Enlighten up, buddy
We may live in a vacation city, a top destination for close to 40 million visitors annually, but that doesn’t mean we’re on a permanent vacation ourselves. We get just as wound up and out of touch, and all that chi can get mighty blocked along our collective workaday meridians. Luckily, we party animals can now attain a little nirvana with one of Vegas’ favorite yoga instructors at one of our favorite hot spots. At Yoga Rising, Jada Fire invites you to “embrace your ebb and flow” at Tao Beach on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. “It is nice to bring some consciousness to an environment within the club industry,” says the celebrated artist and dancer. The yoga style is Hatha, Vinyasa flow, but Fire calls it Expressive Yoga or Yoga Rising—a “calm before the storm.” To participate, bring a yoga mat—and don’t forget the sunblock! The one-hour class culminates in a meditation under the sun, but then you’re free to enjoy the pool and lounge like a lizard for Sunset Sessions. Class is by donation, so bring your wallet.
A little more on the Side
Any excuse to head Downtown is a good one these days, but even more so as the dynamic duo of Sidebar and Triple George regularly slash prices on some of the best cocktails in the area. From Monday-Saturday in Sidebar, from 3 to 6 p.m. (although General Manager Bill Haskin winks when he says it will often go until 7 p.m.), there are $3.50 call drinks, $2.50 well and $5.50 martinis.
“It’s a great way to get the after-work crowd in here,” Haskin says. “Especially if they just want to have a drink and avoid having to deal with a mess of traffic. It is a great way to end the day.” There will also be several discounts on beer and, best of all, your first drink could be free. With all lunches and dinners at neighboring Triple George Grill, patrons will receive a card for their first drink complimentary during happy hour.
While there, also inquire with Haskin about hosting your business there midweek for some more free goodies. “I am offering to some of my customers to bring in their office to check the place out, and I’ll buy you a round of martinis and throw in some appetizers.”
Wait, there’s more: Every Friday and Saturday a DJ will visit the upscale watering hole, spinning house and acid jazz from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
In a daze of gays
As the city attempts to become a little friendlier to Dorothy outside the Loop, Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas is launching July 4 and will have 24 hours of activities for the kick-off week. The year-round welcome campaign for LGBT visitors and locals will start with five nights of the five different Cirque du Soleil shows, with special prices, meet ’n’ greets and special Q&A sessions.
But the snapping doesn’t begin until the sun goes down on Thursday, July 5, at the opening party at Risqué Nightclub (Paris Las Vegas has been dubbed the hot LGBT destination among the Harrah’s properties), appropriately titled French Kiss. Starting at 10 p.m., admission is a suggested donation of $10, which benefits the Gay & Lesbian Center and SNAPI (Las Vegas Pride). On the serendipitous July 7 (7-7-07), after a hosted reception at the Liberace museum, things close out at Krave. To ride the rainbow a little further, there are two pool parties on Sunday: one for the guys (Blue Moon, clothes optional) and one for the women (Alexis Park Hotel). Book tickets to Cirque by calling 352-0100 or log onto GayDaysAndNights.com for more info.
Work ’til dawn, party at Dusk
It doesn’t take long for people to catch on to something good, and imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, we are seeing the rise of sunset-centric parties. Most industry folk aren’t wild about getting up early after working ’til 5 a.m. anyway, so Platinum Hotel and Spa has thrown its hat into the ring, introducing Dusk, a Monday-evening pool party. From 5-11 p.m. the industry professionals’ night is offering $99 bottle service, as well as a much-needed break from the casinos.
The howling hours
Just in case you needed a little more inspiration to get up and dance on a bar midweek, the raucous and rowdy Coyote Ugly at New York-New York is now offering a new happy hour Monday through Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. To help get you warmed up for the night and be able to dish it right back at the sharp-tongued bartenders, the joint is offering two-for-one drink specials.