Sin City, here I come

June 26, 2007 6:24 PM

Weekend in Las Vegas - any recommendations for strip clubs or other naughtiness?

This is a bit CheeseFilter! :P I'm heading to Las Vegas in a couple of weekends. My pals and I already have plans to hit restaurants, Cirque de Soleil, and the Star Trek Experience. I'd also like to hit some naughty and late-night stuff - strip clubs, topless shows, after-hours dance clubs.

I have Lonely Planet's recommendations, but I'm curious if any MeFi readers have advice on how to get some non-gambling sin in my weekend in Sin City.

posted by cadge to travel & transportation (15 comments total)

Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay is cool burlesque.
posted by ersatzkat at 6:57 PM on June 26, 2007

As I recall, the Spearmint Rhino was "nicer" in terms of decor and whatnot, but Sapphire was huuuuuuge with tons and tons of people. Supposedly those are two of the premium ones, but I've not visited any others out there.

I'm so sorry I know this. It was a bachelor party, the itinerary wasn't up to me...
posted by rkent at 7:04 PM on June 26, 2007

Take a look at The Rands Vegas System.
posted by caek at 7:20 PM on June 26, 2007

Seconding the Spearmint Rhino. I've always had a good time there (I think). $20 cover, $20 lap dances if you're into that, possibly multiple stages. Fairly classy, to boot. Beware though, that I have never been there at any state other than positively shitfaced, so I suggest you do the same.

And, for reaching such a level of intoxication quickly and cheaply, may I recommend Casino Royale, conveniently located between the Venetian and Harrah's on the Strip? $1 Michelobs, $1 frozen "margaritas." We had 4 shots of whiskey and 4 beers to kick off the night there for $12. Can't beat it for getting your drink on at any time of day or night. You will want to remember where it is at breakfast time, since there is a Denny's inside. Nothing flushes out the toxins better than some chicken-fried steak and eggs.
posted by uncleozzy at 7:35 PM on June 26, 2007

Spearmint Rhino is the place for the upper class strippers and decent lap dances. The drink prices aren't great, but the bouncers are friendlier as long as you behave. You aren't likely to be taken into the back alley and rolled if you get drunk (the bouncers are managed by an ex-UFC fighter).

If you are looking for a cheap/fun night of drunken gambling, go to Freemont Street. You can get the yard long margaritas/slushie drinks for about $15 and then sit at the penny slots for 4 hours on $20. This is all at La Bayou, which is the Mardi Gras themed street casino on the western end of Freemont Street. Don't forget to stand out under the gianormous awning that covers the whole street. It's completely covered in television screens and they have an hourly video show that gets all the tourists staring upwards. Keep your hand in your pocket on your wallet; prime pick pocket time, once an hour.

As far as the strip itself, well, there's the corporate casinos and all that, which will run your pockets dry pretty quick. Always remember, the money you leave pays for my roads and taxes. We really appreciate that. Really we do.

If you are looking for the dirty, hairy underside, head over the the Double Down Bar. Think CBGB's if it was dumped out of New York and spit into the middle of the desert. Try and Ass Juice. It's cheap, it's made of liquor, and it tastes like ass. And it will have you on the floor after 3.

The best idea for that old Vegas feel after you've made the rounds is to his Ellis Island casino and hotel for early morning breakfast. It's the best greasy spoon 24/7 restaurant in town. It's also the cheapest, and will make you feel like America has shat upon this anachronism of gaudy 70's style.

After your nights of debauchery, make sure to make use of the pools at whatever casino/hotel you decide to stay at. The average daytime temperature is 106 right now. But it's a dry heat. Sun block is required for all pasty white people. Moisturizer is also a must. Keep water _and_ gatorade on your person at all times. It takes about 30 minutes of sun exposure to reduce you to a dried husk, and drinking while dehydrated is the fastest way to a hangover out here.


