Chef Rick Giffen is back in Las Vegas. And this time, he’s helping reshape one of downtown’s more distinctive dining and entertainment venues: Vic’s Supper Club.
If his name sounds familiar, it’s probably because Giffen has a long history in Las Vegas. He previously held roles at the Stratosphere, T-Mobile Arena, and Oyo before leaving town during the pandemic. His time away took him from running a lodge in Yellowstone National Park to opening restaurants in Arizona. But Las Vegas never really let go. And he’s returned to town to run the kitchen at Vic’s in The Smith Center, where his evolving menu is served alongside live jazz and classic Vegas vibes.
“It’s so awesome to be back in Las Vegas,” Giffen recently told the Food and Loathing podcast. “I feel blessed to have such a past here, and such a future to come.”
Honor The Past, Cook For The Future
Vic’s already has a strong story. It was created by a longtime Las Vegas family, the Loudons, and was built as a musical home for their father, a musician who wanted a proper venue for performances with his jazz peers. The result is a purpose-built live music room paired with a full-service restaurant, lounge, and bar that channels old-school Vegas energy.
Giffen saw potential right away. But he also saw an opportunity.
“When I came in, the menu leaned a little Italian steakhouse,” he explained on the podcast. “The goal now is to make it more of a true supper club.”
That means a shift toward American classics like steaks, seafood, and polished comfort foods, while still keeping some favorites in place. Think filet and lobster, well-executed fish dishes, and updated takes on traditional supper club fare, all designed to match the room’s live music atmosphere.
Keeping It Accessible
As Las Vegas dining prices continue to climb, Vic’s is intentionally positioning itself as a place where guests can enjoy dinner and a show without sticker shock. Giffen says the goal is to deliver high-quality food while keeping check averages well below the Strip norm — often under $75 per person.
That balance of entertainment, quality, and value is central to what Vic’s is aiming to be.
And for Giffen, it’s also part of what makes being back in Las Vegas feel right. After years away, he’s returning to a city that shaped his career — and stepping into a role where he can help define the modern Las Vegas supper club.
Hear an extended interview with Chef Rick Giffen, recorded at Vic’s, on the April 24 episode of the Food and Loathing podcast.
