Vegas Pool Parties: The Five Best Parties to Hit Up in Sin City

I had the pleasure of seeing Jamie Jones a few years back and I can confidently say the Welsh lad knows how to please the crowd with cuts destined to be stuck in your head for months. He’s currently one of the standout residents at the Encore Beach Club at the Wynn Encore and is making fat drops under the hot Vegas sun during the EBC pool parties. He’s not the only name on the list of residents that caught my eye—Black Coffee’s spirited Afropolitan house beats ensure nobody on the dance floor is standing still.

Just like the non-stop action of party destinations like Ibiza, EBC has pool parties happening all day and all night, all weekend long. From Thursday to Saturday you can catch Nightswim, where the pool party atmosphere is amped up after dusk with an amazing light show and plenty of partiers still sporting their swimsuit best.

It’s late afternoon and you’ve finally managed to push your way to the front of the crowd. Suddenly, a lineup of ladies in heels appears in front of the stage, spraying you with a bottle of champagne that probably costs as much as your hotel room. ‘This is how they do it’ at the Wet Republic Party at the MGM Grand whose lineup of resident DJs includes superstars like TIËSTO and Calvin Harris.

It gets even wilder. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot Rihanna but in a split second, she disappears, only to be replaced by Kim Kardashian-West, in the flesh. The glitterati regularly rent out the incredible Wet Republic VIP bungalows that come with their own private pools and a slew of amenities. Should you make it out for a boogie, check the papers the following day to see if you’re in the background of any paparazzi pics.

I’ve often wondered how million dollar ideas are born and a good place to start my research would be with the Eureka moment that birthed Rehab at the Hard Rock, the first of the Vegas pool parties. They essentially launched the scene in Las Vegas back in 2003 and have continued pumping out legendary parties every Thursday till Monday with solid EDM lineups for scores of beautiful twenty-somethings.

They’ve kept the concept exciting by going harder, faster and bigger than the rest, expanding the capacity to meet the demands of partygoers. It gets busy quickly and stays busy all day, so come prepared for a wait to get in. Once inside, it’s hard to pretend you’re unimpressed with the soaring palm trees and sandy beach. Rehabbers can also swim up to a blackjack table to try to win back the money you’ve blown on those devilishly good cocktails.

For the most fabulous sun seekers, partying under the reflection of the golden Luxor pyramid during Temptation Sundays is a must—and not just for the even suntan. The LGBTQI-focused party that welcomes everyone is rammed with go-go boys dancing their little butts off, unicorn inflatables topped by foxy revelers and sexy speedos as far as the eye can see.

The crowd is as friendly as they are beautiful and the resident DJs seem to have a knack for knowing just what song everyone wants to hear next. Theme parties and drink specials appear often but if you can time your visit with Las Vegas Pride in September, they’ll have an extra special bash in store.

Catering to those with a European sensibility for topless sunbathing and an actual preference for what rum goes in their daiquiri, the Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace hosts a party every day of the week. It’s drastically more down-tempo than the others with more emphasis placed on chilling in luxury.

Plates of frozen fruit are passed around and hourly Evian water spritz-downs are a godsend in the heat. Spa services are also available so you can firm with a wrap or release some tension with a massage without ever leaving the pool deck.