New in Las Vegas in 2022: Silk Sonic, America's Got Talent, loads of swanky hotel options

Shanti Lerner, Arizona Republic
·5 min read

The pandemic has changed the entertainment scene. But as the saying goes, "the show must go on." That’s certainly the case in Las Vegas, with shows, concerts, sports and other events back in full swing in 2022.

If you’re visiting Las Vegas this year, you'll find plenty of new and updated things to see and do. New restaurants and hotels have opened, and more are coming. Major renovations are happening at iconic properties, and a whole slate of performers have announced residencies.

Masks are no longer required indoors in Nevada. Gov. Steve Sisolak made the announcement on Thursday, Feb. 10, and it took effect immediately. Venues and promoters may still use COVID-19 protocols, such as proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test. Check with your destination before you go.

Here’s what’s new in Las Vegas in 2022.

Hotel news: Caesars Palace, Aria

If Caesars Palace is your destination, you’re in for a treat. The hotel is getting a facelift with renovations to the front entrance, a new lobby bar and new games on the casino floor.

Peter Luger Steak House will open at Caesars Palace at the end of 2022. The venerable restaurant began in Brooklyn in 1887.

Renovations at Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace will take place in 2022. The new rooms will give a more residential and modern feel, according to Rockwell Group, an architecture and design firm based in New York that's in charge of the changes.

Aria Resort and Casino will unveil seven reimagined Sky Villas — 2,000- to 7,000-square-foot luxury residences typically available by invitation only — and a complete redesign of its more than 400 Sky Suites. Sky Suites include private airport transportation, concierge services, pool access and other amenities.

Hot Las Vegas restaurants in 2022

Among the new Las Vegas restaurants this year, visitors can expect Mexican eateries, a sports bar, a Chinese restaurant that specializes in soup dumplings and a Japanese tapas-style restaurant.

Here's Eater's roundup of the hottest Las Vegas restaurants in January 2022: https://vegas.eater.com. You can find everything from cheesesteaks to a caviar bar.

Want to check out a new celebrity restaurant? Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, by Denise and Kevin Jonas Sr., parents of the Jonas Brothers, will open at MGM Grand in early 2022.

Try a new lounge experience at S Bar at Mandalay Bay. The indoor lounge offers a mixology program paired with shareable bites.

The return of a famed gay nightclub

Eater also reports that Gipsy, an iconic gay nightclub that stood at the corner of Paradise Road and Naples Drive for over 40 years until it was demolished in 2021, will return in 2022. The highlight will be an outdoor seating area surrounding a carousel.

Las Vegas residencies in 2022

It's no surprise that Las Vegas is often called the entertainment capital of the world when Santana, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and the Scorpions are among the big names performing multiple shows there this year.

“An Evening With Silk Sonic,” featuring Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak is coming to Dolby Live at Park MGM on select dates from Feb. 25 to April 2. Ticket packages include accommodations, VIP seating at the concert and exclusive post-show party access. See the options at https://www.mgmresorts.com.

Adele announced a residency and then tearfully canceled it in an Instagram post on Jan. 20, citing delivery delays and COVID-19 among her crew.

To find out all the artists who are doing residencies in Las Vegas this year and where they're performing, go to https://seatgeek.com.

More arts and entertainment

  • "America's Got Talent Las Vegas Live" is on stage at Luxor Hotel and Casino. For tickets, talent biographies and more details visit https://luxor.mgmresorts.com.

  • Flyover Las Vegas lets viewers see the American West's iconic landscapes and natural wonders through immersive flight technology without leaving the ground. Info: https://www.flyoverlasvegas.com

  • "Afro Frequencies Immersive Art Exhibit" comes to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art with a multisensory digital art exhibition presented by ARTECHOUSE in collaboration with Afro-Surrealist visual artist Vince Fraser and poet Ursula Rucker. It's up until April 18. Details: https://www.mgmresorts.com.

Omega Mart by Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf is a collective of Santa Fe artists that formed in 2008 and has created surreal interactive art experiences in Santa Fe, Denver and Las Vegas.

Omega Mart is Meow Wolf's supermarket-themed attraction in Las Vegas. It envelops visitors in light, sound, art and storytelling as they explore the trippy environment. Find out more at https://meowwolf.com/visit/las-vegas.

Other cool things to do in Las Vegas

Vegas Weekly reports that these are some of the biggest things to expect in Las Vegas this year:

  • The late Whitney Houston sings again at "An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert." The performance will be surreal and include a live band and dancers. It's at Harrah's Las Vegas Showroom, https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-las-vegas.

  • Cannabis lounges, where people can relax and sample the wares, are set to open in late 2022.

  • Support independent and international films. The Beverly Theater is expected to open downtown in late 2022.

  • The Todd English-curated English Hotel, a 74-room, adults-only boutique property downtown, is set to open in early 2022.

You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com or you can also follow her on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: New in Las Vegas 2022: Silk Sonic, America's Got Talent, Meow Wolf