Las Vegas has been trying to get a major league sport into the market for eons. Issues like gambling and no stadium keep getting in the way of courting an appropriate suitor. But that doesn’t mean a drought on big league sports. For the sixth year, NBA Summer League comes to Las Vegas beginning this Friday.

All the foodie attention in Las Vegas focuses on The Strip and the celebrity chefs who set up outposts in the casinos. But locals know that you don’t have to drive to Las Vegas Boulevard to find cuisine that will knock your socks off. Here’s a look at the Haute 5 restaurants that locals love, and you should try, too.

The worlds of hip-hop and MMA converged last night at Studio 54 at MGM Grand to celebrate the birthday of legendary mixed-martial artist Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva. Inside the venue, the ecstatic partygoers danced to beats by DJ Skribble and honored the fighter as he took the stage to receive his birthday cake. Naughty by Nature performed after the birthday celebration to the electrified crowd at Las Vegas’ most iconic nightclub.

It may be a few years before Las Vegas sees the opening of a new casino, so mark your calendars for Dec. 15 when the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opens its doors. Once completed, the Cosmopolitan will feature two 50-story towers with residential rooms and private terraces.

The stars of the UFC got into Las Vegas early to catch some of the hottest parties before UFC 116 Saturday night.

The gorgeous Mark Salling, actor from the Fox’s hit television show Glee spent the July 4 weekend in Las Vegas. Salling and his friends checked into the Palazzo on Friday and dined at Tao Asian Bistro at the Venetian that evening.

UFC fighters converged on Studio 54 at the MGM Grand last night to celebrate UFC 116 tonight at the Garden Arena. Silver Star Casting Co. hosted the official pre-fight party with fighters. The tight-knit family of fighters flocked to the legendary Vegas hotspot to party until the sun came up.

As if you need an excuse to celebrate this weekend. Instead of going the patriotic route, consider visiting the French Riviera with a trip to Azure Luxury Pool at the Palazzo. The exotic adults-only locale now has a poolside brunch party and new theme days to add to the mix.

No city does the Fourth of July quite like Las Vegas. The city pulls out all the stops with fireworks displays all over town, events and parades to entertain the family and concerts to get you in the groove. Make the most of this three-day weekend at one of our Haute 5 Fourth of July events.