Things for golfers to do in Las Vegas besides golf

New Years Eve...on a weekend...in Las Vegas. Total sensory overload. Oh well, could be worse, at least it's mild here. Winter in NYC is great when you're somewhere else that's warm. Golf starts tomorrow, but lets look at some excellent choices for Las Vegas entertainment and lodging.

New Years Rockin Eve:

Talk about giving a starving man a menu, there is a concert to suit every taste here this year (except Phish fans...but that's another story). My choice will surprise you, but this year its MATCHBOX 20 at the Hard Rock. It's not that I love Matchbox 20, but I just checked into the Hard Rock after saying "No Thanks" to the Palace Station and the show is convenient, right below me. Plus I'm friends with Matty the keyboard player (he also plays with my friends Tim Bright and Paris Hampton in Samsara), so at least my crew will have some NYC friends to hang with.

Rockers can also choose between the Goo Goo Dolls at the House of Blues, The Black Eyed Peas at Mandalay Bay or Kid Rock at the Mirage. If you're not psyched to shell out $150 at ticket, for $40 you can go to downtown Vegas for a triple header of Cheap Trick, Spin Dorks (thats NYC speak for "The Spin Doctors) and Gin Blossoms. What, no Blues Traveler?

Jay's choice: The Black Eyed Peas.

If those options are too edgy for you, mellow folks can choose between Celine Dion at Caesar's Palace or Barry Manilow at the Hilton, where both are doing extended stays. Chumps can go see Carrot Top at the Luxor after striking out trying to pickup showgirls.

For those interested in shows there are two great standouts. First if you can't see BLUE MAN GROUP in NYC, go see it at the Venetian, its a thrill a minute. Fantastic music, a psychadelic light show and a totally worth it spectical make it a top option. Also there are several Cirque de Soleil shows in various hotels, but choose carefully as some contain partial nudity. Entertainment expert and woman of the world Nancy Carpenter recommends "O" at the Bellagio and Zumanity at New York, New York, but these are not for the kids. Both feature "artistic" partial nudity that is meant to be more intellectual than erotic, but in my opinion, that's like NBC saying they wanted to show an 80 y/o woman's breast on ER as an "exercise in medical studies." For those of you keeping score at home the FCC told them "yeah, right, try again. You want it so you can point to it as precedent so you can get away with showing T&A on prime time on some California beach show" and banned the episode. O and Zumanity have both been well received, but are strictly for a younger crowd. Other more mainstream Cirque de Soleil options include Ka at the MGM Grand and Mystery at Treasure Island. For those seeking comedy, the excellent "Second City" show is playing nightly at the Flamingo.

Jay's choice: Blue Man Group

For sports fans, the Orleans casino has its own hockey arena which is home to the LV Wranglers. Tonight, they'll be fighting...errr...skating with the Utah Grizzlies.

Finally,what would Vegas be without a good stiff drink. Once again we tap the incomperable Nancy Carpenter who recommends Red Square and Pure (both in Mandalay Bay) and the stand alone bar "Ice." I agree with all three choices and also add the Palms hotel and casino where you can hang with Tara Reid, if she's still standing up when you get there.

Jay's Choice: Red Square. The bar is a huge block of ice with little glass sized holes cut in it to cool your homemade flavored vodka.

Tomorrow, after my round at the Falls G.C., I'll be reporting live from backstage at the Matchbox 20 show and from The Palms Hotel for the after party. Then its early to bed to tackle Wolf Creek on New Year's Day.