When I think about my most memorable nights on the Vegas club circuit, the moments that stand out are the ones when the music took over, when everyone in these typically tightly packed spaces lost themselves in the sonic spectacle. That’s when a night in a club turns into a party, when you feel like you own that moment even though you’re happily sharing it with a few thousand of your closest friends. Right?
Those memories crept back into my mind during a sneak-peek tour at Jewel, as I wandered around the booths on the main floor and checked out sight lines from the mezzanine of Hakkasan Group’s new nightclub at Aria, opening May 19. This space was originally built as Haze, and it’s completely unrecognizable. Jewel is much bigger but feels more intimate, mostly because that mezzanine moves so close to the stage. I couldn’t help wondering what it will feel like to see conquering DJ heroes Steve Aoki or The Chainsmokers or Steve Angello play a set here, and if it will seem like a massive house party. And how big will a live performance be in this pulsating space, by the likes of Jason Derulo or whomever Jewel’s secret special guest turns out to be on May 20?
Club execs have said the programming at Jewel won’t be limited to a specific kind of music, that it’s all about bringing in artists who know how to guide us through a great party. Sounds like we’d better get ready to make some new Vegas musical memories.
