What To Do If You’re In Vegas – Memorial Day Weekend

If Cinco de Mayo and college graduations weren’t enough, Memorial Day weekend presents the third official opportunity/excuse to party ridiculous in the month of May. Suggestions below:

FRIDAY (5/23) – Check out Friday Night Live at the Hard Rock Hotel pool, which kicks off at around 6 p.m. and features musical guest Stephen Marley. SpyOnVegas.com is also holding Open Bar from 6-9 p.m.. Friday Night Live is consistently one of the best spots to begin a summer weekend in Las Vegas. For a bit of a different vibe go downtown and find the Icehouse, which promotes Ink Fridays every Friday, and will also be the venue for the Girls Gone Wild search for the hottest girl in America. Cap off the night at Pure, with DJ Steve Aoki spinning and the Pussycat Dolls celebrating the release of a new single.

SATURDAY (5/24) – UFC 84 takes place at the MGM Grand, creating a slew of UFC after-parties. Check out Hawaiian Tropic Zone for an after-party hosted by UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste, or go to Studio 54 to experience Tito Ortiz’s official afterparty. Not to be outdone is the IFC, a rival organization to UFC. The First Annual IFC Celebrity Weekend goes off at Blush, with scheduled appearances by Carey Hart, Vin Diesel and Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington. If you’re searching for a party not affiliated with Ultimate Fighting or its derivatives, check out Polly Esther’s, where Daisy from Rock of Love 2 is hosting the Bikini Bike Wash.

SUNDAY (5/25) – Rehab should be your No. 1 choice, but getting in won’t be easy. Sugar Ray is the musical guest at the Hard Rock pool. The Artisan, a favorite of Las Vegas locals, hosts the grand opening of its new pool party. Just about every Vegas pool party should be insane, so have a second choice ready in case you can’t get in at Rehab. Head back to the Hard Rock and check out Body English for Sunday School, but again, be prepared for long lines! Hanging out at the Hard Rock is usually an intense experience regardless of whether you get into the club or not.

It’s another great weekend to be in Vegas. Be sure to check out SpyOnVegas.com, as well as Las Vegas Weekly’s website for Xania’s Hot Spots, which breaks down just about everything going on that’s worth checking out for the entire week.

Drinking on a budget

Strapped for cash? Do you ever wonder if there’s somewhere to go in Las Vegas that doesn’t require $8 or more for a drink?

If you’re with a group of friends and you want to have a low-key night out that’s easy on the wallet, then try one of the following:

Freakin’ Frog (at Maryland and University) – The Frog is always hoppin’ with some kind of live music on the weekends and more than 200 kinds of beers to choose from. On most nights, the bar has 2-for-1 specials on any kind of beer in the 2-for-1 refrigerator. The Frog keeps the fridge stocked with all kinds of bottled beer that’s tough to find anywhere else. Definitely an opportunity to get drunk cheap!

Yayo Tequila Bar (Maryland and Harmon) – You’ve read about this beer-pong palace in a previous post. In case you forgot, Yayo has $2 tequila shots and $3 beers on Thursday nights until midnight, and often longer than that. Build up a taste for Jose Cuervo and you’re all set!

Ellis Island (Flamingo and Koval) - This locals’ favorite has $1 draft beers 24 hours a day. Try the Hefeweizen!

SpyOnVegas.com Open Bar (various locations) – It doesn’t get much cheaper than this. Open Bar gives away free drinks from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (or until the designated alcohol of the night is tapped out) at just about every Vegas venue imaginable. Get there early!

There are also lots of places that have a flat rate for all-you-can-drink draft beer. Stoney’s Rockin’ Country and Blondie’s (inside Planet Hollywood) are just a couple of the places that do this. Get a wristband and drink all night! The all-you-can-drink wristbands cost $20 at Stoney’s and anywhere from $10-$20 at Blondie’s. These specials only happen on certain nights. Check back here to find out when!

K-Fed gets paid to party

UNLV students out of town on spring break last week missed out on a mega-event right here in Las Vegas.

Pure Nightclub at Caesar’s Palace hosted Kevin Federline’s 30th birthday bash on March 21, right in the midst of spring break madness. While I was navigating the API Journalist’s Toolbox website for a class assignment, I came across a story about the nightclub reportedly paying K-Fed up to $175,000 to celebrate at Pure, according to an article on Newser.com.

