Blame MTV, which is why getting into Ghost Bar or Rain at The Palms casino, site of MTV's "Real World Las Vegas," can be a trial. Still, navigating the long line and paying the $20 cover does entitle you to quite a view from the 55th-floor landing. But the balcony at the tapestry-lined, invitation-only Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay, where Drunk Girlfriend nearly laid in to House of Blues owner "Danny" Akroyd, offered a more placid perspective. Meanwhile, dance coliseum Rain was like an interactive Vegas show, with fog, fire, box seats and box dancers. It was closest in feel to Eleven50. For all else Midtown (Halo, Leopard Lounge, etc.) in one gargantuan "metalounge," try Ice. (After "Real World Atlanta," d'ya think people will clamor to ascend the Westin?)
Mid-'80s roller-skating jams pumped at Mandalay Bay's outdoor lounge, Moorea, by day an exclusive "European-style" (i.e. topless) beach club where Hungover Girlfriend splashed beside wrestler Goldberg. Former CL staffer, now award-winning Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist and accomplished breakdancer Doug Elfman almost broke out the cardboard square.
Diving isn't restricted to wave pools in Vegas. For punk runts and rockabilly wranglers, there's Double Down Saloon, a seedy strip-mall dive bar that fans of the Star Bar and Lenny's could appreciate.
Really, Vegas club-hopping wasn't that different from what goes on in Atlanta -- except that Jermaine Dupri and Usher weren't everywhere. But they did play "Welcome to Atlanta" at Light -- so a piece of them was.
Oh the Zumanity!: When most think Vegas, they think showgirls. Then there's Zumanity, the new Cirque du Soleil at the New York New York casino. Part Charlie Brown's Cabaret, part Jim Rose Circus Sideshow, part Weimar, Germany, music hall, the 18-and-over production is the perfect date show for any guy who's ever wanted to take his girl to an "art film" (porn, anyone?). Some of it -- the erotic aerobatics, the two petite contortionist nymphs frolicking in a champagne-glass-shaped water tank -- is so sensual you'll want to yell, "Get a room!"
Better get one yourself; you might need it.
Keep one RedEye open, and send all comments, questions, observations and invitations to redeye @creativeloafing.com.
