The Best Casino Gallery in Las Vegas

If you think that casinos and galleries go together like…well like socks and sandals, think again because Las Vegas can really surprise you.

Who new that there is more than hookers, bachelor parties and gambling in Vegas, right? Well, if you haven’t noticed the casinos and hotels there become more and more classy. The restaurants offer gourmet and fine-dining, the lobbies of the hotels are art in and on themselves, there are museums like Guggenheim and Madame Tussauds. More and more hotels with casinos house galleries so you can enjoy both the wild and adventurous Vegas and then enjoy the tranquillity of a sophisticated gallery. Let me present you the place that made the biggest impression on me when I was this summer.

The Incredible Bellagio – If you’ve ever set foot in Bellagio, you know that even without a gallery, the hotel is a piece of art. Just one look at the Dale Chihuly blown-glass blossoms in the lobby is enough to know that this is not your flashy, kitschy hotel but something exclusive. Then there’s the whimsical conservatory and botanical gardens where you feel almost like in a fairytale. Bellagio is definitely one of the places in Vegas where art is welcome, be it in a Cirque du Solleil performance, or fountains that dance to Frank Sinatra – it’s all very glamorous and refined.

The Gallery of Fine Art is then only a logical addition to this artsy place. The exhibitions there are rotating and they are chaged at least once a year by the BGFA curators. Monet, Warhol, Rembrandt are just some of the iconic artists that have been exhibited in the gallery. There have been also a 2 Russian Fabergé ‘eggs-ibits’ in 2002 and in 2014. The current instalation is called Picasso: Creatures and Creativity and it will be on display till January 10, 2016. It features 43 of Picasso’s masterpieces, focusing on the human figure and his ability to make portraits. There are 19 lithographs, 13 linocuts, 8 paintings and three plates that are very rare.

The Gallery of Fine Art at Bellagio is situated opposite the pool. The regular entrance fee is $19 and children under 12 are admitted for free.

* Bonus tip: You can make your trip to the gallery even fancier if you join them for their Art & Wine Events organised every second Wednesday of each month from 5pm to 7pm. Tarissa Tiberti, Executive Director of Bellagio and Jason Smith, Director of Wine and Master Sommelier pair wines from Bellagio’s cellar with works of art from the exhibition. Depending on the aesthetic inspiration from the artworks they may be even paired with tequila or beer. As Smith puts it: “Art & Wine: A Perfect Pairing not only allowed me to view the works of art from a different perspective, but it added a visual dimension to the joy of tasting wine.” To attend the event you must be 21 years of age and the ticket costs $42.