Vegas Popular

This is one of the best times of the year in any city in any country on any planet -- the beginning of Vegas Pool Season. It's that special time of the year when Sin City sheds a few more inhibitions and the flesh is celebrated, and in the case of some of the topless pools, in all its sculpted, golden glory.

Over the last couple of seasons, the buzz was about nightclub groups managing pools (Pure-Venus, TAO-TAO Beach, Light-Bare) and "European style sunbathing" (READ: topless). I guess the Euro to dollar exchange rate finally took it's toll and people are now either saying the word "topless" or "luxurious" instead of the syllable-laden "European style sunbathing."

This year the buzz is all about bigger is better. The parties are bigger and even the first 'ultra pool" has been dug.

Here is the annual preview of this season's hottest, chlorinated spots in Vegas:

Bare (Video Preview) at the Mirage went from soft launch to grand opening with a party that included a set from DJ Donald Glaude. "Lose the Tan Lines" is the message from Light Group, the nightlife empire who is responsible for all this topless-turvy. While ladies in other cities have to go bake under the lamps for an April glow, Vegas ladies can go au naturelle when soaking in the au naturelle rays of the sun.

Another nightlife empire, Pure Management Group, brings you another "luxurious" season of Venus Pool Club (Video Preview) at Caesars. I don't know if it's the whole Roman, opulence theme at the resort, but Venus has always felt a little more refined. It has the same elements -- DJ, pampering, poolside cocktails -- as other parties, but it's not so "party 'til you puke' here. It's worth noting that hotel guests get in free, except Saturdays.

The world-famous Rehab (Video Preview) party at the Hard Rock is also on Sundays. It's very much a "gone wild" atmosphere and that's why I and everyone (except maybe N.O.W., A.A. and Greenpeace) loves it.

Since most thongs don't have calculator holsters, it's worth noting the pricing scheme can be confusing and it looks like that's back. There are different prices for gender and geography, but a certain number of hotel guests can get in free.

It's also worth noting, camera crews will be roaming the silicone sand this year filming for "Rehab: The Movie" so make sure you don't pick your nose, butt or do anything else you don't want showing up before god and creation.


If you can't afford your boss, spouse, mother, deity, etc. to see you on late-night reality TV, then TAO Beach (Video Preview) may be a Sunday option for you. It's a pretty place for pretty people and you can experience all of the aesthetics at their Sunday's Sunset Sessions.

The Sunset Session always confused me because they run from 10AM to 5PM -- after sunrise and before sunset. But by the time I get there and start cocktailing, my apprehensions about the correct position of the sun in the day sky disappears like the olive in my very dirty martini.


Mandalay Bay has always, in my mind, been really good at this whole summer fun thing. They were topless before topless was cool with Moorea. Now it's all known as Mandalay Beach (Video Preview) and while most other casinos have poolside and swim-up gambling, Mandalay Bay built an entire three-story beach casino.

This year could go down as the year of the "ultra pool." Wet Republic at MGM Grand is the first Vegas pool labeled as such. Whether it's a marketing tag or the standard for all future ultra pools (like Tabu was for ultra lounges) remains to be seen.

What we do know is that it's over 50,000 square feet of "daylife" -- like nightlife but during the day. There are eight pools, six V.I.P. bungalows, a lot of space for concerts and even a 2,500 square feet open-air ultra lounge.

Other Pool Parties to Check Out
- Ditch Fridays (pictured) at Palms is always solid
- The kickoff at Red Rock this year features Kanye West
- Go Pool at the Flamingo
- The Tank at the Golden Nugget