Everyone loves to laugh, and comedy remains one of the primary conduits. Having continued to rise in popularity across the country and streaming services, comedy has also paved its own path in Las Vegas. While the Strip is known for larger productions, the downtown Las Vegas area is the place to go for smaller niche shows and stand-up comedy.

Comedy Clubs in Las Vegas

You can find some of the best local and national comedians in downtown Las Vegas as comedy clubs and comedy rooms are popping up all around the city. If you enjoy stand-up comedy, beginning September 12th, The Plaza Hotel & Casino has live shows every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, featuring comedians like Jim Florentine, Kevin Downey Jr., and Nick di Paolo. 

Doug Stanhope on New Year’s Eve at The Plaza

Back by popular demand…Following 3 sold-out shows over Memorial Day Weekend, Doug Stanhope will appear at the Plaza for a special New Year’s Eve 2020 performance. Doug is vulgar, opinionated, brutally honest and shockingly uninhibited and is certainly not for everybody. 

Variety and the Hollywood Reporter both selected Doug as one of the Top Ten Comics To Watch so get your ticket before this special show is sold out. 

Stand-up Comedy and Comedians

Stand-up comedy has become a favorite style among many for its witty monologues and hilarious stories. The comedic genre has gained popularity and prominence in the last few years from comedians like Kevin Hart, Gabriel Iglesias (Fluffy), and Amy Schumer. 

These comedians appeal to a millennial crowd and bring the art of stand-up comedy to younger generations. Some noteworthy comedians who brought prominence to the genre are Jay Leno, Robin Williams, and Eddie Murphy.

Stand-up comedy is one of the freest forms of comedy. Typically, it involves a set of jokes that the comedian will write that are synchronistic and create flow during their set. Stand-up comedy can have a reputation for being “hard-hitting” and sometimes dark, but there are many different types of stand-up comedy like observational comedy, dark comedy, and clean comedy. 

There is so much variety within stand-up comedy that everyone can find something they relate to and will laugh about.

Comedy Works at The Plaza

Stand-up comedy is often performed in bars, pubs, comedy clubs, and theatres, but the perfect place to watch a stand-up comedy set in Las Vegas is at The Comedy Works inside The Plaza showroom. There are tables set up in a perfect formation for viewing comedy shows and you can enjoy a drink while getting your laugh on.

People think of Labor Day weekend as the final nail in summer’s proverbial coffin. But just because daylight is dwindling doesn’t mean that Downtown is going into hibernation, and neither should you! During Labor Day weekend, don’t miss these events and activities happening downtown and around the Plaza Hotel & Casino. 

Things to Do Downtown Labor Day Weekend

From entertainment to shopping, see all things to do downtown Labor Day weekend.

Entertainment

Enjoy a free concert at Fremont Street Experience or get your thrills gliding between a sea of pedestrians and the Viva Vision light canopy at Slotzilla Zip Line. Or, if it’s still to warm for you, cool off with cabana blackjack or pickleball by the Pool at the Plaza. 

Take in the sophistication of The Smith Center with live music or a stroll around the performing arts center’s Symphony Park. Don’t forget to take a selfie with the park’s iconic, multicolored installation. 

Downtown Las Vegas is home to a host of museums, such as the Neon Museum and Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum and  The Mob Museum with a variety of programming for everyone. 

Dining and Drinking

Enjoy a perfectly-aged steak, lobster tail or signature martini under the iconic glass dome at Oscar’s Steakhouse. No time to sit down? Get a quick slice at Pop Up Pizza, with homemade pizza sauce and dough made fresh daily. 

The Underground speakeasy at The Mob Museum serves up killer cocktails, Distillery Tours and even live jazz on weekends. Just be sure to get the speakeasy password from their social media, or you might end up swimmin’ with the fishes. 

Cure your hangover at locals’ favorite Hash House A Go Go. The Sage Fried Chicken and Waffles are sure to satisfy any stomach, no matter how late it stayed out last night. 

