If you can pull your friends away from the strip and get them to head downtown, I'd suggest the Triple 7's Brew Pub at the Main Street Station. It's loud, lots of TV monitors with ESPN on, good microbrew beer and decent (affordable) bar food, especially the pizza. If that's not to your taste, then try the Pullman Grille there. Good steakhouse, decent prices, not super crowded so service is usually very good.

btw, Happy Birthday!!