Make those fantasies of ringing in 2009 on the Las

Dec. 28, 2008
Dreams of New Year’s Eve
Make those fantasies of ringing
in 2009 on the Las Vegas Strip come to life
By Jamie Helmick
Vegas.com
New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas is the stuff adult bedtime stories are made from. There are thousands of people, all ready for a party, and all trying
to wrangle up someone to kiss as the clock ticks toward midnight. Plus, there are a ton of options, so you’re sure to find something that tickles
your fancy. Here’s a rundown of some of the things Sin City is offering up to kick off 2009:
Clubs
roof, you probably don’t need it spelled out for
you.
Nightclubs in Las Vegas
throw some pretty legendary
parties for even the smallest
of events – half-birthdays, nonfederal holidays, Tuesdays – so you can
imagine what it’s like for New Year’s.
They pull out all the stops, bringing in
celebrities, DJs and celebrity DJs, all
to make sure you ring in another
year in style.
Blush (Wynn)
The hook: This “High Society”
party offers up Dom Pèrignon and a
crowd that Conde Naste Traveler called
the “Best-Looking Crowd” in Las Vegas.
Playboy Club (Palms)
The hook: The club is filled with Playboy
Bunnies and Kid Rock is set to host and DJ,
which means the scenery and the soundtrack
are already set to be better than any other party
you went to in 2008.
Rain nightclub at the Palms
you – models, food by David Burke, a champagne toast at midnight and a view of the action
on the Strip, all in one place.
Caramel (Bellagio)
The hook: It is intimate, but swanky and
offering up appetizers for part of the evening,
so it’s a party, but it’s not a headache.
I-Bar (Rio)
The hook: In addition to being right in the
middle of everything going on in the Rio, I-Bar
is also offering some pretty extensive drink
packages for the night.
Christian Audigier The Nightclub (TI)
The hook: Get your reality television
antihero fix with Heidi Montag and Spencer
Pratt of “The Hills” as hosts.
Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce (Mandalay Bay)
The hook: Even if you strike out with
everyone in the club, you’ll at least get to see
some skin (although no nudity) as Forty Deuce’s
burlesque dancers perform throughout the
night.
Coyote Ugly (New York-New York)
The hook: Known for dancing on top
of the bar and not taking any grief, the
bartenders at Coyote Ugly will lead the
countdown to midnight (and a balloon
drop).
Diablo’s Cantina (Monte Carlo)
The hook: Complimentary appetizers,
a hosted bar and a cover band called The
Dope MC’s, plus you’re partying near
a giant, sexy she-devil, with a great
view of the fireworks.
Ghostbar (in the Palms)
The hook: An open bar
coupled with the fact that
the Palms has several other
parties that night, too, which
means a lot more potential
New Year’s kisses.
Hawaiian Tropic Zone
(Planet
Hollywood)
The hook:
Here’s a set
up for
JET (in the Mirage)
The hook: You can kick off 2009 remembering the happier days of your youth as Donnie
Wahlberg and Danny Wood from New Kids on
the Block host New Year’s.
LAX (Luxor)
The hook: What better way to start a new
year than in the company of family? And the
Kardashian sisters will be doing just that as
Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian host
New Year’s at LAX.
Mist (TI)
The hook: Combining elements of a bar
and a nightclub, Mist covers the bases nicely if
your group is arguing over where to spend New
Year’s Eve. It should make everyone happy.
Moon (Palms)
The hook: Moon’s located in a place called
the “Fantasy Tower” and it’s got a retractable
Poetry (Forum Shops at Caesars Palace)
The hook: Poetry’s pretty much the only hiphop club on the Las Vegas Strip, so if you like
dancing and you hate house music and you want
to start 2009 on a good note, this shouldn’t be a
tough call.
Pure (Caesars Palace)
The hook: Lovebirds (and new parents)
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz host
the night at Pure, setting an example and giving
you something to aim for in 2009.
Rain (Palms)
The hook: Featuring a New Year’s version
of Paul Oakenfold’s ‘Perfecto Vegas’ concept,
starting 2009 at Rain will give you hope for
flying cars and all the stuff everyone thought
would exist by now, with hi-tech video, audio
and prop arrangements.
Risqué (Paris)
The hook: The party in Risqué is synched up
with parties in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los
Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia,
Portland and Seattle, so you’re really at 10
parties, plus DJ Jazzy Jeff will be spinning.
Studio 54 (MGM Grand)
The hook: An open bar from 9 p.m. to 11
p.m. will help keep you from starting 2009
with an empty wallet, plus a beer or two might
help you figure out what to say to get yourself a
midnight kiss.
