Some Secrets Inside Las Vegas Are Too Good To Keep

While the general rule for Las Vegas entertainment tends to be bigger is better, there are a few secret places where those rules don't apply. One of them is The Piano Lounge inside The Stirling Club.

On any given night when the guest list might include Kim Kardashian or Robert Duvall, entertainment requires a level of intimacy that most stages cannot accommodate.

“The intimacy and elegance of The Piano Lounge encourages the audience to interact," says Kelly Clinton, who headlines every Saturday at the exclusive Las Vegas Stirling Club at Turnberry Towers. “As a performer, you feel as if you are entertaining friends in the comfort of your own living room, with plenty of room to dance and always a lot of laughter.”

Clinton ought to know. While she insists her living room bears no resemblance to the lounge, she knows how to host a personal and unforgettable event. In fact, in addition to being an entertainer for entertainers, Clinton is responsible for some of the best known but little told impromptu jam sessions ever held in Las Vegas. Just a few recent surprise guests from the audience have included Bill Medley, Jack Jones, and Gordie Brown.

It all depends, she says, on who happens to be in the audience. And for Clinton, anybody and everybody might be in the audience. In fact, her consistent ability to draw entertainers to her show every Saturday night led to another opportunity. In between her work as a singer, actress, comedian, and impressionist, Clinton has become the club's entertainment director.

“As entertainment director, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to bring in talented and experienced musicians to this unique setting,” said Clinton. "Currently, we have one of my favorite singers, Elisa Fiorillo. She travels all over the world on tour with Prince. But when she is in town, she is a regular on 'Saturday Night Live.'”

According to Clinton, hosting friends is half the fun. Club members agree. In addition to Clinton's talents —she has also worked as a background singer for Engelbert Humperdinck, shared the stage with notable stars like Wayne Newton, and headlined at several resorts in Las Vegas — she has also earned a stellar reputation for bringing the best to a smaller stage. Just recently, in fact, she secured Early Clover from the Coasters to cover New Year's Eve.

The difference is in the venue. While Vegas is well known for hosting headliners at expansive venues like The Colosseum or The Pearl, there is something to be said for a setting that places entertainers within a few feet of every guest, and celebrities (sometimes) at the same table. Rather than just seeing legendary entertainers, guests share the experience with them.

Where The World Meets In Las Vegas

"I first want to thank The Stirling Club for an amazing evening. It was, overall, one of the best meals I have had in a very long time. The food, the service and the atmosphere were all excellent." — Jason Teitelman, BlogCatalog

With more than 140,500 guest rooms, 9.8 million square feet of convention and exhibit space, award-winning restaurants, luxurious spas, fantastic shopping, world class golf, and unique entertainment, Las Vegas remains one of the best vacation destinations in the world. In fact, beyond the allure as a vacation destination, it also remains one of the world's premier convention destinations.

"We live in a city with more meeting space than any other city in the world," says Kathleen Gustafson, executive director of membership at The Stirling Club. "Yet, The Stirling Club is a unique place to meet because of its central location, convenience, and ability to make a lasting impression."

During the BlogWorld New Media Expo 2009, members of BlogCatalog (Tony Berkman, Oscar Tijerina, and Jason Teitelman) BrooWaha (John Froch and his wife, Joanne), Copywrite, Ink. (Richard Becker and Hadley Thom) along with Jenny Lawson, Jason Falls, and Jay Ehret, chose the member-only club from the fast-paced excitement of the expo. For a few hours, there was an opportunity to focus in on social media trends over dinner.

The signature menu, developed by James Beard award-winning executive chef Charlie Palmer. Palmer is best known for signature Progressive American Cooking, a style built on rambunctious flavors and unexpected combinations with a deep and lasting infusion of classical French cuisine.

"Without a doubt, people eat with their eye long before they put fork to food," says Palmer. "So I continue to look for a playful yet respectful way to create excitement on the plate."

Even more remarkable, Palmer is also responsible for ensuring the private catering experience for the members and guests of The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place. The exclusive venue is suitable for groups of 20 to 500 people; the member dining room is perfect for smaller groups.

Add The Exclusive Cocktail

Gone are the days when Vegas was only known for gambling and cheap buffets. As home to some of the most prestigious resorts, restaurants, and spas in the world, Las Vegas can be as luxurious as it is entertaining. In between spa treatments and fine dining, you can find some of the most expensive cocktails in the world.

