Delirium Noel comes around for the holidays

The Delirium family of beers are favorites of beer connoisseurs, and Las Vegas beer lovers can find the popular Delirium Tremens on tap at Yard House and Freakin’ Frog for the last few months. Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay also carries Delirium Tremens by the bottle, giving patrons an opportunity to top off an amazing menu of build-your-own burgers with a glass or two of the beer that many consider to be the finest in the world. Food and beverage  decadence doesn’t get much better than that!

For those that haven’t tried it, Delirium Tremens is a triple-hopped creation from the Huyghe Brewery in Belgium that took first-place honors at the World Beer Championships in 1998, and is also rated at No. 1 in author Stuart Kallen’s 1997 book The 50 Greatest Beers in the World. In the 10-plus years since receving these honors, Delirium Tremens has garnered a cult-like following in some places around the world, and with an 8.5 percent alcohol volume and a smooth, one-of-a-kind taste that has to be experienced to be believed, DT is always popular in the few U.S. bars that actually carry it.

Las Vegas residents that want to enjoy DT at home can also find it when it’s in stock, along with the darker Delirium Nocturnum, at any Lee’s Discount Liquor location around the valley. Essentially a Disneyland for liquor lovers, Lee’s usually gets Delirium shipped in weekly insatllments, but it always sells out quickly.

With the holiday season upon us, another outstanding product from the Huyghe Brewery has surfaced. Delirium Noel is a special beer for the holiday season, with a potent 10 percent alcohol volume. Noel has the darker color of Nocturnum but has a smoother, lighter and hoppier taste, decidedly different from anything else in the Delirium family. If you’re diving into a glass of Noel with high expectations as a DT fan, prepare to be impressed.

DT fans should definitely check it out while it lasts, as it’s even harder to find than DT. Noel is currently available on tap at Freakin’ Frog and Burger Bar, and can occasionally be found at Lee’s. As of this writing, it’s unknown whether Noel will end up available on tap at Yard House or anywhere else. It goes for $8 a glass at Freakin’ Frog, but for beer lovers, the money is well spent.

Thanksgiving 2008 – Parties in Las Vegas

Thanksgiving Day might be a day to relax with the family, but in Las Vegas it’s also another party holiday. Here are some events of interest for T-Day:

JIVE TURKEY 2 – 944 Magazine brings us the Jive Turkey party for the second year in a row, and this time it takes place at Rok Vegas inside New York New York. Rok is one of the most heavily advertised new venues in town, as the clever “ROK YOUR (insert clever joke here) OFF” ads are inescapable in Las Vegas right now. Those that haven’t checked out Rok should do so on T-Day eve, because if last year’s Jive Turkey party is any indication, this should be one of the best options of the night. The Vegas-staple Bargain DJ Collective will be there, and Mya tops off the night with a live performance.

WILD TURKEY WEDNESDAY (Mist inside Treasure Island) – Free liquor is always a plus, and spending Thankgiving eve at Mist gets you complimentary shots of Wild Turkey American Honey. Not sure if the free shots are going to last all night, so arrive early.

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.

Las Vegas – 2008 Pool season heats up

If you’ve been in Las Vegas for any amount of time during the scorching months of late spring and summer, then you’ve no doubt seen or heard the countless ads for the various pool clubs and parties all over the city. The pool party grows in popularity year after year on the Las Vegas Strip, and the 2007 season ushered in the era of European-style bathing, pool clubs that encourage women to bathe topless. Go somewhere like Bare not expecting this and you may be in for a bit of a surprise.

Rehab, of course, is the most notorious pool party in the city and quite possibly the entire United States! Guests from all over the world can always be found at the Hard Rock Hotel’s infamous Sunday afternoon pool party. An afternoon at Rehab is quite surreal the first time you go, with celebrities and musicians mingling with everyone else at the amazing Hard Rock pool.

If you’re not quite looking for something like Rehab, lots of options still await. Sullivan Charles frequents every pool party in Vegas as a photographer for 944 Magazine and Spy On Vegas, and the 26-year-old likes to mix it up when it comes to partying on the pool scene. “I like Bare because it’s a little bit more mellow than the rest of them,” Charles said during an interview from the 944 offices. “Tao Beach is pretty mellow too, but I think out of both of them I like Bare a little better because it’s topless.”

