Best Production Show: It's a total deadlock between Cirque du Soleil's KÀ and O (tel. 866/774-7117 for KÀ, and tel. 888/488-7111 for O). The latter is more "traditional" -- if you can call a human circus that uses a giant tank of water as a stage "traditional" -- in that it has only a loose semblance of narrative, whereas KÀ actually has a plot. Both are dazzling and, given the extremely high production values, seem worth the extremely high ticket prices.
Best Old-Time Vegas Production: You know: big, huge stage sets, pointless production numbers, showgirls, nipples on parade, Bob Mackie headdresses. Ah, Jubilee!, this world would be dreary without you (tel. 800/237-7469).
Best Smart Show: This town isn't good enough for either Blue Man Group (tel. 866/641-7469) or Penn & Teller tel. 888/746-7784).
Best Local Hang: Hard-core types (including punks; off-duty strippers; off-duty waitstaff; and, on certain nights, Blue Man men, sans makeup, doing weird percussion things) gather way after hours at the Double Down Saloon, 4640 Paradise Rd. (tel. 702/791-5775).
Best Night Club: If by "best" you mean "most popular," and by "most popular" you mean "people are willing to start standing in line hours before they open and pay $30 a pop, and that's before alcohol, just to get a foot in the door," then PURE, in Caesars Palace (tel. 702/731-7110), beats out the competition by a long shot.
Best Ultralounge: That's just Vegas-speak for "fancy-pants hotel bar," but most of them are pretty nice, if trying too hard to be all that. Still, we like the vibe at Tabú, at MGM Grand (tel. 702/891-7183).
Best Reason to Wait in Line: We never think there is a good enough reason, but ghostbar, in the Palms (tel. 702/942-6832), is a fantastic hotel bar, especially because of its outstanding view, perched high above the Strip. Meanwhile, there's a good reason Rain Nightclub, 4321 W. Flamingo Rd. (tel. 702/942-6832), keeps packing them in -- it's plus ne ultra for dance clubs. The aptly named XS, 3121 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (tel. 702/770-0097), is over-the-top glam in a good way, with a luxurious, gold-plated interior that opens up to a massive outdoor patio and pool.
Best Strip Club: You know you want to know. We give the honors to Treasures, 2801 Westwood Dr. (tel. 702/257-3030), because we think all strip joints should insist on production numbers with stage effects and look like old-fashioned English brothels.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
