Rockers Paradise

Aug 16, 2008

It’s after midnight on opening weekend inside Wasted Space — the Hard Rock’s Hotel & Casino Las Vegas’ newest club — and Gavin Rossdale is up on stage. Having just finished a full concert next door at The Joint, his voice is a bit hoarse, but he’s in great spirits as he sips on a Jack and Coke and talks to the crowd, which has since migrated to the postage stamp-size square in front of the stage.

Although it feels like a rock ’n’ roll bar,
Wasted Space offers bottle service
at 17 tables and booths.

"Let’s get ready to rumble," screams the raspy-voiced rocker as he breaks into his former band, Bush’s, hit "Glycerine."

A half-hour later he ends his set playing, "Comedown," and as he disappears into the back of the room where Benji Madden, Paris Hilton, Stephen Baldwin and Mike Tyson have been taking in the show. Next, Dave Navarro and Camp Freddy hop on stage to perform.

It’s nights like this that Wasted Space is gunning for, when rockers just show up, jump on stage — drink in hand — and jam for a few songs.

"We have created something that has not existed in Vegas," explains the club’s managing partner Cory McCormack. "This town needed a small, intimate place to see live music and up-and-coming acts on a more personal basis. It’s a rock ’n’ roll bar with a high-end feel. Think Viper Room, Roxy, CBGB back in the day, meets the Four Seasons."

At 5,000 square feet, Wasted Space is small in stature when compared to the megaclubs on the Strip. But don’t expect a dingy rocker bar; this place has some class to it and that includes bottle service at the 17 tables and booths and original artwork including a 30-foot-long collage made of vintage band posters with the club’s winged microphone logo stenciled over them.

Co-owned by the Hard Rock, motocross star Carey Hart and New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi, Wasted Space was born out of an idea Hart had in his head for five years.

"This is something that represents me. I’m not the type to hang out in an ultra-lounge and listen to Top 40 music. This is a place where rockers or people interested in the rock star, rock ’n’ roll lifestyle want to come hang out at. We are going to have something for everybody," says Hart. "We’re going to do a lot of out-of-the-box stuff. [The Hard Rock] has been very true to rock ’n’ roll, but we’re gonna roll the dice a little bit and try to bring the underground of New York and underground of L.A. to Las Vegas because nobody is taking chances like that."

And while Wasted Space has plans to book unknown artists (every Tuesday is "Indie’D Night"), it’s the early morning impromptu performances by the big names that Hart hopes will catch on.

"When you put people in that situation you get some of the coolest organic rock ’n’ roll that has ever been done."

Contact

Wasted Space
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
4455 Paradise Road
Phone: 702-693-4040
www.hartswastedspace.com
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 8 p.m.-4 a.m.
Cover varies: $10-$25

LOVE Tapis Rouge: Cirque’s VIP Experience

For true Beatles fans and businessmen and women looking to impress clients, this may be the best way to see one of Las Vegas’ most popular shows. Cirque du Soleil has introduced the LOVE Tapis Rouge program—a special VIP experience that starts pre-show at the Revolution Lounge and ends with clients watching the "The Beatles LOVE" from the theater’s top seats.

French for "red carpet," Tapis Rouge patrons begin the evening at the Revolution Lounge where they are treated to tray-passed hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails. Hosts are also on hand to provide insights into "LOVE" and answer questions about the show. As showtime approaches, guests will pick up a customized "LOVE" gift bag and be escorted to the theater where, in the lobby, there is a line at the concession stand dedicated to Tapis Rouge pass holders. Then it’s off to the best seats in the house.

To purchase Tapis Rouge tickets ($295 per person), call (866) 236-5652 or visit the box office at The Mirage or any other MGM Mirage property. Tapis Rouge is available to guests over 21 years of age.