Justin Simms sees pool season from a different perspective. Unlike most of the thousands of locals and tourists that descend to the pools on the weekend for a day of drinking and partying, Simms has to stay sober and on his best behavior, or else lose his employment status at the Hard Rock pool. “Imagine the best nightclub you’ve ever been to,” says Simms. “Then cut the top off, expand it three times, put three pools in, take the clothes off everyone, include celebrities outside the red rope, then imagine the loudest party ever, drinking from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. nonstop. That’s Rehab.”

Looking to party poolside with hundreds of Las Vegas’ most beautiful people? Here’s the rundown:

REHAB (at Hard Rock) – The original Vegas pool party is still by far the craziest. Rehab is a world-famous event taking place every Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel pool. Doors usually open at 11 a.m. but you’ll definitely want to show up earlier than that if you want to have any chance of getting in (unless you’re willing to be brave and try to sneak in, which isn’t easy). Rehab is the pool party of choice for celebrities and musicians from the Hollywood A-list as well as beautiful people from around the world. There’s nothing like Rehab, and you have to experience it to understand!

ADMISSION: Varies, but it’s free if you’re staying at the Hard Rock, so reserving a room for the weekend with some friends is not a bad way to go. Vegas.com has it listed as $30 for men,$20 for ladies and $15 for local ladies. As with any hot club, the more you’re willing to pay at the door, the better the chance you’ll get in. (Note: If you’re a guy or group of guys with no females in your party, expect to pay a lot more than $30, if you even get in). Cabana reservations don’t come cheap and can be upwards of $2000 on certain weekends.

BARE (at the Mirage)- The Mirage’s European-style pool club opened in 2007 and gets positive reviews from many that check it out. Bare is much smaller and more relaxed than Rehab, with private cabanas and a small private pool overlooking the main concourse. For a pool scene with more of a local flavor, check out Bare. Cinco de Mayo weekend went off nicely at Bare, and the party should go on all summer. This is definitely a great spot to relax with friends, particularly if the chaotic pace at Rehab doesn’t appeal to you. If beautiful topless women in a hidden paradise at the Mirage does appeal to you, then check out Bare.

ADMISSION: Monday-Thursday $10 for women, $20 for men. Friday-Sunday, $20 for women and $40 for men. Reservations for the VIP cabana area and for daybeds start at $250 and the price goes up on holiday weekends and for other special events.

GO POOL (at the Flamingo) – The legendary Flamingo has no doubt hosted numerous guests over the decades, but Flamingo’s Go Pool is an all-new concept, bringing European-style bathing to the pool area. Lots of fountains and waterfalls and an overall great spot to relax and party. Go Pool is the upstairs pool of the Flamingo’s two-story complex, and the lower pool is open to all ages. Definitely very different environments, you’re looking for Go Pool so head upstairs. Lots of frozen fruity drinks are available and cabanas come equipped with plasma screens and XBox 360s.

ADMISSION: Go Pool offers a couple of $100 packages on weekends. The Lagoon Lounger package grants admission and six bottles of domestic beer, and the Day Bed rental package offers a guaranteed spot to lounge for theh day and a complimentary bottle of champagne. Go Pool cabanas run $300 for a reservation fee, with a one-bottle minimum purchase required.

WET REPUBLIC (at MGM Grand)- Newly open for 2008 is Wet Republic, which MGM is calling “the first-ever ultra pool in Las Vegas.” Check out the website, it sounds like it should be a great spot. Christening itself as the birthplace of “Daylife”, Wet Republic is already drawing large crowds on weekends.

ADMISSION: Varying rates from week to week for admission, daybed rentals and access to the VIP bungalows.

VOODOO BEACH (at Rio)- Local women get in free at the beautiful VooDoo Beach, which presents a host of live music events throughout the summer.

ADMISSION: $34 gets you in the door, and an open bar package is available for $60.

TAO BEACH (at Venetian)- Already an insane party place with Tao Bistro and Tao Nightclub at the top of the class in Vegas nightlife, Tao Beach just makes the Venetian’s party epicenter even better. Simply put – it’s European-style bathing mixed with the vibe, music and beautiful people that frequent Tao. You can’t lose! The Tao name apparently doesn’t get applied to anything that’s not world-class nightlife/daylife entertainment, so expect to not be disappointed. Tao Beach has been the pool party of choice for A-list celebs like Michael Jordan, Jay-Z, Heidi Klum and Jessica Simpson, and if the over-the-top, Rehab-like pool party scene is your thing, definitely check out Tao Beach. Pool party by day, Tao Beach becomes an extension of Tao Nightclub at night. Special promtions include “Good Fridays” on Friday afternoons and “Sunset Sundays”, featuring a lineup of house DJs on Sunday afternoons.