In fact, according to the University of Luxury, the top five most expensive cocktails in Las Vegas, easily compete with the most expensive cocktails in the world.

5. King Richard's Pride - $1,000

At BOA in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, King Richard's Pride is a $1,000 a drink consisting of Hennessy Richard, Dom Perignon Rosé 1996 and Chambord Liqueur Royale de France with a splash of lime and cranberry. Add an orange slice to the rim of a keepsake Baccarat cocktail glass.

4. The Presidential - $1,000

Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino features a $1,000 martini called The Presidential. The price is driven by the best of the best — Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac and Dom Perignon champagne.

3. Duvet Passion - $1,500

The Seablue Restaurant at the MGM Grand serves a mix of rare and aged cognacs with the blend of vintage champagnes, garnished with a vanilla orchid petal. This drink for $1,500 was introduced on Valentine's Day in 2005. It's still loved today.

2. High Limit Kir Royale - $2,200

The second most expensive drink in Las Vegas used to be served inside of the The Teatro Euro Bar at the MGM Grand. It featured Louis Roederer Cristal Rose champagne, Hardy Perfection cognac, Grand Marnier Cent Cinquantenaire, and fresh muddled raspberries. The bar has since been supplanted by Rogue. It could be anyone's guess if Rogue stole the recipe.

1. Ménage a Trois - $3,000

As anyone might expect, the Wynn Las Vegas still lays claim to the most expensive cocktail in Las Vegas and the third most expensive in the world. The Ménage a Trois at Tryst is made with Cristal Rosé, Hennessy Ellipse and Grand Marnier Cent-cinquantenaire. 23-karat gold flakes and liquid gold syrup decorate the cocktail, which is sipped through a golden straw, studded with a 9-point diamond. The diamond is yours to keep.

Of course, if you're really looking for something more exclusive in Las Vegas than the Ménage a Trois, any cocktail ordered at The Cigar Bar inside The Stirling Club can compete with the world's most expensive drinks. The reason is simple. To even order a cocktail in The Cigar Bar, you have to be a member.

With membership comes other luxurious exclusives as well. In addition to being able to order the finest cognacs, cordials, and ports from around the world, Stirling Club members can store their personal cigars in exclusive humidors kept on property. And that is just one more reason The Stirling Club comes out on top as the place to find rare and rewarding cocktail experiences in Las Vegas.

A Stirling Effort in Support of Teachers

The Stirling Club is the venue of choice for many companies and organizations. One of them, The Executive Lounge, hosts member mixers every Tuesday night. The mixers, referred to as “The Tomb,” are modeled after East Coast secret societies, making the piano lounge and cigar bar an especially fitting venue.

The Tomb provides an opportunity for professionals, socialites, entrepreneurs, and other like-minded people to enjoy art, food, wine, current events, travel, leisure, and a little business. Their motto, “social first, business second,” encourages members (loungers) to build genuine friendships that lead to long-lasting business relationships.

On Sept. 22, The Tomb became much more than a social mixer, featuring Lon Kruger, UNLV men’s basketball coach, and the Tickets for Teachers program.

The program provides two season tickets (football and basketball) to every elementary and middle school in the district. Principals are then encouraged to use the tickets as a teacher incentive or for recognition. Tickets are provided through ‘angel’ donations from community members.

"The atmosphere of the event was great," said Christa McGraw, who takes the lead on community outreach for Coach Kruger. "It allowed us to reach people we would not have otherwise and raise awareness for the program. We are thankful for their support."

During the “The Tomb" mixer, loungers were asked to make a voluntary $20 donation in support of the program. In return, they received a complimentary ‘teacher-tini’ (a.k.a. a zesty cosmo). Thanks to their support, The Executive Lounge and The Stirling Club funded more than 120 of the 274 schools in a single evening.

As this was the first fundraising event for the program since it was started a year ago, Coach Kruger seemed especially humbled by the support. After a sharing a few inspirational words with the guests, he took the time to mingle with guests and express his gratitude on an individual basis.

"It's been wonderful to see UNLV fans come together to say 'thank you' to our community's teachers," said coach Kruger.

There is still time to show your support. If you would like to make a donation in support of Tickets for Teachers click here for a basketball ticket order form or here for the football ticket order form.