Surrender Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas features an impressive lineup of DJ residencies.
What happens in Vegas at the Encore Beach Club at Wynn Las Vegas is people can lounge on oversized lily pads resting in shallow pools of water. What happens in Vegas is people can enjoy unobstructed views of the Strip at night from behind Ghostbar’s 14-ft. floor-to-ceiling windows at the Palms Casino Resort. What happens in Vegas is people can get up close and personal with the iconic Bellagio fountains at Hyde Bellagio’s expansive outdoor terrace and bar. And what happens in Vegas, and is sure to stay, is an eclectic and envious mix of renowned DJs regularly providing live EDM, hip-hop, R&B and even country music experiences for club guests at all three of these locations.
From live musical performances to special DJ appearances and scheduled DJ residencies, the Las Vegas entertainment market is unique with a year-round life span that is hard to find anywhere else.
“The great part about Las Vegas, and Wynn specifically,” said Sean Christie, managing partner of Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub, “is that guys like David Guetta and Kaskade and Avicci, they’re playing year-round here, where in every other market in the world that doesn’t happen. You can come to Las Vegas and see that type of quality entertainment and DJs all year.”
Trend Setter
Encore Beach Club At Wynn is a Vegas-style adult pool party with live music that doesn't disappoint.
With a hearty list of 35-40 resident DJs in 2014, Wynn Las Vegas is able to spread the talent between their four nightclubs, including Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub. Big names like Dillon Francis, AN21, Diplo, Skrillex, Major Lazer and Fedde le Grand, as well as some vocal-based talent with Lil John, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and Akon were all part of the roster.
When Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub opened in 2010, DJ residencies “weren’t really a thing,” according to Christie. But they instituted two promotions at the clubs, Kaskade Sundays and Aoki’s House, that involved weekly appearances by Kaskade and Steve Aoki, becoming some of the first to regularly program big DJs.
“Encore Beach Club was recognized as kind of setting the tone for that,” said Christie. “I think we were early in the market and then, with that also, America’s fascination with EDM created the perfect storm and it crossed over from being a thing in the clubs to being something you could see commercially and people selling out arenas. And because we were first in, we definitely helped set the tone for that.”
Surrender Nightclub is open from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, while Encore Beach Club opens seasonally for daytime and nighttime adult pool parties. Cover prices begin at $32 for women and $42 for men and, with a combined capacity of 3,000 people, “party” is the appropriate word.
Surrender Nightclub features three bars, with a 90-ft. metallic snake looming large above the main one, indoor VIP booths and a plethora of poolside cabanas and bungalows outside. The dance floor starts where the DJ booth stops, allowing for easy crowd interaction. Encore Beach Club brings the party to the three-tiered pool’s bar-lined deck with a DJ booth at one end and speakers spread throughout the club.
All of the entertainment is booked in house, and Christie plays a major role in signing DJs to residencies for the clubs. Almost all of the DJs who perform are residencies, with the occasional one-offs used as a showcase for prospective future residencies.
“We align ourselves with certain people,” said Christie, “and we want to make sure that the Wynn brand is aligned properly with other brands, i.e. the correct DJs and entertainers and performers. We also can market them more effectively, because if I have, let’s say a year, or two years in some cases, I can really spend more money on building them in the marketplace without the pressure of them doing a hit and run. So I’m able to basically market them in a more mass marketed way if I know they’re here and not just coming one time.”
Exclusivity is an important part of building the DJ roster. Each of Wynn’s DJs is contractually unable to play at any other venues, with the exception of a couple of festivals, without their prior approval.
“They’re being exposed to our customer base and then we don’t want them to necessarily jump ship and go across the street and take a percentage with them,” said Christie. “But that just goes back into the marketing of it, too. We don’t want to spend all this money building or exposing or distributing to a certain DJ and helping them develop a following, and then they go over to another club and take all that with them.”
Eclectic Roster
Ghostbar at Palm Casino Resort in Las Vegas offers a sophisticated atmosphere and a range of music styles with their DJ residencies.
Their tagline, “Everything else is beneath you,” physically becomes true when entering Ghostbar 55 floors up in the Palm Casino Resort’s Ivory Tower. With bold pops of fuchsia in the sophisticated color scheme, Ghostbar’s chic feel offers guests a more intimate experience with its 350-person capacity.
Open seven nights a week from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., Ghostbar’s in-house booking provides guests with live music and DJs every night. Other than special events one to two times a month, all the nightly performances are done by Ghostbar’s six resident DJs.
The roster includes senior residents Mark Stylz and Exodus, along with Benny Black, Presto One, Seany Mac and b-radical.
“Something to note is each person’s individual style and the diversity of the roster,” said PR Manager Lindsay Feldman. “Mark has been with us for 10 years, Exodus is a hip-hopper, as is Seany, though all of them do open format. Benny Black is the only video jockey on our roster, b-radical is our country music specialist and Presto One is a turntablist.”
With a cover charge of $10 for women and $20 for men Sunday through Thursday and $20 for women and $25 for men on Friday and Saturday, their midsized DJ roster appeals to a variety of guests, providing range and promising consistency.
“We have guest DJs in also, but our residents are like music/brand ambassadors for our property,” said marketing manager Savyna Roufeh. “They’re an integral part of Palms’ day and night life family.”
Though Ghostbar has signed fewer resident DJs, Roufeh said they are always open to new talent, but the venue size and vibe match well and do not leave guests wanting.
No-Resident Approach
The Hyde Bellagio takes advantage of its surroundings to offer a unique experience.
With one of Las Vegas’ most recognizable landmarks just outside the door, SBE’s Hyde Bellagio at the Bellagio boasts a truly unique outdoor terrace space and nightclub experience. Open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 p.m. to late, this nightclub has 38 tables and a 714-person capacity.
For an average admission of $20 for women and $30 for men, guests are able to enjoy a diverse rotation of DJs and live performances. The Hyde Bellagio provides clientele with regularly programmed entertainment without having any DJ residencies.
“While we do have artists and DJs that return for future engagements at the nightclub, right now Hyde doesn’t have any formal residencies,” said marketing manager Rick Onsurez. “The entertainment lineup changes frequently, so guests can expect exciting new talent on each visit.”
Hyde Bellagio regularly features talent such as DJ Scooter, DJ Skratchy and DJ Spider. Their nightly lounge also features live music performances starting at 5 p.m.
The club includes two bars featuring award-winning mixology, and an elevated DJ booth is set up in front of a wall of turned-over pewter candlesticks, which makes for a unique backdrop. With no official dance floor, room between and around booths and tables can be used to dance.
Interviewed for this article: Jim Havey, (646) 554-5519; Sean Christie, (702) 770-7301; Lindsay Feldman and Savyna Roufeh, (702) 942-6867; Rick Onsurez, (702) 737-3100