Bargain buffet refuses to die while luxury dining takes over Vegas

The days of bargain buffets aimed astatine drawing successful Las Vegas gamblers are dying, but location are a fewer notable exceptions.

"The buffets get group in," Michael Gaughan, proprietor of nan South Point edifice and casino, told nan Wall Street Journal. "They get worth for their money, and they enactment astir and play."

The South Point loses betwixt $1.5 and $2 cardinal a month, according to nan publication, but brings successful astir 3,000 group a time for its buffet.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The casino's breakfast, pinch 2 bloody Marys included, is $16.95 for members. The premier rib and champagne brunch, including 2 mimosas, starts astatine $32.95. The premier rib meal buffet includes peel-and-eat shrimp and costs $37.95, aliases $32.95 for members.

People commencement lining up for Friday’s Seafood Night, which originates astatine 3 p.m., earlier noon, nan Journal reported. It features premier rib and includes 2 glasses of wine, reddish sangria aliases draught brew for $57.95, aliases $52.95 pinch a nine discount. The luncheon buffet is $22.95 for members and $26.95 for nonmembers.

Las Vegas is leaning harder into celebrity-chef restaurants than budget-friendly buffets. (iStock)

Budget edifice Circus Circus besides offers a budget-friendly buffet. It bills its offerings arsenic "classic Las Vegas dining, pinch thing for everyone." The buffet starts astatine $19.95 and mostly operates Friday done Sunday.

The Excalibur Hotel weekday brunch costs $32.99 for adults and $18.99 for children. On Fridays, nan value of brunch increases slightly. The mimosa brunch, offered connected Saturdays and Sundays, costs $43.99 per adult.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Circus Circus manages to move a monthly profit of betwixt $50,000 to $80,000 successful nan summertime play done shrewd tactics, including utilizing unordered premier rib from nan hotel’s steakhouse successful a buffet stew, nan Journal revealed.

According to nan publication, nan celebrated buffets of Las Vegas fell unfortunate to nan COVID-19 pandemic, its social-distancing requirements and nan inclination of wealthier visitors seeking higher-end restaurants.

Some much affordable Vegas buffets see bloody Mary’s and champagne successful their meal and brunch spreads. (iStock)

There were much than a twelve accepted Vegas buffets connected nan Strip successful 2020, nan Journal reported. Now only 4 remain.

Unlike galore Strip resorts, budget casinos trust heavy connected repetition section customers and value-conscious gamblers, making inexpensive buffets an effective measurement to thrust casino traffic.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS

Luxury buffets, meanwhile, are thriving successful Las Vegas. Caesars’ Bacchanal buffet ($87 and up) and nan Wynn buffet (starting astatine $80 per personification for dinner) often person agelong hold lines, according to nan Wall Street Journal.

Luxury recreation master Whytney Rawls told Fox News Digital nan city's economics person fundamentally shifted.

"Gaming was erstwhile nan ascendant gross driver," Rawls said. "Today, a overmuch larger stock comes from premium room rates, luxury dining, nightlife, entertainment, unit and large-scale events."

The number of accepted Las Vegas buffets connected nan Strip has dwindled from much than a twelve successful 2020 to conscionable four. (iStock)

While nan metropolis was erstwhile a playground for mundane travelers, galore visitors these days are uncovering nan value of admittance harder to justify, Fox News Digital previously reported.

The metropolis is leaning harder into luxury hotels, celebrity-chef restaurants, stadium weekends and costly events, according to nan Las Vegas Review-Journal.

In 2025, Las Vegas visitation fell to 38.5 million, down 7.5% from 2024, according to nan Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). In 2024, visitors generated a grounds $55.1 cardinal successful nonstop spending.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

There is simply a caller demographic. In 2024, 64% of visitors earned $100,000 aliases more, according to nan Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

By 2025, nan marketplace was moreover higher: Data showed 44% of visitors earned $150,000 aliases more, News 3 Las Vegas reported.

Jessica Mekles of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.