Las Vegas: Less Sleaze, More Swank

For a livelier dining experience, try STACK at The Mirage, with its Gehry-like interior, or Simon Kitchen at Hard Rock Casino, with its eclectic cuisine and rock n' roll clientele, including Mick Jagger, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and supermodel Naomi Campbell. Until Wolfgang Puck's CUT debuts in the lobby of the new 50-story Palazzo Tower at the Venetian, they're the hippest meals in town.

Yes, I'm on the Guest List

If it's your first time in Vegas, then you probably won't take this part serious enough. Your clout in the boardroom will mean nothing to the snooty twenty-something girl processing bottle service costing $1,000 outside the area's hottest club. The key to avoid handing over your Black Am-Ex is to plan ahead, try to secure guest list information from nightclub Web sites or even solicit your hotel concierge for some legwork.

If you're starting early (anything before midnight), you'll want to check out two spots that opened in late 2006. Social House at Treasure Island offers a chic tiki theme and lively cocktail crowd with a hip outdoor patio overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard. The other is the Playboy Club atop the new Palm's Fantasy Tower that comes complete with bunny-eared blackjack dealers and a glittery 1970s vibe.

For those looking for more of a mellow cocktail atmosphere, try the Caramel Lounge at the Bellagio, with its oversize ottomans and super seductive lounge atmosphere popular with money-loving singles.

Party like a Jay-Z Video

If after midnight you'll want to hit the dance clubs, our top pick is Pure Nightclub at Caesar's Palace with its hip-hop minded decadence and periodic theme nights. There is a lot of riffraff in Vegas nightlife, so splurge on the bottle service and make a quick entrance to the upper VIP area.