Surviving When We Were Young on a Budget

Q: Where Can I eat Cheap in Las Vegas During WWWY?

If you're staying somewhere on the Strip, your options for affordable food are pretty limited. There's an In-N-Out in the Linq Promenade, cheap footlong hot dogs at Casino Royale, and you can get snacks at CVS or Walgreens. Most fast food joints on the Strip have inflated prices. If you're staying on Fremont Street, you have more options. The El Cortez has a decent Prime Rib dinner for $20 and it's 24 hours. They also have a hot dog cart. There's also some pretty solid street food up near the 100 block of Fremont. If you wander up to the arts district, you can find pretty affordable food of all types ranging from brewpubs to tacos. If you have a membership to Walmart, Whole Foods, Instacart, etc (or access to a car) - it's always a good idea to get some shelf-stable snacks for your room. Think healthy. Protein bars are great for long days. Get some Gatorade. Even if you don't drink alcohol. It'll help. You're in the desert. If you're stuck on the Strip or Fremont Street with no access to a vehicle, you'll spend a couple more bucks, but CVS and Walgreens are your best friends. A NOTE ABOUT STARBUCKS The Starbucks in your hotel is almost ALWAYS $5 or more per drink than you're used to. That adds up really quickly. If you're staying on the Strip, there is a standalone Starbucks in front of Treasure Island and one in Target @ Miracle Mile with normal prices.

Q: Is there anything cheap and good to eat VERY close to When We Were Young?

Got it. The festival has re-entry this year, so you might want to escape for some cheap eats (because you're going to SPEND on the Festival Grounds). Tacos El Gordo is across the street from Resorts World - about a 10-15 minute walk and it's excellent. There's a 7-Eleven pretty nearby, and there's an excellent Korean buffet in the same area. Circus Circus has $2 hot dogs, $2 beers, and $2 shrimp cocktails. Cheap popcorn too.

Q: Where should I stay last minute?

You're probably going to struggle here. Please be careful if you're using AirBNB. There are people who rent out minivans and tents in parking lots for $100+ night. At its heart, this is a punk rock festival. If you're really stranded, this is the time to start making friends. All of that said. It's Las Vegas. If you have a VERY strong social battery and can handle a couple of days of catnaps, you can shower at Planet Fitness and be a bit of a vagabond.

Q: Are there any affordable side shows?

Yes! And we're encouraging you to support side events that either support the scene. Here's what we're going to: Thursday, October 16: Metalcore Night @ Swan Dive ft. Split Persona, Oni Inc.. Friday, October 17: Emo Night Live Band Karaoke @ Swan DiveFriday, October 17: Emo vs. Nu Metal @ The Griffin.Saturday, October 18: Emo Night Live Band Karaoke @ Swan Dive.Sunday, October 19: The Black Parade Rave @ Swan Dive

Q: Is there any free/cheap stuff to do near When We Were Young?

The Arts District: tons of thrift shops, breweries, and boutiques. Super walkable. Great window shopping. Food isn't horrifically overpriced. Cash 4 Chaos: Near UNLV (not really in a touristy area). Imagine if Hot Topic was run by punks and replaced all of the modern Disney/anime/funko pops with classic horror merch. Music. Alt clothing. Possibly the best store like this in America. The Clark County Museum is beautiful and it's only $2 for an adult, $1 for kids. The Punk Rock Museum: Not exactly cheap, but absolutely worth $50 (which is on the lower end of Vegas niche museum prices). Come see where all of the bands you'll be watching at the festival got their inspiration. Las Vegas is also just an excellent area to walk around and people watch. Take a walk through The Bellagio to see the fall flowers and the fountain, down to Excalibur to see... the Excalibur. Or head over to Fremont Street. There are live flamingos in The Flamingo.

Q: What's the Best Way to Gat Around Las Vegas during WWWY?

Las Vegas is very flat and it looks like the weather isn't going to be TOO brutal. You can absolutely walk everywhere if you have that kind of energy. Otherwise, stick to the bus and the monorail. Ubers will eat up your merch budget QUICKLY AS FUCK. If you're using public transportation, you can install the Transit app for maps (with live updating) and to pay your fare. You can get a weekend pass really cheap.

Q: Can you get 4:20 Near When We Were Young

There is no real weed on the strip. The "dispensaries" you see are just fancy versions of the diet weed/kratom/vape shops in your hometown. The closest dispensaries to the strip are behind Trump tower (vomit) and they're pretty overpriced. You'll get more bang for your buck heading out to the edge of the city and finding a dispensary with a good first timer discount. Last year for me, that was Nevada Made Marijuana, but price shop. You probably shouldn't bring weed into the festival. We've heard stories about people doing so pretty easily, but you're on your own if you catch a charge.

Q: Should I Smoke or Vape in my Room?

No. Clearly. That's a really bad idea, kind of inconsiderate, and always has been. But now it could cost you a TON of money. Many hotels are installing smoke detectors with sensors that are VERY sensitive - and sometimes even get set off by perfume/cologne, hairspray, or steam from the shower.

When We Were Young is coming up next weekend, and I’ve seen a lot of social media posts asking questions about affordable ways to survive the festival. Since our team understands that struggle, we thought it’d be helpful to put together a guide for those who don’t have an endless budget or unlimited credit line. Plus… let’s be real. The economy is an absolute nightmare.

CHEAP PLUG ALERT: We are throwing two parties during When We Were Young Weekend – Metalcore Night and the Black Parade Rave. We’re going to plug them here. Just want to give full disclosure. On with the guide.

Where Can I eat Cheap in Las Vegas During WWWY?

Is there anything cheap and good to eat VERY close to When We Were Young?

Where should I stay last minute?

Are there any affordable side shows?

Is there any free/cheap stuff to do near When We Were Young?

What's the Best Way to Gat Around Las Vegas during WWWY?

Can you get 4:20 Near When We Were Young

Should I Smoke or Vape in my Room?

METALCORE NIGHT

Kick off When We Were Young weekend with the heaviest party night on earth. Imagine Emo Night, but way louder with playlists featuring Bring Me the Horizon, Knocked Loose, Sunami, I Prevail, Motionless in White, Bad Omens, and so many more.

Live performances from Oni Inc. and Split Persona plus Metalcore Night party. Tickets only $20 and anyone who purchases can win tickets to see The Story So Far, Sunami, and Set Your Goals on Friday.

The Black Parade Rave

Say “so long and goodnight” to When We Were Young weekend with the ultimate party night for fans of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE.

It’s more than just another Emo Night. It’s a fully immersive video dance party with MCR cosplay contest, live performance by Neptvne (featuring MCR cover) and the most hype Emo Night on earth by the Brothers Grimm!

Tickets are $20 and this runs late into the night.