Dec. 28, 2008

ClubsNightclubs in Las Vegas

throw some pretty legendary parties for even the smallest

of events – half-birthdays, non-federal 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.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.Christian Audigier The Nightclub (TI)

The hook: Get your reality television antihero fix with Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of “The Hills” as hosts.

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

you – models, food by David Burke, a cham-pagne toast at midnight and a view of the action on the Strip, all in one place.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. 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. JET (in the Mirage)

The hook: You can kick off 2009 remember-ing 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

roof, you probably don’t need it spelled out for you.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. Poetry (Forum Shops at Caesars Palace)

The hook: Poetry’s pretty much the only hip-hop 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 Car-men Electra hosting. Feel free to tell everyone you’re coming out for the hors d’oeuvres, but

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.

showsIf 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.

Dreams of New Year’s Eve

Page design by Aleza Freeman

BY JAMIE HELMICKVegas.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:

Rain nightclub at the Palms

Make those fantasies of ringing

in 2009 on the Las Vegas Strip come to life

No shame in being preparedNew 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:

Beer

Taxi

Stripper

Vegas New Year’s Eve checklist

Plans for New Year’s Eve%

Am I allowed to climb this lamppost? (No.) RCan I bring my drink outside? (Yes.) RShould I wear the skimpiest outf it I own? (Probably not – it’s cold.) R

Pocket guide to New Year’s Eve in Vegas1. 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.

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