As December arrives, Las Vegas is closing out the year with a flurry of major moves across its dining, bar, and entertainment landscape. From restaurant developments in the Arts District and on the Strip, to high-profile residencies and new attractions, here’s everything making waves this month in Sin City.
Ada’s Food + Wine Relocates to the Arts District
Chef James Trees is making a bold shift: Ada’s Food + Wine is officially moving out of Tivoli Village and into the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District in December 2025. The restaurant is taking over the original Esther’s Kitchen space, which will be revamped with a refreshed design, a new bar program, a private dining room, and a dedicated wine room.
The Pepper Club inside the English hotel closes
The Pepper Club at the English Hotel has officially closed its doors. The announcement came as a surprise to many loyal guests. The closure marks the end of a well-known dining spot in Las Vegas. Its absence leaves a noticeable gap in the local culinary scene.
Nocturno Plans a New Concept for Taco Rico
The owner of Nocturno, a Latin-inspired cocktail bar known for moody vibes and mixology-driven menus, is quietly planning a new project right next to Taco Rico. Details are still emerging, but early buzz suggests something food-driven with a nightlife twist.
Able Baker owner plans restaurant in the Arts District
One owner of local favorite Able Baker Brewing is stepping into the culinary world with plans for a beer-forward restaurant at 1409 Commerce. This move expands their footprint beyond brewing and taps into the explosive growth of the Arts District’s dining scene.
Soulbelly BBQ opens spot on the Strip
SoulBelly BBQ is opening a new location in the Miracle Mile Shops next to Planet Hollywood on the Strip. The outpost is expected to launch in 2026 at the Miracle Eats Food Court inside the shops. The restaurant will bring its signature brisket, pulled pork, and crisp mac-and-cheese to the Strip audience.
Gymkhana opens inside Aria
One of the most exciting debuts of the year lands on December 3, 2025: London’s acclaimed, two-Michelin-starred Gymkhana opens its first U.S. location at ARIA. Expect luxurious northern Indian cuisine, signature tandoori dishes, an elaborate cocktail program, and interiors inspired by classic Indian gymkhana clubs — refined, vibrant, and unmistakably upscale.
Carbone Riviera opens at the Bellagio
One of the most anticipated Strip arrivals of the year, Carbone Riviera from Major Food Group is officially open at the Bellagio. The coastal Italian menu spotlights whole roasted fish — from salt-baked branzino to Dover sole — alongside showstoppers like two-pound lobster fettuccine and the eternally loved spicy rigatoni vodka.
Tiki Bar set to open inside Excalibur
Not really a fit you would think of at first, but Excalibur is getting it's own Tiki Bar. Accorind to pictures and some influencers it is set to open in December 2025. It replaces the lounge/karaoke bar near the Resort tower elevators, opposite Baja Fresh. Despite that, Excalibur now offers $3 Margaritas.
Siegel’s 1941 to Close / Rebrand
Siegel’s 1941, the classic downtown El Cortez restaurant, is expected to close in April 2026 for a 90-day renovation. The plan is to replace it with a New York–style steakhouse, though the exact concept/name hasn’t been publicly confirmed yet. El Cortez’s COO confirmed they are soliciting contractor bids for kitchen and dining-room updates. There’s ambiguity: some sources say rebranding, others suggest a full replacement.
Boa Steakhouse reopens inside the Venetian
Boa Steakhouse officially reopened in Las Vegas on November 8, 2025, located at the Grand Canal Shoppes in The Venetian. It’s run by Innovative Dining Group with Executive Chef Brendan Collins, serving 40-day dry-aged steaks, A5 wagyu, seafood, and playful Vegas‑exclusive dishes like caviar‑topped chicken nuggets. The 11,000‑sq‑ft space features a main dining room, three private dining rooms, a patio, and a refined, modern design.
Stage Door re-opens
After almost half a year Stage Door, the famous dive bar behind The Cromwell, reopened. They added some slots and refurbished the inside, although the main reason for their closing were some fixtures on the roof.
