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Nightlife

In any other city, casinos and shows would be sufficient “nightlife” but Sin City also boasts hundreds of way-cool watering holes, from snazzy cigar bars to smoky blues joints.
Everyone wants to know the best bars for Strip views. Our favorites include the eerily lit, minimalist GhostBar (The Palms; 702/942-7777); the soigné, rotating Top of the World (Stratosphere; 702/380-7777); the wittily themed Voodoo Lounge (The Rio; 702/777-7923); and futuristically fabulous Mix Lounge (THEhotelatMandalay Bay; 702/632-7777). While the former are all pricey and often crowded, a lesser known, centrally located gem is the 19th-floor Sky Lounge (Polo Towers; 702/261-1000), with vintage Vegas look and occasional jazz.

Other good bets include Peppermill’s Fireside Lounge (2985 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702/735-7635), a Rat Pack time warp of cushy velour banquettes, neon lighting, candle chandeliers, and blue flames flickering in a sunken pool reflected in mirrored walls; make sure to order the flaming Scorpion cocktail. Tired of diva-licious hotel hangouts? Try the ultimate dive: Double Down Saloon (4640 Paradise Rd.; 702/791-5775), whose guests have included Tim Burton and Dr. Timothy Leary; patrons down brews or the house specialty, Ass Juice, amidst a wild décor of leering murals of skulls in scarlet lipstick and signs reading “You puke, you clean” and “$20 puke insurance.” Younger crowds and struggling artists also chill at the fun, funky lounges along Maryland Parkway near University of Las Vegas. Several hotels feature popular meat-market discos. For the latest hip hopping happening scenes, check out www.vegas.com.

Shows
While the casinos offer living theater (sometimes of the absurd kind), your money might be even better spent on a ticket to a world-class performance. All the world’s a stage in Vegas and we urge you to see at least one show while you’re in town.

Prices can be high, especially if a drinks minimum is charged. For day-of-performance discounts, try Tickets 2Nite (Showcase Mall, near the MGM Grand; 888/484-9264). Another way to save is by taking in small-scale but big-entertainment-value afternoon shows like the Stratosphere’s Viva Las Vegas variety show or Harrah’s Mac King (wondrous comic magic); you’ll find discount coupons to these and more in the freebie local magazines.

Regular headliners run the gamut from comedians like Rita Rudner and David Brenner; magicians like Penn and Teller; singers like Celine Dion, Elton John, Barry Manilow, and Wayne Newton; high-quality Broadway-style productions from Phantom of the Opera to Mamma Mia!; and, of course, flesh-tacular revues (i.e. strip clubs). But if there’s one production that’s synonymous with Vegas, it’s the Cirque du Soleil, and if you can only see one show during your trip, make sure it’s one of theirs. While you can usually count on having at least three different Cirque productions to choose from, we highly recommend the longstanding O, at the Bellagio; with its title that puns on the French word for water (eau) and a truly fluid $20 million production (and specially constructed $70 million theater), O still merits the most ohs, oohs and ahs. If it’s fully booked, New York-New York’s (racier) Zumanity makes a strong second best. Book your tickets well in advance at CirqueduSoleil.com.

INSIDER TIP: Several libraries present invariably top-notch concerts, folkloric performances, poetry readings, dance recitals, even ballroom dancing, all for considerably less than most Strip acts. Plus, you can also see great acts for a song at the UNLV Performing Arts Center (4505 S. Maryland Parkway, 702/895-ARTS); the Chinese National Orchestra, Bolshoi Ballet, Isaac Stern, Dance Theater of Harlem, Alice Cooper, Herbie Hancock, and even Henry Kissinger have appeared in one of the three venues here.

See Las Vegas Travel Guide