So K-Fed gets to take a break from raising the kids and gets paid bank to party it up on his birthday in a VIP booth at one of the most popular nightclubs in the world. Must be nice! The article cites a source telling the New York Post that the club shelled out the cash because of K-Fed’s ability to draw crowds.

Federline surely won’t be the only “A-list” celebrity to party it up in Vegas for a birthday celebration. Here are some dates to watch for in the coming year:

JUNE 7 – Dave Navarro – The former Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane’s Addiction guitarist is probably most famous for being married to Carmen Electra and carrying on high-profile relationships with celebrities like Jenna Jameson. If you’ve never partied with Navarro, be prepared to be amazed by the star-studded guest list. This guy knows everybody!

JULY 2 – Lindsay Lohan – Lohan was scheduled for a much-hyped 21st birthday bash at Pure in 2007, but a trip to rehab forced the cancellation of the event. If she manages to show up in Sin City for her 22nd, the paparazzi will be in full force.

DECEMBER 2 – Britney Spears – No need to elaborate on this. If she comes to Vegas the whole world will see it on TV, but Vegas locals can put themselves right in the action!

JANUARY 31 – Justin Timberlake – JT showed up at Jet Nightclub to throw a birthday party for his mother just a few days before his own birthday in 2007. Timberlake keeps his plans on the down-low a lot of time, but he’s a good bet to show up in Sin City at some point. Too bad we all have to wait until January.

FEBRUARY 17 – Paris Hilton – The world will have to wait almost a year for another Paris Hilton birthday celebration, but if you really want to party with Paris in Las Vegas, she’s not too hard to find on any night of the year.

Celebrity parties are a special kind of crazy, and they’re so easy to find. So many celebs celebrate birthdays in Las Vegas, many getting paid like K-Fed. The clubs usually announce these events about a month or so in advance. Use connections and try to get in free,because it won’t be cheap!

Options for Wednesday 3/26 in Vegas

After going a little too heavy on the partying during spring break, I won’t be out on the scene until at least the weekend. If you’re looking to party it up on on Wednesday night (3/26), however try checking out one or both of the following:

BEAUTY BAR - Free admission to the bar and $10 to get into the courtyard. Live music and DJ Mike Attack are on tap and it should be a good spot!

BODY ENGLISH – Godskitchen is the Wednesday-night name for the ongoing party that seems to go on at the Hard Rock’s super-club seven nights a week. Try hitting up Beauty Bar first and finish your night here! You won’t find a better party than this for Wednesday.

Irish pubs in Las Vegas

I’ve never been to Boston, a city that I’m certain knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like no other. If you didn’t make it to the east coast for March 17, however, there’s still a good chance you had a pretty good time if you made Las Vegas your St. Patty’s Day destination of choice.

St. Patrick’s Day is a particularly festive holiday in Sin City. Thousands of eager party people hit the town for St. Patty’s Day 2008 despite the fact that it fell on a Monday. Bars were packed across the Strip, and the Irish pub was the hot spot of the night.

If you haven’t hit up an Irish bar in Vegas, give one a try. It seems like every one in town has a festive atmosphere and a fun-loving crowd any night of the week. Here’s a rundown of a few of Las Vegas’ Irish bars. I hope you have a taste for Guinness:

McFadden’s (inside the Rio) - The newest Irish pub to hit the city just opened up in January but has already gained a reputation as a reliable place to find a good party, especially on weekends. McFadden’s has two bars in two different rooms, with room left over for live music and a dining area. Cozy but fun, McFadden’s is a great spot to get rowdy on the Irish scene.

McFadden’s isn’t the fanciest place around, and it can take awhile to get a drink at the main bar. The bar in the side room is much more accessible. This place was crazy on St. Patrick’s Day, with the added bonus of the festive atmosphere all throughout the Rio. McFadden’s is a great place to bounce in and out of while partying at the always-festive Rio. You’ll also find a nice selection of Irish cuisine at McFadden’s, which also has locations in New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia.

Nine Fine Irishmen (inside New York New York) – Quite possibly the most popular Irish bar amongst tourists thanks to its location, Nine Fine Irishmen is always packed and rowdy on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Drinks aren’t cheap here, averaging about $10, but Nine Fine Irishmen has one of the best selections of Irish beers and whiskeys you’ll ever find. Authentic and definitely a good time.

If you’re looking to party with people from all over the world, hit up Nine Fine Irishmen on a weekend night, as it draws every kind of tourist from everywhere you can think of.

