Trying to Plan an Epic Trip in May... Input is appreciated!

[AxelFoley]

I am planning a Vegas weekend with a group of 5-6 guys May 9 - 11. A little background on me: I've only been to Vegas once before (August 2012) and the only clubs I checked out were Tao and Tryst. The only pool party I've been to was Tao Beach. Had a blast. This May I am in charge of setting up the trip... We are staying at the Wynn and my plans are:

Friday May 9

Tao Beach - Cabana
Tryst - Bottle Service

Saturday May 10

EBC (Avicii) - Day Bed
XS (Diplo)- Bottle Service

Questions:
- Should I do XS on Friday (Avicii), and Wet Republic (Steve Aoki) on Saturday instead?

- I've read on this forum that the $500 shake is the standard at XS (especially on a Saturday), I don't see my group coughing up more than $250 - $300 for a tip, and doing 2 bottles at night, since we prefer to go hard during the day and like to take it easy at night with the drinking. I know that we will be seated outside away from the action since the spend is so low. Is there any benefit to doing a handshake at XS in that range since we will be far from the action because of our low bottle minimums?

Trying to finally experience some of the premier Vegas spots!

Thanks in advance.

[gobos08]

Consider Thomas Gold at Light or Calvin Harris at Hakkasan on Friday too. I'll be in Vegas at the same time and checking out Thomas Gold for sure.

[chrisbru]

Ask your host what they expect for handshake. I'd only give a $200-$300 shake for 2 bottles typically, especially if you're going to have a pretty basic table.

Personally, I like how you have your schedule set up. I prefer Tao Beach to Wet Republic, and definitely prefer EBC to both. Plus Diplo is awesome, and Steve Aoki is just decent.

[gobos08]

Ask your host what they expect for handshake. I'd only give a $200-$300 shake for 2 bottles typically, especially if you're going to have a pretty basic table.

Personally, I like how you have your schedule set up. I prefer Tao Beach to Wet Republic, and definitely prefer EBC to both. Plus Diplo is awesome, and Steve Aoki is just decent.

+1 on Diplo over Aoki. I've been a little surprised at how Diplo seems to get a lot of Fri/Monday slots at XS or slots at Surrender. Definitely deserves to be playing XS on Saturday nights (and it wasn't too long ago that both Diplo and Aoki were stuck in that Mad Decent/Dim Mak Monday slot together...).

[artedm]

I'm sure you know Wynn/encore is one of the nicer/more expensive hotels in vegas.
That being said Wynn/encore also has XS one of the better nightclubs in vegas and encore beach one of the better pool parties in vegas.

Two new nightclubs opened in vegas in 2013 hakkasan at mgm and light at mandalay bay

All that being said you would probably have a great time just staying at wynn
also save yourself the hassle of getting to different venues- unless one of the different venues has your favorite dj.

Even if you did back to back encore beach club and back to back xs you would have fun!

[ccc]

+1 on Diplo over Aoki. I've been a little surprised at how Diplo seems to get a lot of Fri/Monday slots at XS or slots at Surrender. Definitely deserves to be playing XS on Saturday nights (and it wasn't too long ago that both Diplo and Aoki were stuck in that Mad Decent/Dim Mak Monday slot together...).

XS has branded Mad Decent Mondays with DIPLO for abut the past year that get properly stupid.

[gobos08]

XS has branded Mad Decent Mondays with DIPLO for abut the past year that get properly stupid.

Yeah, exactly. Given how much fun those Mondays are, I was surprised they didn't book him on a few more Saturdays.

[AxelFoley]

+1 on Diplo over Aoki. I've been a little surprised at how Diplo seems to get a lot of Fri/Monday slots at XS or slots at Surrender. Definitely deserves to be playing XS on Saturday nights (and it wasn't too long ago that both Diplo and Aoki were stuck in that Mad Decent/Dim Mak Monday slot together...).

Thanks for all the feedback guys. What I was trying to figure out though wasn't aoki or diplo.. it was instead of Tryst on Friday, I do avicii at Xs on friday... and instead of avicii at EBC on saturday, I would switch that with Steve Aoki at Wet republic, and i guess do something else saturday night... Great suggestions so far.

