Las Vegas Weekly

Praise for gay Paris!

Though Proposition 8 unfortunately passed in California, the GLBT community may find some comfort while on vacation in Vegas. Properties around town are taking increasing notice of gay couples on vacation and are creating special travel packages geared specifically toward same-sex partners. For the ultimate vacation experience catering to gay clientele, this means resorts are increasingly willing to collaborate with venues outside their property. This week, Team Hangover salutes the Paris, which boast a “gay-friendly staff,” for creating the “What You Krave” package for same-sex couples staying at their hotel.

Inside Krave Nightclub.

As the only gay nightclub and lounge on the Strip, Krave is about half a block from Paris. The package includes two complimentary admission passes, a two-night stay at the hotel plus two two-day passes to the Paris Spa by Mandara to soothe muscles aching after dancing all night. Paris’ “Honeymoon in Vegas” package continues the cross-venue collaboration with Krave, but has the addition of a $50 on-property dinner credit and dual 50-minute massage treatments for the couple. Click here to learn more about gay Paris!

The World Series of Beer Pong will bounce into town Jan. 1-5 at the Flamingo.

May the pong be with you

Beer pong: It’s not just for frat boys anymore. Now the title of “Beer Pong Champion” will be worth more than admiration and possible canoodling from a drunk sorority girl. The fourth World Series of Beer Pong tournament will take place at the Flamingo hotel on January 1-5, assuming enough contestants have recovered from New Year’s Eve. The winners will cash in to the tune of $50,000, though competition is stiff, and last year over 600 contestants participated. To keep entrants from succumbing to alcohol poisoning, the tournament will give teams the option of using beer or water, and they aren’t required to consume the beer (kind of defeats the purpose of the game, doesn’t it?). But the WSOBP isn’t for the average beer drinker off the street, as the registration fee begins at $1,000 per team (though it does include a four-night stay at the Flamingo). The December 5 deadline to register is quickly approaching, and both men and women 21 and older are welcome to compete. Visit bpong.com.

Christian Audigier the Nightclub.

Moychendizing, moychendizing …

Christian Audigier the T-shirt, Christian Audigier the vino, Christian Audigier the Nightclub, Christian Audigier the lunch box … Okay, there isn’t an Audigier lunch box (yet) but if there were, you could purchase one at Christian Audigier the Store! Because there weren’t enough clubgoers running around the Vegas scene wearing Ed Hardy shirts to begin with, Christian Audigier the Nightclub at Treasure Island unveils its companion store for the patron who wants to stand out while wearing the same thing as everyone else. Continuing the red and black décor of the club, Audigier the Store carries fashion and accessories from the French designer’s numerous popular fashion lines. No word yet if Christian Audigier the doll is slated for production.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Mel B, aka Scary Spice, of Peep Show.

Burlesque to the rescue

Planet Hollywood has yet to find a signature entertainment offering, but taking a cue from Vegas nightlife, burlesque may be the key. Slated for March, Planet Hollywood will be spicing things up a bit with none other than Mel B of the Spice Girls and Dancing with the Stars’ Kelly Monaco. Peepshow will follow Bo Peep in the timid-girl-discovers-her-sexuality formula, with a bit of the art of strip-tease thrown in for what’s being described as “modern burlesque.” A little T&A on the Strip never hurt anyone, so we’ll see if it works for Peepshow.

NYE’s “It” hosts

For those party people who like to plan ahead, Vegas nightclubs are announcing unprecedentedly early their New Year’s Eve specials to attract revelers.

At Audigier, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt play host, while rumor has it Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz may preside over Pure. More reality-TV faces are over at LAX where Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian plan to ring in the new year. Options for music fans are a little more promising. Akon performs at the House of Blues, Kid Rock is at the Pearl, and Paul Oakenfold continues his residence inside Rain for the festivities.

But let’s be honest. Our real goal on NYE isn’t to gawk at so-and-so from such-and-such. We’re looking to get tipsy while slurring our way through “Auld Lang Syne” and remaining in close proximity of someone hot enough to smooch. Hopefully in the next few weeks we’ll narrow down the best place to ball on a budget and get the most booze for your buck. Now, who’s ready to battle Strip traffic and lack of parking? Anyone?