You can't say nightlife and Las Vegas without thinking about nightclubs on the Strip. Nearly every major casino has at least one nightclub, though some are more popular than others. The most popular nightclubs in Vegas are Tao at The Venetian, PURE at Caesar's Palace, Jet at The Mirage, LAX at The Venetian, Christian Audigier the Nightclub at Treasure Island and XS at Encore. The Palms, which is off the Strip, also has popular nightclubs like Rain, Moon and Ghost Bar. Though every nightclub is unique in its own right, those that tend to do the best attract the hottest celebrity crowd and most popular DJs, throw the largest private parties--such as celebrity birthday parties or other entertainment-industry events--and offer the most VIP services such as private drink girls, spacious tables, large VIP-only areas, and a private wine and hard-alcohol menu. As nightclubs obtain more and more publicity from their services and their crowds, more and more people begin lining up to party and be seen at these hot spots.
Lounges are similar to nightclubs, but they don't usually have steep cover charges, long lines, strict dress codes and furious dancing. This does not mean a Vegas nightclub is rule-free, however. Some have cover charges, dress codes and lines, but they are not usually as strict as the clubs. Popular lounges in Vegas include the Beatles Revolution Lounge at The Mirage, Tab Ultra Lounge at MGM Grand, Pussy Cat Dolls Lounge at Caesar's Palace and Risque at the Paris. A lounge's theme tends to be what makes or breaks it as a popular Vegas establishment, and these lounges definitely have perfected their theme, complete with drinks, decor and even the staff's uniforms to match. The popularity of a lounge might also have to do with the night of the week, as many lounges offer specials, such as ladies' night or college night, throughout the week. This may draw large crowds looking for cheap drinks to one lounge one night, and a different crowd that can take advantage of another lounge's special the next night.
There are magic acts like Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo for families, music lovers will appreciate the nightly acts at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay or the resident concerts by Bette Midler, Elton John and Cher at Caesar's Palace. There are also musicals, such as "The Phantom of the Opera" at The Venetian and "Mama Mia" at Mandalay Bay, as well as numerous Cirque du Soleil shows. Most are child-appropriate (if your child is older than 5), except for Zumanity at New York-New York. Described as the "sensual side of Cirque du Soleil," Zumanity's nudity and adults theme are not family friendly and, thus, no one under 18 is permitted.
If you're looking for male entertainment, there is Thunder from Down Under at Excalibur and Chippendales at the Rio, which is across the street from the Palms. For those looking for female entertainment, there is Crazy Girls at the Riviera, Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand, Fantasy at Luxor and Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay.
Sightseeing is done during the day in most cities, but Las Vegas presents some of its best sights at nighttime, when the city is lit up like a firecracker. This is the perfect time to walk the Strip end to end because it's a bit cooler and poses no risk of sunburn. The dancing fountains at the Bellagio are a must-see, with shows playing every 15 minutes after 8 p.m. The large golden lion in front of MGM Grand is also a great nighttime spectacle when it's lit up in all its glory. The views from the 460-foot Eiffel Tower at the Paris and the top of the Stratosphere are also spectacular. Those looking for some great nighttime sights off the Strip should head to Downtown Las Vegas for the Fremont Street Experience's Viva Vision light show. This nightly show features 12 million lights that are set to the soundtrack from some legendary bands including Queen, the Beatles and KISS.
