Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Word on “Bottle Service”
See those cozy looking people in the booth off the dance floor, resting their tired
feet and chatting it up? They're paying at least $300 for the privilege of sitting
down. Well, actually they're paying $300 for that $30 bottle of vodka set in the
middle of the table, but without that obscenely expensive bottle, they wouldn't
be allowed to occupy that coveted booth. The new rule in Vegas and in many
clubs around the country: Seating is reserved for those who order “bottle service.”
No ifs, ands, or buts. So don't think you're clever if you arrive early and snag a
nice sofa for you and your friends. Unless you ante up for a bottle (and
$250-$400 is the average going rate), you're going to be unceremoniously booted
out, relegated to standing with the “common folk.”
They're also expensive. Cover charges range from $10 to $30. Count on pay-
ing at least $10 for a drink only to be crammed elbow to fake-breast with your
neighbor, barely able to move enough to consume it. The same goes at “ultra
lounges,” which are smaller, more intimate versions of dance clubs.
Because this town operates at more of a frenetic pace than most cities, the
clubs deemed “hot” change as quickly as Paris Hilton's boyfriends. The ones I've
outlined were popular as of this writing, but be sure and consult local publications
like
Las Vegas Weekly
(www.lasvegasweekly.com) and check out www.vegas.com to
find out where any parties are and where any celebrity appearances are planned—
many of the clubs will announce such things to draw people in.
SOUTH STRIP LOUNGES & CLUBS
When the mere bathrooms of a lounge receive as much press as the ones at
Mix
Lounge
555
(in THEhotel at Mandalay Bay;
%
877/632-7800 or 702/632-
9500; www.mandalaybay.com; cover
$
20 after 10pm, Fri-Sat
$
25 after 10pm;
Sun-Tues 5pm-2am, Wed and Fri-Sat 5pm-4am),
it must be worth checking out.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the individual stalls of the loo give way to some of
the most stunning views in town. The lounge is attached to Alain Ducasse's swank
champagne-and-caviar-style Mix restaurant and is a sightseeing and entertain-
ment option for those of us who prefer not to drop a paycheck on a meal. Located
on what they claim is the 64th floor of THEhotel at Mandalay Bay (they actually
skip floors 40-49 because of an Asian superstition), you'll be paying typical Strip
prices for the beverages ($10 and up), but if you arrive before 10pm you can avoid
the cover charge, and you'll actually be allowed to sit at the low-lying window-fac-
ing tables without having to fork over hundreds for bottle service, and it's quiet
enough for a conversation. At 11pm, a resident DJ spins hip-hop, dance, and
lounge music. Regardless of when you go, the best place to hang is on the balcony,
where you're practically a part of the view. While you're up here, be sure and wan-
der into the restaurant to see what a $500,000 blown-glass chandelier looks like.
rumjungle
55
(in Mandalay Bay;
%
877/632
-
7800 or 702/632
-
7408; www.
chinagrillmgt.com; cover Sun-Thurs
$
20, Fri-Sat and Mon
$
25; Mon, Wed, and
