The Light: Modern Day Ibiza Nightclub in Vegas

Vegas, please welcome Ibiza into the building. For the first time, Vegas has built a mega club that compares to the best in the world such as Pacha, Amnesia and maybe even Space Ibiza (nobody can really touch Privilege quite yet). I got in at a decent time with my friend Elise, and we lost some causalities to the pool during the day. Or else we would've had another epic ratio day. Fortunately our friend, and VP of customer development at the Light, Norman knows that scenario all too well.

Unlike the scene the night before at the MGM, the Light does in fact have a moving line and at the same time it is kept spread out and organized. It was very clear as to where the ticket holders, guest-list and table service clients should line up. We walked up to the very first person at the ropes, and he was able to quickly point us to Norman right away.  Within minutes we found him, and exchanged a few pleasantries along with a token of appreciation and IN we go.

As soon as we walked in, we heard the loud bass thumping from the dance floor. We already knew the sound system was on point in comparison to Hakkasan. There was only one room, so they didn't need to noise proof the main room with worries of sound leaks into other places. As we turned the corner and finally saw the dance floor, we saw an arena full of madness. There were Cirque the Soleil performers dangling from the ceilings, and rage all around. Surprisingly it was spread out rage, so there was plenty of empty room for us to cruise all the way to the front of the stage. DJ Stellar started the night out with some epic tech house to get the dance floor moving in the right direction.

DJ Stellar throwing down the tech house

We decided to cruise around, and this place is absolutely huge. The best way to describe the stage, is a club with a built in rave sized HD stage. HD as in being wider then your normal stage. This allows room for a wider dance floor, thus way more room to rage and dance. The best part is that this place comes with a second level balcony just as spacious as walkways of the first level. The bathrooms for both male and females are on both floors!  These bathrooms were in the perfect location, the corners of the club, where one with common sense would think to put them. The bars were built along the entire back wall, and there are plenty of waiters and waitresses ready to serve you with minimum wait and maximum service.

Bottle popping time, and with tons of Light

As the night progressed from the opening DJ to the next, the production value went up by a notch progressively until the ultimate build up. Following Stellar, Sebastian Drums threw together a high energy progressive house set which got the liquor flowing. My connect Kirk whos in with the security got us into the VIP section for a better of the stage, and more room to rage without bumping into anyone. I would say, I m surprised by the amount of Dom Perignon Magnums ordered at a consistent rate at these center aisle tables. I had a chance to go over the price list for the tables at the Light beforehand, and it is along the lines of XS and other clubs in Vegas. Unlike Hakkasan where there is a clear inflation of prices, and unfilled tables. 

The Light - Way too much going on at any given time

Every few minutes the dance floor was flooded by confetti, with an act behind stage, a gymnast doing tricks from the ceiling and even a go go would pop up out of no where start dancing. It was a complete sensory overload. The last time I had a feeling like this within a night club was most definitely in Ibiza. By the time Thomas Gold the main DJ came on, the entire club turned into a set for main stage DJ at EDC.  After the night was over, I believe I found my new favorite club in Ibiza, wait Vegas. Which fortunately is only a few hours away. I will most definitely be coming back for years to come.  For all of your Light Nightclub reservations inquiries, please contact Norman Ly at 702.688.9115 and tell him I sent you.

Hakkasan: Does 100 Million Turn into Vegas Rage?

One of the most hyped clubs since last year has been the Hakkasan. When I was at WMC this year in Miami, I saw cab after cab advertising for this place. After a month goes by, I heard many reviews both positive and negative and I thought the only way to find out is to go see it for myself. On this particular trip, I will be doing a preview and comparison between two of the newest mega nightclubs that Vegas has built to cater to the EDM crowd.  My other review will be on the Light at Mandalay Bay.

Located at the MGM Grand, the prime real estate serves as a convenient spot for the South end strip dwellers. Most of the younger crowd ends up staying at hotels around this area to be close to all the clubs without spending a fortune on cabs.  I didn't get checked into my hotel at the Platinum (by Ballys) until 9:30 and somehow I had enough to get changed in my Vegas bests (tie, vest and the whole 9 yards) and still make it to the club by 10:45.  I had a fairly good ratio of females with me and I had already texted my long time host which worked at Wet Republic, Thomas to get me us in.

Ratios. Don't leave home without them in Vegas. RK and Anatasia from EDME

As I approached the club, it was a zoo surrounding the place. Also the guestlist line wrapped around the building and into the hallway where the stores are. Finding Thomas was almost impossible, especially when he caters to mostly the higher end clientele and was probably busy seating one of his 25K min tables that he sold on that particular night. Thomas directed me to someone else that worked the ropes at the front, and he was able to get our group of ladies in smoothly. The process after getting past the ropes didn't last more then 5 mins after the bouncers checked your credentials for entry.

I physically set foot in the club at about 11:15 PM, and the dance floor was still not crowded. I managed to get a quick tour of the entire place and found a few sweet spots where the bass hit very well. Surprisingly the sound on the dance floor itself is not as loud as the second level. Another thing I notice is that the crowd tends to flow from the right side of the dance floor. If you are entering the dance floor, you would probably have an easier time staying on the left without being bumped into.  By midnight, all bets are off for free movement on the dancefloor.

11:15 is about the only time when there is room on the floor

One of the gripes I read a lot on the other reviews was that there are too many stairs. I did not find this to be an issue at all. If you are comparing the stairs that are at Marquee, these are just baby steps. There is also an elevator that takes you to two places, the exit or the downstairs hip hop room. The guys working the elevator specifically tell you where they are going, so make sure you take the right one.

So finally I decided I had enough with getting bumped into with the sub-standard opening EDM acts, and I went to the hip hop room with Chris, a promoter from Light that I met that night. We took the elevator down and I heard nothing but ratchet music and tons of smoke. People were definitely getting their party on. In the hip hop room there is actual dance space, and it seemed the crowd was able to have more fun. I spent a good 45 minutes down here before it was almost time for main act to come on at the main stage.

Dada Life as the main DJs at Hakkasan

When Dada Life finally came on, it seems like the lighting and volume increased and the production value went up. By production, I mean more confetti then ever before. Dada played a very expected set. It wasn't one I haven't heard before from other festivals and clubs. I think the problem with signing resident DJs that play every other week is that they tend to lose interest in changing it up for the crowd. It's probably more of a problem in Vegas now days then anywhere else.

Dada Life - Ending the Night by Kicking out the Epic

The night came and went. I can't say that it was let down. I also can't say it was mind blowing.  I think the owners really focused on keeping the restaurant element of Hakkasan and left out a few essentials that can probably help put this place over the top. The over crowding issue tends to occur at clubs converted from restaurants. I.e. Tao nightclub is almost unbearable on most nights with a full house. Hakkasan does have a few places for you to take a breather, only if you know where to look. I would definitely come back.

PS. I met my favorite dayclub hostess, Danny at Wet Republic. That, on its own made my night. For all your Hakkasan needs, contact Thomas Gorman at 702.340.6498.