While New York may be the (official unofficial) city of the socialite who never sleeps, Las Vegas is the realm of the party animal. But that nightlife has changed over the decades.
1960s: Casino Lounges
The abundance of big entertainment in small rooms created Las Vegas’ reputation as an entertainment capital. You could catch legends such as Duke Ellington playing Nero’s Nook at Caesars Palace or Louis Prima and Keely Smith at the Sahara’s Casbar Lounge. Today, the Fontainebleau’s Nowhere Lounge offers an elegant space with a strong lineup of acts, from rockabilly swinger Eddie Clendening to jazz wild woman Gunhild Carling.
1970s: Discos
Disco and discotheques embodied the best part of the decade, and Jubilation was the Vegas disco, a massive multilevel club owned by big-room headliner Paul Anka. Another happening spot on the Strip was Dirty Sally’s. More than a dance floor, it was also known for its backgammon tables and stained-glass ceiling. The Peppermill may not have been a place to hustle, but it is a lingering survivor of the era, where you can sip Harvey Wallbangers on a purple plush banquette.
1980s: Rock Clubs
The decade of wild hair and loud guitars could be heard at the Troubador, where Steppenwolf and The Damned cranked up their amps. The outrageous history of Calamity Jayne’s Nashville Nevada deserves its own Netflix series, and that’s even before you consider that Iggy Pop, Social Distortion, and Nirvana played early gigs there. In the 21st century, Grey Witch offers a classic rock ’n’ roll vibe, with spooky artwork, a solid sound system, and pizza. The Punk Rock Museum’s Three Star Punk Bar presents surf-punk bands, folk-punk bands, and punk-punk bands.
1990s: Raves
Many of the most exciting moments of ’90s nightlife didn’t happen in bars or nightclubs. The Cande Factore was a nondescript warehouse on the outside, but a nonstop, fist-pumping, whistleblowing party inside. Other parties happened in clandestine locations like strip clubs or just out in the desert. Of course, this rave culture has culminated in the annual Electric Daisy Carnival and the permanent community that has grown up around it.
2000s: Dayclubs
With the dawn of the new century, nightlife moved into daytime. Rehab at the Hard Rock was the original, a 14-year-long spring break party that spawned both reality TV shows and Gaming Control Board investigations. Wet Republic, Tao Beach, and the rest followed in its chlorinated wake, albeit less controversially. Resort World’s Ayu offers an update on the dayclub, more upscale and chilled-out, with guest appearances from Tiësto and Snoop Dogg.
2010s: Casino Megaclubs
In the teens, a massive nightclub became de rigeur for almost every casino — huge rooms, giant speakers, big light shows, tremendous lines. At MGM’s Studio 54, stilt-walkers threw confetti while waitresses offered bedside bottle service at Caesars’ Pure, and Hakkasan offered three levels of globally famous DJs and galactic light shows. Today, Omnia has taken the crown (and the space) from Pure at Caesars, while Marquee continues to draw crowds.
2020s: Speakeasies
The 2020s have swung the pendulum back, eschewing vast public spaces for more private ones. The Laundry Room in Commonwealth was Downtown’s first secret bar, while the tiny, colorful Ghost Donkey at the Cosmopolitan was the Strip’s first rendition. Easy’s is a whimsical donut shop in Aria that opens to a sultry cabaret space, while Bellagio’s Vault is a former casino backroom transformed into a jewel-box space serving exquisite cocktails.
