Macau: Vegas of the East?

What makes Vegas, "Vegas?" Is it the excessive eating? The prolific gambling? Drug use? Binge drinking? Sex? Glitz and glamour in stark contrast to all the dirt and grime a few streets over?

Yes. To all of the above.

Seems promising. Look! There's even a Wynn!

So when I was told about Macau, the so called "Vegas of the East," I was intrigued. I mean, after spending a significant portion of my last quarter Senior Year in Vegas, I missed it. Not that I wanted to necessarily partake in all the immoral and illicit activities aforementioned, of course... (I actually was DD for a significant portion of my Vegas experiences), but it was more the atmosphere I missed. The freedom to do what one wants. Las Vegas is where people can, and do, lose themselves in the moment, whether for better or for worse. In essence, a true Disneyland for adults.

Macau is no Vegas.

At least the fountain at the Venetian is the same...

Don't let the similar names and brands fool you. Granted, there is still a seedy underbelly like Vegas (ex. a "sauna" offers a broader range of "special treatments" than a normal spa). But there's no drinking culture! Whether you gamble at a table or a machine, servers come by to offer you tea or water. That's it. No beer. No wine (though I heard you can still get sangria at the Lisboa). No AMFs or Long Islands. Nothing.

The only drink in my only night in Macau. Not even from a bar, but from a restaurant.

It makes sense--catering to mostly mainlanders, Macau is not attracting the whole, "what happens here, stays here," kind of crowd. It's more of a, "Gamble big, play serious, win or GTFO." You go to Macau to gamble. Maybe relax with a "lady friend" when you're done if you're into that sort of thing. And that's it. No multitude of Cirque du Soleil, magic acts, comedians, or musicals. No Fashion Show Mall, Miracle Mile or Forum Shops. And definitely no 190 Octane Fat Tuesdays with extra shots of Everclear.

 One thing that Macau has over Vegas--a rich history.

So after a quick loss on a Sic Bo table and a bit of sightseeing (the Portuguese architecture is, admittedly, quite beautiful), it was off to Hong Kong.

Note: As a fellow traveler pointed out, there are forms of entertainment in Macau (shows, clubs, etc.). It's just not on the same scale as Vegas, or even a large city. And it's not the say I wouldn't go to Macau again--I'll be back when I have a lot more money to blow.