All content is copyright Las Vegas Weekly LLC. Las Vegas Weekly is published Thursdays and distributed throughout Southern Nevada. Readers are permitted one free copy per issue. Additional copies are $2, available back issues $3.
ADVERTISING DEADLINE EVERY THURSDAY AT 5 P.M.
*MUST BE 21+
Kushberry Farms flower (Christopher DeVargas/Sta )
From dispensaries to budtenders to the products themselves, we honor the best of the Valley’s cannabis scene. 19 CANNABIS AWARDS 2025 ON THE COVER COVER ART Illustration by Brooke Everson
8
14 FITNESS & OUTDOORS LIFE
Southern Nevada is a prime spot for stargazing. Here’s how to do it.
34 NEWS
A year after rollout, cannabis consumption lounges still face challenges getting o the ground.
36 SPORTS
The Vegas Golden Knights enter the playo s with Stanley Cup Final potential.
38 SCENE Pridestyle Inclusive
Pro Wrestling’s Shooting Star Fest brings fierce, thrilling ring action to all.
40 FOOD & DRINK Zio’s Italian
house brings classic dishes and Strip sophistication to Paradise Road.
Dizzy Wright, Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Peter Pan, the return of the 4/20 State Fair and more happening this week.
Steak-
SUPERGUIDE
THURSDAY APR 17 FRIDAY APR 18
DEAD & COMPANY
Thru 4/19, 7:30 p.m., Sphere, ticketmaster.com
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS VS. SUGAR LAND SPACE COWBOYS
Thru 4/20, times vary, Las Vegas Ballpark, ticketmaster.com
GABRIEL IGLESIAS
8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com
EAT THIS COMEDY
With Jason Harris, more, 6 p.m., Ada’s, adaslv.com
ALYSSA EDWARDS 7 p.m., House of Blues, concerts.livenation. com
WALEMANIA
7 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com
GAME CHANGER WRESTLING
Thru 4/19, times vary, Pearl Concert Theater, ticketmaster.com
FEED THE BLOCK WITH GRYFFIN
8 p.m., Fremont East Entertainment District, blockparty. vegas/feed
BOU
With Bemm, Sighr3n, 10 p.m., Substance, seetickets.us
With Moondough, Post NC, 7 p.m., the Usual Place, dice.fm
DIZZY WRIGHT
DASHA 8 p.m., Green Valley Ranch Backyard Amphitheater, ticketmaster.com
LIVING COLOUR
9 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience.com
Kicking o 420 weekend in style, Dizzy Wright is set to light up Area15 for one night only. The Vegas-bred rapper, a true underground force with stoner swagger, brings his signature flow to the intimate stage at the Wall. Born in Flint and raised in Sin City, Wright is a poet for the digital age, with debut SmokeOut Conversations (appropriately released April 20, 2012), top-streamed Spotify track “Killem with Kindness,” and numerous albums proving his talent for spitting bars never lets up. Backed by The High Vibrations plus local talents Lazr, The Landlord and J Reezy, it’s a hometown takeover guaranteed to leave you stoned on sound, not just smoke. 7 p.m., $23+, the Wall at Area15, area15.com. –Gabriela Rodriguez
WWE SMACKDOWN
4:30 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com
DAVID BLAINE
8 p.m., & 4/19, Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com
ATTACK ON TITAN 7:30 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com
WWE HALL OF FAME CEREMONY 9:30 p.m., BleauLive Theater, ticketmaster.com
CHELSEA HANDLER 8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com
LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS VS. CALGARY ROUGHNECKS 7:30 p.m., Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com
FOODIELAND LAS VEGAS Thru 4/20, 3 p.m., Las Vegas Motor Speedway, eventbrite.com
METRO BOOMIN With DJ Irie, 11 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com
STEVE AOKI 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com
WWE WRESTLEMANIA 41 3:30 p.m., & 4/20, Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com
WWE STAND & DELIVER
9:30 a.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com
JONATHAN VAN NESS
10 p.m., Palazzo Theatre, ticketmaster.com
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
10 a.m., Springs Preserve, springspreserve.org
CHALK IT DOWN STREET FESTIVAL Noon, Arts District, 18b.org
SHAKESPEARE’S NEIGHBORHOOD: COMEDY OF ERRORS
NEVADA BALLET THEATRE: PETER PAN
Now here’s a production that never gets old. Famed choreographer Trey McIntyre premiered his version of Peter Pan more than 20 years ago, capturing all the spirited whimsy of J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play about the fabled boy and his friends who flew o to Neverland. Now Las Vegans will get to experience the magic for themselves as the three-act ballet makes a stop at the Smith Center. McIntyre’s imaginative touch and subversive approach to Barrie’s source material makes this Peter Pan a vivid and incredibly captivating production. Set to the music of Sir Edward Elgar and with costumes and sets newly designed by Six: The Musical’s Emma Bailey, this retelling of a classic will be unlike anything you’ve seen before. 2 & 7:30 p.m. (& thru 4/27, days & times vary), $42-$196, Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter.com. –Amber Sampson
REGGAE IN THE DESERT
With Luciano, Third World, Skip Marley, Eli-Mac, more, 11 a.m., Clark County Government Amphitheater, seetickets.us
8:30 p.m., Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, eventbrite.com
HENDERSON
SILVER KNIGHTS VS. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
6 p.m., Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com
LAS VEGAS LIGHTS VS. FC TULSA 7:30 p.m., Cashman Field, lasvegaslightsfc.com
DON’T TELL COMEDY
7 p.m., Fergusons Downtown, donttellcomedy.com
ARTEMAS
With Julia Wolf, 7 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com
HEMLOCK
With Don Gatto, Pariah Was One, D’Angeled, Distant Blood, 7 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us
THE STRING QUEENS
7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com
THE CHAINSMOKERS
11 a.m., Encore Beach Club, wynnsocial.com
ZEDD
11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, taogroup.com
DAVID GUETTA 11:30 a.m., LIV Beach, livnightclub.com
MACHINE GUN KELLY
With DJ Irie, 11 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com
4/20 is for cannabis and … carnivals? NuWu Cannabis is hosting a carnival-themed 420 State Fair complete with DJs, midway games, concessions and the latest innovations and products in the industry. Attendees (who must be 21 or older) can hang out in NuWu’s spacious courtyard, the rooftop deck or at Nevada’s original cannabis lounge, the Sky High Lounge. Throughout the day, Brett Rubin, D Kelly J, CoCo Jenkins and more will man the DJ booth. At 7:30 p.m., rapper Bryce Vine will take the stage and ride the highs of the evening. Noon, $25-$99, NuWu Cannabis, 420statefair.com.
