Taking America's Pulse in Las Vegas
Observations from Sin City
Las Vegas is a city that is about as much of a cultural institution as any in the United States of America. There’s something authentic about Vegas that other major U.S. destinations seem to lack. LA can hide it’s underbelly behind its reputation of glitz and glamor, while New York clings to its identity of financial might and sleepless bustle even as it increasingly descends into chaos. Vegas, however, is very much “what you see is what you get”. It’s gambling, it’s opulence, it’s a destination for debauchery. You know exactly what you’re signing up for.
I feel as if a fair analogy of Las Vegas is that it’s America’s version of a high school party. There was always that raw element to those early gatherings, the shock of seeing people let their “true colors” come out. That guy is a pothead? Those two are hooking up? Where do you even find ketamine? Vegas, on a societal scale, is largely the same. People go to let out their more primal sides and blow off steam, and the allocation of their time, money, and energy speaks volumes.
The excursion to Vegas was for a national commercial real estate convention. If you’ve ever spoken to anyone who works in or owns commercial property for more than two seconds, you know that having Vegas as a destination for such a thing is no surprise at all. It was the first time I had been to Vegas since 2018 (in it’s late 10’s “heyday”), and aside from business prospects, I was excited to see what people were doing and to report back on my findings. So, without further adieu, let’s get into it.
Changing Consumer Demands
It should be noted that Vegas is on the national come up as well. It has taken barely over half a decade to go from a zero sport town to (almost) three, and if you know your stuff, you’re aware that it’s currently home (albeit for a fleeting few more weeks) to Lord Stanley itself. It’s adapted with the trends of the 20’s, with modern amenities, activities, and destinations that encapsulate the modern consumer’s interests, which have notably been straying away from purely seeking out a location for otherwordly benders to a more comprehensive entertainment experience. Madison Square Garden’s latest investment “The Sphere” demonstrates this perfectly.
A populous injected with TikTok brainrot and 24/7 access to legalized sports gambling needs more than all-day free reign at a slot machine to feel fulfilled, and Vegas’ recent improvements speak to the fact that their power players are well aware of this.
There is also far more interest in health and wellness culture (especially amongst higher income contingencies, as I allude to later on), and Vegas’ improving landscape lends itself to this. The Encore and Fountainbleau boast boutique gyms as well as classes, and numerous higher end hotels on the strip have spas that have undergone multimillion dollar renovations in recent years.
Stereotypically, Vegas doesn’t scream “relax and recharge”, but that is swiftly changing. There are also several wellness clinics just off of the strip that provide the latest and greatest in stem cells, cryotherapy, massage, stretching, and even peptides (super tempting to go check out, but I didn’t do it). A very interesting (and welcome) shift to take note of.
Everybody is on Something
Look, I’m a lot of things, I’m not naive. Plus, we’ve all heard of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”. That being said, my observations are in accordance with the general populace, not Hunter S. Thompson-esque outliers. As my flight was preparing to take off and taxiing the runway, it was almost as if the pilot had announced that “the take your substance of choice light in the cabin is now on”.
Pill bottles came out en masse, CBD gummies, quick swigs, you name it. I was offered half a pot cookie by the gentleman sitting next to me (you guys know my thoughts on weed) which I guess should be taken with a grain of salt considering he was a Dead Head off to see them at the aforementioned Sphere, but I digress.. Also, I don’t want to come off as “holier than thou”, I was certainly throwing back my fair share of Zyn’s the entire flight (which is completely counter-intuitive for someone afflicted with ADHD who now has to sit still for a 6 hour flight).
I still can’t figure out if this mass indulging and imbibing was indicative of our destination, the world we now live in, or a combo of the two- and I’m also curious as to the root cause.
Is it our overstimulated dopamine deprived iPhone brains?
A mass cultural shift of being more lax towards this sort of thing?
Whatever it may be, a sold out Airbus A-320 holds 180 passengers (plane nerd reporting in) and about maybe 10 (ish) on a guesstimate were enduring the journey without any sort of upper/downer/psychedelic/tranquilizer/whatever.
Interesting to say the least.
Have’s and Have not’s ($$$) and Foreign Money
Inflation historically enhances the wealth gap and financial divide, and our modern times are no exception. This juxtaposition of financial well-being could not have been more in your face in Las Vegas. There would be entire groups of people at high roller tables making $20,000 hands look like child’s play, and you’d have to waltz through the depressing sights of downtrodden looking people playing cheap slots looking like it was less leisure and more a last ditch effort to get there.
