A 50th Birthday Celebration in Vegas: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, not when you are 50. Celebrating a 50th birthday with a group of friends was different than celebrating a 30th birthday there. Vegas is a perfect way to celebrate bachelor or bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays or any occasion really.

Pool, Gamble, Eat, Gamble, Relax

If you want to relax, go to the pool. If you want to gamble your money away, go to the casino. If you want to eat, make a reservation. If you want to shop, just take the elevators to the mall. At some hotels and resorts, is a city within a city. For my friend’s 50th birthday, that is exactly what we did. We never left the Cosmopolitan. This hotel has everything you need. I was responsible for arranging the meals and some logistics. I’m going to tell you some secrets about this hotel.

Arrange for a private ride

Here is what I did for my group of 10 friends; we never left The Cosmopolitan because you don’t have to! I arranged a car to pick us all up from the airport to the hotel for our Friday arrival; if you have traveled to Vegas lately, you know that the ride share waiting area is a mess. Finding it is confusing, and when you arrive in the waiting area, it's chaotic. Why not hire a driver from Blacklane and arrive in style. It’s a little pricier but you will have a nice, clean and comfortable ride.

Take advantage of the perks

We could get some of the groups an early check-in as it is based on availability; otherwise the hotel charges $50. No worries, we were hungry anyway. Just take the escalator to the upper level.

Lunch at China Poblano

We decided on grabbing lunch at Jose Andres’ China Poblano, a Mexican and China fusion restaurant; we grabbed some dim sum and margaritas and everyone was set.

Loyalty pays for itself

Don't forget to sign up for an Identity Membership! When you spend money at the Cosmopolitan, you accumulate points. The points can be used for paying for meals, stays, concerts, etc. The more points you earn (or money you spend), you reach a certain tier and can get more rewards like annual free rooms. By the end of my trip, I could earn two nights a year the next time I came back.

Friday night dinner - Momofuku

Off everyone goes their separate ways, some to gamble, some to pool, some to nap and rest up for the night’s dinner. Friday night’s dinner is at Momofuku. Grab some pork buns and the bone-in ribeye for the table. Then follow that with Bo Ssam (slow roasted pork shoulder) and candied walnut lobster and shrimp. Don’t forget to show them your Identity Card.

March Madness

It’s March and we head down to the sports book and watch some March Madness. The sports book rules have changed over the years. You can no longer sit down without a reservation and a minimum on wagers. Prepare to stand with every else.

A secret place - Secret Pizza

It’s time for a midnight snack. Head over to Secret Pizza. You won’t know it’s there unless you know there is a New York-style pizza place somewhere in the hotel. Go to the third floor and follow the records to Secret Pizza and grab yourself a slice. There may be a long line; I can’t help you there, so stand back and wait for your turn.

Breakfast - EggSlut

Saturday morning, you must grab breakfast at EggSlut. They serve egg sandwiches, but not just a regular egg sandwich; it’s on a buttery brioche bun and the eggs are scrambled softly.

Workout, Pickleball and Tennis

Another thing I like about the Cosmopolitan is that it has a tennis and pickleball court. I love to try to fit in some exercise. You must reserve the court ahead of time as it gets popular. The gym will have everything you need, like racquets and balls.

Check out the food court

For lunch, you can head to the food court. The food court is not your ordinary food court. It has a fried chicken option (Hattie B’s), sushi option (Tekka Bar) and sandwiches (Bang Bar). That is just the food court. There are plenty of sit-down places.

Shopping

Disperse and do whatever you want. I decided to head to Stitched because I needed to pick up some new sports coats. Stitched is great if you want to get styled with the latest trends. Remember to get your receipt to collect your points. Almost every dollar you spend can be converted into points.

Dinner - STK

Onto dinner, for dinner, I arranged for STK. This is a steak house, but not an ordinary steak house. It has a DJ that spins music. Be prepared for your seat to vibrate and you will need to yell across the table to talk to your party. It’s OK because the music was great. The steaks were excellent. Don’t forget to order dessert.

The Speakeasy - Another hidden spot

After dinner, we headed to the speakeasy. Like the pizza place, you would not know this place existed if I did not tell you. On the ground floor there is a barber shop. Through the door in the barber shop is a speakeasy called Ghost Donkey, a mezcal and tequila bar. We did not visit Beauty and Essex, another speakeasy, as this was another bar hidden in a pawn-shop-like setting.

The night does not end unless you go get some pizza at the Secret Pizza Place I told you about earlier.

Brunch - The Henry

It’s Sunday morning and it’s time to roll. We head down to The Henry and grab breakfast. The French toast is excellent there.

All you need is two nights at the age of 50. There is no need to go to the night club or the pool club. Just eat and drink and enjoy that you have made it to 50.

Breakfast

EggSlut - Great breakfast sandwiches.

The Henry - Check out the french toast.

Restaurants

China Poblano - Mexican and Chinese.

Momofuku - Upscale Korean.

Zuma - One of the best Omakase and Sushi Places on the strip.

Lunch

Tekka Bar - Sushi.

Hattie B's - Hot Chicken.

Secret Spots

The Secret - Late-night pizza.

Ghost Donkey (Speakeasy) - Mezcal and Tequila bar.

Beauty and Essex (Speakeasy) - Twists on classic cocktails.