greenie

I did the entire weekend last year and had a blast. Would have liked to have seen a few reggae bands on the bill, hopefully they add more than Damian Marley this year. And the night shows were great, seeing Randolph at the Joint was one of the best concert experiences of my life. It's the ideal weekend for me, really. Live bands all day and night, then hit a club until dawn... rest a few hours and do it all over again... really looking forward to Vegoose this year.

If your friends aren't really into the club scene then I'd recommend you go on your own to Ice for Digweed, then take the crew to Jet on Sunday for Dubfire. Unless your friends don't like (A) beautiful women and ( music, they'll have a great time at Jet. But you as a house fan should not miss Digweed at Ice. Nothing wrong with splitting off from the group for a chance like that.

If you like both Digweed and Dubfire (half of Deep Dish), then do both clubs and decide for yourself which is better. After all, the headliners are on different nights. Musically, one of the biggest differences is that Ice is primarily a house/electronic club, while Jet normally caters to the mainstream hip-hip/mash sound. The list of differences between the places is very long, especially if you count personal opinions into the mix. Check out a few of the longer (more-replied-to) threads on this board that feature "review" in the subject title and you'll be able to see what a lot of people say about both spots. But nothing beats checking them out for yourselves. If you enjoy electronic, then you'll have a blast at both spots over LDW.

Holy crap. Checked out the full lineup and schedule, sounds like it's OTC for electronic fans. Empire should be renting rooms that week.

Friday: Charles Feelgood starts his residency this week at ICE. Then late night go get blown away by Faarsheed at Empire. Saturday: BT at Ice, then late night at Empire, Drai's or Seamless. Sunday: Don't know yet who Rehab has lined up this week, but they've been getting electronic headliners most every Sunday this summer.

If by "good DJs" you mean big names, then for hip-hop/mash, check out DJ AM at Pure or Charles Feelgood at Ice. Both have Friday residencies. On Saturday, BT at Ice and But if you mean kick-ass locals (and semi-locals), there's a a great selection to choose from... all depends on what kind of music you wnat.

Might just be the DJ dropping a soundbite... hear that kind of stuff all over town, laid over everything from house to hip-hop to rock. On a related note, it seems like all the mash-up DJs in town have jumped on the bandwagon of Shiny Disco Balls with a hip-hop beat ("drugs, rock and roll, bad ass, vegas hos, late night, booty calls, big shiny disco balls"). Heard it at every club (and a few lounges) I went to last weekend, except for OPM.

Probably worth adding that (from what people have told me) Crobar is looking at a mid/late 2007 opening in Vegas at this point... so whether straight up financing or politics or whatever, I don't think there's any real rush, especially not with Playboy opening this year and LAX committed to Vegas (most likely in Luxor). Could very well be that Crobar's investment/management is recognizing that even in a place like Vegas, there is such a thing as critical mass...

For a generic recommendation of the hottest spots, you can't go wrong with Pure, Jet or Tao. They're all huge and all have different music in 3 differnet rooms. Crowds are huge at all 3, but in my opinion you'll have the best experience getting through the door and dealing with the crowds at Jet. On the flipside, Pure and Tao offer you truly unique surroundings, whether it's the deck and Pussycat Lounge at Pure or the incredible Asian decor and 3-level layout of Tao. If you want nothing but pure modern/urban hip-hop (i.e. no mash-up whatsoever) then there is nothing better than OPM. There's a good reason the Steelers were shouting "OPM" over and over in the locker room after winning the Super Bowl. If you're happy with hip-hop/mash and want to avoid the "mega-clubs," then you can't go wrong with the more intimate (but just as bumping) Body English or Tryst.

Fri/Sat nights, primarily hip-hop/mash clubs with house rooms you have Jet, Pure, Tao, Body English and Tangerine, all with hip-hop/mash in one or two rooms and house in another room (or deck, in the case of Pure and Tangerine). On Sunday night for LDW only house takes over the main room at Jet and Tao, with side rooms playing hip-hop/mash. Fri/Sat/Sun for primarily electronic you have ICE and Late Night Empire, house in their main rooms and hip-hop/mash in their lounges. Rubber will be once again hosting Pimp 'N Ho on Saturday night. This year it's at the Orleans Arena with Glaude and Acosta, among others. Two years ago they had a hip-hop lounge set up, but this year's flyer isn't clear on what they'll have in the lounge. (and I didn't go last year). Rain has Tiesto lined up for Saturday night, but they don't have any side rooms. For late night in addition to Empire there's also Drai's and Seamless, but they're 100% house. If you're still in town on Monday night, then you can do either Foundation Room (3 rooms, house, hip-hop and 80s) or Jet.

