Today in Las Vegas Magazine

WELCOME THE NEW YEAR… VEGAS STYLE

Vegas has long been known for celebrating the New Year with a bang… the lights, the fireworks, the lavish parties in the hottest clubs…

Though this year’s parties might be slightly pared down, it’s not by much. The “IT” clubs are still ramping up the celebrations and loyal clubbers should expect no less… this is Vegas, after all.

At TAO (Vegas’ hottest and most profitable club at The Venetian) CARMEN ELECTRA will ring in the year, together with DJ VICE. Tickets start at $150 and include an open bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres from 9-11 p.m. Call 702- 414-9000 for tickets or 702-388-8588 for reservations.

Right next door at the Palazzo is TAO’s sister property, LAVO, where FERGIE will be the mistress of ceremonies for its inaugural New Year’s Eve celebration. Tickets range from $150 - $250 per person and are based on availability. Includes entry to the venue, an open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails from 9-11 p.m. and champagne toast at midnight. Call 702-414-9000 for tickets or 702-791-1818 for VIP table reservations.

STRATOSPHERE CASINO HOTEL at the tip of the Strip, provides excellent views of Las Vegas Boulevard, from the Indoor Observation Deck, located on level 108 of the Stratosphere Tower, $175 per person, includes DJ, open bar, party favors, butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, and midnight Champagne toast. Call 702-380-7711.

Off-Strip, you can welcome the New Year in four different clubs, but all in one place! Palms Hotel offers a choice of PLAYBOY CLUB, with KID ROCK, $200 pre-sale/$250 at the door; RAIN NIGHTCLUB with PAUL OAKENFOLD, $125 pre-sale/$150 at the door; MOON NIGHTCLUB, $175 pre-sale/$200 at the door and GHOSTBAR, for the best view of the fireworks, $225 pre-sale/$250 at the door; Limited number of VIP All Access packages available, $475. For reservations, call 702-942-7000.

GETTING WITH THE “IN CROWD”

In a city that runs on “connections” and who you know, you’ll find a friend in Matt Pearson, Senior VIP Host for TAO Nightclub, one of the hottest spots in town.

Ever on his phone, Matt boasts a contact list “somewhere in the thousands,” and is always on-call, 24/7. “I’m addicted to my job. I love it. I also feel that to be the best at what I do, I have to be 100 percent accessible,” he adds.

We caught up with Matt earlier in the month as they were gearing-up for Las Vegas’ biggest event of the year – New Year’s Eve – and asked for some tips on
navigating the Vegas club scene.

Get in touch with a VIP Host.
This is, by far, the easiest (and fastest) way to get in a nightclub. The host’s job is to make sure all your needs are met – from reserving a table and ensuring you have a good time, even to making arrangements elsewhere, after-hours. Matt can be reached at 702-343-0824.

If, however, you’d like to “wing-it,” (read: going the “General Admission” route) here are a couple more tips:

The early bird really does get the worm.
Matt suggests lining-up early. Doors usually open at 9 p.m., and once you’re in and have yourself stamped,
you can leave, and come back at a later time.

Make sure you’re up to (the dress) code.
At TAO, the dress code is “upscale and trendy,” which means a collared shirt and dress shoes for men.

The more (ladies), the merrier.
It’s a fact of (club) life – chances are, you’ll get in faster if you have members of the female persuasion in your party.

Manners will get you somewhere.
The biggest surprise of all? Matt shares that in his experience, he has a lot of respect for those who “behave themselves” while in line (meaning no rowdy, drunken or demanding behavior or hurling insults). Guess it still pays to be a good guy.