This page from my master list of all Las Vegas articles I wrote while developing Vanabode as the best travel vehicle for cheap easy long term road trips.

Las Vegas Nightclubs

When we travel through Vegas we use the strategies outlined in the Vanabode book to get free entrance to clubs that cost $40 to $60 a person to get in. Las Vegas is a club fanatic's paradise. This helps us have lots of air conditioned fun with the big boys while only spending $20 a day for food, gas and lodging to travel. Nowhere on Earth comes close to the sheer grandeur, massive number of choices, and top class of the Las Vegas nightclub and bar scene. NEVER plan a serious evening with friends without calling the club first to ensure you know what you are getting into. Every day in Vegas one or two clubs literally close to the public for massive private Hollywood level private parties and you won't be able to get in. I have broken my favorite joints down into categories as I see them and as defined:

Dance Clubs include dance floors condusive to twisting it up for hours
Live Entertainment Clubs include live bands, stage acts or musicians at times
Lounges more subdued concentrating on vibe, atmosphere and drink quality
After Hours those special places catering to the truly late night crawler
Downtown Clubs located in downtown Las Vegas where tourists may not go

Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, sin city didn’t earn this title for no reason; the most expensive night clubs in world are located here: 100 million dollar XS Nightclub and 65 million dollar Surrender pool club at Encore Hotel, club TAO at Venetian, and Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace are a few of the mega clubs. Getting a VIP table or VIP entry to Las Vegas nightclubs is a big hassle, hours long lines, thousands of dollars in VIP table fees and hundreds of dollars in tipping. Luckily, there are a few reputable companies in Las Vegas such as Vegas VIP (1800-VEGASVIP) that take all the planning hassle off of your shoulders. Other Vegas famous clubs are Tryst, Foundation Room, JET, LAVO, Blush, Haze, Eve, Mix, VooDoo, Ghostbar and Moon.

Las Vegas Dance Clubs

Asia is one of the hottest spots in Las Vegas, located in the Miracle Mile shopping center, inside Planet Hollywood Casino, this two-story Asian restaurant turns into a great nightclub in the evenings. From the top floor VIP areas all the way down to the bump and grind bottom tier crowd this place is fun. Open only some nights at 11 pm.

Bank nightclub replaced Light and is inside the Bellagio Casino. You can party in or outside and this place is huge so the variety is there.

Blush Boutique Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas is quiet, upscale, expensive and without excuse as a top classy place to relax. Blush is the sister club to Tryst.

Las Vegas dance club picture with lit dancing floor and bar.

Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is classy like an old European crash pad with very racy staff and parties, hosted within the two-story venue. Fridays and Saturdays you will wait in line for a while. Décor includes mirrored walls, heavy-duty crystal chandeliers, dark walls and big oversized leather booths for close in chatting and sipping. Opens at 9 pm most nights but things pop after 11.

Cherry located inside the Red Rock Casino off strip is a perfect place to romp. Incredible layout, stunning interior with HUGE bass thumping speakers, and of course if it gets too much just slip outside to the private pool party bars for more. NOW CLOSED

Cleopatra's Barge Nightclub in Caesars Palace is open 8:30 pm to 3 am daily and is extremely unique especially for this size club. You get to dance on an Egyptian ship replica that is docked and rocks in 6 feet of light infused water. The Barge hosts rotating DJ's and live bands. There tend to be many big spenders from the Caesars Palace casino hanging out at this bar.

Jet inside the Mirage Casino is an ultra club featuring advanced sound systems, high-energy video support, making it a total sensory overload. It's impressive and definitely worth seeing especially if you are in the mood to dance because there are 3 large rooms to choose from. Opens at 10:30 most nights.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville hooked Strip Front to the Flamingo Casino is 3 stories of loud Florida-Caribbean style food, fun and activities. 5 individual bars and a restaurant with live entertainment played against a 3-story volcano make this worth a visit if you don't mind that style music. Lots of younger players here that were not smart enough to plan getting into the larger clubs but instead just wander in from the strip.

LAX opened the summer 2007 in the Luxor Casino replacing stalwart Ra nightclub. This baby is even bigger with multiple party rooms and levels including restaurants and a private VIP club called Noir. You could easily spend all night here and not get bored. It is strategized as an LA style nightclub with all the special perks that only Vegas clubs enjoy thrown in as well. Opens at 10 pm

Pure in Caesars Palace Casino has always been one of the top nightclubs in the United States. It is 36,000 square feet of first class, must experience, atmosphere and is actually 3 different venues all in one. It is made up of two stories of indoor and outdoor dance areas plus a 4 story balcony system offering stunning views of the Strip. It is easy to see so many people at once but it is hard to actually get a word in most places due to the crowds and volume. Owners list includes Andre Agassi, Celine Dion and Shaq who help keep the star sightings frequent. Opens at 10 pm.

