“Lights of Las Vegas” by irene. is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Check out the first installment of our three-part series of the best and brightest things coming to Las Vegas this year. First up: our guide to the new hotels and restaurants expected to open in 2021.
Read more:
2021 Shows & Concerts in Las Vegas
5 New Things To Do In Las Vegas in 2021
2020 was a year of many challenges and much uncertainty. No city knows that better than Las Vegas, where shuttered businesses led to thousands of furloughed or laid off hospitality workers and huge dips in tourism. The Las Vegas Strip, normally teeming with visitors, went dark for the first time in decades.
We know we’re not exactly going into 2021 with a clean slate—the coronavirus pandemic and its accompanying restrictions are alive and well—but for the first time in a long time, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon for America’s playground.
While things are by no means back to “normal”, businesses throughout Las Vegas have proven themselves innovative and resilient in responding to the events of the past year. And in spite of every setback and cancellation, we at Things To Do in Las Vegas still believe there’s plenty to look forward to this year.
New Las Vegas Hotels Opening in 2021
There are two new major hotels slated to open in 2021. Last year, Circa Resort and Casino left its mark on downtown Las Vegas as the first new hotel property built there since 1980. This year, the Strip will see its first new hotel built from the ground up since the Cosmopolitan opened in 2010.
Resorts World Las Vegas
Opens Summer 2021
A self-described “next generation integrated resort”, Resorts World Las Vegas has been a work in progress since 2013. At a projected cost of $4.3-billion, it will be the most expensive resort property ever developed on the Strip. This Hilton brand property will offer 3,500 luxury rooms, 117,000 square feet of casino gaming, and 350,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and banquet space.
Restaurants will range from authentic street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, and retail space will feature internationally-recognized luxury brands. Resorts World Las Vegas also plans to offer an 1,800 square foot infinity pool and nine different pool experiences with excellent Strip views. It will include all the standard resort amenities, such as a world-class spa and fitness center.
As for entertainment, the hotel hopes to appeal to a younger demographic with 65,000 square feet of nightlife and day club spaces, plus a state-of-the-art theater to hold both A-list residencies and corporate events alike.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Opens March 25, 2021
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is expected to open this spring as a redesign of the former Hard Rock Hotel. Spearheaded by business magnate Richard Branson, the hotel will have a modern desert design and three distinct hotel towers: Canyon Tower, Opal Tower, and an all-suite Ruby Tower.
All 1,504 hotel rooms will be renovated into a signature chamber design, with the hallway, closet, and bathroom combined into one area for living, while privacy doors allow guests to designate a personal area for sleeping, working, and playing.
The 60,000 square foot Mohegan Sun Casino will not only offer 50 table games, 650 slot machines, and a sportsbook, but it will also be the first casino on the Las Vegas Strip to be operated by a Native American tribe.
Restaurants will include traditional Mexican cuisine at Casa Calavera, Southern Mediterranean dishes at the Kassi Beach Club, and locally-sourced wine and beer at the Commons Club Bar. Branson made sure to include plenty of space for concerts and live music, including two indoor music venues and an outdoor event lawn. A 10,000 square foot nightclub and two-story dayclub will also make their debut this April.
New Las Vegas Restaurants and Dining in 2021
Restaurants were hit hard by the pandemic in 2020, leading to delays in the opening of new eateries and the closing of some beloved local favorites. Here are the new Las Vegas restaurants expected to open this year.
Vegas Test Kitchen
Now Open
Vegas Test Kitchen is officially open for business! This innovative culinary venture is brought to downtown Las Vegas by Jolene Mannina, President of SecretBurger. Test Kitchen will offer a variety of cuisines and pop-up vendors five days a week. Current offerings include Yukon Pizza, Bodega Bagel, Slurp Society, Pop N Pies, and more! Stop by to see what’s available and help support local businesses.
Raiders Bar & Grill at M Resort
Opens March 2021
M Resort is hard at work putting the finishing touches on Raiders Bar & Grill, a new Raiders-themed eatery. The restaurant has been in the works since 2019 and will offer Raiders memorabilia, multiple bars, a private dining room, outdoor dining, a gift shop, and 30 large TVs so that fans can make themselves at home on game days. Rumor has it that Raiders team members are likely to stop in now and again, since the restaurant will be open 24/7 and is near the team’s headquarters in Henderson.
Night + Market at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Opens April 2021
This wildly popular Los Angeles restaurant is debuting at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Night + Market prides itself on its “delicious and authentic Thai food to facilitate drinking and fun-having amongst friends.” Laidback west coast vibes meet fast-paced Bangkok energy to create a fun and exciting culinary atmosphere. We’re excited to see what this little gem has in store for the Vegas dining scene.
Bāng Bar at The Cosmopolitan
Opens Spring 2021
David Chang, the founder of Momofuku, is bringing a new concept restaurant to the Cosmopolitan’s Block 16 Urban Food Hall. Spit-roasted meats and bāng (a type of Korean flatbread) combined with bold flavors are sure to make this new Vegas restaurant a major success.
Amalfi at Caesars Palace
Opens Late Spring 2021
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay will introduce a new restaurant concept called Amalfi inside Caesars Palace this spring. The seafood eatery is replacing Flay’s successful Mesa Grill, which closed last fall after sixteen years. This will be the celebrity chef’s first Italian restaurant, and was reportedly inspired by his travels to Italy and the Amalfi Coast.
Delilah at Wynn Las Vegas
Opens May 2021
Wynn Las Vegas borrows inspiration from both Hollywood and the Roaring 20s with its newest supper club called Delilah, which will finally make its debut this spring. Between Art Deco architecture, plush furnishings, a live band, and servers attired in flapper dresses and white tuxedos, those who dine at Delilah may wonder if they’ve accidentally stumbled into an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.
There’s Always Something To Do In Las Vegas
From quick weekend getaways to a five-star luxury vacation, there’s always something to do in Las Vegas. For great deals on hotels, guided tours, nightlife, and more, you can trust Things To Do In Las Vegas for only the best tips and tricks. Be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay informed on all the latest and greatest things happening in Sin City.
