprise), and The Landshark Fish & Chips satisfies with hand-battered fish and fries; fish tacos serve up Landshark tempura-battered fish in flour shells, with guac, mango pico de gallo and grilled habanero cream sauce, for a real kick; and crispy coconut shrimp with pineapple dipping sauce. Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya cooks up shrimp, Andouille sausage and chicken in a spicy broth.

You can grab a burger instead, and the cheddar BBQ burger is a solid choice, with mild cheddar cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and a housemade barbecue aioli. Sub in a veggie burger for a vegetarian option—that aioli really elevates every bite. Going light? Grab a Southwest chicken salad for a flavor bomb of grilled chicken, black beans, fire-roasted corn and avocado along with other veggies, and a housemade sauce. That margarita you ordered earlier will come in handy to mellow out any spice. Dessert? Too full, you say? Nonsense. The key lime pie here delivers a citrusy mouthful that is delightful!

ASTONISHING. UNPREDICTABLE. MIND-BENDING.

Omega Mart is an immersive interactive experience from the groundbreaking art collective, Meow Wolf. Featuring jaw-dropping work from international and local artists, Omega Mart sends participants of all ages on a journey through surreal worlds and immersive storytelling. Discover secret portals or simply soak up the innovative art as you venture beyond an extraordinary supermarket into parts unknown.

Tickets at OmegaMart.com

By Kiko Miyasato

DJ Pauly D shares thoughts on everything from his Marquee nightclub residency at The Cosmopolitan to the things he’s most grateful for

There are a few things you should know about DJ Pauly D: he’s a super-nice guy; he’s always hype; and when he’s behind the decks performing, he’s going to give you the party of your life. You can catch the DJ, reality TV star and Las Vegas celebrity behind the decks during his residency at Marquee nightclub and dayclub at The Cosmopolitan this year, including his upcoming performance at the nightclub on Friday, March 17. He’ll keep the party train rolling throughout the month and has April and May dates on tap.

Las Vegas Magazine recently caught up with the DJ inside his workplace, Marquee nightclub, where he posed for our cameras and sat down to chat with us about his residency, his love for the city and what he has coming down the pike in 2023.

He also answered some fun questions, and some telling ones—revealing things like what his biggest pet peeve is, what his guilty pleasure is, what his biggest fear is and what he’d be doing if he wasn’t a DJ or celebrity. The Las Vegas local also offers up some great ways for visitors to enjoy the city he now calls home.

FIRST OFF, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR MARQUEE RESIDENCY AT THE COSMOPOLITAN.

It’s really dope. It’s all about aligning with all the right people that are a good match, and the Tao Group people are such a good match for me because we’re all about good vibes, positivity, and they have all the dopest and biggest venues in Las Vegas. I’m out here living my dream residency. I remember the first interview I ever did, and they always wanted to know what I wanted to do: I wanted to spin in Las Vegas, and I got that one opportunity about 13 years ago and I haven’t left since—that’s how much I love Las Vegas.

What’s your favorite color? Red

What songs remind you of your high school days? Usher’s “Yeah!”

What is one music artist you’d love to collaborate with? Drake If you had a billion dollars what’s the first thing you would buy? Donate to those in need If you had $5 what would you buy? Slice of pizza Who is the person you text the most? Nikki What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? Shower What TV shows are you currently watching? Your Honor and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Favorite spot to vacation? Bahamas What would be your superpower? To fly

What song would soundtrack your life?

“I’m Good (Blue)” Biggest pet peeve? Mean people What three things do you always have to travel with? Hair gel, hand sanitizer and iPhone

What is your biggest fear? Not being there for someone Your go-to snack? Reese’s Your favorite cocktail? Dom P. What three things are you the most grateful for? Life, family, friends

Currently, who are your favorite musical artists? Drake What is one goal you still want to accomplish? Release more music What were you like in high school? I was on the honor roll and was very funny What cities do you love to perform in? Vegas, Miami, New York, Jersey and Chicago What are your favorite foods? Italian Three words to describe you? Loyal, smart, energetic Favorite tennis shoe brand? Nike

What time do you get up in the morning? 7 a.m. Do you have a middle name, what is it? Domenic

Michael What type of music did you listen to growing up? Hip-hop

What social media accounts do you love to follow? The Shade Room The most important traits in a friend? Loyalty Favorite movies of all time? Goodfellas Do you have any hobbies? Motorcycles

Your favorite dessert? Chocolate cake What is your guilty pleasure?

Pinball machines Three things that are always in your fridge?

Water, milk, ice cream

What’s on your nightstand? Phone chargers What was the last big purchase you made? House Three things that people might not know about you? I make my bed every morning; I like to fix things myself; I stunt ride motorcycles What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received? Treat people how you want to

Be Treated

What’s the best concert you’ve ever seen? Jay-Z What traits most define you? Focused, determined, persistent The most important traits in a partner?

