Planning a holiday party or other wintertime festivities? Here are new places to consider.
1. Cabo Wabo is the new two-level, 15,000-square-foot live music venue, cantina, and restaurant owned by Sammy Hagar at Planet Hollywood. The original, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, became the inspiration for Cabo Wabo tequila, and the Vegas cantina has the same lively atmosphere. The Tex-Mex and coastal Mexican menu was developed by Texas native and executive chef Jerrold Heinz.
2. Celebrate the new year with a traditional champagne toast: Restaurant Guy Savoy has added the first dedicated "Krug Room" in the United States. In a private dining room down a wooden hallway, groups can gather for dining as well as a full range of bubbly from Krug Champagne. House of Krug accessories and contemporary art add to the ambiance.
3. Put economic downturn woes out of guests' heads at the opulent 44,000-square-foot, four-floor Tao at the Venetian. In addition to its 20-foot signature Buddha, the venue includes a 400-seat restaurant offering Pacific Rim cuisine, a 10,000-square-foot nightclub with hundreds of candles and hand-carved statues, a lounge with DJs, and banquet facilities, all with an Asian theme.
4. If winter has your group dreaming of a tropical vacation, Margaritaville at the Flamingo is a 27,000-square-foot trilevel eatery and entertainment venue with island flavor, six distinctive bars, two patios overlooking the Las Vegas Strip, Jimmy buffet music, a retail store, and nightly entertainment. Stiltwalkers make balloon hats for the crowd gathered around a three-story volcano that erupts over the bar, spilling Margarita mix into two 300-gallon blenders. The space holds 675.
5. Give sports-loving guests what they want at Emeril Lagasse’s Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo. The new 24,000-square-foot sports-viewing venue offers nearly 100 high-definition screens, lounge- and stadium-style seating, luxury boxes for private events, and open-air dining with views of the Las Vegas Strip.
6. For a festive feel, Wolfgang Puck’s popular eatery, Postrio Bar & Grill at the Venetian, recently unveiled a new dining concept: Guests can now have a front-row table on Postrio’s patio, from which they can be party to the carnivale atmosphere and entertainment taking place in the hotel’s St. Mark’s Square. Or groups can take to its newly remodeled dining room.
7. For an Italian feel and winter-appropriate hearty fare, the 9,400-square-foot eatery Brio at Town Square seats 260 inside, 200 on its terrace, and has indoor party rooms for as many as 60. The restaurant's northern Italian cuisine includes wood-grilled and oven-roasted steaks, chops, and seafood—just the kind of comfort food December begs.
8. For a party that feels exclusive, try one of the Palms' signature suites. The 10,000-square-foot Hardwood suite has an indoor basketball half-court. The two-level suite is also equipped with three N.B.A.-size Murphy beds as well as two full master bedrooms, a dining area, media room, Jacuzzi tub, and 42-inch plasma TVs. Or the 2,350-square-foot Barbie suite, inspired by Mattel's doll, holds 50 people in a girlie atmosphere including a sunburst-style mirror made from 65 reproduction 1959 Black & White Bathing Suit Barbie dolls, pieces from the Barbie Loves Jonathan Adler home decor collection, a giant Jacuzzi tub, a two-way fireplace, a full bar, plasma TVs, and a high-end sound system.
9 and 10. For off-the-Strip parties, try Capo's or the Parisian Palace, both owned by Nico Santucci. Capo’s has a speakeasy theme and Italian cuisine. The new Sahara location seats 110, and has private dining space. The Parisian Palace, a 14,000-square-foot Versailles-style chateau has 21 rooms, including a nightclub, bowling alley, and screening room.