It may be so, but its hard to tell if you're judging by the nightlife
as hordes of antsy club goers straighten their outfits, twiddle away at their IDs and scope each other out while enduring the lengthy wait in the general admission line.  Ushers dawning royal purple jackets shoo away curious bystanders.  Hours pass and patrons happily stand in anxious poses, creeping ever so slowly toward the blood red velvet rope.  There is no guarantee that they’ll be going past it. Those with a few extra Benjamin's and VIP hosted table reservation zoom past with quick feet and hungry eyes escorted by a fancy young gentlemen with a slick hairdo and awkward earpiece.  Inside the club every table is enthusiastically occupied and adorned by at least two tall bottles of high end vodka.  The dance floor is excruciatingly packed but no one seems to mind the extra body heat.  All four bars are equally hectic with people from all walks of life desperately pleading for the bartender’s attention.  They’d like a round of Patron shots please. 

Recession? Not here

This is XS inside the Encore hotel.  The name says it all in this multi-million dollar establishment that unleashed itself on New Years Eve 2009.  Opening its doors smack dab in the middle of an economic crisis may not have been the smartest idea, but despite the downturn, crowds still flock to eagerly wait in line.  XS is not the only nightspot seemingly “recession free”. 

Pure in Caesar’s Palace stays healthy with a steady regimen of celebrity appearances and guest DJs.  The Luxor’s LAX still sees long lines and visitors more than willing to cough up the dough for three-hundred dollar table service.  Jet nightclub at the Mirage stays filled even on Monday nights. 
Las Vegas and the rest of the country endure the worst economic failure in the past 50 years while the trendy nightspots don’t appear to feel the pressure.

So what gives?  How can so many people spend so much money with an economy like this?  Compared to other destinations, Las Vegas makes for a great value.  Those looking to travel across oceans can look forward to forking around one-thousand dollars just for the flight.  And don’t forget about hotels and food which can reach again into the thousands.  Vegas on the other hand is far more accessible with cheap flights and package deals ranging in the hundreds as well as food and entertainment all within walking distance.  Room rates have also dropped.  Top tier hotels now offer rooms at less than fifty dollars a night to entice would be guests.  Bargain VIP entertainment can also be found with a little help.  LavishVegas.com offers its clients great deals at premier clubs by sending steady business to the top nightspots.  Great value aside, Vegas offers visitors the experience of letting go of their struggles and embracing fantasy if only for a few nights.  Ashley Kim, door hostess at Prive believes the same.  “We do well because Vegas is where tourists come to have fun and forget about reality.”  All these factors keep the drinks flowing, the lines long and the DJ’s spinning.

With hotel and airfare prices dropping, there is no better time to enjoy all that Las Vegas has to offer. Although the rest of the nation fights the recession, it has become somewhat an ally to Vegas clubs and those smart enough to take advantage of it.