Mist located in Treasure Island or TI as they call it now, offers state of the art technology with huge plasma screens, leather couches, and even big plants to give it that living room feel. Rock music and popular hits pared with an old house classic feel make it worth visiting. Open 5 pm to 4 am

Moon is in the Palms Casino, one floor above the famous Playboy Club. The caliber of patrons going through the four clubs at the Palms is top notch. This club has great music and a great view of the city. The roof is a giant retractable screen that hosts video when closed and the night sky when open.

Noir at Luxor Las Vegas is what Las Vegas high rollers need; sultry, low key, top notch smoozing.

Poetry located inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Casino was rebuilt from the now defunct OPM nightclub. This nightclub serves exclusively Hip Hop and Rap so be warned if this is not for you. Poetry will put you at its mercy with superb sound systems and posture. Opens at 10 pm nightly.

Polly Esther's inside the Stratosphere is actually the 4th largest club by square footage when they open all the themed rooms at once. Cool parties and off the wall music with easy to get to bars make this a good choice. Has separate 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000 rooms and opens at 10 pm nightly.

Rain inside the Palms doubles as a concert hall and large scale club with over 25,000 square feet of romping room. Weekends are out of control with thousands of people dancing through. The biggest club scene I have ever seen and would not be possible in any other location in the world outside Las Vegas. You can rent sky boxes for private parties and they open at 11 pm.

Revolution inside Mirage has a bar that opens at noon and a club that starts serving liquor at 6 pm. Many locals find this place the best due to the more subdued volume and crafty layout. Created by Cirque du Soleil and provides some great people watching.

Risque at Paris Las Vegas has outside private balconies overlooking the strip and lots of hot dancing.

Rumjungle is a great club in Mandalay Bay, next door to Red Square. There is usually a long line to get in but you can usually watch the acrobatic performer go go girls swinging above the water walls and through the place to keep you occupied. Gets big and loud later at night. It is really close to valet parking so it is convenient to get in and out of. Opens at 11 pm

Studio 54 has been here forever, located inside MGM Grand Casino. Better than the original New York Studio 54, this place offers nearly unmatched partying across every type human you may ever see, with 3 bars, 4 dance floors, celebrity photos and more. Opens at 10 pm.

Tangerine Nightclub at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino has a sexy South Beach feel, great waterfront view and the new patio allows uninterrupted Strip views. Indoor and outdoor seating lets you to see the burlesque dancers or the Sirens of TI show outside on the Las Vegas Strip nightly.

TAO Nightclub in the Venetian Hotel is gigantic and without a doubt one of the most stunning clubs I have ever seen. Famous stars are here EVERY night, sometimes under cover, sometimes doing celebrity shows. This nightclub is popular with tourists and is always full. Now they even have poolside partying outside. Lounge opens at 5 pm while the club starts entry at 10 pm.

Tryst in the Wynn Casino is a real slick joint, an absolute must see for high level revelers. Take a break and walk outside and relax with drink in hand by a massive 80 foot waterfall. This is one of the hottest clubs in town. So the line to get in gets long. Opens 10 pm.

VooDoo Lounge located on the top floor of the Rio Casino, hosts lots of southern California partiers, and is one of my top places to relax outside. Don't go on windy nights as your hair and dress will literally blow off but otherwise it is awesome. Good prices and awesome views along with easy parking make this fun. Opens 8 pm

V Bar inside Venetian has lots of industry locals partying with top-level executives from out of town companies trying to break into the Vegas scene. Upscale, clean minimalist appointments, and big high energy builds as the night gets late. Typically opens at 5 pm.

Las Vegas Live Entertainment Clubs

Coyote Ugly is in the New York New York Casino and could be the Strips wildest loud party. If you have seen the movie you really need to experience the real Las Vegas level bar scene. The bartenders as you know are all women spraying down the crowd and each other with copious amounts of fresh water to cool you down when the dancing heats up. Totally unique, tight, and always fun tourists crowds pack in. Amazing gorgeous western themed staff serves up drinks by dancing on the bars and offering up shots off the belly button. Coyote Ugly is not a country western bar though! Open 6 pm to 4 am though things don't get popping till after 9 big time.

There are plenty of clubs in Las Vegas with live entertainment and many clubs where you can participate or just sit back and watch.

Foundation Room Nightclub inside Mandalay Bay's main tower is a members only except Monday nights they sometimes let anyone in. With a breath taking view of the Las Vegas Strip and upscale interior make this a must see venue.

