Writing about a little bit of Britain on the Las Vegas Strip for Smitten by Britain

Please check out the brilliant blog Smitten By Britain to read an article I wrote about a little bit of Britain we found on the Las Vegas Strip at "The Queen Victoria Pub in Las Vegas."

The Smitten by Britain blog is a blog all about the best of British and is run by American Britophile Melissa Stoey and covers subjects including culture, sports, travel, history, food & drinks and books - it's the home of the Britophile and all things British.

Link - Smitten by Britain

Previous Article - "Favorite Minigolf Courses in the UK"

Results of the 2011 Las Vegas Minigolf Desert Classic

Between the 8th and 10th of September 2011 Luton Minigolfers Richard 'The Low-Roller' Gottfried and Emily 'Snake Eyes' Gottfried once again competed in the Las Vegas Minigolf Desert Classic tournament following the thrilling event in 2010 which saw Emily defeat Richard in the 72-hole contest by 178(+34) to 182(+38).

Richard & Emily at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign ahead of the competition

This time the two players were to compete in a three round 45-hole contest, beginning at the brand new 9-hole indoor (in a Bar!) Mini Golf course at The Swingers Club at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, followed by a revisit to the 18-hole Pike's Pass Miniature Golf course at the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, and with a final round at The Putt Park Mini-Golf course.

The prizes for the 2011 Las Vegas Minigolf Desert Classic competition

In Round One at The Swingers Club Richard defeated Emily 22-27
In Round Two at Pike's Pass Richard defeated Emily 45-57
In Round Three at The Putt Park Richard defeated Emily 42-53

So Richard became the Irregular Mini Golf Tour's Las Vegas Minigolf Desert Classic Champion for 2011 with a score of 109(+19) to Emily's score of 137(+47).

Video: Richard Gottfried's victory speech


Despite finishing as the runner-up in the tournament, Emily did receive a unique prize as the Silver Medallist as she received a Bicycle Balloon Hat from The Balloon Guy who was at The Putt Park as part of the two-year anniversary special event at the course.

Emily and the Balloon Guy and the Bicycle Hat at The Putt Park

Photos from the final round at The Putt Park

Results of the 2010 Las Vegas Minigolf Desert Classic

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Richard made it two wins on the day as he also won that afternoon's Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament

Boom-A-Rang Crazy Air Squash at Circus Circus in Las Vegas

While at the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas we spotted a Boom-A-Rang Air Squash table in the Amusement Arcades and as big fans of these games had to give it a go.

Despite my previous poor showings in Crazy Air Squash contests - most notably in the 2010 Undisputed International Worlds Crazy Air Squash Championships - I actually managed to pick up the win, defeating Emily 7-2.

Most of the Crazy Air Squash tables we've found on our travels have been of the 'Air Squash' variety, indeed the Boom-A-Rang table is one of only two that I've played, the other being at LaserForce Laser Tag in Peterborough. 

Revisit to Pike's Pass Miniature Golf at the Adventuredome, Circus Circus Casino in Las Vegas

On Friday 9th September 2011 Emily and I revisited the 18-hole Pike's Pass Minigolf Course at the Adventuredome at the Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas.



We last played the course in 2010 when it became the 176th visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Last time out Emily and I tied on 40 shots apeice.

In our Irregular Mini Golf Tour Match-up this time I defeated Emily 45-57. This match was the second round of the 2011 Las Vegas Minigolf Desert Classic between the two of us.

Link to the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Visit #176 - Pike's Pass Miniature Golf - Circus Circus, Las Vegas

Lazer Blast Laser Tag Arena at the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino's Adventure Dome...

...was not open on our visit to Las Vegas.

A shame, as we'd have loved to have had a game or two!

The 18-hole Pike's Pass Miniature Golf course was open so we had a replay of that.

It's not the first Lazer Tag we've visited that has been closed on arrival (much like in our travels on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour). Sometimes we're lucky enough to have a great Laser Tag battle, but on occasions like on trips to Bristol, Milton Keynes, Colchester, Cleethorpes, Great Yarmouth we haven't been able to.

Other blog posts about Laser-related activity on our travels

The Laser Tag Rankings

New Mini Golf course played in Las Vegas - The Swingers Club

On the 8th of September 2011 while on our holiday in Las Vegas Emily and I visited The Swingers Club - which is actually a Bar within the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas that is home to a 9-hole Mini Golf course!