First they were going into Planet Hollywood/Aladdin, then they were lined up for NYNY. Had a chat with a senior manager involved in food/bev at NYNY last Wednesday, asked if he knew anything about Crobar, he said that it's still moving forward, just slowly. His opinion was that it was more related to politics and concerns about control of the venue. Third-hand rumor stuff but hey, that's what the Web was bult on.

Unless you want to get in line at 8:30pm (or earlier), without a doubt you should work with an independent host to get you in. Sunday of LDW will be absolutely insane at every single club in town. Double that for a top spot like Tao. Then triple that for a headliner like Morillo. Quadruple that for the fact that Tao never books anyone like this for their main room. Trust me on this. Over MDW all of the major clubs had their lines starting as early as 8pm. On Saturday, we hung out in the Seahorse lounge and laughed at the madness that was the front of Pure: 3,000 people in various lines and corrals all waiting to get in. so much so that the Caesar's staff had to hastily move a few banks of slot machines. And that was at 9pm. On Sunday I personally witnessed a pair of well-dressed, well-mannered, decent-looking guys offer $200 to the door at Body English, only to be pointed towards the back of the line. Later that night Empire was charging $100 simply as a cover charge for Tiesto. And I heard stories about the money being flashed in vain at the door to Jet that same night.

E, was just about to ping you on this very topic... smart minds think alike...

Was at Foundationn this past Monday... we thought we'd go there first and then leave for Jet around 1:30-2:00, but the party took off just after 1 and we stayed all night. Kickass sounds from Sarah Fab and Keith Evan in the house room and a really awesome crowd and vibe.

I haven't seen him in a good number of years. Think I saw him open for Roger Sanchez about 4-5 years ago, I really dug his style and selection.

A lot of people seem to ask about this quite often, both in the forum and via PM, and given the recent thread on door frustrations at Tryst, I thought I'd write this up. Everything in this thread is assuming you don't already have a relationship with a host or other senior staffer at a top club. While I always recommend working with a reliable, independent host, it's certainly not a requirement. Their job is to take all of the stress and hassle away from reserving a table and gaining swift entry; you're paying them to do the dance for you. But should you want to take on this task yourself, some recommendations based on my personal experiences in Vegas, NYC, Chicago, Boston and London: 1. When booking, get the essential details: - Full name of your host - Mobile # of your host - Best time to arrive at the club 2. If your host won't be working that night, get the full name of at least two hosts that will be at the door (or at the very least, on radio) that night. 3. Have your entire party plan on getting to the club at least 15 minutes earlier than the time you were told by your host. No matter what, do not be late. 4. When you arrive, force your way to the front of the crowd. Period. You've got a table reservation, and the majority of those jokers do not. 5. When you get to the front, politely inform the nearest doorperson that you made a table reservation, and use your host's full name. If it's a particularly crazy night and/or particularly hot club, the $20 handshake isn't a bad idea here, nor is getting the name of the doorperson. 6. Once you're speaking with a host, be polite and professional. Introduce yourself, make sure to catch their name (if they're not the host you booked through), confirm the number in your party (e.g. "5 guys" or "3 guys, 3 gals") and that you're all here. 7. If the host then disappears on you for more than 15 minutes (some would say 10), politely get the attention of the doorperson you met earlier, mention that you haven't seen your host for 15 minutes and ask for their assistance. 8. If it still feels like you're being neglected or otherwise getting the run-around, speak to another host and politely explain that you understand it's a busy night, then ask if there's anything you can do. They may ask you to take care of them, they may ask that you agree to a higher bottle minimum, they may ask both. But in most cases they'll just check the list and take care of you. 9. Last but not least, once your entire party is inside and brought to the table, make absolutely sure to tip your host. Well. This may sound like a no-brainer to some of you, but I can't tell you how many people I've seen (and known) not tip the host... and then wind up getting slow service, moved to another location, or pressured for more bottles at the risk of losing the table. This whole routine may not be fair, it may not be right, but such is life for the great unwashed. Whether for lack of fame or fortune, you're an unknown, so like it or not that means playing by their rules. (and as we regularly see happen at many top clubs in Vegas, even the rich and famous are themselves subject to the runaround)

