On Las Vegas’ mission to constantly reinvent its nightlife scene, every new club aims to be bigger and badder than the last. Hakkasan, which has outposts in London and San Francisco, is making its mark with MGM Grand in Vegas. It’s raised the bar for clubbing in Sin City, pulling in huge talent to fill its five-level, 80,000-square-foot space.
Once you take the elevator up and turn the corner into the Pavilion (the main floor of the club), you’ll be reminded of the House of Blue Leaves, where The Bride battles the Crazy 88, in Kill Bill Vol. 1. Blue hues backlight the bars while wooden trellises partition the Asian-inspired room. But fear not — you won’t have to battle a cadre of ninjas to get your groove on, or to make your way to any of the round, leather booths that surround the dance floor.
The DJ booth features local Las Vegas talent in the beginning of the night, but with 17 widely-recognized residencies on Hakkasan’s roster, stick around until 1 a.m. and you’ll get to experience huge names such as Calvin Harris, Deadmau5 and Tiesto throwing down on the decks.
Behind the DJ booth are floor-to-wall digital visuals, and on the ceiling is a web of pulsating lights that go along with the music. Tired of the light show? Fix your eyes on Hakkasan’s go-go dancers who don extravagant costumes and headgear, including a full glowing body suit that looks like it was pulled from scenes out of Tron. Grand opening night featured Steve Aoki, riling the crowd up with his own blend of electro, dubstep and banging beats.
Beginning in May, Hakkasan’s restaurant opens with a high end, Chinese-influenced menu (think silver cod with champagne and Chinese honey or stir-fried black pepper rib-eye beef with Merlot). Its original outpost in London has earned culinary accolades thanks to chef Ho Chee Boon, who also oversees the Vegas menu as well.
Photos Courtesy of MGM Resorts International