–Shannon Miller
THE ROAST OF WRESTLEMANIA
With Tony Hinchcli e & Friends, 9:30 p.m., BleauLive Theater, ticketmaster.com
SARAH SHERMAN
7 p.m., Wiseguys Arts District, wiseguyscomedy.com
HA*ASH
7 p.m., House of Blues, concerts.livenation.com
DAVE DAMIANI & THE LVA JAZZ TRIO
3 p.m., Vic’s, vicslasvegas.com
QUAVO
10:30 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com
GRONK BEACH
With Flo Rida, Valentino Khan, DJ Irie, 11 p.m., LIV Beach, livnightclub.com
MONDAY APR 21
WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW 4:30 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com
MONDAYS DARK
8 p.m., the Space, mondaysdark.com
TOPGOLF CALLAWAY INVITATIONAL
10 a.m., Dragon Ridge Country Club, topgolf.com
TOM GREEN
7 p.m., & 4/22, Wiseguys Town Square, wiseguyscomedy. com
SHRED FEST 2025
With Obscura, Atheist, Origin, Decrepit Birth, Fractal Universe, 6 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us
DJ BAMBOOZLE 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, taogroup.com
EXHIBIT: VS: WRESTLING ART Thru 5/3, times vary, Sahara West Library, thelibrarydistrict.org DO IT ALL
Rob Gronkowski (Courtesy)
SUPERGUIDE
GREEN OUR PLANET GIANT STUDENT FARMERS MARKET
9:30 a.m., Downtown Summerlin, greenourplanet.org
WWE NXT 4:30 p.m., BleauLive Theater, ticketmaster.com
EARTH NIGHT STAR PARTY
7 p.m., Red Rock Canyon Outdoor Amphitheater, saveredrock.com
A MOB WIFE’S STORY
7 p.m., Mob Museum, themobmuseum.org
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS Thru 4/24, 6:30 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster.com
BRYAN MARTIN
7 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience.com
BRUCE HARPER & NAOMI MAURO
7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com
MIKEY FRANCIS 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com DO IT ALL
JOE RUSSO’S ALMOST DEAD With Branford Marsalis, 8 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com
ANGELMAKER & HUMANITY’S LAST BREATH With Psycho Frame, The Gloom in the Corner, 8 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us
SAN GENNARO FEAST Thru 4/27, times vary, M Resort, sangennarofeast.com
SILVER STATE REMOTE CONTROL CAR INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Thru 4/27, times vary, South Point Arena, thedirt.us
DUSTIN LYNCH With Vavo, 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com
AYYBO 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com
FITNESS & OUTDOORS LIFE STARGAZING
A TWINKLE IN YOUR EYE
A beginner’s guide to stargazing in Southern Nevada
If you want to start stargazing, look up! But if you want to take the hobby a step further, Mig Ponce, the president of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, o ers some useful tips on how residents of a city known for its bright lights can best view the wonders of the night sky.
STARGAZING WITHOUT A TELESCOPE
Ponce says beginner skywatchers don’t need to immediately buy a telescope. Instead, binoculars and planispheres—handheld maps that tell you what’s above you depending on the date and time—are accessible entry-level tools.
He recommends resources like Astronomy and Sky & Telescope magazines, and Terence Dickinson’s book NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe to grow your knowledge. Ponce also says connecting with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society is a great way to learn from other enthusiasts.
There are plenty of celestial landmarks you can see with the naked eye, including planets (which do not twinkle like stars do). This month, you can view the red planet Mars and gas giant Jupiter, including four of Jupiter’s 95 moons, with binoculars. Later this month, you can
see Mercury, Saturn and a bright and shining Venus in the East before sunrise. Conspicuous constellations like Orion, which is currently in the West side of the night sky, are easy to spot, or you can drive an hour out of town to get a clear view of the Milky Way.
BUYING A TELESCOPE
If the most you’ve ever been able to see out of a telescope is the reflection of your own eyelashes, it’s likely not your fault. Ponce says it’s probably the telescope.
“Know that you get what you pay for. A cheap telescope will be so unusable that it will kill your interest in the hobby,” Ponce says.
He says to avoid Amazon, and to ask questions and shop at an astronomy gear store. He likes the brands Agena Astro, High Point Scientific and Cloud Break Optics. He says some good beginner scopes are the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130, the computerized SkyWatcher Virtuoso 150, and the Cloud Break Optics StarSense Explorer.
STARGAZING WITH A TELESCOPE
With a scope, it’s possible to see a number of deep sky objects, or faint fuzzies, such as galaxies, clusters (thousands of galaxies bound together), and nebulas (gas and dust, the raw
materials for new stars and planets).
“The Orion Nebula is spectacular, and that’s a good springtime one,” Ponce says.
You can also see the iconic Pillars of Creation within the Eagle Nebula, known by the famous photo captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. A telescope will also show you the gas bands on Jupiter and the rings of Saturn.
“Seeing the rings of Saturn through a telescope is unforgettable. I never get tired of it,” he says. They are impossible to see for most of 2025 due to the angle of the Earth, he adds. But don’t worry, they’ll be back.
THE BEST TIME TO STARGAZE
Around the new moon is the best opportunity to see the most stars.
“Full moons are neat, but they are the brightest thing in the sky. They wash out the stars, they wash out the Milky Way,” Ponce says. Head outside a week before the new moon to a few days afterward. When the moon is fuller, the best times are before the moonrise and after the moonset.
JESSIE O’BRIEN
+ Spots to stargaze (see page 16)
UPCOMING CELESTIAL EVENTS
LYRID METEOR SHOWER
This meteor lines up perfectly with the new moon. After midnight, you’ll get the best views because Earth will face into the stream, like bugs flying into your car windshield.
May 3-5
MARS NEAR THE BEEHIVE CLUSTER
Early next month, you can see Mars close to this cluster of stars, which is the closest cluster to Earth.
August 12–13
PERSEID METEOR SHOWER PEAK
You can see this meteor show for most of the month of August, but it peaks in mid-August.
LOCAL ASTRONOMY EVENTS
April 22
EARTH NIGHT STAR PARTY, 7-9:30 P.M.