The course became the 268th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The rather risqué name for the new Music and Mini Golf venue doesn't refer to anything that the double-entendre may suggest. During the day and evening The Swingers Club will feature music by Dueling Pianos!

The course is fun to play and even though the holes themselves are not that long, they are still fairly tricky.

The 6th hole is very crazy too, as it involves a Chip Shot! Haunted Hole 9 is odd too and involves Putting the ball up a haunted Escalator!? This was the only hole I managed to get a hole-in-one on.

We'd heard The Swingers Club was open from 11am until 4am, however when we visited at around 4pm it was closed, and when we checked with various staff in the Casino and Hotel we were eventually told it wouldn't be open until 8pm on that day so we had to revisit later in the evening. At least it was open and we were able to play in the end!

The Swingers Club is a nice addition to the Las Vegas Entertainment scene and I'd play there again on my next visit to Vegas.

In our Irregular Mini Golf Tour Match-up I defeated Emily 22-27. This match was the first round of the 2011 Las Vegas Minigolf Desert Classic between the two of us.



Link to the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list of courses visited and played to date.

Previous Blog Post - New Las Vegas Mini Golf Course Opening at 'The Swingers Club' at the The Plaza Hotel & Casino

The Quest for Excalibur Laser Maze in Las Vegas

While staying at The Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada we headed to the hotel's Fun Dungeon for a play on the amusements there. One of which was The Quest for Excalibur Laser Maze! As fans of Laser Games we had to give it a go!

In had two goes in the Laser Maze, the first time I recorded on the 8th of September was 490.7 which, at the time, put me in 2nd place of 4 players and won me a Magic Hat!

On the 10th of September Emily and I both had a go, with Emily scoring a great 232.5, but I bumbled to another 400+ score of 404.3. The competition was much tougher on the 10th and neither of us made the top ten to earn a hat, but we did both win a pair of Dollar Sign Glasses.

The only other Laser Maze we've ever played on our adventures was the one at Weston-Super-Mare's Grand Pier back in July.

Other Blog Posts About Lasers...

The Las Vegas Darts Classic - Richard vs. Emily

Results of The La$ Vega$ Dart$ Cla$$ic - Richard vs. Emily

On Friday 9th September 2011 Emily and I headed to the Queen Victoria Pub at The Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On our flight over to Las Vegas we'd sat next to one of the pub's owners and he'd said we should check it out while we were there. So we did, and what a great spot it is for a Beer and Cider. And a game of Darts!

With our love of competing against each other in many and varied sports and games, Emily and I faced-off in the Las Vegas Darts Classic competition, with the winner of the best-of-3 legs 301-down championship challenge walking away with a cool $72!

The Queen Victoria Pub has eight Dartboards permanently set-up, plenty of tables and chairs for spectators, a wide-ranging menu and lots of different drinks available.

In our Darts match I managed to beat Emily 2-0, although the match was very close indeed.

I finished both of my games with Double-4!

The Queen Victoria Pub is located in The Riviera Hotel & Casino and is well worth a visit if you're in Las Vegas.

You can find the Queen Victoria Pub on twitter and facebook.

Gottfried's get a 100 Grand in Las Vegas!!!

As well winning big at The Putt Park's Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas last weekend, Emily and I also got a 100 Grand during our holiday there!

Minigolf Report - Gottfried one-two at The Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

15th September 2011
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried wins The Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Emily Gottfried runner-up in second annual event

Luton Minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried competed in The Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Saturday 10th September.

Thirteen players were registered in the 18-hole event at The Putt Park, the city’s only outdoor Mini-Golf course, to celebrate the second anniversary of the course. Richard shot a round of 43 to take the victory by one-shot from Emily after scoring a hole-in-one on the final hole, while Emily could only hit a three.

The New Putt Park Mini-Golf Annual Tournament Champion - Richard Gottfried

The tournament was played using The Putt Park’s Mini-Golf rules where each player teed-off in turn and then the player whose ball was closest to the hole played out their shots to completion.

Emily plays a shot at The Putt Park

Richard said “I’m so pleased to have won The Putt Park’s Annual Tournament and earned my spot on their Wall of Fame. The competition was intense with Emily and the Canadian player Ryan Cordes pushing for the win and that made me play my best Miniature Golf. The victory for me and Emily’s runner-up spot made the trip to Las Vegas even more special, I’m looking forward to defending my title next year.”

