Jon Kalmar says...

WSOP Day 29 - Jon Kalmar

Wednesday 1 Jul 2009

Now Vegas has arguably the nicest hotels in the world and some of the best restaurants, clubs and bars to go with it. Sometimes, a quiet drink at one bar playing Video Poker just ain’t enough. Unlike every major town in the UK there is not a row of bars you can simply stagger between. Often it’s a taxi to your next venue. However a short stretch of the strip directly across from our hotel is a drink lover’s paradise.

Vegas is an expensive place at the best of times but with the dollar being much stronger against the pound as it was 12 months ago, things feel worse, especially at a time when everyone is tightening their belts. However, not every bar is over priced, if you know where to go, food and drink can be bought at prices to suit everyone’s budget.

We all met at the Galleria bar in Caesars. After a few drinks there we wandered over to our first main stop, O’Shea’s, an Irish themed Casino right in the centre of the strip. If you want a cheap night and a laugh this is a good place to go. Drinks cannot be found cheaper anywhere nearby. For example a Jack and Coke, a gin and tonic and a diet coke came to $29.50 at Caesars. Here 10 pints of Guinness and 10 pints of Miller came to 55 bucks. A bargain!

Unfortunately there was no band on tonight nor did we get to witness the famous dwarf who runs around the bar dressed as a lepricorn handing out free shots, but it was a good place for everyone to get suitably oiled. Next stop was the Karaoke Bar at the Imperial Palace. Although the hotel is possibly one of the worst on the Vegas strip (yes Harrah’s own it) it’s low class surroundings are perfect for the reprobates who were joining us.

Karaoke over here is much like what is was in the good old days. Most people have a go for a laugh and are not intimidated buy wannabe pop stars.

I did My Way and Basket Case rendition (with the help of Steve Davis’ good lady Jeanie). Nick Phin (phinnies1) impressed us all with his hidden Crooner talents and if you shut your eyes you’d have sworn it was Robbie singing and not Norman Pace.

The last stop was the Carnival Court. Simply my favourite bar in Vegas. Situated outside, between Imperial Palace and Harrah’s it has a large stage hosting a band (If u get there early enough) and the best cocktail waiters in Vegas. These guys are unreal. How they balance this stuff on their head is beyond me.

Two Swedish guys had ploughed me with Jagermiester and gave me some chewing tobacco. Not sure if you have ever tried this stuff but OMG it burns and tastes appalling. Why would you ever take this stuff without having a prop bet first.

After this things got very hazy indeed. I recall a drink in Buffalo Bills and another ill advised session of craps, then breakfast before bed. Luckily I was drunk enough to forget the breakfast though I am sure it was as poor as previous ones.