Good Pie Expands Off-Strip
Fan-favorite Good Pie is launching a new outpost with quick-service slices and whole pies. Known for New York, Sicilian, and grandma-style crusts, it’s a welcome addition for locals and tourists alike.
National Finals Rodeo is back in December 2025
The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is held between December 4-13, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center. It is the premier championship event of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), featuring the top 15 competitors in each rodeo event. Fans can experience thrilling competitions like bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling, along with a lively Western-themed atmosphere.
Mariah Carey – “Christmastime in Las Vegas”
The holiday season isn't complete without Mariah. Her festive residency at Dolby Live (Park MGM) returns for 10 dates across November and December 2025.
Tim McGraw Steps In for Dolly Parton
With Dolly Parton postponing her Colosseum residency due to health reasons, Tim McGraw will take over several December dates at Caesars Palace, strategically aligning with the National Finals Rodeo.
Backstreet Boys Bring the Holidays to Sphere
The Backstreet Boys have extended their “Into the Millennium” residency at Sphere, with holiday performances on Dec 26, 27, 28, 30, and 31 — plus more shows rolling into early January.
Bruno Mars’ New Year’s Eve Tradition Continues
A Las Vegas NYE staple, Bruno Mars returns to Dolby Live for a December 30–31 mini residency to ring in 2026 with style.
Caesars Entertainment Hit With $7.8M AML Fine
In regulatory news, Caesars Entertainment agreed to pay a $7.8 million fine after the Nevada Gaming Control Board found the company failed to maintain proper anti–money-laundering controls. Investigators say Caesars allowed a known illegal bookmaker to gamble for years without adequately verifying his source of funds.
Caesars Palace Poker Room returns to old spot
After some rethinking the Poker Room inside Caesars will return to the spot next to the Sportsbook. After a short change to a High Limit room the original spot has been reopened and according to media, no further changes will be made.
Tourism Slump Hits Las Vegas
The LVCVA (Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority) is reporting weaker tourism metrics: room tax and gaming-fee revenues are down significantly. In its budget report, the LVCVA noted a 13.6% drop in operating revenues, 14.4% lower room-tax income, and a 7% year-over-year decline in occupancy. This downturn is straining the tourism economy, according to local analysts.
Nevada Lawmakers Consider Reviving “Resort Corridor Court”
Legislators are discussing bringing back a special court that previously banned low-level offenders (theft, drug offenses, loitering) from the Strip for a year. Support comes from major casinos and the Culinary Union, who argue it could make the Strip safer and more attractive to tourists. Critics (including ACLU and justice reform groups) say it unfairly targets the homeless and lacks transparency.
LVCVA Eyes Long-Term F1 Deal
The LVCVA and Formula 1 are in early talks about extending their partnership for a 5-to-10-year deal, potentially keeping the Las Vegas Grand Prix in town through 2032+/-2037. If agreed, it would secure one of the city’s marquee events long-term, helping stabilize tourism.
LVCVA Deficit Revealed
The tourism agency reported an $11.7 million deficit in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2026 — a sign of how declining visitor numbers are stressing operations. Budget adjustments are now underway to compensate for weaker-than-expected tax receipts.
Job Market Woes – Unemployment Still High
Southern Nevada’s unemployment rate remains among the highest nationally for large metro areas, in part due to tourism-related losses. The jobless situation underscores how deeply the city’s economy is tied to visitor traffic.
MGM Grand Completes $300M Room Renovation
MGM Grand’s main tower (3,969 rooms) has undergone a $300 million renovation, unveiling redesigned rooms and suites. The redesign mixes modern luxury with nostalgic, disco-era motifs.
M Resort expansion opening second tower
The M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson is opening a second hotel tower on December 1, 2025, part of a $206 million expansion. This nearly doubles the resort’s capacity to 765 rooms and suites and adds a 15,000 sq ft “Montese Ballroom” for meetings and events. The project also brings a new Meril restaurant by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse to the property.
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