In celebration of Earth Day and International Dark Sky Week, Save Red Rock is hosting a star party. The nonprofit recently announced its pursuit of certification for Red Rock Canyon as an Urban Night Sky Place–another reason to celebrate! You can join the waitlist at saveredrock.com.
May 3:
SKYE CANYON SKYE & STARS, 6-10 P.M.
Skye & Stars is one of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society’s biggest gatherings. Held at Skye
Canyon Park, the family-friendly event comes complete with food trucks, picnics and telescopes. Skyecanyon.com/stars.
May 22–24 & Sept 19–21: CATHEDRAL GORGE CAMPOUT
Join LVAS for two nights exploring the wonder of the night sky and camping at Cathedral Gorge, about a two-and-a-halfhour drive northeast of Vegas. Register at bit.ly/4lmiDfx
ONGOING EVENTS
LVAS MONTHLY MEETINGS
Join discussions and presentations at the College of Southern Nevada Planetarium every first Thursday of the month. Lvastronomy.org.
ASTRONOMY IN THE PARK
Get out of town with these free telescope events at scenic spots like Mount Charleston and Lake Mead. Check in advance for dates, fees and reservations. Lvastronomy.org.
CSN PLANETARIUM
PUBLIC EVENTS
North Las Vegas’ own planetarium hosts regular shows and special astronomy nights. Csnplanetarium.square.site.
STARDUST ASTROTOURS
Mig Ponce o ers private dark sky stargazing and astronomical tours close to the city. He brings all the gear and shows you the best spots. Stardustastrotours.com.
(Nataniel Stepniewski, Keith Caceres, LVAS/ Courtesy; Shutterstock)
FITNESS & OUTDOORS LIFE STARGAZING
DARK SKY ESCAPES NEAR VEGAS
ENTER THE VOID
Las Vegas residents may be shocked to learn there are billions of exploding suns thousands of light-years away hanging in the sky. These things are called stars. They’re not LED or neon; it’s actually nuclear fusion. You just can’t see them with the millions of lights on the Strip competing with their shine.
If you don’t believe, go and see one for yourself.
Mig Ponce, the president of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, shares some of his favorite places to see the stars.
“It’s interesting that we are in the most light-polluted city anywhere, but we also can get to dark skies pretty quickly. Nevada has among the darkest skies in the entire country,” he says.
FOR MODERATELY
DARK SKIES
Ponce says you need to travel a little to escape the casinos’ glow.
Road and Wee Thump sites, where you will also find thousands of Joshua trees.
“The rule of thumb is one hour out of town you can get moderately dark skies, one and a half hours, really dark skies, two hours, super dark skies,” he says.
For the closest stargazing spots, he likes Lake Mead or Mount Charleston
FOR DARK SKIES
One of Ponce’s favorite sites, the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument , is an 800-square mile protected area that isn’t far from town. (LVAS is helping it work on an International Dark Sky Places designation.)
Near Searchlight , Ponce likes the Walking Box Ranch
Old mining towns Rhyolite, Tonopah and Crystal are easy to access but are far from light sources for expansive views.
You can camp among the rock formations at Cathedral Gorge State Park , making a surreal foreground to the sparkling sky.
FOR THE BLACKEST BLACK
“ Death Valley is also a few hours away with phenomenally dark skies,” Ponce says.
If you’re really adventurous, Great Basin National Park and the Grand Canyon are home to some of the darkest possible skies in the United States. –Jessie O’Brien
STARGAZING TIPS
Download a “dark sky” app like Light Pollution Map - Dark Sky. These tools use satellite light pollution data to help you fi nd the darkest spots near you. Ponce says to be sure and plan for weather extremes, bring extra water, and always let someone know your plans because where the skies are darkest, cell reception can be spotty.
(Nataniel Stepniewski, Keith Caceres, LVAS/ Courtesy; Shutterstock)
Las Vegas Weekly is proud to once again present its annual Cannabis Awards, part celebration and part recognition of the Valley’s prominent position in this ever-expanding, always compelling industry. As the UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute has stated, understanding the trends, challenges and opportunities for the cannabis industry is important for development, sustainability and overall growth. The businesses, individuals and well-developed products awarded this year are emblematic of the local community’s dedication to that sustainable growth, and to serving consumers in the most high-quality way.
ARTWORK BY BROOKE LAUREN EVERSON
BEST DISPENSARY LOCAL CHOICE
Oasis Cannabis Dispensary
“Best. Damn. Deals.” declares Oasis Cannabis Dispensary on its website. True to the slogan, the menu is top-heavy with discounts on vapes, live resin, edibles, pre-rolls and even infused beverages, and its prices on ower are ercely competitive. But value alone isn’t what brings locals to Oasis. They come for the dispensary’s warm, homey atmosphere and stress-free vibe. They come to get help from Oasis’ friendly budtenders, who guide customers knowledgably to the exact products they want and need. And they come to Oasis for a shopping experience that’s completely streamlined, thanks to extra-mile customer o erings such as the medical line, curbside pickup, express orders, VIP membership bene ts, home delivery and, once again, strong discounts for locals. Oasis wants its customers to feel empowered and educated in nding the cannabis products that enhance their lives, and this crew aspires to create a durable, lasting relationship with every customer. That’s a pretty good deal right there. oasiscannabis.com
(Courtesy)
With four locations evenly spread across the Las Vegas Valley, from North Las Vegas to soon-toopen Henderson—plus dispensaries in Mesquite and West Wendover—this Nevada-grown company could have earned this statewide distinction by its reach alone. But Deep Roots Harvest, winner of this category for two years running, goes beyond that. Its seedto-shelf operation, beginning at its state-of-the-art cultivation facility, puts quality and innovation rst and foremost. The menu of products is vast, featuring both national products and Deep Roots’ own in-house brands, which include CAMP, Cheeba Chews, High Heads and Neon Moon. An unwavering devotion to customer satisfaction is expressed through their sta , which works hard to deliver personalized and attentive experiences to every customer, and through their unique service o erings, such as the drive-thru window coming soon to the Cheyenne Avenue location. This team strives to support our Valley community through food drives, partnerships with local charities and more. Deep Roots Harvest is truly blooming where it’s planted. deeprootsharvest.com
(Sta )
BEST BUDTENDER Joe Leon, NuLeaf
Sixteen-year Las Vegas resident Joe Leon says he’s “talked about cannabis and the bene ts of it for the last 20 years without making a penny,” until he found his current calling at the popular NuLeaf dispensary, which has three Nevada locations and delivery service. After working in luxury apparel for years at Town Square and the Forum Shops, Leon was nally able to nd more ful llment in this new industry making people smile, “especially in these hard times.” He puts the highest priority on respect when it comes to customers and co-workers and thinks of himself as “the Dennis Rodman of the team ... I’m the loudest person in the world if I’m having fun and I’m the quiet side-eye guy when it’s time to plot or listen.”
