When most people think of Vegas, the usual staples come to mind. The Strip, gambling, drinking.  You know all the fun stuff. I as a local must admit, I find The Strip intimidating. All those people clamoring down the streets, the all too high temptation to blow 1000 bucks on a Craps table. It’s too much. I actually never go to The Strip. Unless I have friends in town, I avoid it like the plague. So this may leave you to wonder- what the hell does this broad do for fun? I’ll tell you. In a city as vibrant as < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /> Las Vegas you can imagine that there is an abundance of activity. You would be right. I party in local spots. I can guarantee, there a ton of fun places in the city you will never see commercials for in your hometown. They won’t break your pocket, and there are plenty of people to see the new shirt you bought special for your trip. Do you trust me?  No, I should apply those positive thinking subliminal tapes I paid fifty bucks for. You will trust me.

Come with me on a journey past the lights and party like a local.

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Capozzolies

3333 S. Maryland Pkway

 

 At first glance of this local hangout. You are lead to think that Cappozzolies is merely a restaurant. I have passed it several times myself, thinking the same thing.

 I recently got a hankering for Italian and ended up with a complete evening of stellar entertainment.  I started my trip by ordering a pizza (yes to myself. Don’t laugh), it was greasy just the way I like it. The menu consists of traditional foods (not that I know much about traditional Italian food, but I’ll hanker a guess. Comfortably priced, you’re topping at around $15-$20 dollars a plate. Maybe less if you just want an appetizer or two.

The dinning area is quant. A little close, but not to the point where you are bumping elbows with a neighbor. Its quant which is really what maintains its mellow mood. During the dinner hours all was quiet. But around the 10:00 hour the band hit the stage, and the whole entire mood changed. Going from an intimate dinner with dimmed lights and low conversation, to an intimate bar- with a neighborhood feel. It was really cool, because even though the crowd changed drastically, the mood never did.

“I really like it here.” comments Vegas local Marisa “It’s a place where I can come to dinner with my family, and still stick around afterwards.  I’ve never seen a place like that before!

 I’d have to agree with her on that. I too have never seen a place that I could have nice dinner with loved ones and watch it evolve into something else. It’s interesting.

I was there on a Thursday. The night Slow Children take the stage.  Now before you start thinking I’m trying to make a joke, not literal mentally handicapped kids. Although I’d like to see that in a bar. Slow Children, is the regular mid-week performer.

They have a very smooth reggae-rock sound reminiscent of a band like Sublime.

Rikki-a former employee of the restaurant try’s to make performances. Slow Children brings a good crowd to the place. Most people expect for live bands to be loud and outrageous, but these guy’s are nothing like that! I found them rather engaging. There songs are performed flawlessly. Enticing many on the floor to dance. They were engaging and friendly with the audience.  Now, I will warn you that I may be a little secretly biased because one of the band members is a co-worker. . This is the first time I saw him perform and I gotta tell ya, co worker or not this band is amazing. The chemistry is incredible. There’s a certain sound a band that truly loves what there doing- generates, and these guys are flowing with it.

  Some places that attract a regular client base have a way of making you feel like a un welcomed-visitor.  You come in and they give you a look like “and who invited you?” The crowd is beautifully diverse and incredibly friendly. Mostly working class twenty something’s. It’s close to UNLV, but I didn’t see to many students there. I think the heavy college partiers like a much crowd. I mean- how can you beer bong without a cheering section? This is not that type of place. I like the type of place I can blend, but not get lost. It’s nice to be in a crowded room and not have to utter excuse me as bump into everyone while walking through

I say if you’re looking to go a little off the strip- Cappozzolies is a place to try.

No cover or dress code enforced.

Hottie factor: Moderate

Hook-up factor: You’ve got a shot!

 

Directions: Take Tropicana Road east passing MGM Grand. Head east approximately 2 miles, maybe less until you reach Maryland Parkway. Turn left passing UNLV about 2 more miles. Cappozzolies is on the left at Desert In. Blvd across the street from the mall

Until next time friends- Cee