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The Vantage LV #40
Vegas is moving fast. These are the places keeping up.
Matthew Prindiville
June 23, 2025
Your locally curated guide to to the best brand-new eats, events, and hidden gems
[Issue #040 | June 23rd, 2025]
Good morning, Vegas! There’s something weirdly wonderful about this time of year, when the heat’s unapologetic, the calendars are packed, and the city feels like it’s on the edge of something. It’s not just the festivals or the pool parties (though, yeah, those help). It’s running into friends at Fergusons, it’s karaoke rooms at night, it’s the smell of birria drifting across parking lots. It’s locals building, showing up, trying things. It’s a great week to see what the cities been working on.
🌮 The best birria in town just got a new home.
🎭 This edgy fesitval ends with a free party.
🛍️ A vintage rabbit hole just opened Downtown.
Here’s what’s worth your time this week:
Chubby Skewers
📍 Chinatown
A bold new take on Northeastern Chinese barbecue has landed in Chinatown. Guests can rally around a neon-lit self‑grill skewer bar, where everything from duck tongue to sizzling tofu hits the grill at your hands. Late-night hours and flavorful street‑style eats that bring the vibe of China’s alleyway cookouts to Vegas.
JAWS Tobokki
📍 South Rainbow
Vegas now has its own outpost of the Los Angeles cult favorite. JAWS has officially opened with signature Topokki soups (spicy, cheesy, and jasang-style) plus gimbap and fried goods, bringing Korean street comfort to South Rainbow. Early reviews praise the flavorful broths and friendly service.
LullaBar Thai Fusion & Izakaya
📍 Chinatown
This sultry new lounge fuses Thai-forward dishes with an izakaya pulse, and a full soundtrack of lounge beats. Early visitors have noted a pro‑soft‑opening 50% off menu, upbeat neon lights, and cocktails that lean equal parts fun and craft. If Chinatown nightlife could take a tropical vacation, this would be it.
Sumo Hotpot and Sushi
📍 Southwest
A sleek AYCE concept combining hot pot and sushi is now in soft open, running through June 18–20 with a BOGO deal on all-you-can‑eat, perfect for hot pot fans plotting their next feast. Find solid welcome vibes and a smart-lined menu that syncs sushi rolls with communal broths, one to bookmark for casual group dinners.
Electric Rabbit
📍 Fergusons Downtown
A charming vintage-meets-secondhand boutique “rabbit hole” has popped up in the arts district. Designed as a cozy warren of pre-loved books, retro clothing, and quirky collectibles, it quietly opened June 15 and is already winning over shoppers hunting hidden-style finds and indie gems.
New Kids on the Block Residency
📍 Through July 5 @ Dolby Live
NKOTB have landed at Dolby Live in Park MGM with The Right Stuff, their first-ever Vegas residency, plus return stints in November 2025 and February 2026. The show promises their biggest hits such as “Step by Step” and “Hangin’ Tough”, alongside immersive production, meet‑and‑greets, pool‑parties, after‑hours events and an NKOTB-themed merch pop-up.
Fringe Fest End of Festival Bash
📍 June 25 @ Davy’s
The closing curtain falls on Vegas Fringe Fest with a free, all-are-welcome bash. This is an evening to connect: live music, community toasts, and a collective high‑five to another year of local creative mayhem. No tickets, just bring your good vibes and celebrate everything from puppetry to immersive theater.
Kids Summer Day Camp
📍 Through July 4 @ Fergusons Downtown
Fergusons Downtown is hosting a weekday kids’ camp (ages 5–12) from now through early July, pairing crafty workshops, playful storytelling and Denver-inspired programming by Tofu Tees. It’s the rare camp that lets parents work on-the-go nearby while youngsters dig into creativity and community in the heart of Downtown.
Mukgo Nolza
The long-anticipated karaoke-and-dining concept from Peter Vu has officially broken ground in the former furniture store near the Sand Dollar Lounge. Renderings show a pulsating sci‑fi–palatial vibe paired with 21 themed rooms. Set to open summer/fall 2025.
Birria Bros Brick and Mortar
Birria Bros, the family-run birria taco legend that scored “Vegas’s best birria” once again, is transitioning from food truck to brick-and-mortar. Their debut storefront at 3720 E Sunset Rd has quietly opened, offering cult hits like quesabirria tacos and crispy quesadilla birria. It’s a hometown success story turned full-time feast
Zippys Third Location
The beloved Hawaiian diner chain is expanding again with a third Las Vegas Valley location set to open this fall near the airport. The Henderson spot at 9570 S Eastern Ave follows the success of its Arroyo Crossing and Summerlin counterparts.
Picasso Replacement
Construction is underway on a $16 million replacement for the legendary Picasso at Bellagio, according to Clark County building permits. After closing in August 2024 when chef Julian Serrano retired, the prime lakeside space is being completely reconfigured, though MGM has stayed silent on exactly what it’ll be.
Poppy
📍 October 2 @ House of Blues
Metal-pop shapeshifter Poppy returns with a show that’s equal parts scream therapy and performance art. Expect genre-hopping chaos, industrial energy, and a crowd that knows every lyric and every outfit change.
Banda World
📍 August 8 @ House of Blues
Banda meets reggaeton in this high-octane party built for dancing, drinking, and shouting every chorus. Banda World is more than a concert—it’s a full-on cultural mashup with a DJ-led heartbeat and a crowd that comes dressed to move.
Breakaway Takeover
📍 August 22-24 @ Wynn + Encore Venues
Las Vegas turns into a full-on dance playground August 22–24 as Breakaway Takeover commandeers XS Nightclub, Encore Beach Club (day/night), and Wynn’s top nightlife venues. Think Chainsmokers poolside, Marshmello in the club, DJ Diesel (Shaq) owning the after-hours, and Diplo bringing the bass—this is a three-day, all-in immersion into neon-soaked, festival-grade energy
Your voice matters! The local residents of Las Vegas are the number one best source of what’s good, great, and amazing here in this ever-evolving city. Every week we are going to feature the best recommendations tips, and shout-outs we receive!
Rain On Horizon is such a gem in the neighborhood!
The food, service, and ambience is so on point!! Food is super flavorful and fresh. You can tell they really take pride in what they serve. It's the kind of place you end up coming back! Plus, it's right around the corner from us, which makes it way too convenient. Everyone that works there is very friendly.
Definitely a go-to if you're nearby!
The sandwiches at Sourdough & Co. are so fresh and that BREAD -- so good. The service was quick the location was clean. I love that you can buy the bread to go either par baked (like take and bake) or they will bake it for you. It's a huge loaf for $4.99. The veggies were fresh. Even the pickles were great. I will be back!
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