Discreet, Intimate, and Las Vegas\nIs this a lounge, nightclub, or the refractory period after a successful night in Las Vegas?\n\nSpeakeasy - It is not as easy as it sounds. If you are unfamiliar with the prohibition era you need to know Las Vegas embodies speakeasies and Holly Madison has brought it back with a modern twist. Like all speakeasies discretion is key. Inconspicuously tucked in the corner the typical tourist may literally walk past this place because it is seemingly a small bar yet it is camouflaging the experiences within. This was a soft opening. With next to no advertisement the onus is on you. My wife knew where to go. \n\nYou'll see a car, but not the usual car surrounded by slot machines begging to be won. Next to it a well dressed, well groomed man to screen wanderers for the 21+ limit. I casually struck up conversation and inserted the name of the bar like a secret pass-phrase. The bouncer knew what I meant and told us the unique password that would grant my spouse and I access. Tonight was \"Cold War\". The secrecy and use of codes words threw me back in time to the age of illegal pleasures (and alcohol was illegal). I moved toward the bar and then used this pass-phrase in a sentence. \"I'm glad the cold war is over,\" and, reminiscent of a spy film, the secondary bouncer agreed in kind, allowing access to the bar.\n\nWhen we finished our beverage we progressed to a wonderfully hidden passageway to enter 1923: Bourbon & Burlesque. Tonight was the second night of operation, the \"soft opening.\" Everything was clean and crisp, and begged to be toured. There is the cigar room with paintings on the wall demanding the masculine man to breathe in its offerings. We found our seats on the ground level in front of the main \"stage.\" The bar may be appear small, but I prefer to say intimate. You can mix and mingle with like minded persons, but I relaxed with my wife.\n\nThe bar is fairly priced for the strip. \n\nNow, to get to my review: \nMany of the men, from the bouncer outside to the band members inside wore the typical fedora or Newboy hat. There were other hats of that era why not try them out? See Cloche hat for women, or the Bowler, Homburg and Straw Boater for men. And the Cocktail servers looked like they came off their shift from dancing on the card tables. Change their attire please. You can still be sexy. Speaking of, the cocktail waitresses were no where near the version of 1920s beauty. See Christina Hendricks in Mad Men. \n\nI was not a fan of the DJ playing bass bumping music. Was I in a speakeasy or an attempt at being another club? Refer to The Great Gatsby and encourage use of the dance floor. However, as the night progressed things changed from a club to speakeasy with a live band playing off to the side. The band played mixed songs, more instrumentals of modern music which was perfect for me. The volume was a bit too loud for my taste, it seemed I was yelling at my wife sitting right next to me. Allow patrons to have an even conversation about their Vegas conquest without feeling like shouting. \n\nThe Bar and service. Service was great or perhaps they were overstaffed? Cause of the soft open. The first bar you see is the mixology bar, where they can work their magic conjuring any drink you desire. I went to the secondary bar. I was able to strike a conversation with the bartender, as though we already knew each other. We shared a laugh and I enjoyed whiskey. Oh, no ice please, I prefer whiskey stones.\n\nThen there is the performances. This makes everything worth it. Remember how I said this was intimate? Well, if you don't have a good seat, then good luck. The layout is too flat, practically one leveled. But we were lucky. \nThe burlesque performances are supported by Holly Madison aka \"The Girl Next Door\" and she did not fail to put on a show. Being so close quartered, performers secretly go on stage and the only queue is the change in music, which calmly pulls your attention to the show. I don't think you'll find a more sultry respectable performance like this anywhere on the strip (and industrial is NOT the strip). \nThe piano-singer interaction made me feel I was the only one tucked away in the forbidden speakeasy being serenaded. One of the singers, even came down to the crowd to entertain us with her vocals. SKYE .. With an \"E\" for EVERYTHING. This was not all at once but spread throughout the night; however, I would prefer that someone sing between shows to add to the background band.\n\nMy wife and I went on the second night of their soft opening, so things may have changed. So, why 5 stars? Even though I have a few critiques I see all its potential. Our hands on experience and the atmosphere made this local couple look forward to coming back. Besides, you may run into a celebrity or two.
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