Luckily for Leon and NuLeaf, there are plenty of opportunities for fun and strategy in the world of cannabis. nuleafnv.com
Green Life Productions
Ten years in with 41 harvest cycles produced from the same soil beds at its Pahrump homestead, Green Life Productions considers itself the longest-running and oldest indoor, commercial, no-till living soil facility on the planet. Its natural growing methods, three di erent organic certi cations and elimination of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators have resulted in the consistent production of some of the highest quality cannabis available. But it goes beyond acclaimed hybrid, sativa, indica and CBD owers—the company has also launched the Green Life Produce brand, delivering fruits and vegetables for the community at its Pahrump store and local farmers markets, and whatever isn’t sold from the weekly harvest is donated to area Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. glpnv.com.
Layke Martin, Nevada Cannabis Association
Las Vegas native Layke Martin doesn’t t the stereotype of a cannabis advocate, and she uses it to her advantage. “I’m a mom who drives a minivan,” says the executive director of the Nevada Cannabis Association. “I think that helps me connect with individuals who are outside the industry but who wield in uence over how cannabis is regulated.” Martin has a background in law and education and takes her experiences into every role she plays, from advocating for policy change to speaking on media panels to working as an adjunct professor at UNLV.
As the head of Nevada’s leading cannabis trade association, she works on behalf of dispensaries and cultivation, production and lounge licensees, and the NCA recently led successful e orts in the state to reform regulatory enforcement and the wholesale excise tax calculation. She sees similarities between the ascending cannabis industry and the decades-long evolution of gaming in Nevada: “We are in that very same place right now in the nascency of cannabis regulation. It is that opportunity to de ne, innovate and impact cannabis policy in Nevada and nationally that makes working in this industry so engaging and rewarding.” nvdispense.com
(Photographs by Christopher DeVargas)
BEST EDIBLE (INCLUDES THC BEVERAGES)
IndoTabs Flowbars, Indo Cannabis
When Indo Cannabis created its series of micro- and macro-dosing cannabis tablets, it began with the understanding that edibles are all treated similarly by our bodies’ endocannabinoid system, and that the e ects associated with sativa and indica strains aren’t as consistent when we absorb them through digestion; in short, all edibles kind of hit the same. The IndoTabs series o ers a range of distinct feels with the addition of ca eine, vitamins and other nutrients, and can target speci c needs like focus, exercise, productivity, sleep and more. Flowbars, containing vitamins B6 and B12 and a dose of THC that can be regulated from 10 to 40 milligrams, is IndoTabs’ “well-adjusted middle-child,” o ering a balanced high that’s free of harshness and well-suited to socializing, stretching, cleaning house or simply vibing. And as each Flowbar can easily be broken into four individual doses, they’re both a solid value and an absolute boon for anyone who wants the uplift of edibles, but tailored to their needs.
BEST HYBRID FLOWER
Miracle Alien Cookies (MAC), Kushberry Farms
A true hybrid commonly referred to as MAC, Miracle Alien Cookies lets you rst get relaxed, then allows you to choose whether you want to use it as a pick me up or just an aid toward a more restful state of mind. One of the more approachable strains in the North Las Vegas-based Kushberry garden and great for both experienced and novice consumers, MAC boasts a unique, chunky ower structure with snow-like frosting and wilted sugar leaves that make it look as if it’s been bred from something from another world. It’s greenhouse grown, with natural sunlight pulling more terpenes out of the plant for more avor in the nal product. Expect relaxation with waves of euphoric and uplifting e ects.
BEST INDICA FLOWER
Garlic Cookies, Nature’s Chemistry
Every step of the Nature’s Chemistry process is done by hand, never by machine. This dedication ensures the utmost care and attention to detail, resulting in premium cannabis products that re ect the company’s passion for quality and small-batch creation. That careful methodology pays dividends in this strain, the indica-dominant cross of Chemdog and GSC also known as GMO Cookies. The garlic-essence is considered heavy by some users, but the euphoric lift and long-lasting, warming body high is what makes it a consistent hit. Use it to help with chronic pain, appetite loss, nausea, stress or depression.
BEST CONCENTRATE
CAMP Disposables, The Source
CAMP’s entire diverse product line is all about superior taste and purity, and its Disposable 3.0 sets a new, even higher standard with variable voltage settings and wickless ceramic bucket designs. No more clogging, never any burnt taste, only unmatched avor. CAMP’s solventless extraction uses only ice, water, heat and pressure to produce a cleaner, healthier alternative to distillate products many brands currently produce. The brand was the rst to launch solventless rosin cartridges in Nevada in 2019, and the innovation continues as the new pens also feature a USB type-C port for recharging the battery. One clean, smooth draw is all it takes to understand the di erence of excellence.
(Courtesy)
(Courtesy)
1:10 Relief Cream, Medizin
Crafted by Planet 13 and backed by the research of Ovation Science Inc., this groundbreaking transdermal topical is designed to provide rapid relief where you need it most, o ering 10 times the potency of THC and coupled with a boost of CBD for balanced e ects. Its special binding properties keep the cream securely attached, providing continuous release of the active ingredients for hours and allowing your skin to breathe and maintain its natural moisture. At 500mg of THC and 50mg of CBD, this is the most potent in the Medizin line of topical creams, and that sounds to us like the de nition of relief.