Also, avoid the 'ultra-lounges' and other night clubs in the main hotels. Unless you are a big spender, you will be standing around most of the night looking at Southern Californians with more money than sense, and who make Paris Hilton look like a wanna-be.
posted by daq at 7:49 PM on June 26, 2007

Thirding Spearmint Rhino - you can usually convince a cabbie (or in some cases a limo driver - I saw it happen ONCE) to take you there gratis because they receive a kickback from the bar for bringing X number of people. I had a blast.

The strip is fun but expensive - try an hour or so at Gameworks and relive the glory years of video games. If Sarah the bartender is there, pull up a chair, she's awesome.

As daq said, avoid the ultra-lounges. I went to Tao, stood in line for an hour, got in and was immediately bored. On the flipside, check out Rumjungle in Mandalay Bay for a nice place to relax and have a drink in the afternoon.
posted by Fejery at 8:17 PM on June 26, 2007

Spearmint Rhino's pretty good, as is Scores - Scores is bigger, a bit newer, and usually jumping. But I usually go to Olympic Garden, it's one of the biggest ones and usually has fantastic women. As others have said, most cab drivers can work deals if you have a group - last time that 7 of us went to OG we were comped the cover charge and given $250 in beverage credit, which sounds like a lot but when a gin and tonic is $13 it doesn't really go that far. But it's a nice touch anyway.

Don't waste your time at the bigger places on the Strip - if you want to gamble there, go to O'Sheas, which is one of the last divey places on the posh end of the Strip. Otherwise, take a walk down the Strip and gawk at the buildings, but remember, Fremont St is your friend.
posted by pdb at 8:52 PM on June 26, 2007

Loved O'Sheas...cheap place to gamble...well cheaper than all the other places around it. That was great. And don't just gawk at the buildings when walking down the strip at night...there is a lot to see at eye level as well.

Oh and the Rands system mentioned above is a good read.
posted by mmascolino at 9:16 PM on June 26, 2007

ask a cab driver. you may have to convince him that you want the truly durty clubs
posted by longsleeves at 10:17 PM on June 26, 2007

And, for reaching such a level of intoxication quickly and cheaply, may I recommend Casino Royale,

Also, they have the best craps odds on the strip... they let you back the line (the only even-odds bet) 20-to-1 or 50-to-1 or something crazy like that.

hi[t] Ellis Island casino and hotel for early morning breakfast.

Oh yeah! Steak dinners 'round the clock for like $6. Good times.
posted by rkent at 11:24 PM on June 26, 2007

If you do name a strip club you want to go to, you may need to make it _very_ clear that this is not a negotiation. If said negotiation goes on for more than 15 seconds, look for a nearby hotel and say "pull in there". Pay up, get out.

This isn't a common problem in Vegas, but it does happen, especially with large groups.

One thing -- town cars can be rented for something like $50 an hour. For a large group, this can be surprisingly affordable (compared to two cabs per ride).
posted by effugas at 5:12 AM on June 27, 2007

BTW, post an email address :)
posted by effugas at 5:12 AM on June 27, 2007

If you want big rooms with lots of people and seats 30' from the stage, by all means go to Scores (formerly Jaguars), Cheetahs, and Spearmint Rhino.

The last time I was responsible for the care and feeding of the eligible bachelor, we took him to the Tally Ho. The place is about 100 square feet, so your comfortable chair nearly shares the stage with the dancer.
posted by toxic at 8:22 AM on June 27, 2007

One time I was in Vegas for a wedding right around Halloween. We walked into the Spearmint Rhino around 3 or 4am and my friend asked the bouncer, "What time do you guys close?" The bouncer looked at his watch and then told my friend, "Christmas."

For some reason, I totally loved that.

Anyway, I have to agree. Spearmint Rhino and Olympic Gardens are both fun. As far as clubs, I've been to Drai's, Tao, Light, Jet, Rain, etc. and not had a great time at any of them. I'd rather go bowling at Suncoast.
posted by atomly at 10:37 AM on June 27, 2007

Awesome - thanks for these responses, everyone! I am really looking forward to this trip.

@effugas - I've added an email address to my profile. Woo!
posted by cadge at 9:07 AM on June 28, 2007