EAST OF THE STRIP. Setting the Vegas standard for dance clubs, Body English provides a decadent, no-expense-spared experience. If you can gain entry, start the evening in the top level's lounge, where bottle-service booths (around $300 minimum) overlook the pulsating dance floor below. When you're ready to descend, you'll be treated to a wickedly correct mixture of hip-hop, house, and rock spun by celebrity DJs. An ultra-exclusive VIP booth downstairs features one-way glass, so dress to impress and bring out your hottest moves.

THE STRIP. Cleopatra's Barge is quite a popular nightspot and if you're looking for great fun, you'll definitely find it here! This Egyptian-themed dance club has long been a favorite of Las Vegas's older crowd, which has spent the last 30 or so years parading around with their favorite cocktails while bebopping to classic rock, R&B, and dance hits. In recent years, the lounge experienced a total facelift, reinventing itself as a haven for the younger tourist crowd and featuring weekend dance parties led by the R&B styling of Anita Sarawak and the Rhythm Nation.

THE STRIP. This elegant space accommodates 1,300 people, and its large stage typically hosts rock and metal bands, although at times, major DJ talents take over. The central floor is lined with recessed, semicircular booths, perfect for four or five friends. Large, cozy couches and a warm color scheme encourage audiophiles to mingle between sets. If more privacy is desired, head to the upper balcony or to the patio for views of the Strip. The prominently-hung signature chandelier occasionally descends in a blaze of color and light.

THE STRIP. The best in gay nightlife isn't hard to find in Vegas ­ just wander into Gipsy, east of the Strip. Drag shows, go-go dancers, and a dance floor where patrons are packed like sardines make for a hot scene that attracts huge crowds nightly. If you can tunnel through to the bar, you'll find relatively good drink prices and friendly barkeeps. Techno, pop, and disco are the music genres of choice, and resident DJs pack in the crowds even more tightly on weekends.

EAST OF THE STRIP. There's something for everyone at Ice. The club is divided into unique areas, each with its own personality, and the Brazilian-walnut dance floor has a built-in layer of cushioning for maximum comfort. As you groove to the house DJ's tunes, bursts of liquid nitrogen are strategically released to keep you and your fellow booty-shakers cool and collected. Another more relaxed lounge overlooks the dance floor action. Don't miss the S&M-themed Fur Room, where furry walls and latex furniture provide plenty of conversation-starters.