Las Vegas Weekly

Here’s looking at you, id: A first look at Vanity Nightclub

The Hard Rock’s new nightspot is all about you

A rendering of the dance floor and cyclone chandelier inside the new Vanity nightclub at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Courtesy

The id of nightlife is fast approaching. You are the most important person. You are the focus of the party. Therefore, the new Vanity nightclub inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is your kind of place.

The experience begins when you catch your own eye around every corner. Your reflection and light bounces off multifaceted surfaces throughout the venue at the new HRH tower. Your image becomes part of the décor.

“Vanity will cater to your ego, where the most important person in the club is you,” says managing partner Cory McCormack.

The self-importance begins right at the entrance, inspired by the elegance of the Victorian era. Ornate, antique-inspired handheld mirrors reflect how fabulous you look before entering the eclectic jewel box club created by Charles Doell and Mister Important Design.

Photo: Courtesy

A rendering of a view from the DJ booth at Vanity.

A momentary reprieve from your fabulousness occurs as you ascend the escalators where heavy, rich draperies frame your arrival even before you make your grand entrance. The sexy elegance inside is temporarily shielded by curtains until you pass down an S-shaped hallway, then past a two-sided fireplace that’s almost—but not quite—as hot as you are before you’re finally faced with the club in its entirety.

Vanity’s piece de resistance, sure to impress, is the chandelier that rises from the center of the 14,000-square-foot venue. Evocative of a cyclone, 20,000 crystals are lit from within by color-changing LED lights, enhancing the energy of Vanity’s organized chaos. Without impeding or detracting from the energy, VIP seating lines the sunken, 80-foot dance floor.

A large central table service area borders an under-lit onyx catwalk with tall lanterns (don’t call them “stripper poles,” you’re too classy for that) for dancers to seductively shimmy around. Hand-tufted crushed velvet walls and ceilings in deep blue surround the 48-foot marble-topped main bar to the left of the entrance. A second smaller bar resides at the far right of the club.

As Vanity knows you hate to wait for the finer things in life, crystal bowls of house recipe punch are brought to you and your entourage gratis upon your arrival before the premium spirits arrive. And when you desire bubbly—and another glimpse of yourself being pampered in pleasures—the champagne menu is engraved on the surface of a handheld mirror.

Of course, it’s not always necessary to display how wonderful you are, so when you don’t have a table, there’s open seating near the main bar. Pivoting doors open to an outdoor terrace complete with a fire pit and cabanas. More open seating under the stars lets you relax, while a walkway leads down to Sky Bar and the new pool.

Though you always look your best, even you might need a touch up from time to time. Vanity has provided that for you—at least for you ladies. Inside the spacious facilities—stocked with plenty of stalls, so you’ll never have to deal with a long line—you’ll find a technician whose sole purpose is to help touch-up your manicure and makeup, plus ample seating and (ha!) vanity stations.

Designed by Kristian Giambi and her clothing line, Brulee, uniforms are both sexy and edgy. (Her pro-baseball player husband, Jason Giambi, is a partner in Vanity.) Other key players include McCormack, who’s seen great success with his other nightlife ventures, including Body English.

Open Thursdays through Sundays, Vanity might charge up to a $50 cover, but that doesn’t apply to Vegas locals, who will get complimentary admission on Thursdays (for Godskitchen's new night and home) and Sundays. Local ladies are always free, or you can always just call your favorite Nightlife Group host to be added to their guest list.

Vanity’s New Year’s Eve opening will give Hard Rock’s options for 24/7 partying a new boost. With daytime pool partying, dining and nightlife options plus the popular Body English undergoing a remodel to transition into an afterhours hot-spot, McCormack says the Hard Rock is set to become a “one-stop shop for debauchery.” Can you (and your id) handle it?