Las Vegas is not just a place; it’s a whole vibe. While the old saying goes, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” we’re tossing that aside to show you how to have a lit weekend in the city that never sleeps. Cue the viral *we had a TIME* meme.
Checking into our hotel, it looked like the stage was set for a typical fun Vegas weekend, but as the Strip’s neon lights flickered on a chilly April night, we soon experienced the true meaning of ‘lit.’
Our destination was Drai’s Nightclub at the Cromwell, a hotspot known for hosting some of the biggest names in music, such as Lil Wayne, Jeezy, Wiz Khalifa, Gucci Mane, and Chris Brown, among others. As Drai’s celebrates a decade of transforming Las Vegas nightlife, it stands out for its unparalleled offerings. Here, you don’t just go to a party; you also experience a full-fledged concert. While other venues might offer celebrity appearances featuring brief performances, Drai’s raises the bar by treating guests to live dancers, full productions, bottle service, and extensive 45-minute sets from their favorite artists– truly enhancing the concert-party hybrid experience. 10/10.
“We want to be known for this,” Dustin Drai, President of Drai’s Management Group, told Baller Alert amidst the lively atmosphere of the nightclub. “We don’t want to be known for artists coming on and doing two or three songs. We want to be known for full live performances—45 minutes, an hour, with a live band, everything. Once we started doing that, customers loved it,” he explained. Although there was some internal hesitation initially, he tells us, they found the “sweet spot” of what they’re known for, and now artists are even reaching out to play longer sets at Drai’s.
The vibes at Drai’s aren’t only at night. During the day, Drai’s Beachclub enters the chat. The open-aired venue situated 11 stories over the Vegas strip sets the stage for a perfect afternoon, inviting everyone to embrace their authentic selves in a true, no-judgment zone. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a bachelor/bachelorette bash, or even a break-up, there are no sad faces at this day club. Among the atmosphere, you’ll witness folks freely dancing, smiling, and living their best lives as the selector for the afternoon spins the biggest hip-hop records.
Celebrity performances are also a thing during the day. No, these live sets aren’t just exclusive to the nightclub; the beachclub also hosts famous acts on its stage, delivering 45-minute mini concerts that keep the crowd on their feet.
“We found a niche of what we do, and we do it very well, and we want to continue to do it well. We also want to continue to improve. We want to continue to find ways to make the concert better, make the experience better,” Dustin told us.
The roots of Drai’s go back to 1993, when Victor Drai, Dustin’s father, laid the foundation for the iconic brand in Los Angeles. In 1997, he brought Drai’s Restaurant and After Hours to Las Vegas, where it quickly became a legendary fixture on the Strip. The brand expanded its presence in 2014 with the launch of its game-changing nightclub and beachclub over Memorial Day Weekend.
@balleralert We had a timeeeee in #Vegas celebrating @draislasvegas’ 10th anniversary! ⭐ #thatsballer #draisbeachclub #draisnightclub #drais #nightlife
2024 marks ten years for the Drai’s Nightclub and Beachclub in Vegas. For the next ten years, they hope to “keep the consistency” but also find ways to improve the experience.
“We’re always trying to be ahead. We’re always trying to think, ‘what’s next, what’s coming, who are the new artists?’” Dustin explained.
Later this year, Drai’s will branch out to Dallas and then make its way to the nightlife scene in NYC.
Check out scenes from Drai’s 10th-anniversary celebration below.
