By Sonja E. | The LV Experience
I had the opportunity to attend and cover the opening night of Drink Las Vegas on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Yucca Pool at ARIA Resort & Casino. The inaugural four-day food, cocktail and spirits festival brought together an impressive mix of celebrity talent, chefs, mixologists, culinary personalities and some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Presented by Marriott Bonvoy, Opening Night was hosted by acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, with special guests Shaquille O’Neal and Sammy Hagar. It was definitely an energetic way to launch a new culinary experience on the Las Vegas Strip.
The atmosphere at Yucca Pool was lively from the moment guests arrived. The evening combined food, cocktails, spirits and entertainment in an outdoor setting that felt very Las Vegas. There was plenty to explore, with participating culinary and beverage talent offering guests the chance to sample different flavors and discover some of the restaurants and personalities taking part in the festival.
A Taste of Las Vegas and Beyond
One of the things I enjoyed about Drink Las Vegas was that it wasn’t simply another food festival. The event brings together restaurants and culinary talent from across MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas properties, while also introducing chefs and mixologists from around the country.
The festival’s participating restaurants and culinary lineup include some recognizable Las Vegas names such as Jean-Georges Steakhouse and Prime Steakhouse, Best Friend, Craftsteak, Spago, Morimoto, Bardot Brasserie, Border Grill, BBQ Mexicana, Michael Mina and others. The overall festival takes place across more than 30 venues at ARIA, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Park MGM.
Each property brings its own personality to the festival. ARIA’s lineup includes restaurants such as Jean Georges Steakhouse, CATCH, Bardot Brasserie and Gymkhana, while Bellagio features destinations including Spago, Prime and The Mayfair Supper Club. Park MGM’s Best Friend adds Roy Choi’s Korean-inspired street-food influence to the mix.
Celebrity Star Power
Of course, having Shaquille O’Neal and Sammy Hagar associated with the opening night added another level of excitement. Shaq has become a familiar presence in the Las Vegas culinary and entertainment scene, while Sammy Hagar brought his unmistakable rock-and-roll personality to the evening.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten was a natural choice to headline the opening night, bringing his internationally recognized culinary background and Las Vegas restaurant experience to the event. His Las Vegas portfolio includes Prime Steakhouse and Jean Georges Steakhouse.
What stood out to me most was how Drink Las Vegas blended food, cocktails, entertainment and celebrity culture without making the evening feel like just another celebrity appearance. The focus remained on the overall experience and the people behind the food and drinks.
More Than Just One Night
Opening Night was only the beginning. Drink Las Vegas continues through Sunday, September 27, with additional tastings, chef dinners, cocktail experiences, seminars and special events.
The weekend lineup includes A Night of Excellence with the James Beard Foundation on Friday, hosted by Tom Colicchio and Tiffany Derry, followed Saturday by Timeless Taste: Celebrating the Legacy of Las Vegas, hosted by Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto and Wolfgang Puck.
There are also more intimate dining experiences, including events at restaurants such as Spago, Amaya, Sadelle’s, Blossom and Westoria, giving guests an opportunity to experience different styles of food and beverage programming throughout the weekend.
My Take
For me, attending the first night of Drink Las Vegas was a great opportunity to see a new type of food and beverage event come to the Strip. Between the culinary talent, cocktails, entertainment and the variety of participating restaurants, there was something different around every corner.
The combination of Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Shaquille O’Neal and Sammy Hagar, along with the talented chefs, bartenders and restaurants participating throughout the weekend, gave the inaugural event plenty of personality.
As someone who covers Las Vegas entertainment, dining, lifestyle and experiences, I enjoyed seeing the Strip bring together so many different elements of the city’s food and entertainment culture in one festival.
Drink Las Vegas runs September 24–27, 2026, across ARIA Resort & Casino, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Park MGM.
