First vegas vacation, which clubs?

[CMJ]

Hey guys,

Planning a Vegas trip in late August.

Heard the weather in Vegas is deadly in August, but we're from the Caribbean where we get this humid scorching heat, I think we can handle it.

Gonna be 6 guys, none of us have ever been to Vegas before.

Staying at Planet Hollywood most likely (Heard either there or Cosmopolitan are the big party crazed hotels with the hottest girls), 2 guys each to a Hip Hop room, sound good? I'd say maybe 3 of us would be looking to make 'friends' to take back to the room, the other 3 of us are just going for a good time.

Our dates are either gonna be Aug 23-30th (Tues-Tues) or Aug 25-Sep 1st (Thurs - Thurs)
So the choice is either, get in on a weekday and build up to the weekend OR get in for the weekend and cool down before we leave.
Which one sounds better?

Considering taking Jackify for that weekend which is
August 26th - Marquee Dayclub, Hakkasan
August 27th - TBD, Omnia
August 28th - Wet Republic, XS

From what I understand XS on sundays is nightswim, does that mean 2 pool parties on that Sunday with Jackify?

I figure 6 guys are gonna have a hell of a time trying to get into clubs without Jackify or a similar service...unless we do BS

Speaking of BS, we wanted to do BS at least one night as well...maybe Tues, Wed, or Thurs, which are the best clubs for BS those nights? I heard Hyde is good, as well as Surrender, 1OAK.

Also...we're not huge fans of EDM (ironic that we're going to Vegas right), I mean once we're drunk anything goes and we'll have a good time, but does anyone know any clubs/bars with Dancehall/Soca for an off night? We prefer to dance and let loose, I'm actually not sure if that's part of the DJ vibe at the mega clubs in Vegas, I feel like it's more of a concert watching the DJ go through sets and less of a party from what I read, am I wrong?

As for Strip Clubs, we may only go to one just for the experience as strip clubs are illegal in our country (Trinidad and Tobago), Rhino looks good, Crazy Horse and Sapphire, Palomino as well, which one you guys recommend for first timers?

Then maybe the extras, gun ranges, night shows, driving exotic cars...etc.

Our Budget is about $1500 for each guy after flight and accomodation, so that's about $7500 total, that doesn't include gambling money, whoever wants to gamble sets aside that money extra, outside of the budget.

From what I've read on these forums, I'm kind of thinking that's low budget for 7 nights, should we cut it back to 6 nights and make the cash go a little further, or should we leave it at 7?

Thanks guys!

[artedm]

welcome!
either tues-tues or thurs-thurs is good
Omnia nightclub is open on Tuesday and you will find a party all week

you can go low end or high end hotels
all strip clubs do free limo/free entry and are 24/7
for bottle service- you can get bottle specials sunday-thursday

have a look at lineups to get idea on djs compare
around 20+ nightclubs open on friday/saturday
xs
omnia (main room+ heart, terrace)
hakkasan (main room+ ling ling)
marquee
light
surrender
foxtail
drais
tao
1oak
hyde
bank
chateau
ghostbar
luxor nightclub
Jewel- opening 5/19/2016
Intrigue- opening 4/28/2016

pool parties:
encore beach club
wet republic
marquee dayclub
daylight
foxtail sls
tao beach
drais dayclub
rehab
palms pool- ditch
liquid-aria
venus
bare
sky beach club tropicana

pool parties open around 11am with headline dj on around 3pm going till around 6pm
nightclubs open around 11pm with headline dj on around 1am going till around 5am

[Jbrav007]

Wow! 7 nights in Vegas is a marathon. I hope you start preparing for it now. Keep in mind that there really isn't an off night in Vegas, so a Tusedsy night there, is better than a Friday or Saturday night in the majority of cities.

The jackify wrist bands look solid for that weekend. Getting in to Omnia and Hakkasan are worth the cost of the wrist band alone. If you are looking for more hip hop, Tuesday at Hyde is great for hip hop, and Light on Wednesday night.

Have fun!

[CMJ]

Thanks guys.

How does the budget look though?

[Donka]

I heard they are doing an industry party wednesdays in 1Oak but don't know exactly what that means or if it is good but it is cheaper to get BS that day.