Quinn’s (inside Green Valley Ranch) - Formerly known as Fado, Quinn’s retains almost the exact same layout but without the outside walls. The main difference is the lack of a bouncer checking IDs at the door, because now you can walk right in.

Quinn’s usually has live music on weekend nights from Darby O’Gill and the Little People, a great Irish band with an enthusiastic local following. It doesn’t get too crazy, but Quinn’s can be a fun place to take a small group of friends for a night out.

McMullan’s (at Tropicana and Cameron) – Quite possibly the best Irish pub in Vegas, McMullan’s always seems to have something going on. Live music and special events are the norm at McMullan’s, which tends to draw more Las Vegas locals than the other Irish bars in the city.

It’s pretty difficult not to have a good time at this place. McMullan’s has the best variety of Irish food and beers in town, and there’s almost always a good, festive crowd. Probably your best bet amongst Vegas-Irish pubs.

Even if you’re not a “bar person”, try out one of these Irish imports. McMullan’s is a particularly good place to start, so check it out!

First Friday Las Vegas

If you’ve never celebrated First Friday in the Downtown Arts District, do yourself a favor this Friday (3/7) by making this once-a-month festival your destination of choice.

The party gets started around 5 p.m., when the Arts District is taken over by a huge, free-flowing art/entertainment/social festival that’s by far the most cultural experience you’ll find in Vegas, outside of the famous art galleries at Venetian and Bellagio. This festival is unlike anything else you’ll find in the nightlife wonderland of Sin City, and it’s easy to forget you’re Vegas after spending a couple hours at First Friday.

The cops clear the streets at around 10 p.m., but the party is only just beginning. Head down to Fremont Street and you’ll find yourself in the middle of a block party that doesn’t end until 6 a.m. or so. At the heart of the madness is “The Get Back” party at Beauty Bar, which usually gets packed around 11 p.m., when the bar’s back patio area opens up. Nearby spots like The Griffin and Downtown Cocktail Room are also great places to party on First Friday, and on a good night you’ll probably end up at all three of these great locations at some point.

The great vibe permeates all of Fremont Street on First Friday, and when you decide to give it a try, make a night of it there and experience the art festival and all of the top-notch parties. And be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you thought!

Yayo Taco = Thursday Night Vegas Hotspot?

By daylight, Yayo Taco might seem like it’s at a competitive disadvantage to its neighbors. Crowded into a corner of University Gardens at Harmon and Maryland, Yayo is completely obscured by a wall of neighboring small businesses. You really wouldn’t know it’s there unless you’re either looking for it or you’re forced to park at the far end of the Gardens on a busy afternoon. And even then, it looks like just another taco shop in an area of town loaded with eating options.

Take a drive by the Gardens at night, however, and you might wonder what’s going on. Starbucks is closed, Einstein’s isn’t open for another few hours, and the school day is over. For some reason though, a gathering of cars has congregated to the far end of the parking lot, and there’s a line full of young party people hoping to get in.

Once you’re inside, you feel like you’ve really stumbled on to something. That’s because on any number of nights per week (Thursday night is currently the busiest), Yayo Taco turns into the hottest party spot, by far, around campus. You could find your way into a local frat party and sip free beers off the keg all night, but Yayo is almost just as good – $2 tequila shots and $3 beers pretty much means everyone in the place can afford to get hammered! And if you have friends that live on or near campus, Yayo is within stumbling distance!

The setup is pretty simple. The bar serves only beer and tequila. If you have the stomach for Jose Cuervo, you’re in for a great night! The dining room tables are all set up for a giant beer pong party, complete with a DJ and an outside smoking area. You won’t find the bells and whistles (or $10 drinks) of an on-the-Strip lounge or nightclub. But if cheap drinks and a room full of energetic, attractive party people sound like fun, then check it out. College kids are happy when they’re not broke. Go party with them at Yayo Taco!

Las Vegas Nightlife FAQ

1. How much money should someone expect to spend for a night out at a bar or nightclub in Las Vegas?

Like anywhere else, there are all kinds of different kinds of bars/lounges/nightclubs in Las Vegas, charging all kinds of different prices. Some of the most sketchy dive bars you’ll ever find are right here in Sin City, but you can also just as easily party at any of numerous world-famous nightclubs on the Strip. Women usually don’t have to worry about funds as much as the guys (a nice-looking woman spends most of her night fighting off requests to buy her drinks), but because there are so many different kinds of nightlife options in the city, you should always do some research before going somewhere you’ve never been. You don’t want to end up having a bad night just because you’re partying outside of your budget. If you’re broke, go somewhere cheap! Ellis Island (at Flamingo and Koval) has $1 draft beers and a $6.95 steak dinner special, which makes for a great, low-key night out with friends.

