From an intimate drink to a thumping dance scene, Vegas nightlife always has a full range of options.
1. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino opened its expanded Joint (also known as the Rogue Joint) performance space last spring, doubling the area formerly claimed by the venue. The three-level structure has a total capacity of 4,000 and removable seating on the first floor for flexibility. There are seven private suites with room for about 30 people each.
2. The i-Bar at the Rio opened to much fanfare in January. Available for private event booking, the club holds 100, while the lounge area seats 250. Named for the Ipanema Bar in Rio de Janeiro, i-Bar debuted a first for Vegas: 30-inch Microsoft Surface tabletop touch-screen computers that allow guests to chat with others, order drinks, and watch videos.
3. Sin City Brewing Company opened its second area location inside Flamingo Las Vegas in March 2009. The microbrewery has several plasma-screen televisions and etched red metal surfaces. The space, which includes a patio adjacent to the pool, is available for full buyout.
4. Opened in December 2008, the Encore’s club XS is a 40,000-square-foot space decked out with stripper poles and gold-clad dancers. The club’s doors open onto the hotel’s pool area, which is available only to clubgoers after hours. Outdoor bars also serve the throng of guests, who form long lines late into the wee hours. XS is available for buyout with a total capacity of 3,000.