[AxelFoley]

Hello there! Its gonna be nice and toasty out here at the time you arrive. This post may cause a stir on the forum. My opinions reflect my experiences and your experience(s) may vary. This will be my advice:

TAO Beach is a good option for pool on Thursdays, it may be the only option other then Palms Pool. TAO I know offers very low minimums on Thursdays, for your group I bet $350-$400 minimum food & bev purchase
For Friday, Tryst & Surrender, both located at the same Hotel as Tryst, are great venues. I know Tryst still has their bottle special, 2 goose for $450 up to 6 guys, so you won't break the bank that night. As always, show up early, 10:30-11 and you will get a great table.

Saturday - EBC is very very very busy on Saturdays... and with AVICII there will be no exception. My advice, skip the daybed/lily pad. My strategy is arrive at 12, go with the minimum, which for your group SHOULD BE $1200/2 bottles. If you arrive at 12 there is a very good chance of getting a table or daybed with a premium location for a small shake $100 should do it.

XS - DIPLO all the way. This guy can hype a crowd, ANY CROWD, EDM fans HipHop, you name it, he kills it. So, for tables inside you should expect a minimum of atleast $2k or more with a shake of $300-$500. My advice: Go with the bottle minimum. You should expect to get a 2 bottle minimum starting at $595 per bottle. Here's the strategy. Book thru a promoter, NOT a host. (This tip will upset some people I am sure but it works). If you book your table thru a promoter this will allow you to skip (the hand shake).... at first.... Book the table for the 2 bottle minimum and show up BEFORE 10:30. Because you booked your table through a promoter, as long as you arrive before 10:30 it isn't necessary to tip anyone bc no host can take credit for the table. Now, check in and get sat. YOU WILL GET SAT OUTSIDE. If the location is good then stick with it and savor the moment. If you do not like the table location, NOW is the time to barter (: Tell your seating host that you demand a better table location, possibly one that you passed by already and liked, and name your price. Start at $300 and have the cash ready and in view.... THIS WORKS! THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THE EXACT TABLE YOU WANT.... I hope this helps, and I hope that my instructions were clear. Cheers!

would promoters be able to make sure we don't booted from our table later in the night or be there in case something goes wrong? Thanks for the suggestion!

[artedm]

also make sure you do the whole
axel foley of rolling stone magazine when your checking in!

[DeX]

Problem with booking through a promoter is you are left to deal with the masses in the table line. You won't be pulled out of the line and walked up front. Only reason you'd get booted is if they resell the table once you're done with your liquor, that seems unlikely since there are a ton of tables on the outside portion of XS.

[AxelFoley]

Problem with booking through a promoter is you are left to deal with the masses in the table line. You won't be pulled out of the line and walked up front. Only reason you'd get booted is if they resell the table once you're done with your liquor, that seems unlikely since there are a ton of tables on the outside portion of XS.

Is outside seating pretty bad? Would it even be worth getting bottle service if I would be placed far away from all the action?

[AxelFoley]

"Is outside seating bad" Another great question. When it's 80 degrees outside, imagine the heat inside. If you have never had outside seating before I suggest you give it a try. Depending on the location of the table, you may be sat in a high traffic area, meaning you will get opportunities through out the night to chat up more girls Some people prefer inside, some people prefer outside. With my approach to "the shake" you should be able to land the exact table you want without leaving everything out on the table.... No pun intended... Cheers!

Is there any advantage to using a promoter over a host?

[DeX]

Is outside seating pretty bad? Would it even be worth getting bottle service if I would be placed far away from all the action?

it depends, outside is HUGE. if you can get anything in the patio or near the patio i would go for it, but if you get placed where botero is, i would just avoid it entirely unless you guys dont mind going to the dancefloor or near patio to dance and just come back to your table to rest your feet/grab drinks. When you're initially talking to a host, ask them to quote you for patio tables or anything near them. Just let them know you dont want to be far and see what kind of quote you get. They will usually quote you +300 tip for the outside patio.

To answer your other question there is no benefit to booking through a promoter over a host. Promoters main focus is guestlists where as hosts is table reservations. The promoter won't come and grab you from the table line and walk you past. Promoters tables often get worse locations/seated slower (this doesn't apply to high minimum tables)

[CaptJack]

Do those tables outside by the bar have good foot traffic at XS?