Emily said "I was very pleased to finish runner-up. There was only one shot between first and second and it was a tough competition because it was so close! But Richard deserved to win it after his fantastic ace on the 18th! The Putt Park course and staff are wonderful and I can't wait to play there again next year."

The Players on the 'Podium'. From l-r Ryan Cordes (3rd), Richard (1st), Emily (2nd)

Richard’s winnings included a trophy for first place and other prizes with a $170 value including gift certificates for use at The Putt Park, and competition supporters Rambo’s Kitchen, Khoury’s Mediterranean Restaurant and the Callaway Golf Centre.

Richard Putts under a Rock

The Putt Park Miniature Golf Course is located at 6085 South Fort Apache, Las Vegas,  Nevada 89148.

Ends

New Las Vegas Mini Golf Course Opening at 'The Swingers Club' at the The Plaza Hotel & Casino

A tweet from my fellow Minigolf aficionados at the excellent Putting Penguin website yesterday alerted me to the fact that there will be a brand new Minigolf course opening in Las Vegas next month. What's even better is that we're heading back to Las Vegas in September so we will definitely be giving it a go when we visit.

The new Minigolf course is part of the Swingers Club that is opening at the brand new Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, and will be a 9-hole set-up with Las Vegas theming. What's great is the course will be open from 11am until 4am, 7 days a week.

The rather risqué name for the new Music and Mini Golf venue doesn't refer to anything that the double-entendre may suggest (I don't think!).

The Minigolf course will also have a special added attraction that in the early hours, as the DJ starts to play, the course will become a Glow In The Dark Disco Golf course! During the day and evening the Swingers Club will feature music by Dueling Pianos!

We're really looking forward to making a visit, or two, to play the course and also check out the newly updated Plaza Hotel and Casino.

You can read the Press Release which has more information about the new Mini Golf course, and the Plaza Hotel and Casino at Swingers Club to debut at the Plaza Hotel and Casino

Last June we played at the four Minigolf courses that Las Vegas had to offer at the time, these were courses visited and played 175, 176, 177 and 178 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

175 King Putt (North West Las Vegas, USA) - Indoor Mini Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here
176 Pike's Pass (Circus Circus, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) - Miniature Golf
177 King Putt (Henderson, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) - Indoor Mini Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here
178 The Putt Park (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) - Miniature Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here

Emily and me in Fabulous Las Vegas last summer

Results of the 2010 Las Vegas Minigolf Desert Classic competition between me and Emily.

On our last holiday in the UK we headed to Lincolnshire and North Norfolk, the very last Crazy Golf course we played on this roadtrip was in Hunstanton, at the Vegas Amusement Arcade. This year we also spotted a "Little Las Vegas" at a funfair in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.

On our 2012 holiday to Las Vegas there will be another Minigolf course for us to play, as a KISS-themed Mini Golf course is opening there in November 2011!

Links:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- The Putting Penguin website

Crazy Golf at the Vegas Amusement Arcade in Hunstanton

The 40th and final minigolf course we visited on our seaside and minigolf tour of Lincolnshire & Norfolk was at the Vegas Amusement Arcade in Hunstanton. It became the 24th we were able to play on the road trip, and was the 248th course played overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We didn't know there was going to be a Crazy Golf course there until I spotted the words 'Crazy Golf' on the sign outside, as we came out from the nearby mini-funfair.

The name 'Vegas' promised so much, however the course itself did not live up to our initial expectations... but for a pound a go and an 'experience' it was still fun.

The Crazy Golf course itself was not inside the amusement arcade (as had been the case in Cleethorpes), but was located 'out the back', next to a Go Kart Track.

In June 2010 we visited the real Las Vegas, where we played four Minigolf courses:
175 King Putt (North West Las Vegas, USA) - Indoor Mini Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here
176 Pike's Pass (Circus Circus, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) - Miniature Golf
177 King Putt (Henderson, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) - Indoor Mini Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here
178 The Putt Park (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) - Miniature Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here

So far we've managed to visit a grand total of 384 Miniature Golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, playing 248 of them!

Related blog posts:
- List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses on the Lincolnshire Coast

Skeg-Vegas!

We noticed in a few souvenir shops in Skegness, Lincolnshire, you could buy items bearing the name 'Skeg-Vegas'! There was also an amusement arcade there called 'Las Vegas'!

I really enjoyed the trip to Skegness and will go back. I also enjoyed our holiday to Las Vegas last summer (where we will also be returning).

If you enjoy the British seaside, with its Crazy Golf, beaches, Pier, rock, saucy postcards and lots to see and do, then you should definitely check the town out.

