Las Vegas Weekly

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Los Angeles-based hospitality company SBE Entertainment announced today it is expanding its Hyde Lounge nightlife brand to Las Vegas.

The company plans to rebrand and redesign the Fontana Bar at the Bellagio as the resort’s first indoor-outdoor nightlife venue.

Construction on the 12,000-square-foot venue will begin in May with a grand opening planned for New Year’s Eve, SBE said in a release today. The renovations will include an expanded terrace overlooking the Bellagio fountains.

SBE, which is led by Sam Nazarian, opened the first Hyde Lounge in Hollywood in 2006 and has since expanded the concept to the Staples Center and Mammoth Mountain. The company has plans to open Hyde Beach in Miami in 2012. It operates several hotels, restaurants and nightclubs in the Los Angeles area.

"The move to bring the Hyde Lounge brand to Bellagio underscores the dynamic partnership forged between SBE and MGM Resorts International," Nazarian said in a statement. "Together we've secured one of Vegas' most prestigious locations, and will usher in a new and definitive chapter in nightlife on The Strip."

Hyde Lounge will be SBE’s first nightlife venture in Las Vegas, but the company already has a presence on the Strip.

SBE purchased the Sahara hotel-casino in March 2007 for a price estimated between $300 and $400 million. The Navegante Management Group operates the casino while SBE manages the hotel and restaurants. Nazarian has talked about a complete remodel and rebranding of the hotel for years, but formal plans haven't been announced.

MGM Resorts recently announced a partnership with its new players club card, M Life, and SBE that would allow guests to use the SB Preferred program at their resorts.