Hey guys. I know there are several other threads on Hakkasan, but I wanted to get some pictures up before MDW for those of you who haven't been able to visit yet. They aren't the best pictures in the world, but I did what I can.
I had the opportunity to visit Hakkasan twice this past weekend. The first time was on a Thursday (5/16) and the second time was the Sunday (5/19). I've heard very mixed reviews about this place, so I did not really know what to expect. I was with one of my female friends, so my host put us on her guest list.
I arrived early to the venue to do some exploring and take a few pictures. It was my first time at MGM since the renovation, so I noticed the change to the lion out front.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=r1h9ok&s=5
The outdoor area for Entry is near Rainforest Cafe (close to where the Lion Habitat used to be). Just like any other club there is a table line, a guest list line, and a GA line. There is also an "expedited entry" line that allows you to pass the line with entry to the club for twice the amount of GA (at least on the nights I was there)
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps832a95d2.jpg
The guest list line was rather short on Thursday, so I got through in about fifteen minutes. The actual entry process takes a while. You get stamped, someone checks the stamp, you go to a window where they ask for your name, you are given a receipt, someone checks your receipt and stamps you, someone checks that stamp, and then you wait for an elevator to shoot you up to the nightclub.
The first place I took a look at was the Ling Ling room, which is just down stairs of the main room. It almost felt a little like the layout of 1OAK, as far as table placement goes. You can also walk way that goes around the entire dance floor and tables, which is a lot like how 1OAK is set up. Overall, I thought it was a very nice place and very easy to navigate.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...psa09a2b73.jpg
On the same floor as the Ling Ling room is the Ling Ling lounge. This is an open seating area with a bar and DJ. There was plenty of space to sit, and the vibe was really chill.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...psdd85e2f3.jpg
Once I got to the main room, the first thing I noticed was how clean the place was. I couldn't even count the amount of people standing around waiting for the floor to get dirty. As soon as there were footprints or a spilled drink somewhere, someone would clean it up! The second thing I noticed were the stairs! On the first floor of the main room itself, there are a ton of stairs. The tables seemed a bit scrunched together on the first floor. It is almost as if they took the layout of the XS or Marquee tables, scrunched them together, and added a bunch of stairs. This made it a pain in the ass to walk around, especially after it got crowded. With that said, all the tables seemed to be very well placed. There was not a single table on the main floor that did not have a lot of foot traffic or a great view of the stage (or so it seemed). There are two bars in this area on each side of the dance floor. They both have a ramp leading up to them (no stairs!). The bathroom on the first floor main area is located past the bar on the left hand side if you are facing the stage.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6dc27969.jpg
The second the floor tables all have wonderful views of the stage. There really isn't a lot to say about this area... There's a bar and tables. Nothing else (I think).
The Pavillion area is through the back of the first floor of the main room and a little to the right (if you are facing the stage). There are a few tables in the Pavillion that has a decent view of the stage. However, you cannot really see much in some of the tables in there. There is also a bar and bathroom in the Pavillion area, as well.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps98e753c0.jpg
Tiesto sharing the stage with Dada Life:
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4458f70c.jpg
NERVO
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9dadae0d.jpg
Pros:
All in all, I had a really great experience at Hakkasan. The place was very clean and every single staff member I talked was extremely nice and helpful. Both Nervo and Dada Life played incredible sets. I actually did not know that Quintino was opening for Nervo on Thursday. I really enjoyed his set and got way too tired by the time Nervo came on. Dada Life was really one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. There were pillow fights, inflatable bananas, champagne, and a whole lot of craziness. Guest list line did not take very long (just get there early). I definitely plan on making many more trips to this place. The Ling Ling lounge was a great little place to be away from the action.
Cons:
Everything in the main room seems crammed together. There are a lot of stairs and it's a little difficult to get around. My only other complaint about this place is the lack of complimentary water. When I am on a guest list somewhere, I don't mind dropping some cash on several drinks for the night. If I am seeing a great DJ somewhere for free, I am going to spend money at that venue. If a bartender gets me a glass of water, I ALWAYS tip. I am 6'2 and 180 lbs. I also drink a lot of liquor. A tiny 7 oz bottle of water will not keep me hydrated for the night. There was also no outdoor area... so don't even bother looking.