Tabú (MGM Grand)
The hook: The party’s going by the name
“Naughty New Year’s Eve,” so there’s that, plus
a champagne bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and
Tabú’s staff (made up of models) is going to be
sporting sexy New Year’s attire.
Tao (Venetian)
The hook: There’s an open bar for a little
while, there’s passed appetizers and there’s Carmen Electra hosting. Feel free to tell everyone
you’re coming out for the hors d’oeuvres, but
Veg as New Ye
ar’s Eve chec
klist
Beer
Am I allowed to
climb this lamp
post? (No.) R
Can I bring my
drink outside?
(Yes.) R
Should I wear
the skimpiest o
utf it I own?
(Probably not
– it’s cold.) R
you know that’s not true.
The Bank (Bellagio)
The hook: Is Usher hosting
New Year’s Eve at The Bank?
Yeah! (You’ll probably hear
that song, too.) Plus, there’s a free
champagne toast at midnight.
VooDoo Lounge (Rio)
The hook: VooDoo Lounge is 51
stories up and the patio overlooks the
Strip, so not only will you have the
party you’re in to look at, you can
also see the city. And if nothing else,
you’ll have a fantastic picture for your
MySpace.
Shows
If a giant nightclub party packed full of
people is going to lead to you starting 2009 in
the middle of a panic attack, you might want to
consider taking in a show on New Year’s Eve
instead. You’ll have your very own seat! Plus,
Vegas shows are always a safe bet. Here’s
some of what’s showing on the last night of
2008.
• Blue Man Group (Venetian): 4 and
7 p.m.
• David Copperfield (MGM
Grand): 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.
• Mystere (TI): 4:30 and 7 p.m.
• Zumanity (New York-New York): 6 and
9 p.m.
• KÀ (MGM Grand): 4:30 and 7:30
p.m.
• Jubilee! (Bally’s): 7:30 p.m.
• Mamma Mia! (Mandalay
Bay): 7:30 p.m.
• O (Bellagio): 4 p.m.
• Bette Midler - The Showgirl
Must Go On (Caesars Palace):
7:30 p.m.
• Kid Rock (The Pearl in
the Palms): 10:30 p.m.
• Akon (House of
Blues): 11 p.m.
Page design by
Aleza Freeman
No shame in being prepared
New Year’s Eve in Sin City comes with a lot of stuff to remember. To
help your night along, here’s a handy dandy pocket guide with some
New Year’s Eve tips. Bring it along and consult it if you get confused:
!
Pocket guide to New Year’s Eve in Vegas
Taxi
Stripper
%
Plans for
New Year’s Eve
1. If you’re planning to party on the Strip, get there early, even if you’re going to attend an event or party within a
casino. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police shut down Las Vegas Boulevard (better known as the Strip) between Sahara
Avenue and Russell Road to cross-traffic as early as 6 p.m. If you need to travel across the Strip (east-west), use
the Desert Inn super-arterial (which runs under the Strip). For north-south travel (parallel to Las Vegas Boulevard),
try Frank Sinatra Drive to the west or Koval Lane to the east. Either way, plan extra time for jammed roads.
2. The best ways to get around on New Year’s Eve are by taxi, walking or the Las Vegas Monorail. If you have a
car and want to park in a hotel garage, choose one that’s near one of the ends of the Strip rather than in the middle.
3. Have a designated driver. Designate one. Now.
4. A number of Strip hotels, in an effort to keep the crowds inside within occupancy limits set by county officials,
will allow only those with proof they are guests of the resorts to enter during the height of the festivities outside.
5. Hundreds of police officers will be out in full force for New Year’s Eve, so if you decide Sin City is the perfect
place to get drunk and assault somebody or get drunk and drive, those stupid ideas will follow you home ... and
probably back here for a court appointment and jail time.
6. Fireworks are a great New Year’s experience, but if you’re sausaged between a bunch of people or you’re stuck
indoors, you’re not going to see much. Find a place early and stay put for the best view. Do not climb a lamppost.
7. Once it’s officially 2009, the city will begin to clean up the streets almost instantly, but that doesn’t mean
the party is over. Head indoors, whether it’s to get a bite to eat at one of several 24-hour cafes inside the hotels, to
join the party at a nightclub or to seek little old fashioned Las Vegas fun in the casino. The Strip does not typically
reopen until well after midnight, so if you’re in a hurry to leave, you will want to heed tip No. 1.
8. Hop on your computer and visit www.vegas.com/newyears for even more tips on New Year’s Eve in Vegas.