BEST CANNABIS LOUNGE
Dazed Consumption Lounge
The cannabis-themed Planet 13 entertainment complex o ers a lot of goodies: a bar, a retail shop, a bunch of sel e-ready backdrops, a soon-to-debut cannabis museum, an absolute mega-sized dispensary and, as you’d expect, a one-of-a-kind consumption lounge. With its sci- psychedelia décor, chandeliers made from bongs and “secret” entrance concealed inside a British telephone box, Dazed Consumption Lounge is intoxicating right from the jump. You’re properly dazed before you’re even seated at a table—or one of the lounge’s VIP booths—to enjoy 2-4 mg specialty cannabis cocktails, a la carte pre-rolls or a bong loaded with one of 15 strains, including Banana OG, Silver Reserve, and Gastro Pop. (More than 15 strains, actually; you can also enjoy o -menu “fresh drops.”) Vintage pinball machines and arcade games, atscreen TVs and a loaded “munchies cart” keep the party going for as long as you’re feeling it. Celebrities including Wiz Khalifa, Mike Tyson and more have spent evenings at Dazed, enjoying its sensory delights in full. dazedlounge.com
BEST SATIVA FLOWER
Miss X, Green Life Productions
Green Life considers this u y, sticky sativa strain “the perfect date: easy on the eyes with a gregarious personality to match.” Ideal for inspiring creativity or digging into a detailed work project, Miss X comes with aromas of lemongrass and oral, earthy avors, an enjoyable exhale that leads to feelings of refreshment and strong focus. Whether you’re relieving tension or just relaxing into a favorite video game, Miss X is here to elevate your mood.
(Wade Vandervort/Sta
IN THE NEWS
New film studio and workforce development bill advances in Nevada Legislature
A bill that would secure $98 million in film tax credits per year for the development of a 34-acre Nevada Studios complex at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park has advanced in the Nevada Legislature. Called the Nevada Film Infrastructure, Workforce Development, Education and Economic Diversification Act, the bill SB 220 passed out of the Senate Revenue and Economic Development Committee on April 10. Developed by Birtcher Nevada Development, Nevada Studios would be operated by MBS Group.
“SB 220 provides a pathway toward full recapture of every public dollar invested in film tax credits, assuring that public money will remain invested on public land, while bridging gaps in diversification and workforce opportunity,” said Sen. Roberta Lange, who introduced the bill.
ENTERTAINMENT
According to a news release, the legislation also introduces a “Creative Technology Initiative” that “supports economic diversification by attracting high-growth sectors: aerospace and defense, healthcare technology and video game publishing.”
The bill also includes provisions for tax credits to go to film workforce education and development, allocating 20% of film tax credits in the first three years and 10% annually thereafter to the creation of a 50,000-square-foot Nevada Media and Technology Lab on public land at UNLV’s technology park in the southwest valley.
“This facility and the fund will power workforce development programs from middle school to university levels, overseen by a board appointed by the legislature and governor,” the news release reads.
F1 go-kart
Locals and tourists soon will have an opportunity to ride go-karts on part of the Formula 1 track in Las Vegas. F1 Drive at Grand Prix Plaza is the first F1 go-karting experience in North America and includes part of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. It’s set to open on May 2.
Although the bill garnered support from stakeholders like the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and other stakeholders, the Nevada State Education Association submitted a letter of opposition to the bill emphasizing “schools over studios” and arguing that film tax credit programs have been shown to cost other states more than they bring in—money that could be used to better fund schools.
“Sadly, there has been a fundamental contradiction in the actions of Nevada leaders when it comes to properly funding public education and other vital state services. While nearly every elected official claims to prioritize education, there’s a competing record of corporate giveaways, from Tesla to the Raiders, that cost the state over a billion dollars,” the NSEA said. –Shannon Miller
experience to open in Las Vegas
“Guests will not only experience racing on part of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit but also gain a unique perspective inside the official team garages,” said Emily Prazer, president and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix and chief commercial officer for Formula 1.
The 1,696-foot, 31-turn track allows drivers to reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Drivers will also hear authentic engine sounds recorded from the 2023 Formula 1 season and receive live radio communications from a virtual race engineer inside their helmets. –Staff
“Are you one of the 69 million married women who changed their last name? Under the SAVE Act, your birth certificate would not count. Do you live in a rural area? You may have to travel up to hundreds of miles to register to vote in person at your nearest election office. Are you one of the 21 million Americans who don’t have easy access to your personal records? The SAVE Act says tough luck. The problem in Nevada isn’t voter fraud—it’s barriers restricting legal votes.”
–Kerry Durmick, state director of All Voting is Local, in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing the SAVE Act on April 10
HOT SHOTS Cox Communications employee volunteers and Get Outdoors Nevada plant a new Native Habitat Garden at Lorenzi Park on April 10. Forty-five Cox volunteers came out and planted about 350 plants, said Joe Kennedy, executive director of Get Outdoors Nevada.
(Steve Marcus/ Staff)
Sampling of Experiences:
APRIL 24
The City that Blows Up to Build Up –The History of Implosion in Las Vegas
VEGAS
Architecture, Design and Culture
APRIL 24 – 27, 2025
Las Vegas is a worldwide destination for those seeking an experience like no other. Rooted in its storied architecture, Duck Duck Shed offers first-hand insights from the voices that built –and continue to build – the luxurious casinos, mega-resorts, and productions that have earned it the name "The Entertainment Capital of the World." Tours, panels, and engaging discussions await industry professionals and Las Vegas enthusiasts.
APRIL 25
How to Build a Volcano
APRIL 26
Curator’s Tour: Stories from Backstage: Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas
APRIL 27
Public Art in Las Vegas: A Curator’s Tour of the Aria Fine Art Collection
Sarah Hulme
John Sparer
Steve Crupi
Michele C Quinn
NEWS
LOUNGE ACT
One year after rollout, Nevada-regulated pot lounges face challenges, but stakeholders still see potential
BY TYLER SCHNEIDER
Thrive Cannabis Marketplace’s Smoke and Mirrors consumption lounge has closed its doors indefinitely as of April 4, according to Tosh Lollie, general manager of the dispensary, which shares a building with the venue on Sammy Davis Jr. Drive.
It was the first of two state-sanctioned cannabis consumption lounges to open in Nevada when it made its debut in February 2024. The second, Dazed Consumption Lounge, launched inside Planet 13 dispensary on Desert Inn Road two months later. A third, Sky High Lounge, has been operating since 2019, but isn’t required to follow state regulations because it’s located on sovereign tribal land owned by the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe.
Thrive’s leadership did not immediately respond to reqeusts for
further comment.
The closure accentuates a slow rollout of Nevada’s cannabis consumption lounge licensure program, which was approved by state legislators in 2021. Although recreational cannabis was legalized statewide in 2017, it’s still illegal to consume anywhere outside of private property.
Cannabis lounges, which offer patrons a space where they can legally use marijuana products in a public setting, were viewed as a remedy that could provide tourists greater access to a Nevada cannabis market that recorded more than $829 million in taxable sales for the 2024 fiscal year.