The luxury shopping stores were filled to the brim with wealthy internationals (most notably Asian, as well as Middle Eastern groups) flexing their financial might (or high roller winnings) at Bottega Veneta and Phillip Plein. There didn’t seem to be much middle ground. The $1,000+ steaks at Papi Steak also seemed to be coming out of the kitchen in a steady stream.
This is a stark divide that I see only growing, at least until (hopefully) we attain some relief and some economic recovery post-2024 election, but that’s quite literally a whole ‘nother can of worms we won’t be opening today.
Have and Have not’s (Physically)
Vegas is well-known for its pool party scene, thus you see a lot of people with not much on. This might’ve been a more enticing statement about a decade ago, but if you’ve been literally outside anywhere post-pandemic, you know that this should be taken with a serious grain of salt. While the reasons for financial struggle are legion, it is a bit baffling to me that such a large portion of the population seems to struggle with physical fitness.
Again, the divide here was stark. It was almost as if you had a beach body or you were, well, corpulent. This contrast is far more interesting as someone who writes about society and culture, because the barriers to an acceptable physical form are incredibly lesser and far easier to tackle than those on the path to amassing serious wealth.
Our hotel gym was akin to NYC’s Dog Pound, with every bell and whistle imaginable (not to mention there was also to access to the multitude of wellness amenities mentioned earlier on). Every morning it was wall to wall with people of both genders working hard to either sweat out the night before or just get a solid workout in.
It seems as if the modern approach to physical well being is very much “all or nothing”. You just didn’t see what we used to think of as “average” bodies.
Is it a cultural thing? Mindset? The food supply?
That’s a question I’m searching for the answer to myself.
Social Acceptance of Sex Work
Look, Vegas has a certain rep, as I stated earlier. There are certain things that if you’re looking for it, Vegas has it. The “Sin City” moniker doesn’t come out of thin air. That being said, the overt nature of sex work was surprising to see. I remember there being far more nuance involved when witnessing the same things back in ‘18, whereas now it’s pretty point blank and accepted. Bottle girls will even tell you about their Only Fans accounts in the matter-of-fact way us brokers speak about deals we’re working on.
I’m not saying there should be shame attached to sex work (for a right-leaning guy I’m actually pretty “sex positive”) but it was more the brazenness and “so what?” attitude that I found intriguing. One can only think that this mindset permeates the rest of the country and will only become more prevalent as time goes on.
Lastly, to have a little fun here and clear the air, I’ve never paid for any sort of “fun” in my life, not even those “foot spa” places you see in suburban shopping centers. (I know, boring.) A little insider real estate knowledge to close this out: those places actually make for garbage tenants. Low rent payers, poor credit, can close any time. Put a nail salon in there and play it smart!
Closing Thoughts
Las Vegas is really a terrific time, no matter what you’re there for. You don’t have to be a gambler (I’m surely not) but I certainly enjoy a good workout, laying out in the sun, going to a fancy dinner and then out to the club til God knows when.
Vegas lends itself to that lifestyle pretty well.
As an East Coaster it’s fun to meet people from LA and Arizona and wherever else, it offers a vastly different perspective from the one we grow accustomed to in our bubble back home.
That being said, the glaring differences in affluence (or lack thereof), the 180’ differences in physical appearances and the prevalence (and borderline encouragement) of substance use and overall degenerate behaviors was very interesting to witness firsthand, as well as the changing landscape of high-end consumerism.
If I’ve any words of wisdom to offer, it’s make sure you’re doing whatever you can in your life to be a part of the 10% bodyfat, $30K poker hands, blow my winnings on a snakeskin racing jacket at Plein crowd and less the “I need to rip two packs of darts while I mash this slot machine ‘til my rent is paid” crowd.
Also, no matter where you stand financially, stay away from the “hired help”- plus (as they’ll gleefully tell you) you can just see them do whatever you want for a $7/month subscription, anyway (but don’t do that either).
Talk again soon.
<3
-John
30 May 2024
P.S.
Elevator Charles and I went viral on Twitter (X?) doing over half a million views on our podcast on mental health. It was a sensitive topic that I think we approached with fairness and nuance.
We’ll link it in a newsletter later in the week.