Top Nightlife Hot Spots
Where to find the best house music, dance clubs, hottest people and more.
January 10, 2012
Most Beautiful People: Gallery/Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon at Planet Hollywood Resort
The tantalizing performers (handpicked by Robin Antin, no less) make the Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon one of the sexiest nightlife spots on the Strip. Its provocative design, complete with a rhinestone bathtub and horse, highlights sensual performances from alluring dancers, plus beautiful, blinged-out bartenders that serve drinks in style.
Club with a View: Pure at Caesars Palace
With its beautiful outdoor terrace, Pure Nightclub has long owned some of the most prime nightclub real estate on the Strip. Located on the rooftop of the 40,000-square-foot club, the best view of the city will cap off any celebratory night.
House Music Hotspot: Marquee at The Cosmopolitan
Where else other than the swanky, hip Cosmopolitan hotel would you find some of the most current house music artists performing weekly? Check out the best beats from world-renowned DJs such as Kaskade, Benny Benassi, Armin van Buuren, EDX, ATB and Avicii.
Celebrity Guest List: TAO Nightclub at The Venetian
Embrace your inner celebrity and party with the stars at TAO Nightclub. From Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears and Madonna to Mariah Carey and Jay-Z, TAO is the place to be if you’re on the A List.
Bottle Service with a Smile: XS at Encore
It’s all about the details at XS, and the “it” nightclub’s bottle service is no exception. As some of the city’s best service industry execs and waitresses serve you, enjoy the VIP tables with beautiful views and oversize bottles of premium Champagne.
Dining: Where to Pop the Question
Four romantic restaurants that set the scene for a delicious engagement.
January 01, 2012
From grand staircase surprises to a dessert topped with a diamond, these four Vegas restaurants are the very best at creating magic for a couple’s most private, romantic event: their engagement.
Sin City turns into the city of love every Valentine’s Day, when Vegas’s five-star dining establishments prepare special romantic menus for couples from all over the country. For the head-over-heels bachelor hoping to seal the deal by proposing to his sweetheart on February 14, here are the four most romantic restaurants for garnering that all-important yes.
Marché Bacchus
Marché Bacchus is perfect for love of wine, good food, and great company. The lakeside patio is one of the most popular spots in the city; even in February, two outdoor fireplaces help keep things nice and toasty. Swans, turtles, and ducks along the lake add to the ambience, and new executive chef David Middleton has created top-notch cuisine to match the setting. He has two special desserts planned for February 14: rum crème caramel and a red velvet cake with white chocolate and vanilla bean frosting. Either dessert should go splendidly with any Champagne or wine suggested by owner Jeff Wyatt. The wine list is composed of selections from his wine store, and it’s one of the best in the city. “We see people get engaged here all the time, but especially on Valentine’s Day,” says Jeff’s wife, Rhonda. “Many times, the gentleman will let us know beforehand so we can have a very special bottle of Champagne at the ready, but other times it just happens without us knowing. It’s really special for us that they thought enough about Marché Bacchus to make it part of their history.” 2620 Regatta Dr., 702-804-8008
Eiffel Tower Restaurant
We asked Eiffel Tower’s chef-owner Jean Joho what has made the French in general, and French food in particular, synonymous with love. His answer was as delicious as his foie graswith caramelized pears: “What do you think sounds sexier? Voulez-vous les plats du chocolat? or Do you want a chocolate platter?” Joho continues, “It is all in the language. Does anything sound better than les soufflé chaud aux fraise des bois(a wild strawberry soufflé)? I don’t think so. And let’s not forget, Champagne is the most romantic, festive drink in the world.” It’s hard to argue with him, just as it is hard not to love the panoramic views of the Strip from any table in the restaurant on the 11th floor of Paris Las Vegas’s artful replica of La Tour Eiffel. Joho and executive chef Joung Sohn create dishes in the best French tradition. One bite of the impeccable Dover sole, beef Wellington, or soufflé will affirm this is the most romantic cuisine in the world. More than 400 couples will swoon over this food on Valentine’s Day—when the restaurant will have its own delivery service for flowers. Spend February 14 here to find out why so many hearts are melting. 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-948-6937