[Jbrav007]

Honestly $1500 over 6-7 nights can go by really fast. Doing the wrist bands will definitely save you some dough on covers, but drink prices can eat right through your nightly budget. If you want to try BS on some of the other nights that you aren't using the wrist band, I strongly suggest reaching out to some of the hosts listed on the forum, to see what they can put together for you that will work within your budget. Don't sweat the budget too much. It's Vegas! You will have the time of your life. Just do some pre-planning conversations with a host, and your budget in mind, so you know your options before getting here.

[artedm]

sunday thru thursday is like off peak vs Friday/Saturday peak
will be a good party on wednesday

[artedm]

Omnia and Hakkasan can be a $30 presale just look at event calendar
Omnia also has hip hop room
In terms of budget its all in how you spend
$30 presales or $1000 table reservations- got to find that right balance

[CMJ]

Thanks again,

But will 6 guys all get in Pre-sale with a GA ticket to Hakkasan/Omnia/XS?

[tomm0]

Your budget is way under mate. You will spend more than that I absolutely guarantee it. Do less nights.

You'll get into clubs if you have pre-sale its not a problem.

Use the jackify thing, that will help. Youll need to pre-game hard, cos you pretty much be on 200 - 250 a day, which is just not enough in vegas.

I dont wanna sound a downer, but this is the thing most people screw in up LV - its budgeting. There's nowhere on the planet that extracts the dollar from your pocket like Vegas. Little things. Like the resort fee youll have to pay - probably about $30 a night. Cabs - you'll be doing $20 to go anywhere. Eating. You'll be doing $25 to get anything, hell it cost me $40 for a sandwich and a water last year. Drinks at clubs are gonna be $25 - $30 each once youve tipped, and youll need to tip else you wont get served.

It all adds up crazily. Im not even thinking about gambling, but you need to increase that ALOT or have access to a good limit on your credit card.

When I go vegas I do BS, and invariably with one or two people so fair enough my budget is excessive but I budget $1000 a day when doing pool parties in the day and clubs at night on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Im not trying to sound extravagant but i ALWAYS go over budget. Like I said, simply things like getting a cab, or a pair of swim shorts, or some room service... Forgetting your tooth paste and having to spend 10 bucks on that.

Its fucking wild but what im saying is, whatever you budget, you will go over. And if you under budget you're in trouble either financially or to the point where you over spend and cant go out. I did that first Vegas trip I went on in 2010. I took £750 for 4 nights thinking thats enough. Thats about $1200. This was when bottles were about $250 - $300. I over spent and my group and me had to stay in on the last night quite simply cos we only had about $100 - $150 each. I tell you, there is nothing more depressing than staying in your hotel in Vegas and seeing the strip lit up ready to party.

Get credit, and be prepared to double that budget.

[maxutilsperusd]

I dont wanna sound a downer, but this is the thing most people screw in up LV - its budgeting. There's nowhere on the planet that extracts the dollar from your pocket like Vegas. Little things. Like the resort fee youll have to pay - probably about $30 a night. Cabs - you'll be doing $20 to go anywhere. Eating. You'll be doing $25 to get anything, hell it cost me $40 for a sandwich and a water last year. Drinks at clubs are gonna be $25 - $30 each once youve tipped, and youll need to tip else you wont get served.

Counter point: you've got other options than $20 cabs, $40 for a sandwich and a water, and $25 per drink. Back in my early Vegas days I could definitely make $100 a day work no problem, and while costs have increased in recent years $215 should be doable if you budget right.

Uber is great new addition to Vegas and something I can easily recommend over taxis. The bus system while sometimes extremely slow is a cheap option if you are moving around a lot in a 24 hour period. You are going at one of the hotter times of the year, but walking home drunk from a club at 4am exploring Vegas is always a fun way to end a night.

While most people in Vegas want the convenience of whatever cafe or restaurant is in their hotel lobby there are plenty of cheap food options. McDonald's, Chipotle, Earl of Sandwich, Secret Pizza, etc. are all restaurants you can get a meal at for $10-$15. No one on vacation wants to eat at restaurants they can eat at anytime at home, but you are planning a longer trip and are from another country so you can definitely save on food costs, especially with so many cheap options near Planet Hollywood.

I love bourbon, but when I'm in Vegas I drink beer. At a club or pool party a 16 oz domestic beer in an aluminum bottle is typically $12-13, so $15 will cover a 16 oz beer with a tip. When you aren't at a club Walgreen's and CVS are your friends. They are general convenience stores where you can find 24 oz beers in the $2.50-$4 range.

