Tag: Plaza Hotel & Casino

How to Make the Perfect Mint Julep

Posted on | by Plaza Hotel
The Mint Julep has been the official drink for the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. How did this drink consisting of mint, sugar, and bourbon achieve such fame?

History of the Julep

“Julep” comes from the Persian for “rose water”. It describes a sweet drink used to mask the taste of medicine. Truth be told, mint juleps were the original energizing morning drink! Horse trainers who woke up early would prepare the drink to help face the day. Eventually, the julep started showing up at horse races. In 1938, Churchill Downs started charging twenty-five cents once they noticed the mint julep glasses disappearing. Those cups are the leading Kentucky Derby collectible. It is tradition for the Kentucky Governor to use the mint julep sterling silver glass to toast the winning Derby owner. KentuckyDerby.com explains that during the Kentucky Derby, 120,000 mint juleps are served over the two-day period. That’s eighty tons of shaved ice and 2,200 pounds of fresh mint! Since 2006, one has the option of purchasing a custom-made mint julep served in a gold-plated cup with a silver straw for $1,000! Proceeds from this extra-premium drink go to care for retired race horses.

Mint Julep Recipe

Oscar's Mint Julep Here at Oscar’s you can find a similar, more moderately priced, premium drink. If you are watching The Derby at the Plaza Hotel and Casino, come into Oscar’s Steakhouse for a perfectly muddled mint julep using Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of The Kentucky Derby! We also enjoy the mint julep mixed with Blanton’s Bourbon because of the festive bottle pictured below. Or make your own with the following recipe:
  • 10 Mint Leaves
  • ¼ oz Simple Syrup
  • Crushed Ice
  • 2 oz Woodford Reserve or Blanton’s Bourbon
  • ¼ oz Soda Water
  • 1 Lime Wedge
Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup. Pour over crushed ice. Add bourbon. Add sprits of soda water. Mix well. Garnish with mint leaf and lime wedge. Cheers! Blantons

Oscar’s Signature Cocktails

Posted on | by Plaza Hotel

Tasting a bit of Vegas has never been so thrilling

Many of our locals and tourists alike find the history and legacy of Vegas thrilling and part of the charm of Sin City.  For those who may not be as familiar with the namesake of this iconic steakhouse in Downtown Las Vegas at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, let us indulge you. Oscar Goodman served as the “Happiest Mayor in the Universe” for Las Vegas from 1999 to 2011.  However it’s his former career that has audiences captivated.  In his career as a defense attorney, he represented defendants accused of being some of the leading organized crime figures in Vegas.  To get in touch with that side of Goodman just watch the 1995 movie Casino which portrayed a couple of his former clients and in which he has a cameo appearance. Fast forward to present day and Goodman is now the namesake behind the Oscar’s Beef-Booze-Broads steakhouse.  Be sure to checkout the photo montage of his careers as you saunter into the lounge and restaurant.  Now sit back and enjoy the libations and just imagine what it must have been like and order like he would.

Cocktails at Oscar's Steakhouse

What Oscar Drinks

5 ounces Bombay Sapphire gin (& then more Bombay Sapphire gin) Ice A slice of jalapeno Big, strong and the perfect drink…at least according to Oscar.  (If you have an opportunity see Oscar out and about this is what you will likely find in his hand!)

Goodmans Legacy

4 ounces sparkling wine 1 ounces St. Germain liquor ½ ounces Vodka This drink is tart, fizzy and just a little on the dry side. Perfect for toasting Oscar’s “forty years and still going strong”!

Downtown Smash

2 oz. vodka 1/2 oz. lime juice fresh 1/2 oz. simple syrup Muddled (fresh) strawberries & blackberries   The result is a sweetness with a refreshing citric zing. This drink truly makes you feel like it is “a long time coming and now a huge success”. Come on in for “Happiest Hour” from 4-6 pm Monday thru Friday in Oscar’s Lounge for half priced drinks and select appetizers.   At the bar or over dinner in the iconic glass dome, the bartenders will mix up one of these iconic spirits or your own favorite.   When you’re looking for a true Vegas experience, Oscar’s has both the goods and the history!  

Why You Should Cool Off at the Plaza Hotel & Casino and Beat the Vegas Heat!