While we were visiting there was a news story in the local press about a review of the town in the latest Lonely Planet Guide, where Skegness was described as a 'tacky spectacle'.

In a way the Lonely Planet review was correct - the seaside is a bit 'tacky', but so are lots of UK seasides, and it depends on if you think 'tacky' is a bad thing or not? Along with the millions of other visitors to the resort, I enjoyed our stay and will go back again.

The review also said the town had the "ABC of the English seaside – amusements, bingo and candy floss" - on this I disagree. With twelve Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses on offer to visitors, surely the 'C' should stand for 'Crazy Golf'!

Emily and I have so far visited 137 seasides since we made a resolution in 2006 to try and visit every seaside in the UK. We've visited places like Great Yarmouth (which is great), Blackpool - which offer Minigolf and Amusements, to Southwold and Aldeburgh - which are a bit more sedate, but still nice to visit.

Really, you can visit loads of different types of seasides in the UK, some are tacky, some offer a more slow-paced resort, others offer great beaches, some are more like harbours with a little bit of beach, many offer great views and seascapes. With so much on offer, you can take your pick!

Related blog posts:
- List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses on the Lincolnshire Coast

Little Las Vegas

Not like Big Las Vegas at all!

Outside the 'Little Las Vegas' Amusement Arcade at the Wallingford Funfair

Spotted at a funfair in Wallingford, Oxfordshire at the weekend.

BIG Buttons in Liverpool

Real Buttons in Las Vegas

BIG Buttons!

Spotted outside an Amusement Arcade in Liverpool!

Richard Gottfried and the HUGE 'Vegas' scene on an Amusement Arcade in Liverpool.

Video of me playing some BIG Buttons in Las Vegas

A not real three non-hole non-minigolf course on the strip in Las Vegas

Here's a link to a pic of me trying to play a not real three non-hole non-minigolf course on the strip in Las Vegas. Crazy Golf!

Looking forward to a return-trip to Las Vegas again in the future...

Gluten Free and Coeliac/Celiac Friendly Places to Eat in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

While on holiday in Las Vegas last month we were able to eat out at a number of great Gluten Free restaurants.

Among them were The Cracked Egg - 7660 W Cheyenne Ave #125, Las Vegas, NV 89129 - which had an extensive gluten free menu. I opted for the Southside Scramble, which filled me up for the whole day!



Botero at Encore Las Vegas - 3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109-1967 - I had Steak Tartare to start (for the first time ever) which was excellent, followed by Organic Roasted Chicken, frisee salad and a natural jus. The service and the specialist menus were brilliant.



The Yard House - Town Square, 6593 Las Vegas Blvd S. Las Vegas, NV 89119 - here we watched the England vs. USA World Cup Match eating Rib-Eye Steak for breakfast, washed down with some great Redbridge Beer.



PF Changs - Aladdin/Planet Hollywood, 3667 Las Vegas Boulevard, South Las Vegas, NV 89109 - I had an excellent meal of Egg Drop Soup to start, followed by Gluten Free Chang's Spicy Chicken. Delicious.



Outback Steakhouses - On the first evening in town we went to the restaurant at the Coke Bottle - 3785 Las Vegas Blvd, 4th Fl, Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (where I had an excellent Rib-Eye Steak and Garlic Mash, plus a huge side-salad), we returned on the last night and I went for a huge full rack of ribs (that I couldn't finish), and on our last day we went to the branch at Casino Royale - 3411 S Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (where I had another Rib-Eye Steak - this time for brunch!).




Big Al's Oyster Bar at The Orleans Hotel & Casino - 4500 West Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, NV - did some great Cajun seafood, and had great service. It's a little off the strip, but well worth a visit to The Orleans. The hotel also has a great tenpin bowling alley!


Penazzi Oyster Bar in Harrahs Hotel & Casino - 3475 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109-8922 - did some great Oysters, and cocktails too!


Whole Foods stores also offer a great range of Gluten Free foods (and beers!).

Redbridge Beer is great, and we also picked up a case of Bard's Beer, which was nice too.

Ahead of our holiday the Gluten Free Las Vegas Blog was a great source of information.

Unfortunately we couldn't visit every place that could cater for Coeliacs/Celiacs, but that is just one more reason for us to return again!

I also managed to drink plenty of my favourite soft drink while in the US - Mountain Dew!


The Wal-Mart Version - Mountain Lightning - is good too.