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Text and photos detailing nightlife, bars, clubs and strip clubs in Vegas.

PubClubbing in Las Vegas

There's booze – and a beautiful girl – in the blender at Margaritaville.

Much like the city itself, the nightlife in Las Vegas is dazzling and overwhelming. There are so many choices, it's hard to know which direction to head first.

Yet step away from all the glamour, and this is a remarkably simple city to conquer. It's all about being in the right place at the right time on the right night of the week.

Vegas is the most bar-transient city in the world. Loyalty takes a backseat to the new places, so what was hot just a few months ago could very well be yesterday's news. But this much is constant: If you can't decide where to go, head to the Circle Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel, where there's always a cool crowd.

Another sure bet is the Nine Fine Irishman, a two-level Irish pub in New York, New York. Because of the many conventions in Vegas, this place could be rocking any night of the week. If not, the live Celtic band and lovely lass Irish step dance Sharon Lynne provide enough entertainment (every night except Tuesdays; $5-10 cover Fridays and Saturdays). There's also a patio overlooking the Strip. In the same hotel, The Bar at Times Square with dueling pianos is often more crowded and gets lots of bachelor/bachlorette parties. This is a fun bar. There's a $10 cover but two bar areas on the outside looking in are free.

One doesn't have to be a Parrothead, or even a fan of the man's name on the marquee, to enjoy Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (Flamingo Hilton). The Buffett videos – many of which are from the tailgate parties of his concerts – are an attraction and there are bands on the stage nightly starting at 10 (no cover) but the real fun is that there always seems to be a fun group of people in there ready to party with new friends. The Perfect Margaritas are for seasoned partiers only.

And don't overlook the almost-nightly Service Industry Nights at various clubs. These SIN nights are for locals who work at other clubs, but are open to anyone.

Best Bars/Best Nights

The Nine Fine (top) and dueling piano bar are two good spots in NY-NY.

Most of Vegas activity occurs on the weekends, but the city certainly doesn't sleep during the week. In fact, Wednesday may be the best night of them all. You just have to know which bars are happening on which nights of the week. Here's the scoop:

• Monday: Strip Clubs (see suggestions below). The bars are largely empty and the dance clubs are not even open until Wednesday, so if you want to experience this side of Vegas nightlife, this is the time to do it. Because business is slow, you don't have to worry about a dancer attaching a vacuum cleaner to your wallet and sucking out all the money. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, they do more for less, more or less. For more on the city's exotic dance clubs, check out Strip Clubs at the end of this section.

• Tuesday: Pure (in Caesar's) and SIN Night at Moon (the Palms). Pure is a loud, low-lit nightclub loaded with 20s locals. Moon is above the Playboy Club and is popular among off-work local clubbers.
1350 E Tropicana Ave., (702) 739-8676.

The blonde twins are good entertainment at Harrah's dueling piano bar.

•  Wednesday: Go for one of the dueling piano bars. The Bar at Times Square in New York-New York is the most popular but don't overlook the one in Harrah's, especially if the blonde twins are performing.

• Thursday-Saturday nights. Start at the Hard Rock Hotel Circle Bar, 11-1 p.m. or the VooDoo Lounge atop the Rio. The Hard Rock is the most popular bar in town, although it's much easier to meet people at the VooDoo Lounge. Clubbers then can hit one of the dance clubs. The most popular are TAO in the Venetian, XS in the Wynn's Encore, Rain and Ghost Bar in the Palms, Risque in the Paris, Baby's below the Hard Rock ; Studio 54 in the MGM Grand and ROK in New York-New York.

Cover charges at the dance clubs are up to $20 and and the drinks are "club" prices. Thursdays also has one of the most popular SIN parties, Worship Thursdays, at Tao.

• Friday Happy Hour: On the "hey this is COOL" side, the Fireside Lounge in the Peppermill Coffee Shop (across from the Stardust) has a sunken jacuzzi with a fireplace in the center. Small TV screens show music videos and a couch surrounds the whole thing. Locals love the place and it's ideal for a night-starter or a quiet nightcap with that special someone. It's also open 24/7. 2985 Las Vegas Blvd., 702-735-7635.

• Sunday: VooDoo Lounge (Rio) and The Beach (across from the Convention Center) and SIN Night at the Playboy Club (Palms). Sunday competes with Monday for the Slowest Night in Town award. Most of the revelers have left and those who couldn't make their flight are either nursing hangovers or refuse to get out of bed. Potential activity can be found at the VooDoo Lounge. VooDoo is an elegant semi-tropical bar with live music and a view from an outside deck that's one of the best in Vegas. The Beach is just the opposite. It is a big, loud and energetic club with confetti-blasting howitzers and shooter girls. Think wild, uninhibited Florida dance bar. At the Playboy Club, "Sunday After Dark" is the city's big Service Industry Night gathering place.

Strip Clubs

What would Vegas be without it signature strip clubs? Even girls go there to have a good time

The longtime leader is the Olympic Garden. It is most popular for visiting businessmen and no doubt quite a few deals have been done in this place. It has two levels, with girls on the first floor and male strippers on the second.
1531 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-385-9361.

Sapphire is the World's Largest Strip Club. Located in a former gym, the only workout patrons get now is with their eyes.
3025 Industrial Road, (702) 796-6000.

When locals go to strip clubs, they head to Cheetah's.
2112 Western Ave., (702) 384-0074.

The Crazy Horse Too is a great ego boost. As soon as you walk in the door, a bevy of ladies swarm around you. And they keep coming. The Crazy Horse like a sorority party where only the good-looking girls have been invited.
2476 Industrial Rd., (702) 382-8003.

Paradise, by the Hard Rock, is another top choice with friendly dancers.
4416 Paradise Rd., (702) 734-7990.

Related Article: Vegas Pubs & Bars

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