2. How should I dress if I’m going to a nightclub?

It happens again and again – friends come out to visit for a few days, and they want you to be their tour guide for some debauchery-filled nights on the Strip. You meet up with your buddies in the lobby of their hotel and your spirits sink, because one person in the group decided to rock baggy, khaki shorts and some flip-flops with a T-shirt. You’re not getting into Tao now.

If you know you want to end up at a nightclub or higher-end bar or lounge, be prepared.

MEN – Rule No. 1/1A for nightclubs is no shorts and no sandals/ugly shoes. Jeans are fine, but make sure they’re not baggy, faded, torn, dirty, etc. Wear a pair of regular brown or black dress shoes and make sure they’re nice and clean. Combine your nice jeans and shiny shoes with a long-sleeve button-up shirt and you’ll pass the nightclub dress code test every time. It’s simple, and you’ll look like a lot of the other guys at the club, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you want to get more elaborate then you’re on your own!

WOMEN – If you look nice, you’re in! Wear whatever you want; if you look good the guys at the door will spot you in line and usher you in ahead of all the dudes! I’ve never seen a lady get refused entrance to a club because of the dress code, no matter how casually dressed.

3. I went to a nightclub, waited in a long line for an hour and still couldn’t get any closer than right outside the velvet rope. The guys at the door were still letting lots of people in, but my friends and I couldn’t get in the club. I don’t want to waste hours of my night in line if I’m not getting in anyway; what should I do?

The nightclub staff is always searching the line for attractive women, so if you’re a guy and you’re lucky enough to have the ladies with you, no problem! You may have to wait in line for a while but you’re eventually going to get in.

If your group is all guys, then you probably want to split off into duos and try to get in at different times. The last thing a nightclub doorman wants to see is a group of six or seven drunk college-age dudes and no females. The guys at Tao won’t even let you get in the line if you have four or more guys and no girls. If you have to roll six or seven deep, make sure your whole crew is dressed to the nines, and be realistic about you chances of getting in.

People stuck at the front of a nightclub line tend to incessantly hassle the doormen. This never works; if you’ve been waiting awhile at the door, nothing you say is getting you in any faster than any of the other people yelling at the club staff. Don’t try to drop names; if you wait until the club is super packed, they won’t let you in even if you’re on a VIP list. At this point you have to decide how badly you want to get into the club, because you’re a few $20 bills away from getting right in!

The most certain way to get in is to pay off one of the doorman. Unless it’s a super-exclusive place (like Noir Bar at Luxor), the guys at the door will greatly appreciate this and you’ll be inside the club and sucking down $12 drinks before you know it! Again, you have to decide how badly you want to get in. If you’re standing in line at Jet, for example, and all of your friends got there an hour earlier than you and are partying in the club, then it’s probably worth it to pay off a doorman, because you know a great time is waiting inside. Once you’ve slipped someone extra cash, you’re pretty much committed to that spot for the night, so don’t shell out the bribe unless your sure.

With all of these things in mind, the best way to get into clubs and skip lines on a regular basis is to know as many people as possible here in Vegas. Network enough and you’ll never worry about getting in anywhere. At least that’s what I’ve learned from my own experiences trying to get into nightclubs for the past four years in Vegas. Everyone has their own way – these are just my suggestions.

4. How should I decide what bar/nightclub to go on a given night?

There are lots of resources to help with this task. Check out SpyOnVegas.com and Las Vegas Weekly’s official website to get started. If anything special is going on, one or both of these websites will know.

5. We’ve been partying hard, and no one can safely drive home!

Plan on the possibility of having to call a cab before you go out. Taxis aren’t hard to find, and the staff at almost any nightclub or bar will be more than happy to call one for you, as a bar can face legal liability if they allow an obviously drunk person to drive. When you’ve lived in Las Vegas for awhile it’s very, very easy to build up a strong tolerance to alcohol and not realize how drunk you really are at a given time. DUI’s and car accidents can affect your life in ways most people can’t even imagine. If you’ve been dubbed as the designated driver for the night but you end up drinking anyway, then be sure you have some cab fare available for you and your friends to get home safe.

Hope this helps! Now get out there and party!