Stay & Play: Las Vegas Strip

Stay: A Fresh, Gay Squeeze at the Tropicana Las Vegas

I push my way through the glut of gays clogging the entrance to the New Tropicana Las Vegas only to find more inside. In fact, there are gays and lesbians as far as I can see.

It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend and the New Tropicana Las Vegas is playing host hotel for the Sin City Shootout Sports Festival, an annual event where 7,500 participants duke it out in 18 different sports including softball, kickball, darts and wrestling. And it would appear all 7,500 have piled up throughout the freshly renovated casino, the Tropicana Lounge, the lobby, hallways and elevators.

Of course there are many great Vegas resorts (running the gamut from luxury to less so) that graciously accommodate LGBT guests but none has truly embraced the gay community as warmly as the New Tropicana. Apparently the massive $200 million renovation completed in 2011 included much more than fresh paint and newly appointed rooms. In fact, the TropLV has eagerly sought out gay travelers by hosting the Sin City Shootout three years running as well as through other initiatives like last summer’s Xposed! Saturday pool party; same-sex wedding planning; a Vegas’ Next Trop Model competition for gays and lesbians; not to mention active participation in Prides, Gay Days and other LGBT events.

Although specific LGBT plans for 2015 are still under wraps, OutTravelers can keep abreast of the upcoming events by visiting the dedicated TropLV GLAM page.

Play: Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

With the countless cirques and circus acts set up along the Strip, it would seem unlikely that anyone could bring something fresh to the genre. And yet, Absinthe, the bawdy, black sheep of the high-flying family, manages to do just that. A potent cocktail of equal parts raunchy cabaret and jaw-dropping acrobatics, this sideshow is not for the kiddies (or the easily offended). Shows are Wednesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Play: Join the Club

What had recently been a rather anemic gay nightlife, has now flourished into a thriving club scene with newer offerings like Liaison (from club impresario Drai’s) joining more seasoned venues like Piranha and Share. And, who knows: on-again-off-again Krave might return soon.