I am a giant child at heart and between playing games and looking at shiny things, I knew I would be a kid in a candy store at Area 15, in Vegas. This is the world’s leading immersive entertainment destination, parallel to the Vegas Strip. Spread across a giant lot are several larger commercial buildings that resemble close set stages. Pretty non-discript from the exterior between colourful murals and ornamental entry ways, but walking inside, the space explodes.
This is 35 acres of Food and Beverage, Retail, Attractions, Events, Experiences, and Art unlike anywhere on earth. You have the ability to pick and choose your adventure and what you want to do a la carte, but for the best value I recommend getting a pass.
Depending on the level of pass you choose, this allows you to access a number of their games and attractions with a scan of a barcode. We went with the level 2 passes which allowed us access to quick and easy games like simulated Grand Prix racing, virtual dodge ball, and the ability to be strapped in and soar like a bird. With so many options you can definitely spend the day here, especially if you are looking to do them all.
We were mesmerized by infinity mirrors as they were used to make slinkys dance. One experience had you wearing kaleidoscope glasses and enjoying a light show. We tested our skills navigating a laser maze and then rebuilding a robot in virtual space. There were also arcade games, indoor zip lining, and a show that illuminated the walls with Lite Brite.
Not part of our package, but something we considered doing was the Malibu Barbie Cafe. This was a reservation only experience that cost $29.99. $10 went towards your meal and drinks at their pink cafe. $5 of it grants you access to their gift shop, outdoor patio photo ops, and the ability to roller blade therein. The rest was the cost of access.
Our Level 2 passes did grant us the ability to choose one of the more involved experiences like indoor golf or the ability to be on a game show. My travel companion went for axe throwing and I selected the John Wick experience, as one of Area 15’s newest attractions, and a fan of the movie franchise. Sadly you can’t take photos or videos.
Here, you enter the world of John Wick as an assassin for hire, visiting the Vegas branch of the Continental. There are movie references and the sets are meant to recreate what you have seen in the movies. Each room and part of the story line is propelled by an actor: from the hotel manager at check in, to the bell hop introducing the rules of the Continental.
The actors engage in conversation with ticket holders, in a playful banter or teasing fashion. Not everyone wants or is adept to this, but being able to play along does make things more immersive. For example my participation gave me a higher bounty as listed on the board. 1.5million, the second after John Wick’s 14million. The other players landed in the hundred thousands. This then led me to having a longer rap sheet and I was able to speak to my list of offences with the hotel’s chairman.
You do start and end the John Wick experience at a bar, so for those who want to come early to drink and calm their nerves, this might help. Plus the bar has the same motif as in the moves: dark and gothic with 60’s style Gatsby opulence.
As a max group of 12 we rode elevators and walked through hidden passages with the goal of out running the high table counsel, looking to hunt us down and kill us for aiding one John Wick.
We played craps with a wise talking dealer meant to distract us. We found our way out of the cartography room by solving puzzles. We got suited up in Kevlar evening wear, then sampled the finest in handhelds the sommelier had to offer. We escaped laser sensors with team work and got in some shooting practice at the range. We eventually escaped a fire fight by hiding and then remerging at a seedy underground bar that led to the gift shop. I enjoyed myself and it had me looking forward to watching all the movies when I return home from my trip.
Also apart of Area 15, but not on our regular passes is Omega Mart. For foodies like me and those who enjoy exploring and uncovering hidden details through art, this one is for you. You are invited to walk through what looks like a regular grocery store, but the closer you stare the more you realize something is off. Set in a dystopian reality that seems to be reeling from post radiation exposure. This has cause daikon radishes to grow articulated limbs, rotisserie chickens to be covered in tattoos, and a meat display that has the consistency of building blocks.
You have the ability to pick things up, open doors and crawl through nooks and crannies. For those with time, there is even a scavenger hunt you can pay to be a part of, that guides you through discovering most of Omega Mart’s macabre charm. And best of all a lot of what is on the shelves are for sale as novelty keepsakes that serve a purpose. Whether it is an avocado coin purse, cucumber flask, egg carton slides, or novelty containers for hiding surplus within.
At the back of the store is an underground maze with multiple levels and ways to access them. These are themed as research and development rooms, employee workstations, and the break room. This has you peeping in to all the closed doors, and searching for what isn’t there by pushing buttons and flicking switches. Everything is a work of art meant to solicit sensory play for all ages. Out of all of the Area 15 experiences we tried this is probably the most memorable.
And as I mentioned earlier, it is easy to spend the day here with plenty of bars and food options. We went to The Beast, an American gastropub with a hard rock garage theme. If looking for classic bar eats like giant pretzels, nachos, and pizza; this is your destination. Located within the main building of Area 15.
We had to start with one of their large share-sized “colossal cocktails”. We gravitated towards The Aquarium, a tropical blue mix served in a fishbowl. Svedka Blue Raspberry Vodka, Blue Curacao, Simple Syrup, Lemon, and Champagne. It comes with Nerds candy rings and Swedish fish candy bobbing within. A little hard to chew through thanks to the ice, but just as well, as it is more for the theme and novelty. However, the sugar doesn’t end there, this is then finished with a tuft of cotton candy served on a drink lid. This is meant to slowly melt into the cocktail the more it sits. As a whole, this is a sweet concoction that never seemed to go down, despite how much we drank. The ice melted and kept the glass full. Sugary sweet with artificial flavours, meant to hide the sting of any alcohol, and it did its job.
As for food we each got a burger and customized our sides. I got the Flatastic Voyage, which was a classic smash style burger. Double 4oz Caramelized Smashed Burger Patties, American Cheese, Grilled Onions, Pickles, Zesty House Sauce, and Potato Bun. Packed full of gristly goodness and pickled brightness, this went down easy. I upgraded the usual side of fries to their breaded onion rings. These were thick and crispy rings that added a nice crunch to my meal.
My guest got her crunch and onion ring inside her burger with the BBQ Bacon Me Crazy Burger. This was centred around their 8oz Signature Blend Burger with Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Onion Ring
BBQ Sauce, Smokey Crèma, and Potato Bun. She too enjoyed the juicy fattier bites with melty cheese and crispy salted bacon strips. For her side she upgraded to the Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, which we both liked for its thick and creamy Velveeta-like consistency. More sauce than macaroni, the noodles were smothered. I liked this excess sauce with my burger, as a way to inject more cheese.
In closing, for those looking for a day of fun for yourselves or your family, Area 15 in Vegas will keep you entertained for hours.
AREA15
3215 S Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89102, United States
+1 702-846-1900
area15.com
