Studio 54 plans to serve up top local DJs and lots of Jewel of Russia Vodka with a side of celebrity action. At Influence's grand opening on January 9, model Candice Michelle (Dodgeball, WWE Raw) will host, with other big parties to follow monthly. VIP tables will be generously doled out to local nightclubs and restaurants as a thank you for their influence on the party's vibe. "We want to compete; we want to be known as one of the top clubs in town," Olheiser says. "Studio 54 is a household name, and we just want to bring it back to the forefront."
Saved from the (Wrecking) Ball
Francophiles and nightcrawlers will be delighted to hear that Drai's Restaurant and Afterhours, as well as the Barbary Coast that houses it, will continue to stand for two more years, according to representatives there. Many assumed that as soon as Harrah's assumed control of the property, in the first quarter of 2007, the aging hotel and casino would immediately be imploded. But, says Martine Jordan, director of operations at Drai's, there are some issues that must first be addressed before anyone takes a whack at demolishing or relocating that lovely red room.
Power lines that currently run along Flamingo between the Flamingo and Barbary Coast must be relocated underground. She adds, intriguingly, "There are so many casinos involved along the strip where Harrah's wants to expand that others will be imploded before the Barbary Coast." And while it is rumored that a private company is making offers to purchase Harrah's, no one is booking the crane and wrecking ball just yet, as it could take up to two years for the new owners to obtain the necessary gaming licenses. So, says Victor Drai, "Do not look for Drai's to be going anywhere soon, and the future is endless with opportunity for future restaurants and nightlife venues."
Pacha Seeking New Vegas Digs
We hear that Eddie Dean and DJ Erick Morillo, co-owners of the Pacha family of 26 nightclubs (they also own a hotel, magazine, radio station, record label, island resort and clothing line), visited Las Vegas in October to scope out potential locations for a Las Vegas edition of their behemoth, Mediterranean-inspired clubs.
"Pacha is a global brand that has distinguished itself from other nightlife venues and has limitless possibilities. They effortlessly put VIPs and celebrities in the same room as clubbers, which we have also achieved in New York," says Morillo. Pacha New York rep Betty Kang adds, "Pacha is boldly irreverent, unerringly glamorous and eternally chic, touched with Mediterranean charm. These are just a few of the elements they're looking to bring to Las Vegas."
Pacha New York—a five-story monument to nightlife—was named one of the 10 Hottest Megaclubs in Maxim magazine's December issue. Three venerable Las Vegas nightclubs also made the cut: Rain (Palms), Tao (Venetian) and Body English (Hard Rock). The other winners included Space Miami, Club La Vela in Panama City, Sutra in Costa Mesa, LAX in LA, MJQ Concourse in Atlanta and Crobar Chicago.
The Billboards Light Up
The popular awards show will again invade the town, bringing hordes of A-list talent Monday, December 4 at the MGM. The Fox Network's Official Billboard Music Awards Pre-Party will kick off the chart-topping festivities the day before at Light. Everyone from Janet Jackson to Gwen Stefani will perform on Monday, so there's no telling who might show for the pre-game warm-up.
Bowlegged Bonanza
As a sea of cowboy hats fills the Boulevard with the 150,000-plus expected buckaroos for the National Final Rodeo, one thing is for sure—cowpokes can party.
One of the longest lines in town will undoubtedly be at Gilley's Saloon, the down-home country bar at the venerable New Frontier (the New prefix apparently alluding to the smell of stale Kool Ultras found at any point in the casino). The dance hall will take the reigns with its ongoing marketing promotion, which really should be given more credit, as "cold beer and dirty girls" will likely rope in the masses. Mud-wrestling spreads the filth Tuesday and Thursday à la BYOB (bring your own bikini), and Bikini Bull Riding bucks around this Thursday through Saturday. If your idea of line dancing is the electric slide, and a two-step means you are too far away from the bar, then it's probably best to check out the free dance lessons staring at 8:30 p.m. as well. Bottle service starts at $4 a Bud, but doesn't guarantee a seat among the meticulously managed peanut shell- and sawdust-adorned floor.
The Monte Carlo Brew Pub will host another hoedown, and while rumor has it the top-shelf microbrews are going permanently to the wayside in lieu of mass-produced pints very soon (what will happen to 620 gallons of copper brew tanks, we wonder?), it shouldn't keep the Wrangler-clad crew away. With the 20 plasma televisions and three giant projection screens blaring NFR through a live satellite feed, and country star Derek Sholl performing December 3 and 6-9, a proper goodbye to the High Roller Red and the Silver State Stout will apparently have to wait.
The clever Pure Management Group wasn't going to miss the boat on this huge week, either. Superbabe Jessica Hall is hosting a shindig at Coyote Ugly on Saturday, December 2, and Justin Boots has been brought in to sponsor the event with free giveaways of the posh cowboy shoe of choice. On the other end, at Pure, knowing full well the only thing a bronco buster likes more than a good steer takedown is professional wrestling, WWE's Torrie Wilson will also host on Saturday night.
One also has to wonder how much action the mechanical bull will see at Beacher's Rockhouse with the real thing across town at Thomas & Mack. Word is, a recent shakeup with the new inhabitant of the former Tequila Joe's could be showing everyone the door—from the contortionists to Tiny Kiss—by New Year's. The bull might be the only thing that stays. Yee-haw.
He's a Giver |
"Every time you search the web, you stand a chance of winning a prize from Kevin Federline. It's that simple. Really."
"America's Most Hated" singer Kevin Federline is making amends for his alleged gold-diggery, one query at a time. As stated on his website,
www.kevinfederline.com, you can replace your current search engine with Fed-Ex's new searchwithkevin.com and get Yahoo results. Users are randomly selected to win CDs, T-shirts and autographed photos. What you won't be able to do is make the music stop playing on his website; that button is not working.
COCKTAIL O' THE WEEK |
Cactus Pear MargaritaMesa Grill, Caesars Palace $12
Ingredients
2 oz. Herradura Silver Tequila
Fill with cactus pear juice
Top with fresh lime juice
The sweet and sour punch is a Bobby Flay favorite, and nothing screams Mojave Desert like sipping on cactus pear juice. To amp the taste up and mask the sweet, a Smoky Floater (a floater of Del Maguey "Chichicapa" Single Village Mezcal) can be added for an additional $3.