Before I launch into this, I want to give you some idea of my pedigree. I grew up in Minneapolis during an era of multiple (ultimately disappointing) Viking Super Bowl runs. I attended college two hours south of Green Bay the year that the Packers won their last Super Bowl. And I spent eight years in Madison, Wisconsin, where they literally shut down an entire main artery before and after Badger football games at Camp Randall. I’ve tailgated at Lambeau Field and Miller Park on multiple occasions and even tried to do so before a Twins game once (with lackluster results, to say the least).
All this is to say, I’ve had pre-game experiences in all shades–the good, the bad, the boring, and the bizarre. And a Golden Knights pre-game at the Park is unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else.
Atmosphere
The Park is all about the atmosphere, and what you get depends heavily on when you choose to visit. In the morning it’s a chill place where you can take a cup of coffee, sit in the shade of a tree and listen to the splash of the river rock water walls while you jot down some notes or read a book. If you visit after dark…well, it’s Vegas. After dark. I think you can do the math on that one.
But my favorite time to be there is on game day. The anticipation hangs heavy in the air hours before the doors open, with fans of both teams wandering between the air-conditioned casinos of New York-New York or Park MGM and the shaded picnic tables nestled between the desert foliage plants. This being Vegas, adult beverages are allowed almost everywhere, and outdoor screens keep you apprised of the pre-game hype.
And then, of course, there’s this epic nonsense:
Maybe there are other teams in the country that run a parade of cheerleaders, drummers, and showgirls from a casino to the arena before every home game. But I’m guessing it’s rare.
Now, I’m not a season ticket holder or anything like that. In fact, I can barely afford to attend one game a year. But that doesn’t always matter, and during the playoffs that has been especially true. The home games are shown on a big screen outside the stadium as well as above the stadium doors. Yes, the building itself is a Jumbotron. Welcome to Vegas 🙂
With the crowd in the Plaza packed mostly with Vegas locals, the atmosphere is quite comparable to being inside. Not to mention it’s a lot easier to jump, cheer, stretch your legs, let your kids move around (or sit them in strollers), AND find a variety of food and beverage for slightly less than the premium price of the stadium vendors. For someone like me, who wants to feel the rush and camaraderie of the crowd but doesn’t care as much about being “in the room where it happens,” it’s a perfect compromise.
Food and Drink
You’ve got multiple options in this area, but my hands-down favorite is Beerhaus. In fact, they were the restaurant I was most anxious to see re-open in 2020 after the pandemic lockdowns eased.
As you might expect, Beerhaus specializes in pub fare done well, which complements their extensive draft list. I’ve been there multiple times, and I can’t recall a single bad choice I’ve made from their menu. My most common pick is the City Dog, a snappy sausage served Chicago-style right down to the poppy-seed bun. Other excellent choices include:
- A Bavarian soft pretzel that comes with both beer cheese and a (slightly spicy) honey mustard dipping sauce
- Mac and Cheese Bites that are rich and gooey without being greasy
- The BBQ Rib Dinner, which at $22 is the most expensive thing on the menu. However, where everything else is a la carte, the ribs come with a full complement of sides. If you’re capital-H Hungry, they are absolutely worth it.
Weirdly enough, I’ve never tried their Haus Reuben, despite the fact that it is my favorite sandwich of all time. Something to look forward to on my next trip!
If, by some crazy chance, you don’t find anything appealing on the Beerhaus menu, other restaurant options in the area include Shake Shack, Top Round (picture below), and Nusr-et if you’re feeling fancy.
How Did The Writing Go?
Since I am currently in a heavy editing phase, writing away from my desk isn’t as easy as when I can throw down a thousand sloppy words the way I do when I’m editing. So on this occasion, I opted to do some beta reading for a friend of mine. Was the pre-game hoopla distracting? Honestly, not really. I noticed it, of course–who wouldn’t notice loud music and crowds of people and a foghorn you can hear (not joking) blocks away? But if I wanted perfect silence, I’d stay home. The reason I go out is to be among the living, and there’s no place more lively than the Park on game day.
Final Thoughts on The Park
Most people don’t associate Las Vegas with community, and it’s even harder to find on the Strip itself. That’s why the Golden Knights mean so much to this city. Fandom is a community that travels, but when it’s home, it’s like nothing else. If you’re ever in town during the hockey season (October-June, aka the best time to be in Vegas anyway), do yourself a favor and hop down to The Park to soak in the atmosphere. If you can afford to get into The Fortress itself, that’s great. But you don’t need to drop big money to be a part of the action.
