Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

November 11, 2006 9:02 PM Posted by Brian Fey

Holy Cow Man! You're producing these things faster than I can listen to them! :)

November 11, 2006 9:31 PM Posted by mike_ch

I guess I ought to ask a more personalized question, since the experts are reading:

Is there any form of nightlife (regardless of what snazzy name they apply onto it) where one can hear themselves talk? It seems that clubs/ultralounges are intended for single people to "hook up," and that's fine but what venues for that sort of thing don't have absurdly loud music?

I have very sensitive hearing, which not only means I can hear very high frequencies others don't, and what's simply loud to most people is too loud for me. While I enjoy Cirque, Blue Man, and the other Vegas entertainment, I always bring earplugs. They're basically mandatory.

So is there something that isn't people dancing in darkened rooms to really loud music, or do I just have to put my earplugs in and get out there?

November 11, 2006 9:34 PM Posted by Hunter

Well Brian, you've got a little while longer since I am having trouble uploading the latest show - it's not actually online yet. Soon I hope.

Mike - once I get this thing with the podcast sorted I will head back here - I have some thoughts on your questions.

November 11, 2006 11:59 PM Posted by Hunter

Ok, podcast problem fixed and uploaded. Enjoy.

Regarding your question about a somewhat quiet place to have a conversation, the current brand of Las Vegas nightclub is generally a horrible place for this. The music is louder than hell for those of us with normal hearing. I have a friend that also has extremely sensitive hearing and he hates going to these places. There are a couple of semi-exceptions, like sitting outside near the waterfall at Tryst but even then, I wouldn't go there for that reason.

I don't think ultra-lounges are that much better. Ultra-lounges are nightclubs in smaller spaces and generally no better for having a conversation.

Honestly, I think your casino bars, places like Parasol Up (Wynn Las Vegas), the lounge at Japonais (The Mirage), the Petrossian Bar and the Fontana Lounge (both at Bellagio) are much better choices for sitting down for a drink and conversation, the latter two options are probably my top picks... Good stuff.

One exception - going to the MIX ultra-lounge atop THEHotel right when it opens at around 5pm-6pm. Not only do you get a great sunset most of the year, the view is great and it is usually pretty dead for at least the first 90 minutes it is open.

November 12, 2006 12:35 AM Posted by Mike E

"Absolutely" is my favorite word.

November 12, 2006 1:05 AM Posted by mike_ch

Now listening to the podcast. Live feedback follows.

The opening theme music sounds like it's being sung by PBS' Cookie Monster more with each episode. The ending music of #8 was pretty hardcore.

I must be a ditzy 14 year old girl, because I screwed up my Trippy ballot, giving Best Website to Five Hundy and voting you for Best Podcast.

Do you know how many bizarre listener calls I've thought about sending you? Surely this call was not an excuse to talk about your Ajax (or similar) programming, yes? :)

I've never heard of Skype before, but ow!

Boy, do these nightclubs sound like the most discriminating, elitist, snottiest joints ever. My impression of the lines were that it was a variation of waiting in line for Space Mountain, one that included spending lots of money getting to the front. But, I suppose it keeps the place from being filled up with the real-life equivalents of the guys from "A Night at the Roxbury."

However, it sounds more like a place to party with your friends than the pick-up joints they always appear to be on TV. You know the ads/shows/movies, the ones that go "11PM: He enters the nightclub. 2AM: He is hiney-grabbing with a girl from Chicago." Last I checked I think all of Caesars Palace's ads are a variation on that theme.

I was saving it up for a construction mini-update which was never written because I don't have any photos, but the RA entrance is currently covered up with a wall advertising LAX. Also, unless something has changed, Stratosphere not only has some retro joint (I'm guessing aimed at older folks, the 70s/80s places usually are) is planning for a nightclub on the top of the tower. It was supposedly the reason that they've brought down the High Roller coaster (track is long gone, only some of the supports drilled into the tower roof are left right now.)

November 12, 2006 1:16 AM Posted by Hunter

Yeah, I wasn't all that thrilled with the way the music came out this time but hey, whatchagonnado. I agree it sounded muppet-esque.

As far as the call-in, it wasn't me but I'm pretty sure it was my buddy Phil who guested on the show a few weeks back.

The Skype call sounds highly modulated, yes. And you're hearing it after it's been heavily compressed and softened out!

November 12, 2006 5:59 AM Posted by detroit1051

Bellagio's Baccarat Bar and Petrossian are both fairly quiet, soothing places to relax to some music while carrying on a conversation. I don't say that as much any more about Fontana Lounge. The music has changed over the past few years. I'm still waiting for Wynn to open a lounge. Guess he has no plans to. There will never be another Allegra Lounge in Vegas. Too bad. I couldn't remember whether it was Allegra or Allegro, so I Googled it. The first story that popped up is like ancient history. A lot has changed since Bellagio opened in 1998...jackets and ties required?
Going Upscale: Bellagio Unveils Elegant Roster...

November 13, 2006 5:48 AM Posted by Applejack

ok, so we're headed down there next sunday and we're reading about Mandalay Mondays (free access to HOB: Foundation, Mix, Forty Deuce, and rumjungle plus free cocktails for the ladies plus, plus, plus)

What the catch here? Is it that dead that they have to offer something like this?