House of Blues in Las Vegas is without a doubt one of my top 4 favorite bars. HOB offers Rock Star Karaoke where a live band backs up the singers, 70 and 80's night, Purple Rain tribute to Prince, unplugged acoustic acts, and more. See my favorite picture of all time at a concert they had there.

Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce nightclub is small but packs the crowds in at night. Forty Deuce near the entrance to THEhotel. Fabulous dancers perform old school strip tease (not really nude) and classy adult routines to live music many nights. I had fun here and it is easy to get in and out of free if you go early. Opens 10:30 pm

Pussycat Dolls in Caesars Palace offers an unusual and fun ride up burlesque in your face street. Small, fast and worth every penny of the sometimes-free admission to get in, don't miss this great little show. Intense theatre and outstanding professional eye candy make this worth the wait. Most nights they open at 4 pm but live shows run every half hour after 10:30 pm. You will pay if you want to sit down.

Las Vegas After Hours Clubs

Drais at the Barbary Coast has been known as the ultimate Las Vegas after hours club for years. Drai's is a restaurant by day and nightclub by night. Serious professional DJ's serve up the beats to big crowds often dancing till breakfast. Dress light as this place gets really hot with action. Open Thursday to Sunday midnight to dawn.

Empire Ballroom located across the Strip from Monte Carlo Casino is one of the few decent clubs in Las Vegas not casino bound. Schedule and hours changing constantly so call ahead. Seamless says they have a real crazy after hours club though I have never been to it. Normally this place is a strip joint but they say it turns into an after hours club at 3 am most nights.

Drais all night celebration picture of launching of Vanabode.com

Downtown Clubs and Bars

Beauty Bar located downtown has a cool beauty salon themed bar with patios and outdoor stages for when things get live. Opens at 9 pm

Downtown Cocktail Room located in downtown Vegas is a classy hidden chic lounge designed for locals so you won't see many tourists here. Great place for light conversation with spin crazy DJ's bringing it long into the night.

The Griffin located downtown has that house party feel, like everyone just heard about the neighbors party 5 minutes ago and wandered across the lawn to join in. Low impact, dark, comfortable, affordable, not a tourist hang out, complete with simple wood dance floors and DJ's with no cover charge.

Las Vegas Lounges

Caramel inside the Bellagio Casino is open 5 pm to 4 am. This hot spot is small, perfect for those who want to drink, talk and have a good lower energy occasion. No jeans or junky clothes welcome here. Caramel is a good low commitment drink-sampling place to have a Martini and listen to Sinatra and other old-timer classic makers while people watching. Nice big communal ottomans and oversized leather couches make snuggling in public more fun.

Centrifuge at the MGM Grand Hotel serves up real fresh fruit injected cocktails and offers a big open seating area in the middle of the casino so you can get back to the tables in a second. Open 4pm to dawn

A locals favorite lounge, the Fireside Bar at Peppermill, on the Strip is unique and private. My daughter and I rest up from our travels.

Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar is located in Mandalay Bay Casino's main gambling floor. Where nightlife and technological wonders mixed with great bar staff make this a high tech fun zone. There are interactive tabletops and iPod stations that link directly to the DJ for specials. Open 6 pm - 4 am.

Ghost Bar located sky high on the 55th floor at the Palms offers one of the best views of the city lights at a full 360 degrees. Unless you are a high roller be prepared to stand in a very long line to get in. Once inside you better order 2 drinks at a time as service is always backed up. Opens nightly at 8 pm.

I-Bar inside Rio offers sophisticated high ticket cocktails and 10 super star quality model performers stimulating the crowd with serious eye candy. Opens daily at Noon.

Lucky Strike Lanes at the Rio Las Vegas is a bowling alley, lounge, bar, and restaurant, complete with go go dancers. I have never seen bowling like this: loud music, drinking, partying, dancing, crazy club feeling mixed with fun like the old pool halls. Easy to feel comfortable here and hard to get bored.

Peppermill's Fireside Lounge is real old Las Vegas presenting a decent restaurant with big portions and a wild down in the cellar fireside lounge where you can kanoodle against small fire shooting ponds of water. I have had many people here with me over the years and never heard anything but "wow" when they walked in. Right on the Strip in a standalone building that looks like a dark purple glass Denny's. Do not miss this one for drinking and eating only, no dancing.

Mix at the top of the second tower of Mandalay Bay Casino, TheHotel has without a doubt one of the best views of the famous Las Vegas Strip anywhere in the valley. Super clean, fashionable decor, plus peaks at the wild all glass floor to ceiling chandeliers shielding the restaurant from the club make this worthwhile by far. Nicely broken up with small laser show dance floor. I really like this place.

Small fun dance floor at Mix Lounge Mandalay Bay Las Vegas picture.

American Road Trips - reviews & pictures of places we visited on $20 a day - food, gas and lodging.

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