Is Las Vegas About to Become the Top Gay Destination?

With plans to become the world's largest gay club, Krave Massive (pictured above in an artist's rendering) is hosting a grand pre-opening on New Year's Eve for a four-day event from Dec. 28-31, which will feature RuPaul Drag Race's (and Out 100 cover star) Sharon Needles. This summer, Las Vegas nightclub owner Kelly Murphy announced plans to move and revamp Massive's predecessor, Krave, which closed at its previous location on the strip this fall. The previous gay hotspot is now on its way to fully evolve into Massive at Neonopolis in the downtown district. It joins Murphy's Drink & Drag Lounge, the country's first drag queen bar and bowling alley, which opened spring 2012 and has been luring the crowds to the district—which has been trying to reviltize itself over the years.

Murphy explained why he thinks Downtown Las Vegas is the future of gay nightlife rather than the Strip. "Personally I think that downtown is fast becoming very hip and cool. There is a lot of activity going on here with cutting edge, clever bars opening that attract more nightlife. The hotels are upgrading and rebranding and the energy is fierce!" he explained, adding how it is "perfect for the LGBT community" and he also shared that the support from City Officials, including the Mayor, has been exceptional. "Taking a gently used $15 million shuttered 14 screen theater and making it a gay nightclub has been a dream of mine, and having it sit on the corner of the historic Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard makes it magical! And we gays LOVE magical!"

--Andrew Villagomez

Read more about Krave Massive and Murphy's plans for the Neonopolis venue here.