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'Eau' (French for water) is Cirque du Soleil's original epic venture into aquatic theater. A talented international cast - performing in, on and above the precious liquid - surveys drama through the ages. Though it's a spectacular feat of imagination and engineering, this one-tricky pony often disappoints.
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Olympic Garden
The unpretentious OG wins high marks from topless-club aficionados - and the nickname 'Silicone Valley' from the competition. Up to 50 dancers work at any given time, thus there's something to please everyone. Studs strip for the ladies upstairs Wednesday through Sunday.
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Opm
The throbbing beats at this faux-Asian hideaway may peak earlier than at other places, but there's rarely a long line. At the moment, Latin rules Wednesday with hip-hop straight through the weekend, including hyphy on Sunday night. Bites from downstairs Chinois are served. Strict dress code.
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Penn & Teller
This intellectual odd couple (one talks, the other doesn't) has been creating illusions for over two decades, spellbinding the audience with wit, charm and some amazing stunts like catching bullets in their teeth. The gimmick is they actually explain some (but not all) of their tricks to the audience.
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Piranha
Sin City's newest gay nightclub is also its sexiest, featuring fireplace patios, aquariums and waterfalls, plus the luxurious 8½ ultra lounge. A rainbow variety of dance club events includes DJ-driven Milk Mondays (the slogan: 'HOMO-genizing Las Vegas'), hip-hop Bling Tuesdays and ladies-only Orchid Wednesdays. There's often no cover before .
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Pure
With gorgeous female DJs much of the time, this chic modern space is all done up in hues of electric blue, white and silver. Crowds of fine young thangs lounge inside a labyrinth of rooms that feel a lot like LA, all leading up to a gorgeous Strip-view patio. Strict dress code.
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Pussycat Dolls Lounge
Lingerie-clad ladies do a little aerial swinging, play rub-a-dub-dub in a tub and flaunt sexy song-and-dance numbers. Busta Rhymes got so excited that he jumped on stage during the club's grand opening. Look for celebs like Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives making surprise appearances at this SoCal import.
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Quark's Bar
Ideal for seducing the alien of your dreams, this Star Trek-themed bar is a far-out, wacky place. Eavesdrop on sci-fi geeks debating the strategies of the Romulan Empire or the virtues of the Prime Directive as you get a knock-out punch from a 'Phaser Shot' or a dry ice-steaming 'Warp Core Breach'.
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Rain
Britney Spears once threw an impromptu concert while partying at this club, which is immersed in color and motion. The bamboo dance floor appears to float on a layer of fountains. Fog and pyrotechnics set the sybaritic mood, as seen on MTV's Real World . Warning: the Palms' new Moon nightclub inside the Playboy Tower may upstage this scene soon.
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Regal Village Square
Las Vegas doesn't have any arthouse cinemas, but this multiplex way the hell out west of the Strip usually has at least a couple of independent flicks up on the marquee.
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Romance At Top Of The World
There's just no place to get any higher in Vegas without the approval of an air-traffic controller. From Wednesday to Saturday evenings, smooth jazz accompanies the 'elevated' martinis swilled by a moneyed crowd of cocktail-hour couples.
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Sand Dollar Blues Lounge
When you're on your last dime, drive to this dive. A few doors down from a Harley repair shop, this unpretentious club is the only one in town featuring live jazz and blues nightly. It's smoky, casual and has a nautical theme, video poker and pool tables. It draws a tough local crowd. To get here, enter off Polaris Ave.
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Seamless
Erasing the thin line between strip clubs and nightclubs, this high-concept spot switches gears 'seamlessly' at every night, with an after-hours dance party that goes till . Expect designer furnishings, drop-dead gorgeous dancers sauntering along a glass catwalk and VIP service all the way, starting with an exhibitionists' parking garage.
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Second City
The most reliable, best-value sketch comedy acts are scripted by this national chain of comedy theaters. An ambitious 75 minutes of hilarity including brilliant flashes of improv are staged inside the Flamingo's showroom.
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Slots-A-Fun
For cheap booze and cheap thrills, it's tough to beat this lowbrow dive. Grab a coupon book, give the giant slot machine two free spins, and scarf down a few 75¢ beers and around US$1 half-pound hot dogs. Then kick back, relax and enjoy the laughable lounge acts.
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Suede
In the heart of the Fruit Loop, this oh-so-casual restaurant and lounge is the spot for drag and female-impersonator cabaret acts on weekends, with fabulous gay karaoke earlier in the week.
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Tabu
It's all about sensual sophistication at the MGM's groundbreaking ultra lounge. DJs spin Euro house music to an interactive backdrop while stunning hostesses who also happen to be models mix cocktails tableside.
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Tangerine
TI turns up the heat with its orange-flavored ultra lounge featuring a showy open-air Stripside patio. DJs spin pop, house and hip-hop, while burlesque dancers shimmy on the bartop hourly.
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Tao
Modeled after the Asian-themed NYC nightclub, here svelte go-go girls covered only by strategically placed flowers splash in bathtubs while another in yogi garb assumes the lotus position on a pedestal high above the risqué dance floor, where Paris Hilton lookalikes forego enlightenment to bump-and-grind to earthy hip-hop instead.
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The Improv
The Vegas franchise of this New York-based chain has that signature Big Apple brick backdrop. The spotlight is firmly cast on many of the touring stand-up headliners of the moment, often polished by recent late-night TV appearances.
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The Joint
Concerts at this intimate venue feel like private shows, even when David Bowie or the Killers are in town. It's a beacon for rock 'n' roll superstars. Most shows are standing-room only, with reservable VIP balcony seats upstairs.
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Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey & Dean
Capitalising on Rat Pack nostalgia, the Greek Isles tries to return the old Sands hotel's Copa Room to what it was in the 60s. The show faithfully replicates the gang's routines, with the same songs, politically incorrect jokes and some embarrassing behaviour by Marilyn Monroe.
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Triple 7
Sports fans and a crusty crowd of local gamblers flock to this gargantuan brewpub for Monday Night Football, happy hour and graveyard specials. The sushi and oyster bar, five microbrews on tap (look for specialty fruit beers) and cheap pub grub sate the punters.
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V Bar
Starlets, agents and young fashionistas air-kiss inside this glam minimalist lounge. The acid jazz and low-key house music are mere accoutrements, since the low lighting, secluded sitting areas and sturdy martinis encourage intimate behavior among the very best of strangers. Service can be iffy.
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Vegas Drive-In
One of the only drive-ins in the entire state of Nevada, this old-fashioned place screens up to six double features daily. Bring your buddies, grab a bucket of popcorn and put your feet up on the dashboard.