Shopping

Take advantage of summer sales or find new fall fashions at Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, just a three-minute drive from the Plaza. Find the best clothes, accessories and products to fit the Plaza’s classic backdrop. 

Looking for a slower pace? Check out art galleries, beauty salons, antiques and much more at The Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas, which lends itself to brunching, bar hopping and incredible downtown murals. 

Peruse the eclectic boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bars at Downtown Container Park. This open-air space offers a variety of shopping and dining in one family-friendly location, as well as live entertainment and the visually immersive attraction The Dome. 

Labor Day Weekend Getaway at The Plaza

Whether for family fun, special events or just to get away, Downtown Las Vegas is the place to be for Labor Day weekend. Plaza Hotel & Casino has everything you need to navigate a perfect stay. Reserve your Labor Day weekend downtown hotel room.

The Plaza Hotel & Casino has a lot to offer in downtown Las Vegas. In 2018, The Plaza won Best of Las Vegas in Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories. As an iconic part of downtown Las Vegas culture, The Plaza Best of Las Vegas list has been going on for several years with wins in many different categories. 

In 2017, The Plaza won “Best Downtown Hotel” and in 2018, The Plaza won “The Best Steakhouse” and “The Best Downtown Hotel Pool” both in the highest category of Gold.

Best of Las Vegas 2019

The Best of Las Vegas is an award list put on by the Las Vegas Review-Journal every year that comprises the best businesses, places, and experiences in Las Vegas. Winners are selected by the votes of locals and tourists who vote online for their favorites in 295 different sub-categories. Voting takes place during the summer, and winners will be announced in October. Voting ends August 1st, 2019.

What categories can you vote for?

This year, you can vote for the Plaza Hotel & Casino as The Best of Las Vegas for several categories including Best Downtown Hotel, Best Downtown Hotel Pool, Best Downtown Slots, Best Steakhouse, Best Downtown Restaurant, and more!

Why choose The Plaza for the Best of Las Vegas?

What makes the Plaza Hotel & Casino the Best of Las Vegas? The excellent rooms, plentiful games, rooftop pool, delicious restaurants, and ongoing entertainment—to name a few. There is never a shortage of things to do downtown or at The Plaza, and it offers a wide variety of choices as the best hotel downtown.

Vote for us here!

How can you have the best day at The Plaza?

Having the best day at the Plaza Hotel & Casino starts with breakfast or brunch at either Hash House A Go Go or Brightside. Once you finish your tasty breakfast, head up to the rooftop pool to enjoy the sunshine and downtown Las Vegas view while sipping on a cocktail. 

After the pool, head back to your Luxe room to shower and rest for a bit, then hit the casino and test your luck at your favorite slots or table games. When you start to get hungry, make your way over to Oscar’s Steakhouse for the best steak and atmosphere in the valley. 
To cap off the day, step just outside The Plaza and explore the famous Fremont Street Experience and cultural district of downtown Las Vegas. When you’re ready to wrap up the night, head back to your room at the Plaza Hotel & Casino and lay down in your room for a great night’s sleep.

If you’re looking for Bunco downtown, then you’ll want to stop by The Plaza Hotel & Casino on August 10th for Bunco Night. Before you sign up, learn more about this popular dice game.

What Is Bunco?

Bunco is a fun dice game played in teams. The game is typically played with twelve or more players and is often played as a fun ladies night event. When you’re in Downtown Las Vegas, Bunco can be a fun game to play because it requires no skill and is easy to understand. 

How to Play Bunco

The game of Bunco is easy and fun to play. For a game of Bunco, players will need 12 score cards, 3 tables, 3 dice, 1 bell, and 1 fuzzy die. The game starts by ringing a bell and then players roll 3 dice passed clockwise during the round. 

The goal of the game is to roll dice with the rounds number on it. A “Bunco” and 21 points is achieved when all three dice land on the round’s number. The round continues until a Bunco is achieved.

History of Bunco

The history of Bunco dates back to the late 1800s when women, children, and couples would play the game. Bunco was introduced to the United States during the Gold Rush in San Francisco as a way for gold mine workers to gamble. 

