Vivid, The Club, opened last week at the Venetian in the space once occupied by Venus and Taboo Cove. I'd normally wait till after the grand opening on February 4 to have a look but I've gotten so many questions about Vivid that I just had to grab an early look. Let's face it, combining a happening Vegas club and the biggest adult entertainment company around is genius.
Gone is the nouveau Rat Pack vibe. Vivid looks and feels more like swinging '60s London: mod with splashes of sex. I like the way they shifted the dance floor to the other side of the club, and the cage-like set-up is clever. I'll miss Taboo Cove's tikis but it didn't fit with the new theme. The space is now a crimson-flavored lounge.
Even with about 80 percent of the club remodeled, it still looks pretty much like Venus. I was disappointed it didn't feel as sexy as I had imagined. I'm not talking hard-core action on the monitors; just something that says, "This is Vivid; we're just not any other club."
But, the much-talked-about sexy holographic dancing girls weren't running so it's way too early to make a fair judgment. The staff is working hard to get everything ready for the grand opening, and I think that the venue has worlds of potential.
When the U.S. first made its A-bomb program public back in the '40s, Uncle Joe Stalin put his nuke program into high gear and the Arms Race was born. We've got something similar cooking here on Tuesdays.
For ages, Studio 54's Erotically Delicious Entertainers' Night has been the top Tuesday night party. EDEN has earned awards, a loyal following and critical acclaim, with top guest DJs, resident DJs Frankie and Jose 2 Hype, and locals let in for half price while entertainment industry pros get in free.
Now comes Pure. This new club at Caesars is gorgeous: multiple rooms, the upcoming Pussycat Dolls Lounge, and the smokin' patio. And its Pure Tuesdays is a great party because of one important fact: no cover charge for locals. Judging by the crowd last week, it's already got a following.
Here's where the arms race heats up. With the opening of Teatro, MGM has unveiled 3: three clubs, one cover on Tuesdays. You can hit Studio 54's EDEN, then Tabú, and wrap up with after-hours fun at Teatro—for just $15. Either way, you, the club-going public, are the ones who benefit. Enjoy!
Antonio Llapur walks softly and carries a big club. E-mail him at
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