Admission to boutique Lavo lets patrons visit its larger sibling, Tao

Lavo Nightclub at the Palazzo is a creation of the same people who operate Tao at The Venetian. But, like any other siblings, Lavo and Tao have their own personalities.

"We like to call (Lavo) our baby sister, because it's smaller and more intimate," explains Jason Strauss, managing partner of both clubs.

Lavo Nightclub opened about 15 months ago. And, Strauss says, the goal from the outset was to "set ourselves apart" not only from its bigger sibling, but from every other nightclub in town.

Fittingly for a club named for the Latin verb for "bathe" or "wash," Lavo's decor is inspired by the ornate look of a Mediterranean bathhouse, an effect created through tile, arches and columns, a bridge, decorative Turkish water basins and artwork.

The nightclub takes up about 4,000 square feet. So, Strauss says, the feel is decidedly different from that of megaclubs elsewhere around town.

"It's definitely a boutique nightclub," he says.

But Lavo also meshes nicely with Tao, Strauss adds, because the clubs offer "a whole different nightclub experience."

"You can party with 500 to 800 people (at Lavo) or party with 3,000 at Tao," Strauss says.

Entrance to Lavo also offers entrance into Tao, Strauss says, and some patrons "do want to experience both in the same night."

Then, add on to that Lavo's restaurant and ultralounge, and patrons enjoy "three or four different experiences in one place," Strauss says.

"We have a 150-seat outside patio overlooking the Strip, and only a few restaurants in Vegas have that kind of amenity."

Lavo is open from 11 p.m. until about 4 a.m. Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 10 p.m. until about 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Cover is $20 for men and $10 for women Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays, $20 for both men and women on Fridays and $30 for men and $20 for women Saturdays. Locals are always admitted free.

For more information, call 791-1818.

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.