Posted on | by Plaza Staff
No need to fear the summer heat. Cooling off has never been so much fun and entertaining. Soak 75 at the Plaza Hotel is the summer entertainment series to ensure that catching those rays and cooling off at a pool and hotel in Las Vegas are loads of fun. The pool deck is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 am to 8 pm. Las Vegas pool party Fridays, enjoy drink specials and the smoothing acoustics of Cameron from 4 pm to 8 pm poolside.  Saturdays bring more drink specials and the energy of DJ Ryno from 2 pm to 6 pm. When you’re ready for a little A/C go on inside. There are just as many things to do and ways to stay and be cool at the Plaza. Pool parties happen at many different venues and attract hundreds of people each day. The best way to enjoy them is to arrive early, stake out your spot and enjoy the water as people flood in throughout the day. Happy hour at one of many bars is always an option as well. Something about an ice cold beer or cocktail sure makes it easy to forget the heat and take your relaxation to the next level. There is also plenty on offer as far as Las Vegas entertainment goes. From shows to casino floors, and plenty of great dining options, this city has everything you could possibly want and more. Enjoying the air conditioning in any number of locations can provide a welcome break so check out a museum, eat in one of the countless buffets or restaurants, sit back and enjoy. Summer temperatures bring a little sizzle almost everywhere. Only in Las Vegas does the fun and entertainment out-sizzle the heat.  

Royal Rewards: You Might Already Be Royalty and Not Even Know It

Posted on | by Plaza Staff
Las Vegas Hotels & Casinos Las Vegas casino downtown Las Vegas casino casino players club On July 1, 2013, the Plaza & Las Vegas Club launched Royalty Rewards, a brand new, four-tiered casino loyalty program, poised to lead the industry with some of the most advantageous Las Vegas casino rewards available. While most casinos offer a players club program of some sort, the Plaza & Las Vegas Club are unique Las Vegas hotels in their approach to providing loyal players with the best deals in the city. Royal Rewards boasts instant competitor tier matching, meaning that members of other players club programs from any casino in Las Vegas will immediately be placed into a comparable tier in Royal Rewards, where they can reap the same level of benefits they’ve been accustomed to right from the very first day they sign up! Royal Rewards also offers the city’s fastest tier advancement, so leveling up is faster and easier than you ever thought possible! Royal Rewards spreads across four tiers, aptly named Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, with increasing benefits as you advance from one tier to the next. Queen members receive 10% off hotel rooms, dining, and show tickets, while Kings receive 20% off, and Aces an incredible 30% off! King and Ace members also receive the added perks of guaranteed room upgrades, anytime pool and fitness center access, VIP lines throughout both properties, priority valet parking, and that just scratches the surface! We haven’t even gotten to the gaming perks yet…

Royal Rewards Players Club

Media Planet’s Vince Esposito declares: “I get “insider” information on industry related news- expert feedback, product/ service reviews, consumer response etc. Well, in speaking with several of these sources, they raved about Royal Rewards!  The industry experts and insiders spoke very highly of the program, calling it ‘a phenomenal program that LV visitors should take advantage of’ and ‘Royal Rewards stands out in a crowded picture.'” On July 1, the very first player to tier match into Royal Rewards came to the Plaza and presented a Total Rewards Seven Stars card, and was immediately matched to the Ace tier. Less than six hours later, he hit a Royal Flush jackpot for $20,000, and because of his Ace status, he received an additional 100% back in free slot play, for a total win of $40,000. It doesn’t get much better than that! Media and public support for Royal Rewards has already been overwhelmingly positive. VegasChatter.com said that Royal Rewards “now joins Boyd Gaming casinos as the most transparent and detailed players clubs in downtown,” while 4Flush.com claims it’s “an improvement just about across the board. The higher tiers are easily the best player’s club for slot players in Las Vegas.” Even our own customers are chiming in to say things like: “I’ve been a member of basically every rewards program in Vegas (I swear, I don’t have a problem) and this seems like it’s by-far the best one yet.” The Plaza & Las Vegas Club’s approach to downtown Las Vegas gaming is geared towards offering their most loyal players the absolute most rewarding experience possible. In just the first 11 days following its debut, Royal Rewards had 282 tier matches, and that number continues to grow each and every day. You might already be royalty and not even know it. So what are you waiting for?