CLUBS, ARENAS & NIGHTLIFE
BROOKLYN BOWL
This cornerstone of The Linq combines a bowling alley with a restaurant and concert hall in one of the best free-for-all venues in Vegas. You can eat virtually anywhere in the cavernous space (Blue Ribbon comfort food, copious beers on tap), all while you bowl and listen to live music. The Linq, 702-862-2695; thelinq.com
DRAI’S NIGHTCLUB
Victor Drai is credited with launching the nightclub scene in Las Vegas, and his after-hours basement club in Bill’s Gamblin’ Saloon was legendary. Bill’s is now The Cromwell, and Drai has created a glowing party scene on the roof, which has 150 VIP tables, eight pools, night swimming parties, and incredible live music. The Cromwell, 702-777-3800; thecromwell.com
HAKKASAN NIGHTCLUB
While other Hakkasan restaurants the world over get clubbier as the night wears on, the Vegas location combines its restaurant with a 75,000-square-foot, five-floor nightclub. In other words, come for dinner, stay all night. The winning DJ lineup includes Zedd, Steve Aoki, Harwell, Tiësto, and the newest resident, Kaskade. MGM Grand, 702-891-3838; mgmgrand.com
HYDE BELLAGIO
Perched on the bank of Bellagio’s famous lake, this Philippe Starck-designed nightclub is best known for its sprawling patio terrace and fountain views. The table located front and center is the one to reserve; various packages will give you the honor of pressing the fountains’ red button. Bellagio, 702-693-8700; bellagio.com
INTRIGUE
This Wynn nightspot comes complete with a waterfall, a glass-enclosed patio, and a club-within-a-club, The Living Room, for VIP guests. INSIDER TIP: Want to escape prying eyes? The Living Room has a strict “no social media” policy. Wynn Las Vegas, 702770-7300; wynnlasvegas.com
JEWEL NIGHTCLUB
The small (by Vegas standards) Jewel, Hakkasan Group’s latest Las Vegas venture, is accessed through tunnel-like bronze arches. Inside, the vibrant room has a dramatic staircase that leads to five themed VIP boxes with a bird’seye view of the action below. Aria, 702-590-8000; jewelnightclub.com
MARQUEE NIGHTCLUB
The venue that reinvigorated Vegas’s nightclub scene remains one of the most popular spots to catch EDM, rap, and hip-hop acts. Reserve bottle service or escape to The Library, with its fireplace, book-lined walls, and sexy-librarian servers. Cosmopolitan, 702-333-9000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
OMNIA NIGHTCLUB
Omnia is a massive showcase for celebrity DJS (think Calvin Harris, Zedd, Afrojack)—a four-story room modeled after a European opera house, surrounded by mezzanine-level private booths. A sleek rooftop welcomes those who seek a calmer environment. Caesars Palace, 702785-6200; caesars.com
THE PARK
This outdoor dining and entertainment complex transform the Strip into a walkable, social district (with an assist from its first public park). Landscaped with native desert greenery, it features public art (including Marco Cochrane’s exuberant Bliss Dance), a concert venue, restaurants, and pedestrian spaces. 3782 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-6937275; theparkvegas.com
PARK THEATER
The 5,000-seat stadium inside Monte Carlo Resort & Casino opened with Stevie Nicks and the Pretenders and will host residencies by Cher, Bruno Mars, and Ricky Martin, among others, in 2017. Check out the 40-by-80-foot LED backdrop behind a stage that’s wider than the Colosseum’s. Monte Carlo, 844-600-7275; montecarlo.com
THE SAYERS CLUB
Alternative rock meets old-school jazz inside this laid-back lounge on the ground floor of SLS Las Vegas. At 4,700 square feet, with room for only 250 people plus limited VIPS, it’s one of the most intimate venues on the Strip. SLS Las Vegas, 702-761-7618; slslasvegas.com
T-MOBILE ARENA
Outside the Strip’s new 20,000-seat arena, high-tech LED surfacing doubles as an evolving billboard for the many high-profile events that occupy the venue—a joint venture of MGM Resorts and AEG Live. Inside, college basketball, UFC, and huge concerts fill the massive space—and soon NHL hockey. 3780 Arena Dr., 844-5827362; t-mobilearena.com
TAO NIGHTCLUB
After more than 10 years, Venetian’s Asian-inspired club, Tao, continues to appeal to the celebrity set. Kardashians abound. INSIDER TIP: Since Tao has orchestrated so many bachelor/ette parties, it now has entire departments to help plan them for you. Venetian, 702-388-8588; venetian.com
XS
The most expensive nightclub ever built when it opened in 2008, the aptly named XS is also one of the topgrossing clubs in the world. Look for a gold bas-relief entryway, gold-plated chandeliers, and gold-embossed crocodile VIP booths. Alesso, Diplo, Marshmello, the Chainsmokers, and more will be holding court here in 2017. Encore Las Vegas, 702-7700097; wynnlasvegas.com