As the last lounge standing (for now), Planet 13’s Dazed attributes much of its customer base to tourists. Manager Blake Anderson estimates 250 customers come in on any given day.
“It gives them a safe place to
(Photo Illustration)
consume their cannabis so they don’t have to walk up and down the street or risk a hotel fine,” he says.
It’s unclear when another lounge could open, but according to the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB), 21 additional lounges have earned conditional approval. Another 10 licenses have been set aside for social equity applicants, or prospective lounge owners from “communities disproportionately impacted by poverty and high arrest rates,” according to the CCB.
Rachel Lee, owner of a local cannabidiol-based wellness business called Sunflower Compassionate Company, applied for a social equity license in 2022. She tells the Weekly she was just a 19-year-old mother of two living in the Historic Westside in 1994 when she was arrested and later convicted on marijuana charges. Lee denies the charges.
“That trafficking charge really did my life in. After it happened, I would get jobs on the Strip but they would fire me once they saw my record,” Lee says. “From there, I just checked out of life. I went into a lifelong spiral of addiction and depression until I got into recovery in about 2017.”
Lee, who believes her conviction was tied to “the failed war on drugs,” was eventually selected via a random lottery system to move forward in the social equity process.
In July 2024, the CCB announced that six of the 10 initial social equity applicants were disqualified. Not meeting residency requirements was the rationale.
Although Lee made the cut, she says it’s going to take some time to secure the $200,000 in liquid assets required to earn her conditional license, which will allow her to start seeking out a location.
“The hardship is that, if you’re really, truly impacted, you’re probably not going to be able to get past that [$200,000] barrier,” Lee says.
Nevada policymakers are working to address the problem. In March, the five-member CCB voted unanimously to extend the deadline to 2026 for Lee and two other social equity applicants to earn the board’s conditional approval, giving them more time to find investors and complete their applications. In Carson City, legislators are
“If you’re going to try to meet the consumer where they’re at, nobody is more well-versed in facilitating adult experiences responsibly than a city like Las Vegas. The writing is truly on the wall, and this just fits in really well with what we do. We have a real opportunity here to lead and get out in front of this.”
–Tyler Klimas, founder, Leaf Street Strategies
agement group that helped Smoke and Mirrors get off the ground, says another hurdle lies in finding investors in a “heavily regulated” industry that’s still federally illegal.
“It always comes down to money, and it’s difficult to get a space if you can’t afford to buy a building. On top of that, getting insurance and finding a landowner who’s willing to lease to a cannabis business is a challenge in and of itself,” LaPorte says.
However, Klimas believes it’s only a matter of time before more investors come around to the financial viability of the concept.
“When you look at some of the data out there, cannabis consumption has never been higher. There are more people consuming cannabis on a daily—or near-daily—basis than they are alcohol for the first time,” Klimas says. “Those people are more interested than ever in having cannabis be a part of their experiences when they travel.”
LAS VEGAS JAZZ
considering Assembly Bill 203, which would make social equity applicants exempt from the $200,000 liquid assets requirement.
Tyler Klimas, former executive director of the CCB and founder of cannabis consulting firm Leaf Street Strategies, was a key player in establishing Nevada’s “flexible, responsible and comprehensive” cannabis policies. He calls the state’s entry into the consumption lounge sector of the market “a giant policy experiment that we’re all living day-to-day.”
“I think the fact that we only have two open just speaks to the newness of it. Everybody’s trying to figure out what a business model looks like,” Klimas told the Weekly prior to Smoke and Mirrors’ closure. “It’s a whole new sector of the cannabis economy. We’ve got to figure out what kind of experience and product lines the consumer wants, and that takes time.”
Christopher LaPorte, managing partner of Reset Las Vegas, the cannabis consulting and hospitality man-
In his mind, Las Vegas is “perfectly positioned” to take a leading role on cannabis consumption lounges. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, Nevada is one of 12 states that allow some form of recreational cannabis lounges. Others, like Maine and Oregon, are considering various proposals to do so.
“If you’re going to try to meet the consumer where they’re at, nobody is more well-versed in facilitating adult experiences responsibly than a city like Las Vegas. The writing is truly on the wall, and this just fits in really well with what we do. We have a real opportunity here to lead and get out in front of this,” Klimas says.
Nevada’s ability to capitalize on that potential will depend on continued collaboration between the CCB, state legislators and aspiring operators like Lee, who says she recently secured a second investor.
Further down the line, both LaPorte and Klimas say efforts to integrate lounges with the food service and entertainment industries could prove incredibly popular and lucrative, but would also require legislative changes to implement.
“Things take time. There’s a culture that we have to continue to embrace and a lot of education that we still have to do,” LaPorte says.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH & SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH 3PMTO8PM
SPORTS
THE HUNT BEGINS
to slow down and become more physical and aggressive. That’s no problem for this year’s Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights are in good shape to chase a third
Stanley Cup Final appearance
BY CASE KEEFER
It’s funny to look back now and remember that the Vegas Golden Knights’ rise to a perennial NHL power in their initial Stanley Cup Playo s run was fraught with skepticism.
for playo success.
The still-beloved 2017-2018 “Golden Mis ts” team that won the Western Conference wasn’t supposed to be postseason-ready. Those Golden Knights still stand as one of the most surprising Stanley Cup Final participants in recent memory.
Vegas hasn’t caught anyone o guard ever since, and it’s certainly not going to this year when the 2024-2025 Stanley Cup Playo s commence on April 19.
Making its seventh playo appearance in eight years as a franchise, Vegas is now established in its role as the hunted—a beast that Western Conference hopefuls must tame to make a deep run.
This year’s Golden Knights may enter the 16team bracket looking more ferocious than ever before. The franchise has put together stronger regular seasons in the past but never has it checked more of the boxes seen as prerequisites
Big-game experience was one of the factors that was supposed to hold the 2017-2018 team back. Few teams in the league now are more proven in crucial moments than this year’s veteran-laden Golden Knights.
Cynics cited the lack of an alpha-type superstar who could single-handedly take over games as an issue for both the 2017-2018 team and the eventual Stanley Cup champion 2022-2023 squad. Forget about that this time around, with the season 28-year-old center Jack Eichel is putting together.
Eichel set the franchise single-season points record with a staggering 17 games left to play in the regular season. He’s currently favored to nish fth in voting for the Hart Trophy, the NHL’s version of a most valuable player award.
