Your guide to the Linq — for tourists and locals

By Andrea Domanick

Thursday, May 15, 2014 | 2 a.m.

The High Roller is lit and spinning, and beneath its 28 glowing gondolas, the sidewalks and storefronts of the Linq are slowly filling with life.

Caesars Entertainment’s $550 million entertainment district celebrated its grand opening in late February, but waves of retailers and restaurants are rolling out through spring. Next up is the Tilted Kilt, a Scottish- and Irish-themed sports pub that launched at the Rio in 2003. The nightlife spot brings its famous Kilt Girls to the Linq on May 22.

Who else has moved into the Linq? For those who haven't visited it yet, here's a guide to the outdoor plaza's more than 30 vendors.

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  Erik Kabik / Retna / ErikKabik.com

  Nightlife spots

  
  
  

  O’Sheas

  The Strip staple, a casual casino attached to the Quad, was among the first to open at the Linq. Having undergone a major renovation, it's back in fighting form with a new look and the same old beer pong that made it a party favorite among locals and tourists alike.

  Brooklyn Bowl

  An import from New York, Brooklyn Bowl is the Strip's latest venue for live music, although it also offers bowling, dining and dancing. The three-level, 80,000-square-foot spot debuted March 8 with a slate of top-shelf bookings, including Jane’s Addiction, Spoon, Elvis Costello and the Roots.

  Blvd Cocktail Company

  This 2,400-square-foot piano bar features an extensive drink menu and live jazz covers of contemporary tunes.

  Purple Zebra

  This self-serve daiquiri bar lets customers mix and match 20 flavors of boozy beverages with candy toppings. Think a frozen yogurt shop for the 21+ crowd.

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  Peter Harasty

  Restaurants

  
  
  

  Squeeze

  What’s better on a hot summer day than fresh-pressed juice? How about some fresh-pressed juice with a splash of alcohol? Squeeze, a juice bar, offers both with several organic juice flavors and a robust cocktail menu.

  Haute Doggery

  As its name suggests, Haute Doggery puts an upscale spin on the ballpark staple, with gourmet meats and toppings. Foie gras torchon, anyone?

  Flour and Barley

  From the minds behind Holsteins at the Cosmopolitan and the Barrymore at the Royal Resort, Flour and Barley features brick-oven pizzas and more than 50 craft beers.

  Yard House

  This is the Southern California eatery's third valley location, which offers craft beer, classic rock and a happy hour that’s tough to beat.

  Chayo Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar

  The first restaurant to open at the Linq, Chayo offers Mexican dishes and tequila with a twist — a mechanical bull for guests to ride.

  Sprinkles Cupcakes

  Another Los Angeles import, the originator of the cupcake craze brings sweet treats to the desert with flavors such as chocolate marshmallow and cinnamon sugar.

  Ghirardelli

  Across from Serendipity and down the street from the Sugar Factory, this sweets and ice cream shop completes the Strip’s sugary trifecta with its famous chocolate.

  Starbucks

  Because you can never have too many.

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  L.E. Baskow

  Retail shops

  
  
  

  The Style Lounge

  A one-stop shop for getting primped before hitting the Strip, the Style Lounge is a full service beauty salon-cum-bar that offers cocktails alongside blow-outs, spray tans and manicures.

  Kitson

  This uber-trendy Los Angeles boutique opened its largest store at the Linq, offering the same fashion-forward clothing, accessories, books and gifts as its original Beverly Hills location.

  Chilli Beans

  This Brazilian eyewear brand arrives just in time for summer. The brand, which also sells watches, releases 10 models of sunglasses a week.

  Polaroid Fotobar and Museum

  Turn your digital snapshots into gifts and souvenirs with this shop’s unique printing and mounting options.

  The store, the company’s flagship, also will feature the first Polaroid Museum, showcasing the history of the Polaroid with an extensive collection of artifacts, art and advertising from the Polaroid Historical Collection at MIT.

  Be sure to check out its central exhibit, Andy Warhol’s “Capturing Celebrity,” featuring 50 of the artist’s famous Polaroid snapshots and two of his personal cameras.

  Goorin Bros. Hatmakers

  Put a lid on it. This Pittsburgh-based hat boutique has been crafting fedoras, bowlers, berets and more since 1895. The Linq store is its first Nevada location.

  Ruby Blue

  Styled like a burlesque dancer’s boudoir, this boutique offers jewelry, lingerie and novelty items.

  Bella Scarpa

  Italian for “beautiful shoes,” Bella Scarpa sells glitzy footwear suited for a Vegas night out.

  Koto

  Trendy knickknacks and quirky accessories abound at this hipster version of a novelty shop.

  12 a.m. run

  This sneaker boutique co-founded by hip-hop icon Nas features rare labels and styles, including Young & Reckless, Jordan Brand and Diamond Supply, personally selected by the rapper himself.

• Still to come

  
  
  

  The Tilted Kilt

  When: May 22

  A decade after it was founded in Las Vegas, the Irish- and Scottish-themed restaurant and sports bar chain returns home with a new location in the valley. The 9,000-square-foot venue will feature 30 beers on tap, 40 plasma TVs and an array of pub food.

  F.A.M.E.

  When: May 23

  F.A.M.E., which stands for food, art, music, entertainment, takes its inspiration from East Asian bazaars, offering street food and cocktails from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, China and Malaysia. The dining spot also will feature entertainment, such as dragon dances, live Taiko drumming and DJ dance beats.

  Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips

  When: Later this year

  The celebrity chef plans to open his fourth Las Vegas eatery this year across from the Yard House. The new spot is expected to be modeled after British fish and chips takeout spots and will feature Ramsay’s signature Yorkshire Ale batter recipe.