Vegas Top 5: Best LGBT Events

Visitors to Vegas can sometimes feel like they're in an adult, and very straight, playground. Billboards of busty ladies adorn the city and there's no shortage of aggressive testosterone marching up and down the Strip. But Sin City is gayer than ever — just ask our readers — with many casinos hosting LGBT-specific events that go beyond the typical gay-friendly lip service. Pool parties, drag bingo, and insane dance spectacles are all there for your enjoyment. Here are the places in Vegas where you can really let your hair down.

"Exposure" at LIGHT nightclub in Mandalay Bay, an LGBT party featuring Cirque du Soleil performers swinging over revelers, debuts January 19. In fitting with the club's name, an elaborate light show is planned, with giant video screens providing even more visual distraction. The gorgeous Cirque performers will be dressed in high fashion attire while "visual performances will be projected on the bodies of performers, creating a symphonic experience that will captivate the show-goers," according to LIGHT's PR folks. Click here for more info. (3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., more info)

PRIDE Family Bingo and PRIDE Pajama Brunch Bingo at Circus Circus, are two only-in-Vegas experiences. The former event launched first, serving as a wild fundraiser for the Las Vegas Pride organization. On the first Wednesday of every month, outrageously-made up drag queens pull the numbers, while straight and LGBT locals and visitors daub their way to show tickets, free meals, and hotel rooms. Then, last spring Circus Circus launched the PRIDE Pajama Brunch every other Sunday. The party starts with a boozy brunch ($15 champagne bottle service — super cheap!) and then daubing and debauchery in the Grand Ballroom for Bingo. These awesome events are just part of the gay-friendly offerings at Circus Circus — keep an eye out during Halloween for the LGBT night at the Fright Dome, the elaborate haunted land inside the Circus Circus. (2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd., more info)

REVOSundays @ Revolution Lounge at the Mirage is one of the hippest gay parties in Vegas. Start the Sunday night party off with a cocktail inside the darkly-lit Revolution Lounge bar (not far from the theater for LOVE, the Beatles Cirque show) before segueing to the full-on discotheque inside. Perfectly sized, the club is intimate, but not cramped. And the DJ was perfection — while we were there at least — playing Adele and Daft Punk remixes. The crowd is mostly male, but they are a friendly, sophisticated, and good-looking bunch. (3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., more info).

Temptation Sundays at Luxor is our favorite LGBT pool party, possibly in the world. It's laid-back but not boring, friendly but not overly cruise-y. With Luxor's glimmering pyramids as backdrop and pulsating music as soundtrack (that's not so loud you can't have a conversation), Temptation Sundays is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Vegas. The pool is large, clean, and full of men (and a smattering of women) from around the world talking and flirting. There are drinks and food available and if you can afford a cabana, it's really the way to go. Unfortunately, the pool is closed in the winter months, but the event's sixth season begins May 18. (3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., more info)

Gay Days Las Vegas 2014, the city's answer to Disney Gay Days Orlando, is on its way to becoming a legendary gay gathering. Happening this year in early September, Gay Days Las Vegas offers a week-long celebration of tours, pool parties, diversity brunches and dinners, and a travel/retail expo (this is an addition to the city's Pride event, which happens in the middle of Gay Days). Many events take place at Luxor, Gay Days' host hotel, but there are parties at other hot spots, including the Hard Rock and Tropicana. Click here for more info.