Monday has never been a banner night for clubbing. Mainstays like Rumjungle's Service Industry Night, the excellent Godspeed at The Foundation Room, and the laid-back DJ fun at the Emergency Room have been pretty much the only options for a few years.
Things are changing. That swank little joint at the Venetian known as V-Bar has cooked up an invite-only gig called Select. Another new adventure comes in the form of after-hours at the House of Blues' groovy OBA Lounge.
But here's the exciting news, my two favorite clubs, Tabú and Drai's, have thrown their hats into Monday's ring.
First up is Rok Box at Tabú. When I first heard about this party, I was overjoyed. Rok Box, presented by VegasHotSpots.com and Game Entertainment, promised an evening dedicated to the classic rock-hip-hop mesh sound that's been burning up the clubs. Rock music and hip-hop just mix so well together. Rock is about rebellion, pissing off your parents and sticking it to the Man—and so is hip-hop. Too bad I was disappointed.
There was no rock. There was no hip-hop. What DJs Stretch Armstrong and Soul did throw down was plenty of '80s music. Huh?!
I love Tabú so much, it almost didn't matter. Hell, it's nearly impossible not to have a good time there. But for VegasHotSpots and Game to advertise a hot, fresh sound and then deliver tired, old '80s tracks is utter nonsense. I offer this advice: hire DJs who know what rock and hip-hop sound like. Rok Box also is meant to be a traveling club, so expect another appearance somewhere soon.
Drai's also debuted its first Monday night after-hours with a rousing birthday celebration for owner, Victor Drai. A great crowd filled with all sorts of industry pros and club kids turned out for the swinging party, with bouncing house music from Justin Hoffman and Chris Aurelius, a flowing open bar, and one hell of a fun time. It was perfect.
Drai has had a fascinating career. He's been a producer on movies like The Man With One Red Shoe, Weekend at Bernie's, and my favorite non-Boris Karloff take on Frankenstein, The Bride. His LA Drai's restaurant has been a favorite with the Hollywood set for years, and his Barbary Coast restaurant has earned the same reputation. Of course, it's the after-hours that won my heart. In a town where after-hours clubs come and go like Jennifer Lopez's husbands, Drai's has been packing them in every week for over five years. The vibe is always excellent, the music is always right, and the staff, headed up by Jesse Waits, is the best in town. Now, with the debut of their Monday night, I can't think of a better reason for those of you who've never made it Drai's to check it out.
Antonio Llapur walks softly and carries a big club. E-mail him at
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