The Vegas Golden Knights made so much history during their inaugural season in the NHL, we might have overlooked one of the team’s most significant accomplishments. A hockey game at T-Mobile Arena is the rare entertainment event that’s consistently and wildly popular with both locals and tourists, and the credit for that feat goes to both the team and the venue.
Last week, I watched the Knights dismantle the Anaheim Ducks, in the most Vegas-y way possible—from Hyde Lounge, perched high in the end of T-Mobile opposite the castle where the Drumbots of the Knight Line hang out. I have visited this 18,000-square-foot clubby environment for concert events in the past but never really considered it for Knights games. I assumed hockey at Hyde would be less about the game and more about the party. I was wrong. In so many ways, it’s the best of both worlds.
Like the rest of the arena, Hyde Lounge is almost always sold out for Knights games, and the majority of its crowd comprise of locals sporting team gear (there’s no upscale dress code at this club). The Stella Artois and Grey Goose Lounges—triangular balcony spaces that stretch out over upper bowl seating—are frequently bought out for corporate events, reducing the standing room tickets available but also positioning out-of-towners who might not be interested in the game at the ends of the venue. That clears the heart of Hyde Lounge as a party-ready cheering section for those who want to catch a game with a group of friends and socialize a bit more than if they had standard seats below.
You can reserve a table or your own little lounge space, providing the feel of a VIP luxury suite without the financial commitment. It’s a build-it-yourself experience; I toggled between my perfect bird’s-eye view of the action and the space near DJ Sincere’s booth. During intermissions, fans from other levels come up to Hyde Lounge to party, bringing the high-energy vibes familiar from Hyde Bellagio. While arena fans were singing along to “Sweet Golden Knights,” we bounced to Migos’ “Stir Fry.”
But when the game was on, it was about hockey … complemented by bottle service, booze and snacks on demand (no concession lines up here). For big-group fun, the Hat Trick ($300) offers three 375mL bottles of your choice, while the GKG Shot Stick ($25) sends four shots of Jager—held in a hockey stick—to your spot. If you want to stick with your own flavor, signature cocktails ($18) cover all the bases. Osrow’s chicken wings ($16) and chopped pork sliders ($15) are on point, and we celebrated the 5-0 victory with a trio of house-made cupcakes ($12) that made the next day’s free, shutout Krispy Kremes completely unnecessary.
Whether you’re a die-hard VGK fanatic or a Vegas visitor taking in the newest NHL game experience, it’s nice to know there are so many ways to do hockey at T-Mobile Arena. If you’re taking a group of friends ready to party, Hyde Lounge is your spot.
HYDE LOUNGE T-Mobile Arena, 702-818-3425, reservations@hyde tmobilearena.com.
