Best Production Show: Total deadlock tie between Cirque du Soliel's and The latter is more "traditional" -- if you can call a human circus that uses a giant tank of water as a stage "traditional," but it is in that it has only a loose semblance of narrative, whereas KA (yet another revolutionary piece of stage craft, though we will let you be surprised as to how that plays out) actually has a plot. Both are dazzling and, given the extremely high production values, feel worth the extremely high ticket price. (KA tel. 877/880-0880 and O tel. 888/488-7111 or 702/693-7722)
Best Old-Time Vegas Production: You know: big huge stage sets, pointless production numbers, showgirls, nipples on parade, Bob Mackie headdresses. Ah, this world would be dreary without you (tel. 800/237-7469 or 702/739-4567).
Best Smart Show: This town isn't good enough for either Blue Man Group or Penn & Teller (Penn & Teller tel. 888/746-7784or 702/739-4567).
Best Local Hang: They don't keep the same late hours as they once did, but you will still find performer friends and other in-the-know types gathering at Jazzed Cafe & Vinoteca (tel. 702/233-2859), eating Kirk's authentic Italian fare and comparing notes on the artist's life in Vegas. The more hard-core types (including, on certain nights, Blue Men sans makeup, doing weird percussion things) will be gathering way after hours at the Double Down Saloon (tel. 702/791-5775).
Best Ultra-Lounge: That's just Vegas-speak for "fancy-pants hotel bar," but most of them are pretty nice, if trying too hard to be all-that. Still, we like the vibe at Risque (tel. 702/946-7000), and we love the lush, sexy look of Lure.
Best Reason to Wait in Line: Truth be told, we never think there is a good enough reason, but (tel. 702/942-7778) is a fantastic hotel bar, especially because of its outstanding view, perched high above the Strip. Meanwhile, there's a good reason (tel. 702/940-7246) keeps packing them in -- it's plus ne ultra for dance clubs, but the new 's (tel. 702/693-5000) style is terribly appealing to us.
Best Burlesque: Tough call, given the competition, but 40 Deuce (tel. 702/632-7000) was the first establishment (back in Los Angeles) to cash in on the return of the high-class hoochie girl, and still does it the best.
Best Strip Club: Ah, you know you want to know. Tie between Sapphire (tel. 702/796-0000), because of its size (so big, it goes right past intimidating into nonthreatening), and Treasures (tel. 702/257-3030), because we think all strip joints should insist on production numbers with stage effects, and look like old-fashioned English brothels.
For a complete listing of what to see and do in Las Vegas, visit the online attractions index at Frommers.com.
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