Step into the Art Of The Wild sanctuary, and save this mini survival guide for future Las Vegas nightclub excursions!
Last weekend, Framework and Wynn Nightlife turned XS Nightclub into a sexy jungle habitat for Art Of The Wild Reimagined. Vines and foliage haloed the dance floor and bordered the DJ booth, and on the third night, a touch of red drapery was introduced. The decoration complemented the festive collection of deep, organic, melodic, and classic house delivered by artists like Guy Gerber, Jan Blomqvist, Vintage Culture, Bob Moses, and RÜFÜS DU SOL.
This unique celebration brought out a melting pot of people, hosting burner types to business buffs, and rave rebels to glitzy groups dressed to the nines. On the prowl for some sensory stimulation? The dark room never ceased to dazzle, between the strobes, multi-color moving heads, bottle girl sparklers, and strips of LED screen.
For three consecutive nights, totaling a whopping 36 hours of music, drinks were flowing and bodies were grooving. Even for a seasoned pro, spending a weekend in a top-tier Vegas nightclub comes with its challenges, but you can conquer anything with a little bit of preparation and a whole lot of passion. To help out, I’ve compiled a list of pro tips I practiced at Art Of The Wild.
Get there early to beat the lines and soak up the ambiance.
We’ve all been there. Your favorite DJ comes on at 1am, and after pre-gaming a bit too long and placing the final touch on makeup and fits, you’re lining up at 12:45am. But now you’ve encountered your first issue. Just ahead of the headliner, the lines are longer than they’ve been all night, and for security to keep us safe, bag and body checks are slowing things down.
That is the norm for most nightclubs on the Vegas strip, but for this special event XS was stacked with staff who kept things moving at a great pace. Those of us who arrived before ten waltzed in within seconds. From here it’s off to explore the grounds, grab a drink, and make a pit stop before the rush locks you in place.
Prepare for high drink prices but consider the location.
It’s 2024 and there’s no such thing as cheap, especially when you’re going to one of the best nightclubs on the strip. If you’re able to go with a large group, buying a table is your best bet. You can spread the cost fairly, and you have a place to rest your weary dancing feet if the need arises.
If you’re a lone wolf like me, however, then regular visits to the bar are the only answer. While I was paying $20 a drink, this is still considered average, if not a little bit lower than many of XS’ competitors. I also compliment them on the size of the pour; two glasses of Chardonnay were all that was needed.
One thing I adored about the layout was that not only did they have two massive bars inside XS, but they also had two more outside, which were open for service after 11pm. There was even an extra bathroom tucked near the cabanas, and this outdoor oasis became my go-to spot when there was barely any breathing room inside.
That brings me to my next tip…
Find a comfortable spot away from the dancefloor.
One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to Las Vegas nightclubs is the tiny community dance space. I get it, though; these are businesses that make their money on bottle service. Some still address this issue better than others, and XS is one of the good guys.
Before midnight, it was easy to let loose right in front of the DJ booth. As the squeeze began to set in, though, it was time to reassess. Making my way back up the ramp, I noticed that behind each bottle service table, there was enough room to congregate while still staying out of the walkway. There were also ledges on the backs of each booth to set your drink.
I settled in on a spot just to the left of the dancefloor entry ramp and quickly realized I had discovered the best view in the house, overlooking the club. It was here that I noticed an interesting traffic flow process.
There was a security guard posted at the top of the ramp, and once the dancefloor filled up, he stopped anyone else from entering. As people left, he would let a few more trickle in and this kept the dancefloor from turning into a death trap. What’s more? Every security guard I encountered was genuinely pleasant, even when encouraging people to “keep it moving.”
Finally, don’t forget to spread PLUR!
Coming out of the OG rave community, one thing that’s always on the forefront of my mind is how I treat people on and off the dancefloor. It can be difficult to lead with peace, love, unity, and respect when the body is tired and (often intoxicated) humans are slamming into each other. But to make the scene a safe and happy place for all, PLUR needs to stay alive.
Fortunately, Art Of The Wild was full of PLUR-practicing people, and the simple act of letting a woman slip into my safe space garnered great conversation and comfortable dance breaks. On the second night, PLUR was extended back to me and my husband when we were invited to take up space within a unique group of music lovers who understood the assignment.
Would I attend the next Art Of The Wild?
Going into my first Art Of The Wild experience, I wasn’t sure how I was going to fare after three long nights in a Vegas club. But remaining proactive every step of the way and focusing on my love for the lineup culminated in positive memories that’ll remain for months to come. So, without any hesitation, the answer is yes, I’d go back a million times over!
I’d nonetheless love to see the event moved back outside like in years past. By my measure, it’s simply a better fit for the warm and earthy sonic stylings.
Who were my standouts? WhoMadeWho, who earned a forever fan with their live vocal prowess, and Bedouin, a genre-defying duo who swept me away to dance with tribes on the other side of the planet. But above all else, it was Crosstown Rebels‘ Damian Lazarus who earned the crown for the best set I’ve ever heard in my life.
