Vegas is known around the world as one of the biggest party towns in the USA. Sin City’s slogan once being “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” has evolved into the new “What happens in Vegas, only happens in Vegas”, however you take it, there are definitely things that go down on the 4.2 mile stretch of road that are unique to the city. The expectation of over the top entertainment coupled with the dessert heat is the perfect combination to ignite some very hot pool parties (with a potential heatstroke chaser).
That being said, not all pool parties are created equal…and let’s face it the price tag attached to some of these parties are not either! So let’s break it down.
Featherweight. No cover, kids welcome, light background music, first come/first serve for single chairs by the pool. We’re talking about hotel pools here. Everyone staying at the hotel is welcome and no one will ask you for ID other than flashing your room key.
Welterweight. Adults only here, which for most is a very important factor when picking a spot to indulge. You can expect to be ID’d and pay a cover charge that you can live with, minimum spends for seating that won’t break the bank, and a DJ pumping out music you can dance to. These pool parties will have a capacity starting around three hundred but under a thousand patrons. Pools in this class would be Jemaa at The Nomad Hotel inside Park MGM, Moorea at Mandalay Bay, Bare at The Mirage, and Liquid at Aria. Special consideration to Moorea and Bare as they are both topless for the women are interested in leaving the tan lines behind. For the vast majority, welterweight will be the go-to party pool experience while making sure their bank account isn’t KO’d in the first round.
Heavyweight. If you are looking for the venues that will blow your mind and potentially your budget, then the two biggest pool parties fighting it out for the heavyweight belt are Wet Republic at the MGM Grand and Encore Beach Club at Encore. Both of these pools will satiate your appetite if you are looking for top-rated celebrity DJs, a couple thousand scantly clad people soaking up alcohol and sunshine alike, not to mention the likely celebrity sighting, wild people watching, champagne showers, and dance till you drop energy.
Whichever weight class fits you best, you are sure to enjoy your time basking in the Vegas heat. If you do choose to weigh in above featherweight there are a few key things to keep in mind before you go:
- Book tickets, daybeds, or cabanas in advance! You can expect to pay premium prices anytime there is a big DJ or celebrity hosting. I’m talking up to 5 to 15k for a deluxe bungalow or cabana. Now, if that did knock the wind out of you, keep in mind that that doesn’t include tax, gratuity, or some happy cash handshakes. We’ll touch on happy handshakes later, and no, these having nothing to do with Asian massage parlors.
- Without a reservation (and sometimes even with one) you can expect to wait in lines. It’s not an easy feat to get hundreds up to thousands of people organised, ticketed, searched and into a venue. Try to be prepared and patient. I promise you, that this is a case where the squeaky wheel will NOT get greased in. The people working at the door will not come running over if you yell at them for attention. Speaking of lines, most of them are outside in temperatures reaching over 100°. So get ur sunscreen on prior to heading out of your hotel and maybe bring some water with you.
- About that water, make sure you finish it before you get to the door. There are very thorough bag and body searches. You will not be allowed if you have any obviously restricted items such as weapons, drugs, outside drinks (basically anything the airport would stop you from having). Here are some restricted items that might surprise you: gum, mints, food or candy of any type, certain lip balm pots, aspirin or any prescriptions, weed pens, Visine. Basically, just bring your wallet, sunscreen, and any other absolute essentials. However, if you do have something that’s not allowed some venues have lockers available for about $40 to $60 or a bag check at the hotel for around $10 to $20.
- Tipping. This is big. It is the lifeblood of the service industry in Las Vegas. Don’t be cheap, if you can’t afford to tip appropriately then you might have picked the wrong weight class for your budget. The service staff sweating it out daily to create these memorable experiences aren’t out there for verbal tipping aka “you’re so hot”, “you’re too pretty to be working here”, “best service I’ve received in Vegas” or my favorite “I’ll take care of you later”. This is Vegas, a happy handshake will go a long way and the guy moving your umbrella for the third time, the security guard watching out for your safety, the host who got all your friends in…they all really do appreciate good ol’ American greenbacks.
- Last but not least. There is zero tolerance for drugs, lewd or aggressive behavior, sexual harassment, or theft. You can expect to be kicked out or prosecuted if the offense warrants it.
So get ready to blast your Instagram with FOMO worthy content! Wiggle into your swim trunks or tie on that new bikini, chug some water, spray on the SPF and leave everything but the essentials in your hotel room along with your worries (and inhibitions).
|
|
