Get ready for Automatic Slim’s, but don’t feel rushed; you’ll have plenty of time. The popular Florida bar is still under construction at the Venetian, more than a year after the lease was initially purchased on the space formally occupied first by Venus then Vivid.

“The concept started in South Beach,” said development manager George Panarites. “They now have two other locations in Florida. A gentleman by the name of Andy Kostas, who came up with the concept, did the design and layout here. So it’ll mimic the themes. Anybody that’s familiar with Automatic Slim’s, it’ll resemble that. “

If you’re not familiar with Slim’s, close your eyes and imagine this (well, read it first, then close your eyes and picture it). The bar will be completed and opened in two separate phases. Phase one of construction Slim’s will take patrons from an outside entrance near Madame Tussauds down a hallway to the main room. To the left upon entering, the hallway will feature a decorated custom motorcycle, to the right, plasma televisions with an Automatic Slim’s sign directly ahead. Round the corner and you’re entering the main room. Phase two will add an additional bar and retail space to the left of the entrance.

At approximately 4,500 square-feet, the main room will occasionally feature live music and special celebrity one-offs on a stage in the far corner near a DJ booth that will be stocked with recognizable local DJs spinning brands of rock seven nights a week. A bar runs the length of interior wall opposite large windows while booths line the perimeter of Slim’s. Bottle service, while offered, will not be necessary to snag a seat in the 300 capacity venue, and generally, there won’t be a cover charge unless it’s a special event. As their Web site puts it: “No VIP bullshit.”

“It’s a causal rock and roll bar,” said Panarites. “We’re filling what we feel is a void at the Venetian, because there really isn’t moderate priced real casual set up here in the whole complex on either side.”

With the motto “Where Beautiful People Come To Get Ugly” there’ll be shots-a-plenty courtesy of girls standing on a center dry bar who’ll pour booze down patrons’ throats when the servers aren't shimmying around a stripper pole. (Patrons having too many shots, however, are not allowed to join them). And for special events, catering is available from First Food & Bar, which shares an adjoining wall with Slim’s.

Aiming for a price point lower than the rest of the surrounding clubs and bars, Panarites said drinks will run an average of $6 to $7, dropping to about $3 to $5 during happy hour. Slim’s plans on staying open until around 6 a.m. for the industry crowd looking to grab a cocktail after work.

We first heard about Slim’s in Vegas over a year ago and have been waiting for the doors to open since. So when can we expect to finally check place out? “It’s gone through a series of reincarnations,” said Panarites, adding that it’s only been worked on full-time since January.

When the Weekly toured the space on September 4, we were told Slim’s would be open by Halloween. Then it’d be closer to Thanksgiving… Scratch that. Now, the opening is slated for the beginning of December. Tell ya what, we’ll keep you posted…