I have a business trip to Vegas next week, and the last time I was in Vegas was in 2001 (right after 9/11 attacks and Vegas was dead quiet then). I know that Vegas re-invents itself every year, so I need some ideas for my evenings besides just dining alone.

I'm a divorced single dad (a very rare breed indeed), so I don't usually get too much time by myself. Grandma will be watching my little one.

That being the case, I'm treating this business trip as a chance to finally re-experience single life. I don't know when I'll get the opportunity again.

I'm not much of a gambler and was married for 10 years prior, so even though I'm still relatively young (30's), I probably haven't kept up with the times as much as I should have.

I'm not sure I'd be entirely comfortable in the clubs because I've been so out of it for a while and my dance moves may need improvement. However, if there are some "lounge" type clubs where you can meet people that might be better.

I'm not really interested in going to a show by myself either.

Help me! I need to take advantage of every second I have each night, but I don't know where to begin. I can get by on very little sleep and still do my day job very well.

ttt

Where will you be staying? Night of the week will make a difference on which places will be open and/or good. Your concierge should be able to help. Most of the big hotels have some sort of ultra lounge action going on which sounds like it's what you're looking for. Maybe Tabu @ MGM, Blush @ Wynn, Mix @ THE Hotel, etc. I thought Ghostbar was kinda cool a couple years ago, not sure how good it still is. Also, some of the casino bars were pretty good at times, like Centrifuge @ MGM. Just beware that prostitues hang there (not just Centrifuge but ALL the bars in the center of the casino) so if a particular lady is alone and very forward...

I might suggest that this thread gets moved to The Lounge..

there are experts in fashion, relationships, music, foodies, alcohol, and the whole shebang, just waiting for a new project..

right now, they are yammering on about recipes and politics, so editors, this query would make a nice diversion.

Acxtually going solo to a show is the best as you can typically get great seats when buying a 'single'. I like "The Amazing Jonathan". http://www.amazingj.com/ This is also a great site for everything Vegas http://www.cheapovegas.com/index.php Being even older than you, I also tend to steer clear of the 'MTV-type' joints. That being said I like several of the places in Mandalay Bay, particularly Red Square (also a great place to eat) & Rumjungle.

Can someone explain the differences between Tabu, Blush, Mix, etc...?

What is the dress code (if any) at each? What kind of person would be seen going to each of those clubs?

Loki,

I will be there Monday through Wednesday. I know, probably a dead time. However, it may work out better than the Friday night madness - I probably can't hang with the hard core partiers anymore.

Also, will I need a rental car or can I cab it around? The place I'm working at is in Paradise, NV. Will it be hard to catch a cab back from there at night?

I would get cabs. Cabs are reasonably priced and readily available. All parking is valet parking. You will wait longer for your car to arrive than the cab ride to the next stop.

jetset1,

I posted this in the lounge as well and no bites.

Mon-Wed can still be busy, some places close but there is always a decent club open every night.

I find the lounges to all be bascially the same with diferent furniture and maybe different music. Being from the northeast most of what I notice is an east/west coast thing. Vegas is very LA.

As for who goes to the places, you get nearly everything, age range 21-70. I went to LAX at Luxor this summer and in my late 30s thought I'd feel way too old but not the case at all. I bet the crowd will be older on weeknights as the LA crowd heads in on Fri afternoon.

Most places say they have dress codes. Nice jeans (no holes, not baggy), dress shoes, black collared dress shirt should blend in anywhere. You can also wear a dark suit almost anywhere or thrown on a sportcoat with jeans.

From what I could glean at wikipedia...Paradise is actually part of the strip. So I can't figure out where you will be working. Generally I find cabs to be very convenient in Vegas but in my opinion, they are expensive, at least compared to NYC. Partly because of rate and partly because of traffic.

Another factor to keep in mind at the clubs that have been mentioned so far in this string, these clubs open late and the crowd arrives even later. Somebody else will have more specifics. Don't show up at 7 to catch the cocktail crowd because you are 4 or 5 hours ahead of schedule.

Are you actually trying to get a one-on-one date with a single female? Or you just want to hang out somewhere hip/cool/current?

suze,

Not really looking for a "date". Just want to find a place that I'll be able to meet some people and have fun.

stumpworks,

Thanks, good to know. I usually eat at around 7:30 or 8:00, done by 10:00, so the timing will probably work out well.

By the way, how are Emeril's restaurants in Vegas? Which one is best?

Which hotel are you staying at?

SiteC_er,

I'm staying at Residence Inn Hughes Center. Quiet, off the strip, but close enough, and I get Marriott points (main reason).

I asked because I wondered what end / part of the strip you're on. All of the major casinos / hotels have lounges & clubs. I'm in my 40's and felt very old at the few clubs I've been to. While I/we had fun and were not the only old people in the club, the crowd was mostly 20-30 somethings. Regardless, the clubs are fun for a few hours...quite the eye candy. Enjoy!

I would definitely get a car because of where you are staying and where your work is.

There is free parking at the casino hotels, you don't have to use the valet. At the RI, unlike the strip hotels, you might actually have to wait for a cab. Also, your place of business probably will, like the RI, have free parking and won't have a line of taxis waiting out front.

You could walk to the strip from that RI. I wouldn't, but you could. It is just short of a mile.

You can easily drive to a lot of the casino parking structures by driving on back streets.

Well, I'm here, and it's shortly after midnight Vegas time. Weather is wonderful (around 60 at night).

I did get a rental car and I will probably do valet.

Still haven't figured out where to go???

I'm usually not this indecisive.