Since the nature of Bunco is very social, it started to gain popularity as a parlor game and a family game. The popularity of Bunco decreased in the 1900s, but began gaining popularity again in 1980 and continues to gain traction as a fun social game.

Bunco for Breast Cancer with the Plaza

If you’re looking for Bunco downtown, then you’ll want to stop by The Plaza Hotel & Casino for a Bunco night. On August 10^th starting at 6 PM, you can support breast cancer research while playing bunco. 

To play in this special event, registration is $30 and, until July 31st, hotel rooms will be discounted with a special code to only $74 per night. In addition to playing Bunco downtown, the Bunco for Breast Cancer event will include raffles, silent auctions, and cash prizes.

On July 18^th, Oscar Goodman’s 80^th Birthday will be celebrated downtown at the Fremont Street Experience(FSE) from 5 PM to 7 PM and afterwards at Oscar’s Steakhouse. The FSE event will include an 80 martini salute poured with none other than Goodman’s favorite, Bombay Sapphire gin. There will be local entertainers and special guests, with a local celebrity appearance from Frankie Scinta.

Who is Oscar Goodman?

Oscar Goodman is a local celebrity in the Las Vegas area. He was mayor of the city from 1999 to 2011, and after that, his wife Carolyn became mayor in 2011. Before becoming the mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman worked as an attorney defending those allegedly associated with the mob. Goodman has appeared in several Las Vegas related films such as Casino and Bachelor Party Vegas.

Oscar’s 80th at Oscar’s Steakhouse

The birthday celebration will then continue at Plaza Hotel & Casino where Oscar’s namesake restaurant will be celebrating Oscar’s 80^th Birthday with a special meal at Oscar’s Steakhouse. Guests will have the chance to celebrate with Oscar, eat what Oscar eats and be entertained by showgirls, live music, and special surprises. There will also be a wax figure of Oscar from Madame Tussauds Las Vegas to take selfies with.

The special menu called “What Oscar Eats” will include three courses with choices of the former Mayor’s favorite dishes. The first course is a choice between smoked salmon or salad. The second course gives guests a choice between Seabass or a Rib Eye steak. The third course is a choice between crème brulee and New York-style cheesecake. 

There will also be a drink called “What Oscar Drinks” which is, of course, the mayor’s favorite Bombay Sapphire garnished with jalapeño. Guests who order the drink will even receive a commemorative martini glass while supplies last. 

Part of the profits from Oscar’s 80^th Birthday special meal and drinks will go to benefit Keep Memory Alive, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected with brain disorders and their families. Come celebrate Oscar’s 80^th Birthday at The Plaza and enjoy a meal like the former mayor would.

Have you ever wondered what Old Vegas would look like mixed with new technology? The Plaza Hotel & Casino is showing you what that looks like with our newly upgraded luxury rooms downtown.

The Latest Luxe Rooms at the Plaza

The new Luxe Rooms will have the best views on high floors and all the finest features and modern amenities. These amenities include pillowtop mattresses, luxury sheets, and a 49-inch flat screen TV. The rooms will also be USB friendly and have a mini-fridge. 

At 325 square feet, you’ll have plenty of space to enjoy your view of the gorgeous Las Vegas mountains or all the dazzling lights on Fremont street.

Modern Luxury Rooms Downtown

In addition to modern amenities, the luxury rooms downtown are decorated with modern décor like minimalist-chic furniture and succulents. Downtown Las Vegas is generally more affordable than staying on the Las Vegas Strip, and these luxury rooms downtown at The Plaza will give you a bigger and better bang for your buck. 

The Place to Be (and Stay) Downtown

Staying at The Plaza Hotel & Casino means entertainment at your fingertips. There are hundreds of casino games for guests to enjoy and a rooftop pool with games and a bar. Other downtown Las Vegas favorites like the Fremont Street Experience and Mob Museum are just a few steps away.

When choosing a room to stay in Las Vegas, the luxury rooms downtown at The Plaza Hotel & Casino have plenty to offer with updated amenities, technological comforts, and gorgeous views.