On Our Gaydar: Las Vegas

Twist (courtesy of Mandarin Oriental)

This isn’t your grandfather’s Vegas. While it still swings, the legendary town’s Rat Pack vibe has been usurped by an LGBT-friendly scene thanks to the 24-hour party people at the gambling mecca’s newest gay nightclub.

Play

If you’re not placing bets, go bowling at Drink and Drag (450 Fremont Street, 702-489-3724) before taking in the Fremont Street Experience (425 Fremont Street, 702-678-5777). Each Sunday in the summer, the Luxor (3900 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-262-4444) hosts an LGBT pool party, and Zumanity at New York-New York stars Miss Edie (3790 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-740-6969).

Shop

Crystals at City Center (3720 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-590-9299) is the newest fix for tag hags. Or get runway-ready at the 1.9-million-square-foot Fashion Show (3200 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-369-8382) or Shoppes at the Palazzo (3327 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-414-4525), with luxury brands from Barneys to Burberry.

Eat

Krave (courtesy of Grapevine PR)

Twist at the Mandarin Oriental (3752 Las Vegas  Boulevard, 702-590-8888) does French overlooking the glittering skyline. Trade in the buffets for some NOVE Italiano at Palms (4321 West Flamingo Road, 702-942-6800) and beef and booze at Oscar’s (1 Main Street, 702-386-7227). Nurse that hangover over eggs at Peppermill (2985 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-735-4177) before imbibing anew in the diner’s quirky Fireside Lounge.

Drink

Share (4636 Wynn Road, 702-258-2681) is the newest gay nightclub, just off the famous Strip. There’s also Krave (3663 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-836-0830), offering seven nights of events—including dancing, drag shows and celebrity spotting. Prefer low-key? Charlie’s (5012 Arville Street, 702-876-

Rumor Hotel (courtesy of WJ Agency)

1844) is an understated cowboy saloon, and KittyBar (3663 Las Vegas Boulevard, 800-823-8450) is where the girls are.

Stay

They don’t call it “Mandalay Gay” for nothing (3950 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-632-7777). There’s also Blue Moon Resort (2651 Westwood Drive, 702-784-4500), a men’s hotel with a pool scene that would make Mom blush. The boutique Rumor Hotel has stunning designer suites and a popular outdoor dance party (455 East Harmon Avenue, 702-369-5400). The casinos are also gay-friendly; Encore at Wynn (3131 Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-770-7000) even has a “pride concierge.”

For more on travel, shopping and LGBT life, check out the summer 2012 issue of G Philly.