Azilo Ultra Lounge-and monthly party Vibra-bring new dimensions to the Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas Weekly
 
Azilo Ultra Lounge-and monthly party Vibra-bring new dimensions to the Las Vegas Strip
Wild Casino

Crowds flocking to Magic Mike Live at Sahara Las Vegas are discovering a new, somewhat hidden afterparty at the Sahara, where they can keep the fun going and the drinks flowing.

It’s not really a secret, but it feels a little speakeasy-ish when you enter the new Azilo Ultra Lounge through the stealthy sliding doors at the back of the casino’s Casbar Lounge. Once inside, potential moments of discovery abound, sometimes including an indoor-outdoor element when the weather allows the venue to open up to Azilo Ultra Pool, which made its debut over Labor Day weekend.

The lounge was completed in late September, and after a flashy New Year’s Eve party, it has maintained Friday- and Saturday-night operations with unique musical programming, a fun specialty cocktail menu—including Instagrammable flaming sugar cubes and smoked Old Fashioneds—and a sexy design that recalls a vintage Vegas era while aligning with the ongoing renovations at the iconic resort.

“We’re not jumping off the deep end; it’s a steady and consistent plan to build inside the lounge and outside at the pool,” says Steve Sagan, general manager of daylife and nightlife. “That way we can sustain whether it’s still recession time or everyone is coming to town and spending thousands of dollars.”

With a decadent central bar, split-level layout and caged booths lining the poolside perimeter, the lounge space tips its cap to genre-defining venues of the Strip’s past like Tabú at MGM Grand, smaller cocktail spots that incorporated DJs and other nightclub elements. Azilo is looking to distinguish itself with live instrumentation, including performances by DJ and violinist Marlon Dasoul and sax player Natty Rico, a little extra something “to stand out from the crowd,” Sagan says.

And then there’s the monthly Vibra party, assembled by Saturday residents DJ Flowfly and Chris Garcia. The house-centric extravaganza, which pops up next on February 19, brings a different feeling to the Strip with go-go dancers, stilt walkers, contortionists, sword swallowers and other acts.

Azilo will have more chances to show off its capabilities when springtime rolls around, but the next big bash comes even sooner—an indoor-outdoor Super Bowl event. The game will be broadcast on the 240-by-70-foot LED wall, and the entire pool area will turn into a mega-tailgate party with a curated menu of stadium food.

“We’re going to do a $60 select open bar, which I think is one of the best deals out there, and we’ll incorporate the lounge into that,” Sagan says. “It’s likely we’ll do the same thing for March Madness.”

AZILO ULTRA LOUNGE Sahara, 702-761-7000. Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.