Sports fans in Las Vegas face a special dilemma around this time. With the NBA and NHL playoffs heating up, the FIFA World Cup around the corner and Wimbledon on the horizon, how does one choose between the game and the dayclub during an action-packed summer? Enter Tailgate Beach Club, a new sports-themed oasis at Mandalay Bay bringing the stadium experience to you.
After 10-plus years as the famed Daylight, Tailgate Beach Club emerges as Clique Hospitality’s newest concept geared toward sports fans looking to take their viewing habits poolside. Craig O’Keefe, chief operating officer at Clique, says the decision to retire Daylight stemmed from a desire to do something different in a scene that’s already oversaturated.
“It’s getting back to fun versus trying to compete with massive DJs on the Strip,” O’Keefe says. “I always think there’s a place for that, especially in Las Vegas, both at the dayclubs and the nightclubs. But there’s a lot of times too where I just want to have a nice cool day, have some sports on in the background, and enjoy the time with my friends.”
Getting back to the fun means Tailgate is more accessible than ever. Admission only costs $25, it’s $50 for a lounge chair, and if you spring for a cabana, they all feature PlayStation 5s. There’s bottle service, sure, but there’s also foosball and chug cams. And O’Keefe says they’re working to install a Bet MGM kiosk for live sports betting.
For O’Keefe, Vegas’ evolution into a “crazy sports mecca” opens up a new lane for Tailgate, one that enables the beach club to embrace our love for the game and the contagiously social atmosphere that makes spectator sports so thrilling. The fact that it’s minutes away from Michelob Ultra Arena, home of the Las Vegas Aces, positions it as a unique afterparty zone, especially with O’Keefe noting the club stays open until the last game of the night.
As part of Tailgate’s transformation, three massive LED screens spanning over 125 feet now offer unobstructed views with zero sunlight glare. And Tailgate’s soundsystem booms with courtside arena acoustics. Daylight’s gorgeous central pool remains but everything from stage lighting to paint colors has been redone. It now boasts a distinct resort-like feel, with shades of cerulean blue and coral freshening up a space that once hosted huge DJ acts.
Make no mistake though, Tailgate will bring the party. Sports fans are fiercely devoted to their teams and even moreso to their pregame rituals. Tailgate’s drink and food menus are built around that energy.
Elevated bar bites like the flame-grilled sliders, grilled mahi mahi tacos and cheesy quesadilla will keep you full through the final buzzer. And a lengthy list of specialty cocktails—traditional mojitos, Moscow mules, paloma twists and the like—should wet your whistle.
If that’s still not enough to get you off the couch, Tailgate celebrates its grand opening on May 16 with a performance from Snoop Dogg, with Fat Joe scheduled to perform on May 23 and popular reggaeton party Perreoland returning on May 24. Take a dip. Watch a game. You’re already home.
TAILGATE BEACH CLUB Mandalay Bay, 702-632-4700, tailgatebeachclub.com. Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