Honesty What is your favorite holiday? Christmas What’s the first thing you notice about someone when you meet them? Smile If you could be any animal what would you be? Lion How long does it take for you to get ready? 25 minutes

What dish do you cook the best?

Breakfast What is your workout routine? Weight train Favorite clothing brand? LV

WOW,

IT’S BEEN 13 YEARS

SINCE THE FIRST TIME YOU PERFORMED IN LAS VEGAS?

Yeah, I know! And now I have the exact ... residency that I always wanted—so I call this my dream residency. It’s just a perfect fit for me (at Marquee).

AFTER 13 YEARS IN THIS CITY, WHAT DOES LAS VEGAS MEAN TO YOU?

The first time I came out here, it was everything that I imagined; everything I dreamed of. The billboards, the lights, the dining—I loved that part of it. But I also love where I live. I live 20 minutes away from it all where the mountains are. I love hiking and being outdoors at Mount Charleston and Red Rock Canyon. You can go skiing, you can shoot guns, you can race cars. Everything you want to do in Las Vegas, you can do. I love it here. I haven’t left since I’ve been here. I want to keep rocking out here.

AND WHEN YOU’RE ROCKING THE CROWDS AT MARQUEE— WHAT IS IT LIKE; WHAT CAN

PEOPLE EXPECT?

My show is big energy. Huge energy! My show is great vibes. (It’s) a little bit of everything because my crowd is so mixed, so I’m able to play open-format (music), so I’m playing a little bit of everything. It’s a lot of high-energy dance music, but also—I’ll hit ’em with the hip-hop, I’ll hit ’em with rock, I’ll hit ’em with reggaeton, simply because people are coming from all over the world—all walks of life are coming to my shows, and I love that. Music is an international language—it’s what brings everyone together, and I have to set that vibe, set that mood and bring that memorable experience. That’s why I love music so much. I’ve seen what music does to people—it makes them happy and that’s why I love to do it.

DO YOU PLAY THE SAME SET FOR EACH PERFORMANCE? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO PUT A SET TOGETHER?

I’ve never made a set in my entire life. I have to play to the crowd. Obviously I group together certain music and I have

10:30 p.m. March 17, taogroup.com to make sure to play the hits and the bangers. I have an idea of the first four songs I’m gonna play to start the night, but it’s really the crowd that takes me on the journey. I don’t know where I’m going next. Maybe the crowd isn’t reacting to dance music—so I gotta switch it up. In Vegas, there’s always different crowds, so sometimes I’ll think that I’ll be playing a whole house (music) night and then I end up playing a ... hip-hop night instead, because I have to play to the crowd. I love to do it; it keeps me on my toes.

WHAT’S IN STORE IN 2023?

It’s busy! I’m rocking the residencies. We’ve got the pools opening up. I’m doing Marquee nightclub, Marquee dayclub. Hopefully we’re going to film some of those performances. It’ll be really dope because it’ll be during filming of another season of Jersey Shore We’re actually filming another season as we speak.

THEY’RE FILMING YOU HERE IN LAS VEGAS FOR JERSEY SHORE?

Yes! It’s gonna be so cool; I love it! I love filming.

SO I’VE HEARD THAT YOU’RE THE NEW MR. VEGAS. TELL ME ABOUT IT.

Mr. Vegas—it’s about the vibe. I’m a touring DJ; I tour all over the world. But everyone comes to Las Vegas. So I want it to be known that when you come to Las Vegas, come see Mr. Vegas. I’m the one that’s gonna give you that Vegas vibe, that memorable experience. And in partnership with the Tao Group, we’re gonna give you that experience together. Tao Group has hospitality locked down like no other. So them, myself, giving that experience where people are coming from all over the world, come see Mr. Vegas. Let it be known that DJ Pauly D is Mr. Vegas.

How many tattoos do you have, and which one means the most? About 11 and my RIP Billy tattoo

If you weren’t a TV star or DJ, what job would you like to do? Own a car and motorcycle dealership What are some of the biggest life lessons you’ve learned? Stay true to who you are and follow your gut What have you done that you’re the proudest of? Have my daughter What are your favorite local restaurants? El Dorado Cantina, Casa di Amore, Honey Salt What are your favorite Strip restaurants? Beauty & Essex, Carbone, Tao Favorite places to shop? The Forum Shops at Caesars, Fashion Show mall Favorite shows on the Strip? Absinthe Where do you get your hair cut and styled? CuttyFresh What places do Vegas visitors absolutely have to check out? The pool parties at Tao Beach, Marquee Dayclub and Wet Republic

The best restaurant for a group of friends? Hakkasan

Favorite restaurant for a romantic date? Delilah

Favorite breakfast spot? Waffles Cafe Favorite outdoor places to explore? Red Rock and Mount Charleston

Favorite places to hang out on your days off? Downtown Summerlin and Town Square Favorite spots for a wild night out? Marquee nightclub Describe your show at Marquee? Lit, memorable and fun