Hot new clubs raise the bar on Vegas Strip

By E.C. Gladstone

These are the kinds of nights that really make my job fun: getting to check out brand new clubs, and happening upon only-in-Vegas moments, all in the course of a few hours.

Last week, two new night spots opened their doors for test-run VIP/media receptions before their Grand Openings. And both of them, as Will Ferrell would say, are "kind of a big deal."

Christian Audigier, the fashion designer best known for his glam’n’tattoo inspired Ed Hardy line partnered with the people who own PURE nightclub (the celeb-magnet hotspot at Caesars Palace) to open Christian Audigier The Nightclub — yup, that’s what it’s called — at T.I. Redesigning the space that used to be Tangerine, Audigier used the rock ‘n’ roll palette (red, white, and lots and lots of shiny black), accented by huge canvases of tattoo art, crocodile skin tables and crystal-like mirrors and skulls. The ample patio, with a separate DJ, overlooks the T.I.’s signature Sirens pirate lagoon. Bartenders wear specially designed vinyl corsets and fishnets while waitresses are in short short Audigier T-shirt dresses and stacked heels. Music is a blend of rock, pop and hip hop. Audigier definitely makes a good fit with T.I.’s hip japanese fusion restaurant Social House, tequila barIsla and sexy Sirens, making this formerly family-focused resort a lot more happening.

Over at the Hard Rock Hotel, where there are lot of huge changes under way, motocross mogul Carey Hart (who also owns Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co. at The Palms) replaced the former casino lounge with Wasted Space, which is anything but. A stark contrast to virtually all other casino clubs, Wasted Space is a true Rock ‘n’ Roll joint, with bare wood walls, a small stage (yes, bands will play) and big murals of punk rock gig fliers. Bartenders and waitresses wear "saucy schoolgirl" outfits, aided by dudes with mohawks and goth bangs. The furniture is randomly upholstered to look like thrift store-cast offs, and Djs spin cool mixes of classic rock and new wave. Judging just by who turned up for the pre-opening, this is definitely gonna be the spot to meet Vegas’ female finest.

On the same night, in between hitting the clubs, I stopped in at Mirage to meet a friend for a quick dinner at Stack (love those Adult Tater Tots!) and a drink at the Beatles Revolution Lounge (another of my favorite clubs here), where America’s Got Talent winner, ventriloquist/comedian Terry Fator, made an unannounced improv appearance before taking in the Cirque du Soleil Beatles LOVE show. What was Fator, who performs at the Hilton, doing at a rival resort? Hmm, well since Danny Gans is leaving Mirage in the fall, there’s going to be some available real estate here.

Insider tip: At least four more hot clubs are set to open here next month. And superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold starts a twice-monthly residency at Rain (Palms) just before Labor Day.

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E.C. Gladstone is a former editor for AOLVegas, and interviews top
Strip entertainers, restauranteurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes
players for VEGAS Magazine. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when
absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Las Vegas