He’s at least guaranteed to become only the second player in franchise history to garner votes for the honor. William Karlsson in 20172018 was the other, and that’s whose point record Eichel shattered.
But in the playo s, the style of game tends
Coach Bruce Cassidy challenged his team at the beginning of the year to establish themselves as the best defensive team in the Paci c Division. They’ve arguably one-upped him and become the best defensive team in the whole league despite their best blue-liner, Shea Theodore, missing extended time to momentarily disrupt a carer season.
Nic Hague also su ered an injury late in the year but should be back for the playo s.
The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Goliath has the perfect game for the playo s—and he’s only a third-pairing defender for the Golden Knights when he could play on the top group for multiple other teams in the league.
The Golden Knights’ goaltending might be a little less reliable on the surface—Cassidy openly demanded better play during a midseason skid—but there’s proof in concept that it can be great. Adin Hill turned into a stonewalling savant during the 2023 championship run and has started to show ashes of that ability level again towards the end of the season.
“We’re not an easy team to play against when we’re on our game,” Cassidy said recently. “It doesn’t mean you’re going to win every time, but at least we put ourselves in a position to do that.”
Nothing is guaranteed in the NHL postseason—which is statistically proven to be the most unpredictable of the major professional sports leagues’ playo s—and every team including the Golden Knights have pitfalls they must avoid. Vegas, for instance, can’t let Eichel defer too much instead of attacking and shooting for himself. It also needs to hope late-season injuries to the likes of Eichel, power-play ace Tomáš Hertl and Hague are as non-serious as they seem to be on the surface.
After being top-heavy the past couple seasons, the Western Conference appears to be wide open this time around. The Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets were the most consistent sides on the season as a whole but the other six teams in the playo eld—the Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues—have all looked like Stanley Cup contenders at di erent stretches.
It’s not going to be easy for any team to survive the next three rounds and two months to reach the Stanley Cup Final, but don’t doubt the Golden Knights’ chances. They’ve done it twice before, and this version might be built even closer to preferred playo speci cations.
Jack Eichel (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
Helix Electric of Nevada seeks a Project Manager to manage and lead projects successfully from pre-construction, scope of work identification, mobilization, project execution, and closeout & interact with the customer to validate expectations are understood and met before, during and after project completion. Req: Master’s and 3 yrs of experience or Bach and 5 yrs of experience. Experience must incl. experience managing residential multi-family new construction & residential construction projects of a value of over $7M. Job site: Las Vegas, NV. Daily travel to worksites within The Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area. May travel domestically up to one week per year for training purposes. Please apply via e-mail to esimmons@helixelectric. com, Ref. Job Code PROJE005815 in subject and body of email.
BATTLE ROYAL
BY AMBER SAMPSON
When it comes to professional wrestling, the energy comes from the audience. No matter how dramatic and athletic the in-ring action can be, even with over-the-top storylines and rivalries, the crowd reaction means everything.
To Milhouse Malott, founder of Las Vegas’ PrideStyle Inclusive Pro Wrestling, it’s the ringside mania that makes the match.
“It’s the feral-ness of being allowed— regardless of your identity, gender, or anything—to scream and yell at people, to cheer and boo and ip people o . The action is ying right past your head,” says Malott. “There’s just something about getting to let go and giving into that primal human desire, to be a little
crazy for a while and not have to worry about the repercussions of it.”
The adrenaline that comes from watching a masked luchador clothesline a man three times his size never gets old, nor does the shock of seeing a barrel-chested tag team duo like PrideStyle’s Mariachi Montana steamroll through a fatal fourway match to victory. Since 2021, that’s the kind of action this local o shoot has used to turn lukewarm fans into lifelong fanatics—all while powerbombing the bigotry that has been associated in the past with this form of entertainment.
“It catches you o guard until you take a moment to think about just the nature of wrestling and men rolling around in their underwear and putting on soap opera stories for each other,” Malott says.
“The core essence of it is quite dramatic and quite queer. Wrestling is a niche that … a lot of people think is a very traditional, cis white male, masculine type of show.
“I think we show, and so many other places show, that it’s such a varied space. The wrestling kids are like the cousins of the theater kids. It’s very much drag, it’s very much theater. Once people peel back that layer of thinking it’s this machismo thing, they’re like, ‘Oh, my God, I love wrestling.’”
PrideStyle will host its rst Shooting Star Fest this week, a three-day extravaganza bringing 10 companies and eight shows to Swan Dive in the Downtown Arts District. The festival coincides with WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, which returns to Las Vegas for
PrideStyle action (Courtesy)
PRIDESTYLE WRESTLING: SHOOTING STAR FEST
April 16-18, times vary, $15-$31. Swan Dive, tickets.pridestylepro.com.
the rst time since 1993.
“We’ve grown to this place where not only have we gained the respect of our queer peers and allies, but of the wrestling industry as a whole, to the point that we are able to host our own collective, our own festival with people that support not just wrestlers, but inclusive pro wrestling. It feels very triumphant in a lot of ways,” Malott says.
Regional and international promotions participating in the fest also include Vegas’ GrapHouse; Houston’s New Texas Pro Wrestling; Vancouver’s WrestleCore and Dusk Pro Wrestling; France’s Banger Zone Wrestling; Palmdale, California’s New Tradition Lucha Libre; Northern California’s Oasis Pro; Austin’s Uncanny Attractions; and LA’s Pandemonium Pro.
The Shooting Star Fest is just one of
many Las Vegas wrestling happenings accompanying the two-night Wrestlemania at Allegiant Stadium. But Malott says he’s con dent “our community is going to show out and show up.”
In the span of a few years, PrideStyle has gone from hosting shows for 40 people at the Boulevard Mall to selling out 200 tickets at Swan Dive. It’s become something that unites a diverse local community.
“There’s a group of trans and queer people that come, and it’s their support group’s monthly outing that’s non-therapy related,” he says. “We have couples, queer and non-queer, that their date night every month is to come to PrideStyle. Someone got married in a PrideStyle ring. It’s crazy to see the growth and the love that it’s fostered.”
WRESTLEMANIA TAKES VEGAS ... OR
IS
IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND?
WrestleMania is the biggest night of the year for the WWE Universe—but it’s not just one night. The 41st annual supercard of professional wrestling takes over Allegiant Stadium Saturday and Sunday, and last year’s WrestleMania was a two-day sellout at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, a larger stadium at 67,594 seats.