It should also be said that a top club can't hire just anyone to work the door, whether that means as a host or as a doorman. In addition to crowd control (and by that I mean maintaining the right balance), how a door staff responds to a variety of situations is critical. More than a few multi-million dollar clubs have failed miserably because they thought they all they had to do was hire the defensive line from the local college. I mention this because it's critical to keep in mind that the door staff -- again, both hosts and doormen -- are generally paid low to minimum wages by the clubs themselves. Just like the wait and bar staff, they have to make their money off of tips. And thus the "greasing." Finally, I think it's fair to say there is a difference between paying for a table versus paying for VIP treatment. Buying a number of bottles will fetch you a table that's yours until you leave, in many cases in a roped-off area. It may get you other benefits such as in/out privileges and access to a different bathroom. But it doesn't guarantee that you'll be treated like a VIP from the moment you arrive until you leave. If you spend the minimum at a club, you'll be given the minimum treatment. Working with an independent host, buying double the table minimum, buying more-expensive bottles, giving out bigger tips... that's what helps you get VIP treatment. Now, without knowing the demeanor and approach of flizzo1, it does sound like Tryst screwed him over a bit, and were perhaps rude in doing so. But right or wrong, such is the case when trying to gain access to one of the most in-demand nightclubs in the world. This is why I and so many others here put value in spending the extra money on the services of an independent host; it's hard to put a price on avoiding hassle. Should you insist on wanting to go your own route, just be aware. I just started another thread on my recommendations for what should be done, in the event you choose to work directly with a top, in-demand club.

Definitely pumped to check out Scumfrog! Some friends of mine caught him at Pacha NY sometime within the last month or so... said he sent the crowd through the roof. Can't wait to have that sound system at Empire filling my brain again...

If you're willing to spend the bucks -- and hey, it's your wedding, right? -- when you've got a good group of friends together, it's hard to beat getting a table in the house room at Foundation. Great vibe and like I said, really unique decor and surroundings. And don't be tempted by the outside tables -- in my experience, while you're camped out there the view will be blocked by everyone else standing along the railing. I think doing both is a great plan -- on Mondays, the line for Jet is huge when they open, but after 2 you won't have much trouble getting in. I haven't been there on Monday since MDW, but last few Mondays I've gone, the House room has had a solid crowd until well past 5.

Jet has Dubfire (from Deep Dish) booked for Sunday night.

In general, music in the house room at Jet is for the most part similar to the house you get at Crobar NYC... but of course that's ultimately dependent on the DJ. On Mondays, Jet often gets a national DJ for their house room, but they don't book a particular style. The headliners themselves are usually middle of the pack in terms of popularity; unless Tuesday is a holiday, you're not going to see the likes of Boris, Sanchez or Sasha playing a Monday night anywhere in Vegas.

After nearly 7 weeks on the road it's time I up and feed my need... who's throwing it down this weekend? Shoot an email, PM, MySpace, whatever if you're gonna be out and about. Always up for meeting CP folks, especially since I'm flying solo this weekend.

Amen, brother! For me it all starts at the airport check-in counter in Denver.

Question: what time period is your buddy referring to when he says "old Vegas?" I mean, are we talking 10-15 years ago or longer? "Elvis Vegas" or "Rat Pack Vegas?" I started throwing it down in Vegas in 1990 and while I think it's improved each and every year since, the bottom line is that it's always been as good as you're willing to make it. While marketing campaigns may promote the party atmosphere, it can't manufacture it. People go apeshit in Vegas not because business promote such behavior -- but because everyone applauds it. As for people acting like that in vegas because they're "unwilling" to do that at home, that may count for some. But the truth is that Vegas offers options that simply aren't available "at home" for most visitors. For that matter, you won't find Rehab anyplace else on the planet. For me, the difference between 1990 Vegas and 2006 Vegas is that nowadays the town simply offers many more options for the types of entertainment I love the most: nightclubs and food. 10 years ago meant going to the same spots every trip, often multiple times on the same trip. Today, I can take a trip every 6 weeks or so and not only hit up places only once... but leave wanting more, not having gone to many equally desirable spots.

I think both spots are still excellent options, hard to say one is definitely better than the other. What do you want to do after your reception ends -- turn it up a notch and ROWYCO or would you rather hit up slick, upscale joint for a chill groove? Jet will give you a wild party in a modern club that's packed wall to wall. Foundation will give you a slightly more relaxed atmosphere in truly unique surroundings.