ADMISSION:General admission varies. Daybed rentals start at $400 and VIP cabanas start at $750. Tao Beach’s VIP Cabanas are amongst best in Vegas, with 46′ plasma TVs, XBos 360s, internet access and an extensive library of DVD titles. Call a few weeks in advance if you want to get a cabana.

MANDALAY BAY BEACH- The closest thing to an actual beach in Las Vegas can be found at Mandalay Bay. The Beach sits on 11 acres, has more than 100 cabanas and underwent a $30 million renovation in 2007. Moorea Beach Club within the Beach is an upscale European-style club, and nearby Border Grill is one of the finest Mexican restaurants in the city, with beach attire welcome on the patio that overlooks the beach and pool areas. Definitely worth checking out. If you have an friend coming to town, tell then to stay at Mandalay Bay and use the room key to get in!

ADMISSION: Moorea Beach Club is $50 for men and $10 for women.

DITCH FRIDAYS (at the Palms)- Not to be outdone is the Palms, Vegas’ center for youthful debauchery. The wildly popular Ditch Fridays party takes place on Friday afternoons, encouraging partygoers to call in to work with an excuse and “ditch” work for the day! Local ladies get in for free, and the $25 for guys is well worth it if you’re curious at all to see who might be hanging out at the Palms Pool. Playboy Bunnies? Strippers? What do you think, it’s the Palms!

ADMISSION: $25 for men.

CHERRY POOL (at Red Rock Resort)- Far, far away from the supercharged Strip scene is Cherry Pool, which goes off every day at Red Rock Resort, one of the most popular venues amongst Las Vegas locals. Cherry Pool is open every day and functions as a special area of Cherry Nightclub at night. Check out Cherry Pool on Sundays for the “Seductive Sunday Pool Party” during the day and “Sunday Night Live”, featuring local bands, during the evening. Cherry Pool also throws the Red Rock Retreat Midnight Swim Party on Mondays.

ADMISSION: The Sunday and Monday pool parties both offer free admission.

VENUS POOL CLUB (at Caesars Palace) – The experience at Venus Pool Club might be best described as the high-end option on the Las Vegas pool scene. Picture Evian water spraydowns, suntan lotion treatments and massages available poolside and European-style bathing in huge VIP Cabanas. Venus Pool Club has a much more relaxed vibe than a typical Vegas pool, so if you’re looking for a spot to just relax, this is it.

ADMISSION: $25 on Saturdays. VIP cabana rentals start at $425.

FYI – Admission prices for all LasVegas pool clubs are subject to change week to week, so check out the websites or call ahead to get the inside information. Like all Vegas clubs, these places can be tough to get in, so be prepared!

Dos Caminos Las Vegas Brings It On Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo weekend produced an opportunity/excuse to party for five days straight, if you started on Thursday (per Las Vegas locals’ custom) and didn’t stop until the early morning hours of Seis de Mayo.

Hopefully you had a chance to check out the 944 Magazine fiesta at Dos Caminos inside Palazzo. Great food in the restaurant, but the highlight of the night came courtesy of the bar/lounge/nightclub part of the establishment. The party raged until well after 4 a.m., and nobody went home disappointed. The tequila shots flowed all night.

Dos Caminos is another potentially golden venue for Las Vegas locals. Check out the dinner menu here, but be sure to know that this isn’t just a Mexican restaurant, it’s an outstanding, crazy place to party!

What To Do If You’re In Vegas – Cinco de Mayo Weekend (Part 2)

Can’t decide how to spend your Cinco de Mayo? You know you have to go somewhere:

DOS CAMINOS (inside Palazzo) - 944 Magazine is promoting an event at the upscale Dos Caminos, one of the newer Mexican restaurants in Vegas. Check out the Cinco de Mayo menu here. This should be a great spot for Cinco, check back next week for a detailed review on Dos Caminos.

BORDER GRILL (inside Mandalay Bay) – The two-story, indoor/outdoor Border Grill is one of the best all-around Mexican dining experiences in Las Vegas. The outdoor patio overlooks the beach and pool area at Mandalay Bay, and pool attire is welcomed. Spending Cinco de Mayo at the beach, with the option of partying at Border Grill, is a pretty good way to go.

Take a look at the restaurant’s website to see some of the awards Border Grill has collected, and check out the insane selection of tequilas. You might want to just get a room at Mandalay – because you’re not driving anywhere after spending May 5 here.