Sure you can have a better time in Vegas spending $1000 a day, but that is in no way necessary. These forums are filled with people who go all out, everyday, but the majority of people in Vegas aren't spending that kind of money.

All that said if you want to do a night of bottle service, a gun range, a theatrical show, drive exotic cars, and check out a strip club you might want to consider cutting a day or 2. Each of those things could eat up most or all of a day's budget depending on how all out you go with them. I'd figure out exactly what you are wanting to do and see if $1500 covers it. tomm0 is absolutely correct that most people traveling under-budget and forget to factor in resort fees, food, alcohol, and transportation, but if you've got a decent idea of what you are actually wanting to do in Vegas you can get a pretty reliable budget.

To answer CMJ's question about the Jackify wristbands on Sunday Aug 28th it would be Wet Republic during the day and XS Nightswim at night, but that's pretty much what many people would recommend for a Sunday anyway, so that's great. If you went with the Jackify wristbands the only issue I'd see is you won't be seeing EBC, the best pool party, but you've got the option of checking that out Thursday night.

TL;DR: You can do Vegas much more reasonably than $1000 per day, but with everything that you want to do $215 per day might not be enough, budget it out first and see.

[kp3205]

Budget....budget....budget. To cut down on food cost you can go to vons.com and order food to have delivered to you like water, soda, beers, liquor, snacks and such. First delivery is free.

See what the cost is to put 1 fridge in a room and split it among the guys as that goes a long way. I had my wife's gf say she was diabetic and got it for free at Aria because she needed to keep her juices and insulin cold??? WTF??? It worked.

The wristband is a great option, just pre game a little bit before going so you don't spend as much at the clubs and pools. Maybe budget 1 pool or club for a table and go from there. There is so much to do in Vegas and this being your first time take it all in.

I am a fucking whore for the happy hours that occur on the strip. It goes a long way and some of them actually do one during the day and then 11 PM to close. Look them up, they are all over the place. Plus you can see a few different hotels and such while visiting the restaurants. If you stay at Planet Hollywood almost all of the restaurants in the mall have them.

Hope this helps.

[squatsandoats]

I'd do bottles at one of the tier 2's to cut the budget. Light for example is still a great time but way less money than say XS, Omnia, etc. You could get a decent spot for a 1k min and for 6 guys you could get 2 bottles and would be looking at around 1400 all in after tax, tip, etc. For Wednesday I'd do surrender or Light. On the weekends most of the clubs should be good. If you go to the T club make sure you use their transportation for free ride and cover. Just call and its usually easy to get a ride relatively quick.

[CMJ]

Wow!

All great advice guys.

Realised one thing came out of all of this, either up our budget OR cut our nights.

Will have to discuss it with the guys and see which one's more preferable.

I think we should be able to up our budget to $300-350ish a day...that should be doable.

I'm sorry tomm0 but we've got nowhere near $1000 a day to spend.

Yeah squats, I was thinking of a tier 2 for the BS night, either Hyde or Surrender.

I figured at the clubs and pool parties with the Jackify wristbands, that'd be $25 per entrance, plus drinks and gratuity, Which could end up running us at least $150 per person if we're not careful. Still a far way aways from getting BS at those clubs though, which would be ~ $400pp

As max said, we're not going for expensive eats, those fast food franchises should be fine for us, $10-15 a meal would be pretty good, and I'm sure we can find specials as well, we're not picky eaters.

That's another reason we're staying at PH, it seems pretty central and walking distance of anywhere on the strip, would only need cabs for off strip locations.
Does anyone know if PH does fridges in the rooms? kp had a great idea, and that would really help out our pre-game and storing leftovers.

[maxutilsperusd]

That's another reason we're staying at PH, it seems pretty central and walking distance of anywhere on the strip, would only need cabs for off strip locations.

Does anyone know if PH does fridges in the rooms? kp had a great idea, and that would really help out our pre-game and storing leftovers.

Planet Hollywood is a great location for walking places but I just want to reiterate my warning that August is an extremely hot month in Vegas. With highs above 100F, 38C, you very well might not want to walk the mile and a half to XS. Now at 4am when it's 75F, 24C, that walks a nice way to end a night, but no one wants to show up to the club already dripping with sweat so you'll probably be taking at least some transportation to the furthest locations on the strip.

Planet Hollywood, like most hotels in Vegas, doesn't automatically have fridges in their rooms, but they will bring one for a fee around $25 a night or for free if you claim it's a medical necessity.