That's nearly Ibiza prices.... which is OK if everyone is doing the same thing (well, I say OK, you know what I mean). But if there's any other option, no-one's going there. I've only been once to Vegas, but I don't remember it being pricy.
Off strip is a lot more attractive both in terms of price and quality. But it’s harder to access unless you have trusted friends who live in Vegas. Locals seem to avoid the strip and seem to try to keep the strip away from their trusted spots!
You clearly haven’t been there in the last few years. $16 for a beer is the norm at clubs and bars if you’re not gambling.
16yo me might have gone for that. Then again, I’ve never been to Vegas. Maybe it seems like a better idea in situ.
Back then you could find $5 blackjack tables, and $3.99 buffets. Now a typical buffet on the strip will be $80 a person or something like that. The cheap blackjack tables are $25 a hand.
BTW, The Sphere is amazing and U2 still puts on a good show. I did not partake in any $20 beers though.