But it’s not just two nights. WWE also brings its SmackDown, NXT and Raw live TV shows to T-Mobile Arena, and don’t forget about the WWE World interactive fan experience running ve days at the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. There’s also the Hall of Fame ceremony and a comedy wrestling roast at Fontainebleau.
Is that enough? Never. There are too many adjacent wrestling and entertainment events to mention here, which further proves the concept that any big thing gets bigger when it comes to Las Vegas.
“Vegas de nitely has strong energy as a WWE city,” says Bianca Belair, one of the top superstars who will battle rivals Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match for the women’s world championship at WrestleMania. “We feel like we’re at the top of the industry. We’re innovative and groundbreaking. So when you combine Vegas with the WWE Universe, it’s going to be colossal. People come from all over the world here to have fun, so you put WrestleMania here and it’ll be even bigger.” –Brock Radke
Go to lasvegasweekly.com now to read our complete interview with Bianca Belair and nd more WrestleMania info.
Mariachi Montana (Courtesy)
Bianca Belair (Courtesy)
SLEEPERHIT
CULTURE
Zio’s Italian Steakhouse delivers the classics o the Strip
Clockwise from top right: Zio’s rigatoni Bolognese, 20-layer lasagna, burrata and heirloom tomato and 16-ounce prime ribeye. (Wade Vandervort/Sta )
BY GENEVIE DURANO
In a city where the culinary competition is erce, Zio’s Italian Steakhouse, nestled in the Renaissance Hotel next to the convention center’s South Hall, has quietly been building something special since its October opening.
The bright, airy space—a complete transformation from its previous incarnation as the moody, red-and-blackthemed Envy Steakhouse—transitions beautifully from a casual daytime restaurant to an intimate date-night spot. It’s one of those rare Vegas venues that manages to be both sophisticated and approachable, regardless of the hour. For convention-goers, it’s a walkable spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. For locals, it’s a dining destination without the hassle of Strip tra c, and as a bonus, a few window-adjacent tables o er prime views of the Sphere.
Other standouts on the pasta side include the rigatoni Bolognese ($39), with slow-cooked Duroc pork and veal, pancetta and Chianti ragù, and the classic clam linguini ($34), with Manila clams, lemon butter sauce and focaccia breadcrumbs.
“We’re a 100% scratch kitchen,” says Garcia, noting that everything from broths to sauces is made in-house.
“It’s really more about the avor than just presentation. We let the food speak for itself.”
ZIO’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE 3400 Paradise Road, 702-784-5716, zioslv.com
To get you in the right spirit for a meal at Zio’s, start with a drink or two from its impressive cocktail program. The seasonal Summer Negroni ($19), with Gray Whale gin, Italicus Bergamotto liqueur and Suze Amaro, or the Amal Spritz ($18), with Malfy gin, Pellegrino limoncello and Prosecco, are both excellent choices. The wine and beer list also hits the spot.
Zio’s is also a steakhouse, and the protein-based menu is just as strong. This hybrid approach allows Garcia to bring Italian air to traditional steakhouse fare— nishing steaks with a touch of balsamic, for instance—while o ering diners the exibility to experience a variety of dishes. The spring menu features a magni cent tomahawk Duroc pork chop ($60) that’s hard to resist, showcasing the kitchen’s commitment to both presentation and avor. Pair a classic ribeye ($82) or a New York strip ($72) with sides such as in-season asparagus ($14) and a creamy lemon risotto ($14), and you’ll have a steakhouse meal that rivals any you’ll nd on the Strip.
DINING NOTES
Beard fi nalists, Prince St. Pizza, Pink’s Hot Dogs and more
Three locals have made the cut as 2025 James Beard Award finalists. Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa at Wynn and Eleazar Villanueva of Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand are up for Best Chef: Southwest, and Cristie Norman of Delilah at Wynn is a finalist in the new Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service category. Next up is the awards ceremony June 16 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.
Pink’s Hot Dogs is back in Las Vegas, but nowhere near a Strip casino like last time. Local waterparks Cowabunga Bay and Cowabunga Canyon will be serving the famous Los Angeles bites starting on April 19 at the former and May 3 at the latter. A chili-loaded launch party was held earlier this month at the Henderson water park featuring Decker, the mascot of the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, and a glimpse of the Pink’s menu including the Chili DogFather, Rodeo Drive Dog and Philly Blockbuster Dog.
Urbane Cafe has opened its second local restaurant just south of Spring Valley at 7110 S. Rainbow Blvd.
Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food has opened its fourth local eatery at 4065 S. Bu alo Drive.
Mediterranean-inspired Cafe Landwer has opened at Boca Park, at 8704 W. Charleston Blvd. #101.
Luxury co ee company Couve has opened its first Las Vegas location at the Gramercy.
Fans of Italian classics will be delighted with the menu. Start with appetizers for the table, such as the steamed mussels ($26), traditional meatballs ($23) and the yellowtail crudo ($26), part of the restaurant’s recent seasonal menu refresh.
“We put our unique twist to the old classics,” says executive chef Carlos Garcia. He is especially proud of the signature 20-layer lasagna ($35), meticulously crafted with 10 layers of pasta sheets alternating with ragù Bolognese, béchamel and mozzarella. Sliced thin and served in a rustic style with generous sauce, it’s a dish you’ll remember long after you leave.
For dessert, don’t miss Zio’s new pannacotta ($12) or the Chocolate Fondente ($12), both part of the spring menu refresh. The tiramisu ($12), another house specialty, remains a favorite among regulars. If the night is still young, order an Espresso alla Nocciola ($20) with vanilla bean-infused Tito’s vodka, Italian hazelnut and Borghetti liqueur.
Sure, there are many restaurants in town competing for diners’ dollars and attention, but Zio’s is something special—a sleeper hit that stays true to its culinary mission.
“We know the competition’s out there, but as long as we respect the product and we do it right, that’s all that matters,” says Garcia.
Naxos Taverna at Red Rock Resort has appointed Sani Hebaj as its new executive chef, and unveiled new menu additions including pan-roasted Chilean sea bass, spanakopita with Kefalograviera cream and tuna crudo with yogurt glykopikros.
Prince St. Pizza has been building buzz with its Durango Resort location and is planning to open its second Las Vegas spot in July in Henderson at 2390 E. Serene Ave. –Brock Radke