Picasso
Picasso has been so good for so long (13 years) that people tend to forget what a fabulous dining experience it is. First, there is the exquisite art. Originals from the master—dramatically displayed along with some of his sculptures—make this a mini-museum, and perhaps the only restaurant in the world where people routinely stroll to look at the paintings. Then, there are the flowers—always a riot of color and floral design, but especially gorgeous on special occasions. Next comes the wine list, courtesy of master sommelier Robert Smith, which features extravagant and eclectic selections from around the globe. Finally, there is the food: poached oysters with osetra caviar, warm quail salad, roasted langoustines, the sweetest scallops on earth, and the best veal chops in the universe. The food and atmosphere are so stunningly superb, one might even forget that a proposal was the reason for coming in the first place. Valentine’s Day is all about romance and tradition, and it would hard to find a better place to begin, or celebrate, a life together than at Julian Serrano’s flagship restaurant. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-693-8105
Mix
For pure razzle-dazzle, it’s tough to beat Alain Ducasse’s white-on-white jewel in the sky. The tiny mezzanine overlooking the dining room has provided more than a few romantic thrills over the years. One guest asked the restaurant to line the floor and its spiral staircase with rose petals and direct his lady to a white linen table at the top. Two sofa chairs had been brought up for the occasion, and there he sat with a bottle of Dom Pérignon. (She thought she was meeting her beau to take a quick picture.) Two special desserts arrived, along with a small plate with WILL YOU MARRY ME? spelled in chocolate. Hidden under a small china bowl was the ring. Needless to say, she answered yes (amid tears of joy, according to general manager Nicolas Grounin). Topping that would be tough, gents, but if a restaurant can do it, it’s Mix. The 64th-floor perch offers an unmatched view of Las Vegas at night. A table on the patio evokes a feeling of floating above the Strip while enjoying Mix’s signature roasted Maine lobster “au curry” or rack of lamb with eggplant tian. Even indoors, there’s really not a bad seat in the house. But dinner in one of the two cozy “pods” in the middle of the room practically guarantees a yes to whatever proposal is made—for a lifetime or just the night. 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-632-9500
Roberto Cavalli's Femme Fatale Dress
The designer's feline touch makes an appearance.
December 06, 2011
New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas might be akin to the Super Bowl: It occurs only once a year, so you really must go all out. With that in mind, eschew the basic-black cocktail dress and opt for something a bit more growl-worthy. For a look that puts the “scintillating” in Sin City, we turned to the master, Roberto Cavalli, who chose this strapless dress with an asymmetrical hem and feline-patterned beading as the ideal party look from his current collection. “Gamble your night away as a feline in the jungle of life,” he says. “[On New Year’s Eve] anything can happen—and remember, as I always say: A dress can change your life.” Tiger sequined minidress, Roberto Cavalli ($6,650). Crystals, CityCenter, 702-736-7300
Fabulous Gift Finds
Shower your loved ones with these luxurious holiday presents.
December 06, 2011
1. Nothing says “I love you” quite like a Fountains of Bellagio show personally choreographed by your one and only, offered through the famed Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog. For $500,000, you can have your song and dance dedication immortalized in the famous water show.
2. The gift of relaxation is priceless with Qua Baths & Spa luxe holiday treatments at Caesars Palace. The 50-minute Lifting & Firming Holiday Facial with aromatic pumpkin mud mask ($120 Monday–Thursday/$180 Friday–Sunday) is available through January 31.
3. The world-renowned cigar bar Casa Fuente has teamed up with Jack Daniel’s to create a special limited-edition Casa Fuente Single Barrel Whiskey ($85). Funds from each bottle purchase will go to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.
4. Make a romantic moment unforgettable this holiday season with the Ultimate Proposal Package from the Wedding Salons at Wynn. Priced at $100,000, the package includes a two-carat diamond engagement ring from Wynn & Company Jewelry, a tour of the Strip in a chauffeured Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a two-night stay.
David Yurman’s Maritime Collection
Jewelry that will add a fashionable touch to your days and nights.
