I am taking my 21 year old son to Vegas for a birthday gift. Any suggestions for dinner or night life that he would find exciting, and I could still enjoy good food and a moderate amount of craziness?
Thanks, Cindy

A good compromise between your age and his (no offense) might be The Voodoo Cafe/Lounge on the top of the Rio. You could go for dinner and then drinks/music at the bar afterwards. Drinking a "Witch Doctor" would be a good 21st b-day initiation but it is meant to be shared (it's a big drink with fog billowing out of it).

Or go see a Cirque show or Blue Man Group.

Brazilian BBQ places are fun for dinner. Rumjungle at Mandalay and Samba at Mirage. Rumjungle turns into a club after dinner but it's a very young crowd.

There are some nice places for drinks, Caramel at Bellagio, Shadow Bar at Caesars (moderate craziness), Red Square at Mandalay.

Mon Ami Gabi at Paris could be fun for dinner, sit outside if weather permits.

I agree with Loki 100 percent. All of her recommendations are right on target. Wanted to add that if you dine at Rumjungle, you get complimentary re-admission at 11:00pm when the place turns into a nightclub. Also, you don't have to wait in line. You just show your dinner receipt to the doorman and you are in like Flynn.

Have fun!

Cindyma

Another vote for Rum Jungle! Very good and a unique concept. The waiters walk to the beat of jungle music (elephant walk style) from table to table cutting slices of the various meats etc. for you to taste. Once they've "made the rounds" you choose what you'd like repeated. Good rum drinks too!

Another , more elegant place is Lawry's Primrib and Steakhouse ( the Lawry's seasoning people). Probably the best service I've EVER experienced! Food was great too! OSB.

We took our daughter to Las Vegas in September to celebrate her 21st birthday. Her two older brothers picked The Voo Doo Lounge at midnight where she actually turned 21, and a birthday dinner that night at Red Square in Mandaly Bay, and Rum Jungle afterwards. She loved it!

If you're more about wine while your son imbibes the rum drinks, one thing I noticed about Rum Jungle is that their wine list is quite impressive and very reasonably priced. The interior is super cool, too.

Unless you're heading for the high-end restaurants that require a reservation, my advice for Vegas is to concentrate on seeing as much as possible and let the dining choices fall where they may.

It doesn't make much sense to take in the classic car show at I.P and then wander over to see the canals at the Venetian, only to have to rush way down to the Rumjungle for a planned dinner. Every city has great restaurants and bars, why concentrate on drinks & dining when you're in Vegas, baby, VEGAS!

My body clock gets all messed up in Vegas. I hate to have a 7pm reservation for dinner when what I actually need is a nap. Keep a list with you regarding what's recommended where, but don't stress-out about keeping to a plan.
This is a list of some of my favorites, starting from the north strip going southward.

Venetian- Grand Luxe Cafe
Mirage - Calif. Pizza Kitchen
Cravings Buffet
Caesar's Forum Mall-
Bertolini's
Stage Deli
Cheesecake Factory

Barbary Coast - Coffee Shop
Bally's - Coffee Shop
Paris - Mon Ami Gabi
- Breakfast Buffet

Aladdin - Brunch Buffet
Dinner Buffet
PF Changs
La Salsa

Monte Carlo - Brew Pub
Market City Cafe

NYNY - Chin Chin Chinese

MGM - Wolfgang Puck Cafe

Excalibur - Cold Stone Ice Cream

Mandalay Bay - Coffee Shop
- Breakfast Buffet
- RumJungle

Four Season's - $at/$un Brunch

We love sitting outside at Mon Ami Gabi @ Paris - the PERFECT LV dining experience. Great food at moderate prices, too. Also, any 21 yr old boy would love the Buffet at Paris for brunch. YUMMY!! Enjoy LV!