The Las Vegas Grand Prix is almost here and not without plenty of controversy. Still, it’s happening, and when it does, you’ll be able to enjoy a cocktail Daniel Ricciardo-style by skipping the glass and drinking right out of a driving shoe. Yes, MGM Resorts just announced that the Bellagio will have its very own Shoey Bar. Describing the Shoey Bar, MGM Resorts says:
At the Shoey Bar, we invite you to tap into that exhilarating feeling of victory, immersing yourself in the very essence of your favorite sport. Slip into our genuine MGM-branded driving shoes, fill them with your beverage of choice, and raise a triumphant toast, just like your racing heroes do on the podium. Experience the rush, savor the glory, and celebrate your passion for racing with us!
Odds are, you won’t be able to do a shoey with the Australian Formula 1 driver in person, but you never know. It could happen. Never say never. Sadly, it also sounds like you won’t get the full shoey experience at the Bellagio. Road & Track reports that the shoes used at the Shoey Bar will have a waterproof beverage liner, which means your favorite champagne or cocktail won’t actually taste like victory.
Considering these shoeys are being sold by an actual bar and not whipped up trackside, that probably shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. There are probably more than a few regulations keeping Shoey Bar staff from pouring a bottle of champagne directly into a driving shoe. And even then, spillage is still an issue. Plus, there would also probably be some problems reusing shoes between guests. Maybe you get to keep the shoe when you’re done? If that’s the case, expect the cost of doing a shoey to be terrifyingly high considering you’re paying for a drink and a driving shoe.
Since both Elizabeth Blackstock and Ryan King will be at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, they are now officially required to do shoeys together and report back. After all, we can’t have two Jalopnik writers in the same vicinity as a shoey bar and not get at least one video out of it. That would be a dereliction of their duty as journalists, and we will not stand for it.
