The first time I ever landed in Las Vegas, a 50-something lady walked up to my group and said: “welcome to the hedonism capital of the world.”
In the city with gambling in the airport, nude dancing at the classiest hotels, no last call for alcohol and no open container laws, it’s not surprising to find that the 1990’s notion that Las Vegas was the perfect family vacation has been abandoned in favor of “what happens here stays here.”
Of course, the family vacation motif was an advertising campaign, and so is “what happens here stays here.”
But sexuality is everywhere in this city. Las Vegas is home to some of America’s best-designed clubs and bars with themed nights that are almost always sexually driven. Often, you’re not even looking for it and all of a sudden, it’s there. Not only is it there, sex is in the mainstream in Vegas. You can’t walk down a street without seeing an advertisement for a topless stage show—because the entire strip is hotels and casinos and almost all of the hotels and casinos have topless or risqué shows.
Perhaps the sexiest of these shows is Fantasy at the Luxor, with its ridiculously tempting advertisements featuring girls in lingerie striking a “come hither” pose. The show takes on all comers and role-plays situations like the sultry office rendezvous and mixes it up with singing and comedy, and grandparents are going to see it as well as 20-somethings and newly married couples. No kids.
In fact, I haven’t seen many families at all this week. Walking along the strip, through the hotels and in the restaurants, it’s all adults: groups of men, women, guys, girls and couples enjoying a 21+ version of Walt Disney World.
And that stands as a testament to the wholesale stripper culture. Strippers occupy 116 pages of the Las Vegas Yellow Pages. ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN pages are dedicated to women and men who take their clothes off for money. The ads are entertaining if nothing else, and they range in everything from identical twin redheads to 60-year-olds.
Article comments
1 - Geoffrey
Well, it ain't exactly an expose'
Were you surprised by what you witnessed in Vegas?
Was it your first time?
Try the rest of Nevada. It's more descrete, but it still rocks.
2 - Bryan McKay
"Sex may sell, it is not for sale in Las Vegas"
Except for the legal brothels nearby - such as the (in)famous Bunnyland Ranch.
3 - John Guilfoil
Geoffrey - No I've been there a few times and I'm definitely not surprised. I just wanted to write about it as part of my "Vegas Notebook" series for my own blog, www.prrag.com
I needed to keep updating the blog this week so I'm throwing in what I saw and did in Vegas
Bryan: Yeah I've heard of the Bunnyland Ranch. That's why I made sure to mention that it was a "city limits" thing.
4 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Hah! And I was thinking of moving to Vegas to find a stronger Jewish community to raise my family. Yep! Just what I needed - a city of sexual degradation in a state filled with whores and gambling.
I'll stick with this place any day of the week.
5 - tracey
Well I like Vegas but the "slapers" need to go away! I know the crap people say "freedom of speach" But lets call it what it is solisitation of sex! and sex for money is a no no in Vegas. They are dirty also because they leave cards all over the sidewalk and street and again thats a no no!!! The A.C.L.U says freedom of speach but is it ? I dont think so. I couldnt pass out cards that say " I hate blacks" or "I hate gays" That would be a hate crime and I have no write to do that. Why is passing out a card that stands for two( Hopefuly adults) haveing sex in a city like Vegas for money be Wrong ?? Its against the law to have sex for money in Vegas!!!!!
6 - Las Vegas Nightlife
it's true. over the years, vegas has moved from a family oriented destination to a more adult oriented destination. I don't think there is anything wrong with that though.