Vegas According to … Veteran Publicity Maven Maxine Leonard

Your hidden-gem restaurant or bar in Vegas?

Bavettes at Park MGM or anywhere at Area 15 — Meow Wolf is a lot of fun.  When a place has a sign outside saying “Illegal drugs not encouraged” you know its worth a visit!

In Vegas, you have to….

Go hiking at Red Rock, go ATV’ing (you might die but its so much fun), play craps, leave your sensible self at the airport and just go for it.

In Vegas, you should never…

Sleep or leave your boyfriend in a bar because he will get pounced on my many ladies of the night even if you have just popped to the loo.

What’s the most accurate stereotype of Vegas?

It is  sin city. And it is. If you drive in  you can feel the tension building as you get faster and faster on that freeway.

What’s the most inaccurate? 

That it’s glamorous. It’s a sad, grubby place that has too many sad broken people trying to find that  winning hand. Yes it’s got sports, culture, art, fountains, sparkly lights and great restaurants too but that lost soul element is undeniable.

 
What film or TV series gets (an aspect of) Vegas right? 

Hangover, Very Bad Things, CSI.

What film or series gets it wrong? 

All of the Oceans movies but they are so good so who is worrying about accuracy! Oh and CSI lol.

Best place to experience the real Vegas? 

Summerlin red rock mountains or Mount Charleston for skiing or closer to town, Area 15 or come back to Los Angeles — it’s much better here.

Your most interesting, funniest celebrity interaction?

Oh!!!!! Waiting for Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to walk into to the uber VIP suite at the Mirage to sit down and talk about The Beatles: Eight Days a Week.  As I am standing there waiting for them to walk in I had a crazy star-struck moment.  I had to pull myself together quickly so I could actually speak to them and sound like a professional. Thankfully not sure they noticed I was like a jelly.