City Cast Las Vegas

While the speakeasy trend has waxed and waned in other cities, Las Vegas keeps the spirit of the secret bar with Prohibition-era cocktails alive in at least a dozen busy venues — but are they even really speakeasies anymore? Are we over the gimmick? And as it turns out, our frontier city didn't have to do much hiding during Prohibition … so did we actually even have speakeasies at all? Co-hosts Da...

The GOP is making good on President Trump's spur-of-the-moment campaign promise to Nevadans by including a "no taxes on tips" provision in their budget bill — but it comes with a few strings attached. Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Nevada Independent reporter Gabby Birenbaum to discuss how the provision will impact Southern Nevada and our unique tipping culture. If you enjoyed today's interv...

Two hotels on the Strip, the Luxor and Treasure Island, are getting sued after guests claimed they were "massacred" by bed bugs and left with scars. So, how bad can bed bug bites really get, and is this a frivolous lawsuit? Co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler are joined by Nevada Current reporter Michael MJ Lyle to talk bed bugs. They also tackle the recent safety upgrades in RTC buses and tra...

A TikTok influencer was recently trolled after ⁠posting a video⁠ of herself raving over a simple raw tomato at LPM in the Cosmo (she called it "iconic"). But did she maybe have a point? Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson and newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess (who has tried the tomato in question) to discuss this and other viral food scandals in Las Vegas, from...

Another summer, another Lake Mead update: And this year, it's not looking great. Our snowpack gains this winter were pretty dismal, and the National Weather Service recently even lowered their projections for Lake Powell, whose upstream levels affect Lake Mead's. In light of all this, we're bringing back a conversation that co-host Dayvid Figler had with UNLV hydrology professor David Kreamer. The...

City Cast Las Vegas co-host Sarah Lohman is coming up on four years of living in Las Vegas — so can she call herself a real Las Vegas local yet, or what? To help answer this question, she talks with co-host Dayvid Figler, lifelong Las Vegan, and artist Brent Holmes, who's clocked 24 years in this town, about the "merit badges" you have to earn before you can call yourself a real Las Vegan (and yes...

Northern Nevada U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei sparked backlash last week with a last-minute public lands amendment to a budget package — and that's because for three decades now, a special law called SNPLMA has sent a portion of federal land sales right back to Nevada's coffers. But Amodei's amendment would instead direct those funds straight to the U.S. Treasury, with nothing for Nevada. Co-host Dayvid F...

After the Sphere issued Beyoncé a cease and desist order (!) for using an image of the Sphere in her concert visuals, she's now replaced it with Allegiant Stadium. Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman are joined by Andrew Kiraly, creator of TheList. Vegas, to discuss whether or not the Sphere messed up — or if there's more to it. The trio also tackles the recent recall of Zoox robotaxis after a...

With the opening of his latest establishments, Petite Bohème and Bar Bohème, we think it's safe to say that Chef James Trees has created a restaurant empire in Las Vegas — and transformed the Arts District in lasting ways. Today, co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Chef James to talk about his upbringing on the Eastside running with the "wrong crowd," how restaurants changed his life, what it was...

When MGM recently announced that it was replacing the entire concierge staff at six of its Vegas properties with "digital guest services," the hospitality world took note — is this a death knell for the concierge profession? And what does it say about where Las Vegas hospitality is headed? Co-host Dayvid Figler interviews Tyra Bell, a veteran Las Vegas concierge who at one point ran the largest co...

It's easy to feel lonely in Las Vegas. With thousands of tourists in the city at any given moment, how do you find like-minded locals, and what do you say?! Today, we revisit a conversation with the founder of Black Girl Mixer and “friend concierge” Kailah Orr. She tells co-host Sarah Lohman the secret to making friends in Las Vegas and the surprising health benefits of building community. Speakin...

Hey, did you hear that story about the guy who wakes up in a hotel bathtub full of ice … missing his KIDNEYS? Our city is the backdrop for so many urban legends, so today, co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Celestia Ward and Ben Radford — they're folklorists, professional skeptics, and co-hosts of the podcast Squaring the Strange, and they share their favorite Vegas urban legends, explain how to...

