Finding “Big Game” Parties in Las Vegas

This weekend is the culmination of weeks of NFL games, yet there’s scarcely a “Super Bowl” party ad to be found anywhere. So what gives? Is Vegas simply not participating in the annual rite of celebrating the biggest game of the year? Well, the answer lies in the legalities.

Back in 2004, the NFL decided to crack down nationwide on businesses throwing “Super Bowl” parties, and that included sending out cease-and-desist orders to any hotel, bar or other venue holding parties that charged admission to view a big-screen broadcast of the game. They claim such places violated both federal copyright laws and even league rules.

Four years later, the NFL is still keeping a vigilant eye out for any violators to the “no big-screen fee-based” party. So, to get around it, many places are using alternate terms such as “Big Game” to refer to the event in their party materials.

But to save you the trouble of trying to find some place in town to hole up with a cold beer, some grub and a few hundred pigskin fans, I’ve dug up these hotel and resorts which will be holding parties that just happen to coincide with the airing of the “Big Game” this Sunday, February 3rd.

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Hotels / Resorts:

• Bally’s – Indigo Lounge
  The party starts at 2pm and includes a nacho bar, relish and greens bar, tailgate salads, gyro sandwiches, hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken wings, beef sliders, and assorted desserts, along with drink specials. Admission is $75.
• Bellagio – Caramel Bar & Lounge
  Free party with food and drink specials while the game airs on an elevated plasma TV in a laid-back lounge setting, starting at 2pm.
• Binion’s – Benny’s Bullpen
  For $30, or enough Club Binion points, you can join in the “Big Game Buffet” party with open bar and “stadium food” from 2pm until final play.
• Excalibur – Dick’s Last Resort
  Start time is 1pm, with food and drink specials, pre-game and half-time festivities hosted by the restaurant’s resident maniac Taco. House band Panama plays following the final TD.
• Imperial Palace – Rockhouse Bar
  It’s an all-you-can-drink party from 2pm until game end for $100 per person. Play Guitar Hero and beer pong during halftime, and DJ Jeffrey Thomas will keep the party going afterwards.
• Las Vegas Hilton – Hilton Theater
  The game will be shown on 11 screens with free admission starting at 2pm, with food and drinks available for purchase, including $1 hot dogs and beers. Miller and Las Vegas Vodka girls will be on hand with prizes and there will be a Ford Mustang giveaway after the game.
• Monte Carlo – Diablo’s Cantina
  Out front and unaffected by the fire, Diablo’s will be offering $1 tequila shots, $2 margaritas and the “Wheel O’ Sin” spun anytime a point is scored or a quarter ends. Admission is free.
• Orleans – Bourbon Street Lounge, Brendan’s Irish Pub, Big Easy Lounge and the Mardi Gras Ballroom
  All four locations at the hotel will be holding parties featuring $15,000 in cash prize drawings, along with food and drink specials, including a $10 Bucket ‘o Bud (Bud or Bud Lite, six Buds to a bucket) and $1 Vienna beef hot dogs, starting at 11am (except the ballroom, which starts at 2pm). Admission is free.
• Paris Las Vegas – Burger Brasserie and Napolean’s
  Both are throwing bashes from 2pm on that include a nacho bar, relish and greens bar, tailgate salads, gyro sandwiches, hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken wings, beef sliders and assorted desserts, along with drink specials, for $75 a person.
• Planet Hollywood – Blondies Bar & Grill at the Miracle Mile Shops
  $200 gets you into this all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink top-shelf alcohol soiree, which will just happen to have the game playing on its many screens. Prize giveaways during halftime, too.
• Rio – I-Bar
  This party starts at noon and includes an all-you-can-eat buffet. A $75 ticket includes a commemorative bucket with 2 Coors Light beers, or you can upgrade to an open bar for $125 per person.
• Rio – McFadden’s Irish Pub
  $50 gets you in to enjoy an unlimited food buffet. $100 adds on an open bar package. Add to this giveaways all day and the game playing on seventeen 52″ HDTVs, and you’ve got yourself a “Big Game” party.
• Santa Fe Station – Chrome Showroom
  Billed as “KOMP’s Big Game Party” this free event starts at 11am with a tailgate party in the sports book area and then moves into the showroom at game time. Expect plenty of food and drink specials, along with huge prize giveaways that include an ATV, concert and sporting tickets and more.
• TI – Mist Bar & Lounge
  Free party with food and drink specials while the game airs on an elevated plasma TV in a laid-back lounge setting, starting at 2pm.
• Wynn Las Vegas – Blush
  Free party with food and drink specials while the game airs on an elevated plasma TV in a laid-back lounge setting, starting at 2pm.

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There are also other locations around Vegas to find a perch to watch the game, and in my next post, I’ll highlight everything from family-friendly to adults-only venues holding “Big Game” parties in town this Sunday.