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Omnia leads Hakkasan Group’s nightclub, dayclub return

Updated February 17, 2021 - 5:45 pm

Roughly a year ago, the Kansas City Chiefs hit a pair of Hakkasan Group clubs to celebrate winning Super Bowl LIV. Wet Republic was trumpeting a club-wide renovation, in time for the upcoming pool season.

What a difference a year, and COVID-19, make.

But Hakkasan Group is stirring back to life beginning March 5, as Omnia at Caesars Palace and Wet Republic at MGM Grand return to business. Liquid Pool Lounge at Aria is back March 12. The clubs are enforcing adherence to the public gathering and pandemic restrictions for nightclubs and dayclubs, mandated by Gov. Steve Sisolak.

The clubs are allowed to move to 35 percent capacity on March 1, moving to 50 percent on March 15.

Last March, Hakkasan Group laid off 1,600 employees as it shut down all of its worldwide operations, including its nightclubs and dayclubs on the Strip. Hakkasan Executive Vice President of Entertainment James Algate says 225 are coming back in what should be a phased-in return to business.

“Whilst having to pivot away from our traditional class leading entertainment based concepts, we are delighted to start reopening our venues. We will enjoy unlocking the doors, welcoming back our customers and also over 225 loyal team members who have had a difficult past twelve months,” Algate said Tuesday in an email statement. “We will continue to welcome further easing of restrictions and a timely return to our regular operations so we are able to deliver remarkable experiences for all guests and staff alike.”

Algate said the company will move to return other venues, among them the new Mexican restaurant opening at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

“We remain hopeful to reopen additional venues as and when remaining restrictions are lifted and business levels sufficiently return,” Algate said. ‘In further positive news our new Mexican restaurant concept Casa Calavera is also due to open in Virgin Hotel Las Vegas at the end of March, we are thankful to be able to enroll another 50-plus staff for that launch.”

Wet Republic and Liquid Pool Lounge were allowed to reopen during July for part of pool season. The party spaces operated as an extension of their hotels’ resort pools.

Hakkasan’s returning venues are moving off their usual protocols. Omnia is returning with its outdoor, Strip-facing terrace open as a lounge. Liquid Pool Lounge and Wet Republic are again re-opening as a section of the resorts’ pools, to support customer demand during the summer.

Admission is restricted to guests ages 21 and over. Reservations are required for hotel and non-hotel guests. General admission is allowed under pandemic restrictions.

The venues are also using touchless QR codes rather than regular menus. VIP sections are separated for social distancing, and the clubs are undergoing routine and rigorous cleaning.

Omnia (omnianightclub.com) is open Fridays and Saturdays 10:30 p.m. until late, as business merits. Wet Republic (wetrepublic.com) is open 11 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays until closing. Liquid Pool Lounge (liquidpoollv.com) is open 11 a.m. Fridays through Sundays until closing.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.

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