Ready to roll the dice again in Las Vegas in 2021? March Madness in Las Vegas is definitely coming back, albeit with fewer guests filling ballrooms to cheer during NCAA Basketball Tournament games.
When the ballyhoo-ed tournament drives into gear on March 19, sports bars and books will be half-filled with socially distanced and masked celebrants eating and drinking and watching point spreads.
Are you ready to re-access The Strip? On March 15, safe, allowable capacity at most venues rises to 50 percent. That goes for swimming pools, theater shows and restaurants. However, don’t expect to spend time at one of Vegas’ iconic all-you-can-eat buffets.
Here’s a glimpse at what’s re-opening this spring in Las Vegas in 2021:
Swimming Pools
Swimming pools at Las Vegas Strip casino-hotels are splashing back. They’re at 35-percent capacity now, and that springboards to 50 percent on March 15.
While soaking in sun, be prepared to develop a face-mask tan line. Masks are required unless you’re eating, drinking or swimming.
Swimming pool-based nightclubs are also opening under strict COVID safety protocols. Venues are promising active enforcement procedures.
The Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool opens March 22. It’s dive-in movie series offers films shown on a 65-foot digital marquee. Dayclub space opens on March 5.
The new, 21-and-older Stadium Swim at Circa is open now.
Pools opening March 1 include: Bellagio, Delano, Mirage and Park MGM
Pools opening on March 5: Wynn Las Vegas, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay.
ARIA’s pool opens on March 12.
Theater Shows
A number of Las Vegas entertainment venues re-opened stage shows in mid-February. Several more are set to turn the lights back on just before the March Madness crowds converge.
As with all other places where people gather, social distancing will be enforced. Seating will be closed within 25 feet of on-stage performers.
Comedian Carrot Top and the sexy FANTASY production are back at Luxor Theater.
At MGM Grand, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club re-opened February 18. Also at MGM Grand, the David Copperfield magic show reappears March 21.
On March 15, two shows return to Excalibur: The Australian Bee Gees tribute band and the Thunder From Down Under male revue.
Ventriloquist Terry Fator brings his “Who’s the Dummy Now” show back to life on March 18 at New York-New York.
Buffets
Ah, the over-the-top, all-you-can-eat buffets. If you used to dream about them, the reality is now your worst nightmare. They’re all but gone.
After most Las Vegas buffets shuttered in 2020, Wynn gave re-opening a shot. They switched to all-you-can-eat seated table service. How it works: For two hours, a server brings to your table an unlimited number of items from a 90-dish menu.
After a couple months, Wynn shut it back down. Execs discovered that guest preferred the tradition buffet experience.
The Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan re-opened in June 2020 and just re-closed its doors in January. The Wicked Spoon had implemented the practice of having masked servers dish out food to patrons at different stations.
One of perhaps the only buffets left in Vegas is at the off-Strip South Point casino. The food is served by a waitstaff. They’re open for lunch and dinner, and brunch on the weekends.
Las Vegas in 2021 is all about safe recovery. J&J
I’ve been wanting to go to Las Vegas. Thank you for this guide. I can’t wait to see some of these places you suggested.
One of the best places to go when everything resets to normal.
Take me to Las Vegas now please…Such a beautiful city, i miss it so much…
#5! I turned on some music and wrote this post.
Ahh I drove through Vegas during the pandemic and it was sad to see it when it’s not its usual lively self. Hopefully this year everything will be back to normal!
I definitley want to get on a trip to Las Vegas! It is such a cool city and it has been way to long since I have been there and will have to remedy that soon. Those pools are calling my name 🙂
I am so ready to roll the dice, we are planning to visit in May so my finger’s crossed it all works out.