Jamie, Nightlife Expert

Q and A with Jamie

Why/when did you move here?
My family moved to Vegas when I was 12 for my dad's job, so while I still call Pepsi "pop," I also spent my adolescence here, which, let me tell you, should pretty much give me native rights. Oh, the things I saw.

When did you start at VEGAS.com, and what does your job entail?
I came to VEGAS.com more than a year ago, leaving behind the glamorous life of newspaper reporting for the actual glamorous life of nightlife writing. My job pretty much entails going to nightclubs, bars, strip clubs and gay clubs and then writing about them. It's every bit as taxing, monotonous and boring as it sounds, obviously.

What is your favorite thing about working at VEGAS.com?
Wow, that's almost like asking me to pick a favorite child. Luckily, I don't have kids and if I did, it would be the child that allowed me to see some of the best shows in Vegas, eat dinner at some of the best restaurants and have a drink in some of the swankiest spots, all in the name of my career. That kid's going to have a lot to live up to because I don't know many toddlers with comp privileges.

What are your hobbies?
Things that used to be hobbies – going to bars and having a pint, namely – are now part of my job. But outside of that, I like to bowl and play dodgeball (seriously). I also spend my spare time watching awful TV (reality, NBC-aired, rerun) and some not-awful TV ("Flight of the Conchords," mostly).

Give us a random fact about yourself
My favorite food is potatoes and I'm left-handed. Those things are equally important to me.

Give us your top insider tips about Vegas

• Tipping goes a long way, but you know what else goes a long way? Not being a jerk to the person you want something from. Also, smiling.
  
  
• There is almost always a back way to get to something. Streets like Frank Sinatra, Industrial and Koval plus the monorail. You don't have to travel with the masses, trust me.
  
  
• Make some calls before you go somewhere and I'm not talking about finally returning your grandmother's messages. There might be a special, a cancellation, a change, a way to bump yourself up to a better spot. Extra info is generally not a bad thing.