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority released some sobering stats this week: At a time when tourism tends to uptick, we're seeing visitorship to Vegas on the decline. What does this forebode? Co-host Sarah Lohman talks with education advocate Patricia Haddad Bennett and Hey Las Vegas newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess about whether Las Vegas has nickel and dimed its customers past the br...

Even if it isn't officially summer, it's definitely heating up — so our co-hosts, Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman, are joined by Nothing To Do LV Eats founder Giselle D'souza to talk about the best way to spend May in Vegas before the real triple digit weather hits. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Las...

Earlier this month, Elaine Wynn, a trailblazing casino executive and philanthropist, died at 82. To understand how Wynn shaped the Las Vegas we know today, co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with gaming industry veteran Alan Feldman. Together, they explore Wynn’s pivotal role in redefining the city’s image — from a gambling hub to a global destination for art, hospitality, and entertainment. Get more...

There's a stretch of industrial park in Henderson that looks like any other … until you start to notice the signage. There's a winery, a brewery, and distillery, and a meadery here, and the City Cast Las Vegas team took a booze crawl through all of 'em. Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman recap our day and share their insider tips for the best deals, drinks, and events at the Henderson Booze D...

Nevada legalized recreational cannabis in 2017 to cheers and fanfare: We were going to make SO much money. Except it's now 2025 and sales are down, our celebrated consumption lounges are closing, and the vibe is hesitant at best. What's going on? Co-host Dayvid Figler talks with cannabis industry consultant Scot Rutledge and Layke Martin, Executive Director of the Nevada Cannabis Association, to t...

Just when we thought the Tony Hsieh saga was winding down, a new twist has emerged this week: A mysterious will, believed to be Tony's, was discovered in the effects of a now-deceased executor who apparently forgot about it while suffering from Alzheimer's. But the story about the billionaire's estate gets even weirder, as co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman discuss with Nevada Current editor...

After multiple delays, the day is finally here: H Mart is opening its first Las Vegas store today! So why is the internet obsessed with this Korean grocery store, and more importantly, what should you go and buy there right now? Co-host Sarah Lohman gets all the details from executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson. Become a City Cast Neighbor! Visit membership.citycast.fm If you enjoyed the interview...

Going to the airport fills some travelers with dread, stress, or even fear. But it doesn't have to be that way. After Harry Reid Airport's recent renovations, Las Vegas' travel hub is a source of fun and relaxation — if you know where to look. Co-host Dayvid Figler and Newsletter Editor Rob Kachelreiss give you the inside scoop on what to do at the airport, including which area is pizza heaven and...

Hockey is heating up, and our beloved Vegas Golden Knights are once again in the playoffs! Whether you're lucky enough to get seats at a game, or you're headed to the tailgate party outside T-Mobile Arena, co-host Dayvid Figler talks with VGK announcer Dave Goucher to get his insider's perspective on the best way to spend a day before, during, and after a Golden Knights game. Get more from City Ca...

How important are the carpets when it comes to the overall look and feel of Las Vegas casinos? Pretty important, it turns out! Today on the podcast, co-host Sarah Lohman is chatting with casino carpet designer Terrien Hale and interior designer Alice O'Keefe about the most iconic designs they've seen and worked on, why casino carpets are so expensive, and what you should pay attention to next time...

Reports of an expanded local ICE presence have Southern Nevadans worried, especially after four UNLV students had their visas revoked last week. What do we know for sure, and have there been any confirmed arrests? Co-host Dayvid Figler and producer Layla Muhammad are joined by journalist Michael MJ Lyle to talk about ICE's latest tactics and the community's response. They also talk about the reviv...

Las Vegas isn't exactly known for its soul food cuisine, but that doesn't mean you can't find great, award-winning Southern food in the Vegas Valley. Today on the podcast, co-host Sarah Lohman talks with travel and food writer Shaunda Necole about her local soul food recs, the difference between traditional and modern soul food, and what's missing in Las Vegas' soul food scene. Learn more about th...

Ahead of World Circus Day this Saturday, we’re taking a look behind the curtain at the physical strain performers endure for their careers. Las Vegas is a major destination for acrobats, but our city lacks the protections and medical care needed to help manage the pain that accompanies their dazzling skills. UNLV professor and aerial performer Laura Martinez studies the culture of the circus indus...