December 01, 2011
David Yurman’s new Maritime collection was inspired by port cities around the world, but it’s smooth sailing adding the stunning pieces to any winter wardrobe in the desert. A Vegas man on the go will especially appreciate their versatility. “With this collection, a man can wear casual pieces such as the chains and the North Star dog tag during the daylight hours,” says Yurman’s son, Evan, who developed the collection with his famous father. “And then pieces such as the cushion signet compass ring and cuff bracelet can be worn as evening accessories.” Special nautical elements include silver cuff links that are molded into small square-shaped knots and dog tag necklaces engraved with etchings of the North Star. That sort of detailing is sure to draw fans among sailing enthusiasts, but the subtlety of the pieces works just as well for the fashion-forward night owls roaming the Strip. “The rope motif gave me the versatility to create a beautiful collection of chains, rings, and pendants,” says the younger Yurman of his jewelry for “anyone who appreciates classic style.” North Star dog tags ($985 and $3,950) and Maritime cuff links ($795), David Yurman. The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-794-4545
The Ultimate Cookbook: Modernist Cuisine
Dig into this six-volume, 40-pound cookbook offering 2,438 pages of intriguing recipes and photography.
November 28, 2011
Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Modernist Cooking ($625) is a collection of 1,500 recipes focusing on the science and chemistry of cuisine. (This kind of cooking first rose to prominence in New York at Wylie Dufrense’s restaurant wd-50 on the Lower East Side.) The authors of Modernist Cuisine have put together an exhaustive cookbook essential to any chef's kitchen and a wonderful gift for aspiring cooks. The recipes have been adapted from dishes by master chefs such as Grant Achatz, Ferran Adrià, Heston Blumenthal, David Chang, and David Kinch, the more than 3,200 photographs are stunning, and the spiral-bound books are spill resistant for easy kitchen use.
Watches: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Audemars Piguet celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 2012.
November 18, 2011
The year was 1972. No, this is not about flower power or other '70s-era memories. This is about the legendary Gerald Genta designing the daring and bold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch—a luxury sport timepiece that wowed the world with its magnificent steel case and gold price. The Royal Oak was an overnight success, and today, as Audemars Piguet celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 2012, the collection remains one of the most coveted luxury lines in the world.
For the 40th birthday of the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet has deftly blended old with new, heritage and tradition with visionary foresight. The newest Royal Oak Limited Edition 40th Anniversary watch features a 39mm case just like the original. This one, however, is an Openworked Extra Thin beauty crafted in platinum in a limited edition of 40 pieces (naturally). The stunning work houses the ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 5122 that is just 3.05mm thick and beautifully skeletonized. The movement features an anthracite color achieved by galvanic treatment, and the exquisite finishings (circular graining, satin brushing, and more) are all done by hand. The monobloc oscillating weight is entirely made in 22kt gold and bears the raised inscription “AP Royal Oak 1972–2012.” The beautiful timepiece is a wonderful tribute to the Royal Oak’s heritage. Here we bring you a sneak peek at the watch, as its official unveiling isn’t until January 2012 at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva.
Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com.
Gift Idea: A Bally Cigar Humidor
For the man who has everything: A limited edition humidor handcrafted by Bally.
November 18, 2011
In the tradition of its Scribe Made-to-Order shoes, Swiss shoemaker Bally has created a precious 100 handmade cigar humidors (price upon request). Each humidor is numbered and outfitted with a humidification regulator, digital thermometer, hygrometer, and room for up to 300 cigars. A crowning addition to any luxury man cave or study, this rare and special gift is made with rich Sri Lankan Macassar ebony and bears the Bally crest. It can also be used to store and preserve a pair of Bally’s Scribe Made-to-Order shoes. Forum Shops, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-893-7718
A Zegna Heirloom, Upgraded
Zegna teams up with Girard-Perregaux to create the new Solo Tempo Monterubello watch.
November 15, 2011
Monterubello Solo Tempo ($14,800)
Named for Italy’s famed Monterubello mountains, Ermenegildo Zegna’s new timepiece is sure to become a family heirloom. “Monterubello watches take inspiration from the 19th-century pocket watch that belonged to my greatgrandfather, Michelangelo Zegna, an inspiring man and a watchmaker by trade,” says CEO Gildo Zegna. “We still have his pocket watch on display at the Casa Zegna Museum in Trivero, Italy.” The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-369-5458
Gift Idea: Crème de la Mer, Deluxe
The skincare brand offers a weighty jar of its luxe cream for the holidays.
November 14, 2011
Buying in bulk has never been more glamorous than with this Crème de la Mer Legendary Luxury Set ($1,650, 16.5 ounces). The set includes more than a pound of Crème de la Mer packaged in a limited-edition case with a silver-plated spatula. The cream’s formula—primarily bio-fermented sea kelp—took twelve years to perfect and has a cult following that includes Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, who reportedly slather the cream over their entire bodies every night. Neiman Marcus, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd., 702-731-3636
