Dance Clubs

In addition to the options reviewed, country-music fans might want to wander on in to Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill, Harrah's, 3475 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (tel. 702/369-5084), not for the grill part -- the food is definitely on the overpriced and unexceptional side -- but for the bar portion of the program, with live entertainment Sunday through Thursday 9pm to 2am, and Friday and Saturday until 3am. The eponymous owner has been known to drop in and play from time to time.

Note about entrance fees: Many of the following have absurdly high door charges, prices that go up -- way, way, way up -- if you either encounter one of those doormen who will accept discrete (and significant) tips to let you bypass the inevitable line, or if you reserve one of the obnoxious "bottle service tables." Many of the clubs reserve all tables (and thus, chairs) for "bottle service," which requires the purchase of a bottle or two of booze, usually running triple digits and way up. By the time you factor in the inflated cost of the bottle (which is often smaller than usual), taxes and other fees, not to mention the original door charge, your evening out has hit mid-three figures or more. Unless your wallets are heavy, skip this racket and resign yourself to maneuvering for a place to stand on the floor.

One bright note -- women are often charged less for admission than men (sometimes even allowed in free), and any guest can get a comped ticket to even the hottest clubs, if you play it right. If there is a sign advertising the club (or even just the hotel) as you walk around the ground floor, and there is a person from the hotel standing by it (who will be in a suit with a nametag), go talk to them. Odds are good they will offer you comps to the club for that night. If you are gambling for any length of time, ask the pit boss for comps.

As far as a dress code is concerned, you are going to go farther with more obviously expensive clothes, but you may not have the budget or fashion sense for that (and who travels with really good clothes, anyway?). When in doubt, all black should do it, and showing skin helps. Otherwise, just dress as nicely as you can and hope they don't notice your sneakers. But do avoid sports team-affiliated jerseys and baseball hats, baggy pants, and other things that might fall under the heading "gangsta" because that's one sure way of not getting past the velvet rope.

Crowd Control

Huge lines outside are a point of pride for Vegas clubs. So if you're into dancing, you may spend a good chunk of the night single file, double file, or in an enormous, unwieldy cluster out front -- particularly on Friday or Saturday. We're not kidding: Lines can be hours long, and once you get to the front, you'll find that there's no actual order. You're at the mercy of a power-wielding, eye-contact-avoiding "executive doorman" -- bouncer -- who gives attractive women priority.

To minimize your time in line, try the following strategies:

Call ahead. Many clubs will put you on the guest list at no cost if you merely call and request it. But be on time. Reservations are quickly cancelled if you're late.

Arrive before 11pm. You'll have a harder time getting in if you show up between 12:30 and 1am, the busiest period at clubs.

Group yourself smartly: The larger the group, the longer the wait -- especially a large group of mostly (or all) guys. Split up if you have to, but always keep some women with each part of your group (it's much harder for unaccompanied men to get into the clubs).

If you're trying to tip your way in, don't make it obvious. It's a negotiation. Don't wave cash above your head (the IRS has recently been clamping down on unreported tip income, so that tactic will make you very unpopular). Discreetly and respectfully hand the doorman $20 and ask if he can take care of you.

DON'T buy a VIP Pass: Can you say "scam"? Many passes require you get there before midnight (a time when there'd normally be no line) and with others you're paying big bucks just to have someone make the call ahead that you could have made yourself. Again: Don't fall for this scam.

Dress to impress. For women: Antediluvian but true -- showing more cleavage is a line-skipping tactic. If that's not an option, stick with a little black dress or nice jeans and a sexy or club-wear-style top. For men: Look good. Avoid baggy jeans, shorts, tennis shoes, or work boots. Nice jeans or pants and a collared shirt work well.

Look confident. While cockiness never helps, assertiveness never hurts.