Today in Las Vegas Magazine

Welcoming in the New Year, Vegas Style

Those looking to ring-in the new year with as much fire, glitz, glamour and endless partying should look no further than Las Vegas. Would you expect anything less? Here, we’ve got a line-up of what to expect in some of the hottest clubs on the Strip; or you can enjoy the festivities with a few close friends, in the privacy of your own room, of course, with a killer view of the Strip. All you have to do is get ready to count down…

• Blush, Wynn -
  “Diamonds Are Forever” theme, general admission tickets are $100-$200, until 5 p.m. of Dec. 31, and includes an open bar from 9-11 p.m. For table reservations, call 770-3633.
• eyecandy sound lounge & bar, Mandalay Bay
  Spinmaster DJ Afrika Bambaataa and beatbox master Killa Kela plus Fort Knox Five, Mat the Alien and Small Town DJs. Cover charge of $50 per person, no reservation. Table reservations, from $175 per person - $5,000. Call 632-7985.
• Hawaiian Tropic Zone, Planet Hollywood
  Hosting a party too big for one time zone - New Year’s Eve, live from New York, and of course, a killer view of the fireworks and ‘strip action’ from the patio. Two seatings available, from $125. Call 731-4858.
• JET Nightclub, Mirage
  It’s an upscale James-Bond themed party here, 008, with DVDJ Roonie G. Tickets are $200 per person and includes VIP entrance and hosted bar from 9-11 p.m. Table reservation packages start at $2,500. Call 693-8300.
  
  

  • LAX, Luxor Hotel The Hilton sisters (that’s Paris and Nicky, to you) will lead the countdown with a club-wide Champagne toast. General admission, $250.00 per person (in advance), varying price at the door. Doors open at 10 p.m. For table reservations, call 280-3600. • Risque, Paris Hotel General admission tickets are $80 per person. Open Bar packages are available at $175 per person. Downstairs tables, start at $700; upstairs tables start at $1,000; Private VIP balconies start at $2,500. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. For reservations, call 967-4818. • Studio 54, MGM Grand The 10th Annual New Year’s Eve Gala, tickets are $200 (in-advance) or $250 (at the door). Open bar, 9-11 p.m. and complimentary Champagne from 9 p.m. to midnight. Call 891-7279 for table reservations.

• Tabu ultra lounge, MGM Grand
  This venue hosts a ‘Naughty New Year’s’ where ladies will enjoy complimentary Champagne all night long, to the sounds of DJ Jose 2 Hype and DJ Homicide. Cover charge is $125 (pre-sale) and $150 (at the door). Table reservations at $300, $2,000, $4,200 and $4,500. All tables include liquor, Champagne, hors d’oeuvres and admission. Doors open at 9 p.m.
• The 40/40 Club Las Vegas, The Palazzo
  Join hosts Jay-Z and friends at the official opening and new year’s bash at the Strip’s newest property. Tickets start at $200 per person and includes a Champagne toast. Tickets are available at: www.the4040club.com
• The Bank, Bellagio
  Opening New Year’s eve is Bellagio’s latest multi-tiered nightclub. Tickets are $250 per person and includes VIP entrance and champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 9 p.m. Table reservation packages start at $10,000 and includes mixers, drinks and a personal service team. Call 693-8300 for reservations.
• VooDoo Lounge, Rio All-Suite Hotel
  It’s the killer view on the 51st floor that makes it one of the hottest spots to ring in the new year. General admission tickets are $200 per person and VIP table packages including table, admission and liquor with mixers start at $1,500. Doors open at 8 p.m. For reservations, call 777-6875.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE With thousands of revelers descending on the Strip on New Year’s eve, getting from one party to the next can prove challenging, especially when the Strip (from Tropicana to Sahara) closes from 6 p.m., for the festivities. May we suggest the Monorail (open on Dec. 31, from 7 a.m.-3 a.m.); offering a discounted all-day pass, for $9. Call 866-466-6672.

Or sleep-in, most hotels on the Strip, from Mandalay Bay to Circus Circus, offer two- or three-day packages so you can start your party earlier…