Las Vegas has spent the last decade quietly building one of the most interesting food and cocktail scenes in the country, and this September, Drink Las Vegas gives you the perfect excuse to eat your way through it. This year's festival runs September 24 through 27, taking over Bellagio, ARIA, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and Park MGM with everything from walk-around tastings to late-night cocktail hours.

Whether you're planning your whole weekend around the festival or just want to eat well while you're in town, here's a quick guide to what's worth knowing, and how to get around while you do it.
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‍The chefs & stars you’ll want to follow all weekend

The lineup this year reads like a who's who of the Strip's dining and entertainment scene. Thursday's Opening Night brings special guests Shaquille O'Neal and Sammy Hagar. On Friday, Tom Colicchio and Tiffany Derry headline A Night of Excellence with the James Beard Foundation at ARIA's Yucca Pool, while Tom Holland and Andrew Zimmern co-host the BERO No Proof dinner. Both Friday events are sold out. Saturday brings Timeless Taste, a walk-around celebrating Vegas dining legends, with Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto, and Wolfgang Puck alongside special guest Alix Earle and her brand, SIPMARGS.

Save room for the smaller events

The marquee tastings get the attention, but some of the best food and conversation happens at the smaller ones. The Caribbean tribute Island Alchemy dinner at Park MGM on Saturday is worth planning your afternoon around, and if cocktails are more your speed, seminars like Rated 100 and Future of the Restaurant Cocktail at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas are a genuinely good way to spend an hour between meals.

Plan around the resorts, not just the Strip

Because the festival is spread across four different resorts, you'll be moving around more than a typical Vegas trip. That's the one thing worth planning ahead for. Parking at every stop adds up fast, and rideshare pricing on a weekend like this can swing wildly depending on demand. A licensed taxi through the Curb app skips both problems: no surge pricing, no hunting for parking, just a professional driver whenever you're ready to move to the next stop.

To make the weekend a little easier, first-time Curb riders can use code DRINKLV26 for $10 off their first ride booked in the Curb app.

Promo redeemable for first-time users only. Only valid on rides booked in the Curb app. Not valid on Pair & Pay.

Vegas's food scene is worth exploring well beyond one festival weekend, and Curb is a good habit to have in the city no matter when you're visiting. Download the app before you land, and you'll be ready for whatever the weekend (or the city) throws at you.
‍

Las Vegas has spent the last decade quietly building one of the most interesting food and cocktail scenes in the country, and this September, Drink Las Vegas gives you the perfect excuse to eat your way through it. This year's festival runs September 24 through 27, taking over Bellagio, ARIA, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and Park MGM with everything from walk-around tastings to late-night cocktail hours.

Whether you're planning your whole weekend around the festival or just want to eat well while you're in town, here's a quick guide to what's worth knowing, and how to get around while you do it.
‍

‍The chefs & stars you’ll want to follow all weekend

The lineup this year reads like a who's who of the Strip's dining and entertainment scene. Thursday's Opening Night brings special guests Shaquille O'Neal and Sammy Hagar. On Friday, Tom Colicchio and Tiffany Derry headline A Night of Excellence with the James Beard Foundation at ARIA's Yucca Pool, while Tom Holland and Andrew Zimmern co-host the BERO No Proof dinner. Both Friday events are sold out. Saturday brings Timeless Taste, a walk-around celebrating Vegas dining legends, with Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto, and Wolfgang Puck alongside special guest Alix Earle and her brand, SIPMARGS.

Save room for the smaller events

The marquee tastings get the attention, but some of the best food and conversation happens at the smaller ones. The Caribbean tribute Island Alchemy dinner at Park MGM on Saturday is worth planning your afternoon around, and if cocktails are more your speed, seminars like Rated 100 and Future of the Restaurant Cocktail at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas are a genuinely good way to spend an hour between meals.

Plan around the resorts, not just the Strip

Because the festival is spread across four different resorts, you'll be moving around more than a typical Vegas trip. That's the one thing worth planning ahead for. Parking at every stop adds up fast, and rideshare pricing on a weekend like this can swing wildly depending on demand. A licensed taxi through the Curb app skips both problems: no surge pricing, no hunting for parking, just a professional driver whenever you're ready to move to the next stop.

To make the weekend a little easier, first-time Curb riders can use code DRINKLV26 for $10 off their first ride booked in the Curb app.

Promo redeemable for first-time users only. Only valid on rides booked in the Curb app. Not valid on Pair & Pay.

Vegas's food scene is worth exploring well beyond one festival weekend, and Curb is a good habit to have in the city no matter when you're visiting. Download the app before you land, and you'll be ready for whatever the weekend (or the city) throws at you.
‍