Mash-Up

Two Vegas bottle-slingers have made it into the finals for AOL's America's Hottest Bartenders contest: Tabú's Lynette Lobato, tied for first place, and the Voodoo Lounge's Tom Alley, in the middle of the pack with 7 percent. Vote for them both at
http://cg.channel.aol.com/hottest-bartenders.

Open Bar With a Twist

Shag With a Twist, the retro-modern musical at Krave, is offering an open bar for regular well drinks (sorry, Cristal fans) with the purchase of a $55 VIP ticket. Inspired by the artwork of Josh "Shag" Agle, the visually exciting murder-mystery tells its tale in song and dance—no dialogue—so the clinking of ice cubes in glasses won't cause you to miss any important lines. Be warned, though, management says it will "pour responsibly."

Corsage Prices to Skyrocket

Break those tuxes and evening gowns out of mothballs, it's time again for the second annual Vegas Prom. Industry faithful flocked to last year's soirée and this year likely won't be any different, especially being located at the more central Palms Pool and Bungalows. It all goes down September 5, beginning at 7 p.m. with an open vodka and champagne bar. DJs will include Matt Lindsey, Shift, R.O.B., Frankie, Jack Lafleur, Vegas Vibe and FunkyBadChad, with performances by The Drummer K.C., Love Shack and Cirque du Soleil. VIP packages are available and advance tickets are $20-$50 at
http://las-vegas.nightclubs.com.

We Bet He Grills a Mean Mojito

Tobin Ellis, mixologist and flair bartender, received a shock July 26 when he arrived at Pure to film what he thought was a Food Network program that would showcase his talents. Instead, he found himself going cocktail shaker-to-cocktail shaker with Chef Bobby Flay in a competition to be featured on Throwdown With Bobby Flay.

Ellis had been asked to create something new and came up with the Serengeti, made with sugarcane spirit, lemon, brown sugar and sweet and sour and garnished with basil. Flay, better known for his skills behind the grill, countered with the throwdown: ginger, pineapple juice and rum with a float of unsweetened coconut milk and garnished with mint and a pineapple wedge. "To get the chance to go one-on-one with one of the original American Iron Chefs was one of the highlights of my career," said Ellis. Stay tuned to the Food Network September 21 to find out whose concoction passed the bar.

The Velvet Rope Strikes

"What makes someone a VIP?"

Ingredients

0.75 ounces Amaretto

Tangerine puree

Sprite

Shake Amaretto, puree and ice and strain into highball glass. Top with Sprite and garnish with tangerine slices.

Few fruits say "summer" quite like oranges, and we can't think of a better way to salute the season (especially now that the temperatures have dropped from immolation to just blazing) than on Tangerine's deck enjoying—what else?—a Tangerine Crush.