I hope this was helpful to some people. I'll be in town through MDW if anyone wants to meet up!
I had the opportunity to visit Hakkasan twice this past weekend. The first time was on a Thursday (5/16) and the second time was the Sunday (5/19). I've heard very mixed reviews about this place, so I did not really know what to expect. I was with one of my female friends, so my host put us on her guest list.
I arrived early to the venue to do some exploring and take a few pictures. It was my first time at MGM since the renovation, so I noticed the change to the lion out front.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=r1h9ok&s=5
The outdoor area for Entry is near Rainforest Cafe (close to where the Lion Habitat used to be). Just like any other club there is a table line, a guest list line, and a GA line. There is also an "expedited entry" line that allows you to pass the line with entry to the club for twice the amount of GA (at least on the nights I was there)
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps832a95d2.jpg
The guest list line was rather short on Thursday, so I got through in about fifteen minutes. The actual entry process takes a while. You get stamped, someone checks the stamp, you go to a window where they ask for your name, you are given a receipt, someone checks your receipt and stamps you, someone checks that stamp, and then you wait for an elevator to shoot you up to the nightclub.
The first place I took a look at was the Ling Ling room, which is just down stairs of the main room. It almost felt a little like the layout of 1OAK, as far as table placement goes. You can also walk way that goes around the entire dance floor and tables, which is a lot like how 1OAK is set up. Overall, I thought it was a very nice place and very easy to navigate.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...psa09a2b73.jpg
On the same floor as the Ling Ling room is the Ling Ling lounge. This is an open seating area with a bar and DJ. There was plenty of space to sit, and the vibe was really chill.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...psdd85e2f3.jpg
Once I got to the main room, the first thing I noticed was how clean the place was. I couldn't even count the amount of people standing around waiting for the floor to get dirty. As soon as there were footprints or a spilled drink somewhere, someone would clean it up! The second thing I noticed were the stairs! On the first floor of the main room itself, there are a ton of stairs. The tables seemed a bit scrunched together on the first floor. It is almost as if they took the layout of the XS or Marquee tables, scrunched them together, and added a bunch of stairs. This made it a pain in the ass to walk around, especially after it got crowded. With that said, all the tables seemed to be very well placed. There was not a single table on the main floor that did not have a lot of foot traffic or a great view of the stage (or so it seemed). There are two bars in this area on each side of the dance floor. They both have a ramp leading up to them (no stairs!). The bathroom on the first floor main area is located past the bar on the left hand side if you are facing the stage.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6dc27969.jpg
The second the floor tables all have wonderful views of the stage. There really isn't a lot to say about this area... There's a bar and tables. Nothing else (I think).
The Pavillion area is through the back of the first floor of the main room and a little to the right (if you are facing the stage). There are a few tables in the Pavillion that has a decent view of the stage. However, you cannot really see much in some of the tables in there. There is also a bar and bathroom in the Pavillion area, as well.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps98e753c0.jpg
Tiesto sharing the stage with Dada Life:
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4458f70c.jpg
NERVO
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9dadae0d.jpg
Pros:
All in all, I had a really great experience at Hakkasan. The place was very clean and every single staff member I talked was extremely nice and helpful. Both Nervo and Dada Life played incredible sets. I actually did not know that Quintino was opening for Nervo on Thursday. I really enjoyed his set and got way too tired by the time Nervo came on. Dada Life was really one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. There were pillow fights, inflatable bananas, champagne, and a whole lot of craziness. Guest list line did not take very long (just get there early). I definitely plan on making many more trips to this place. The Ling Ling lounge was a great little place to be away from the action.
Cons:
Everything in the main room seems crammed together. There are a lot of stairs and it's a little difficult to get around. My only other complaint about this place is the lack of complimentary water. When I am on a guest list somewhere, I don't mind dropping some cash on several drinks for the night. If I am seeing a great DJ somewhere for free, I am going to spend money at that venue. If a bartender gets me a glass of water, I ALWAYS tip. I am 6'2 and 180 lbs. I also drink a lot of liquor. A tiny 7 oz bottle of water will not keep me hydrated for the night. There was also no outdoor area... so don't even bother looking.
I hope this was helpful to some people. I'll be in town through MDW if anyone wants to meet up!
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