PINK TACO (inside Hard Rock) - You haven’t really partied in Vegas if you’ve never stumbled around the legendary Hard Rock. Stopping in for drunk munchies at Pink Taco goes hand-in-hand with this experience.

The food menu is simple but effective basic Mexican dishes. Actually getting in Pink Taco on Cinco de Mayo will probably prove to be pretty tough, but at least you’re at the Hard Rock! Nothing wrong with that.

ISLA (inside Treasure Island) – Interested in meeting the Tequila Goddess? Who wouldn’t be? Check out Isla Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar from 4 p.m. to midnight and enjoy specialty drinks, a live mariachi band and a special menu created by Chef Richard Sandoval.

BARE (at the Mirage) – Another 944 Magazine event is taking place here May 4-5. More on this later, there will be free drinks for all females!

Town Square Las Vegas Presents High Quality Nightlife

All kinds of good things are happening at Town Square Las Vegas, located just south of Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Blvd. Here are a couple of spots to check out:

BLUE MARTINI – Impressive in size, design and ability to draw huge, enthusiastic crowds, Blue Martini is the newest locals’ hot spot. Choose from all different kinds of custom martinis and enjoy the live bands that sit directly behind the bartender, like choices on the liquor shelf.

A few steps into this newly opened ultra-lounge and you’ll realize you’ve walked (or stumbled) into something hot. The bar stays open until “4 a.m.”, with waitresses doing the little quote marks thing with their hands when they say “4 a.m.”. It sometimes stays open as late as 7 a.m.

Locals wanting to avoid tourists at all costs are strongly encouraged to check out Blue Martini.

YARD HOUSE – Directly below Blue Martini is the different but equally impressive Yard House, a restaurant and bar that serves up surprisingly good food and more beers on tap than you can imagine. If it wasn’t for the Freakin’ Frog and it’s mind-boggling selection of more than 900 beers, Yard House might very well boast the best beer menu in Vegas. It definitely carries the most beers on tap hands down, hundreds to choose from. Beer enthusiasts never had it so good.

If that’s not motivation enough, it’s tourist-free just like Blue Martini. There’s no way anyone outside of Las Vegas knows about these places yet. Take advantage! The crowds are still Vegas-size, just without the annoyance of super-drunk visitors. If super-drunk locals are more your speed, check out Yard House.

Town Square Las Vegas gets the stamp of approval from this blog.

Nightlife Calorie Counting

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average male in the U.S. takes in 2,475 calories per day, while females on average consume 1,833 calories a day. Living in Las Vegas can be tough for fitness goals, as it’s hard to resist all of the city’s great restaurants and bars.

If you go out for dinner at a place like Grand Lux Cafe, the Carnival World Buffet at the Rio or even In-N-Out, you’re pretty close to the daily average just from that one meal. Start throwing back a few beers later in the night and things can get pretty ugly. Bud Light has 110 calories per 12 oz. (according to www.beer100.com), so tack on 660 calories if you down a six-pack. Consumers of darker beers like Blue Moon (171 calories) are in even worse shape. Even Pabst Blue Ribbon, the cheapest of cheap beer, weighs in heavy at 153 calories.

While it’s nice to enjoy a Blue Moon on tap every once in a while, it’s tough to take in all those extra calories. The best way to drink alcohol and consume fewer calories is to just take straight shots, no mixers and no high-calorie chasers.

Shots aren’t for everyone, however. Web MD has a great article on alcohol and calories that explains how quickly calories can add up in cocktails. Check it out! Do some research and go into your night out with a plan. You’ll wake up the next morning feeling slightly less guilty.

Planning for the weekend in Vegas (3/28 – 3/30)

Wondering where to go in Vegas this weekend? There are many choices, but here’s a suggested plan of action:

FRIDAY 3/28 – Check out Blondie’s inside Planet Hollywood for the Blacklight Bash. Dress in white to exhibit proper etiquette for this particular event. $15 to get in and all-you-can-drink draft and well drinks from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

SATURDAY 3/29 – Beauty Bar is always a great spot on Saturday night. A host of great DJs will be on hand and downtown should be a good spot.

SUNDAY 3/30 - If you haven’t yet checked out Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, try going this Sunday night for Ladies’ Night. You won’t find a better Sunday night party in town.

Check out Xania’s Hot Spots on Las Vegas Weekly’s website for a ton of information on just about everything going on this weekend. The preceding is just a suggested plan of attack based on personal experience. Have fun!

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.