Underwear night Wednesday and Friday – free well drinks and draught if you’re in your underwear

I heard that the turnout was great, and the night was a success, so hoping this is one lesbian event that sticks around, hopefully until I head back to Vegas. But that won’t be for awhile…my liver has to recover, and bills have got to be paid, so it’s back to real life for me.

The next Down celebration is on April 29, kicking off Gay Pride and featuring live performances by God-des & She. More to come on Vegas Gay Pride in the coming week.

I’ve already mentioned the Luxor LGBT pool party, which was the first LGBT pool party on the Strip. Mandalay Bay – often dubbed Mandalay Gay for its attraction of same sex loving clientele – has followed suit with Splash Sundays at the South Lagoon Pool. Lay back in a cabana (book two weeks in advance, they go fast) or unwind on a lounge chair with a cocktail while you listen to DJ’s and check out the other beautiful people. The party goes from noon until 6 pm, and the cost for Mandalay Bay’s LGBT pool party is $10 for hotel guests and Las Vegas locals, or $20 for tourists.

Mandalay Bay has got to be the best pool in Las Vegas. It was actually voted just that back in 2006 (TripAdvisor.com), and has a wave pool, lazy river you can float down on inner tubes, three swimming pools, and tons of real sand. Now with the Splash Sundays, there’s really no reason not to hang out poolside, is there?

DJs Joey Da Juice and Lisa Pittman spin some great tunes for girls to dance to. This place gets packed a little later in the evening, so hit up one of the many Las Vegas lounges for a pre-CandyBar martini. The crowd really goes wild when the go go dancers take the stage.

The Beatles LOVE
The Mirage
This musical blends dance, acrobatics, visual effects and rock n’ roll.

Bette Midler
Caesar’s Palace

Blue Man Group
At The Venetian
Blue-faced performers that combine music, comedy and multimedia into their shows.

Disney’s The Lion King
Mandalay Bay Theatre

KA Cirque Du Soleil
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
The story of love and conflict, told in Cirque de Soleil acrobatics.

LE RÊVE
Wynn Las Vegas
Held in an aqua theater-in-the-round, features acrobatics and dance. One of the top-selling shows in Vegas.

Mystère Cirque Du Soleil
Treasure Island
A cast of 72 performers, voted “Best Production Show” eight times.

Tony and Tina’s Wedding
Planet Hollywood
A fun-filled show that puts you at a chaotic Italian wedding.

ZUMANITY Cirque Du Soleil
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
An erotic, contemporary cabaret-style show.

It can get chilly. While it’s pretty balmy late into the evening in Las Vegas, around 2 or 3 a.m. it can be cold. So, if you’re planning on hitting the clubs or walking around outside in the early hours of the morning, make sure you have a light jacket. It has also been known to snow on the Strip in the winter, so be sure you pack accordingly for the season you’re going in.

Don’t even think about driving. We took a cab to Mandalay Bay, and it was bumper to bumper traffic at nearly 11. The main strip of Las Vegas is crammed with taxis and tourists driving, so I recommend staying somewhere on the Strip so you can walk everywhere. There’s also a monorail system and city buses that are clean and comfy.

A quickie wedding ceremony is so much fun, but same-sex marriage is not legal in Las Vegas. This seems to be a misconception among some gays and lesbians, because many of the cutesy chapels and even the larger hotels will perform commitment ceremonies or let you exchange wedding vows. If you want to make tying the knot legal, don’t go to do it in Vegas.

Check out gay and lesbian events before you go. Vegas is big, but there isn’t an established gay scene. Yes, you’ll find a handful of gay and lesbian bars, but if you’re looking for a gay ghetto or a specifically gay hotel (exception: The Blue Moon Resort), it’s slim pickings. If you want gay events, go in May for Las Vegas Gay Pride, or September for the Bighorn Gay Rodeo. However, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy for the rest of the year, whether it’s checking out Cirque de Soleil or lounging by the Sunkissed LGBT Pool Party on Sundays.

Elton John had originally signed on for about 75 shows in Las Vegas, but his run was extended because of the demand. Canadian star Celine Dion also had her show at the Colisseum, and so did Cher and Bette Midler.

So, if you want to check out Elton John in Las Vegas, get on it before April of next year!

Where to Have a Drink: CatHouse
Relax in this sophisticated Vegas lounge in the Luxor where celebrities play and the gorgeous Coquettes put on erotic performances. Check the site for events and menu – there’s more to CatHouse than just delicious libations.

Where to Dance: CandyBar (3663 Las Vegas Blvd)
Every Saturday night CandyBar becomes the hottest place for lesbians to drink and dance. Next to Krave Nightclub, CandyBar really gets going around 11 pm, when the go-go dancers do their thing and DJ Lisa Pittman spins party tunes.

Where to Swim: Sunkissed Sundays
Every Sunday from noon till 6, hit the Luxor pool for Sunkissed Sundays, the LGBT pool party that’s drawing a crowd. We wrote about it here.

Where to Get Married: Gay Wedding Chapel of Las Vegas
Ready to take the plunge? A favorite of gays and lesbians wanting to get married, the Gay Wedding Chapel of Las Vegas has an array of ceremony packages, and it’s gay owned and operated. They will work with you to make your wedding memorable.

Room Breakdown: Okay, you’ve got your choice of a Standard Room, Deluxe Pool View, Parlor Suite, Deluxe Parlor Suite or a Master Suite, so if you want to save your bucks you’ll end up with a cozy, basic room, and if you want to splurge a bit, you’ll be treated to a larger, more chic space.

Staff: Blue Moon staff is friendly and all male.

The Spa: Massage expert Troy will loosen up your muscles ($90 per hour).

Amenities: Steam room, clothing optional waterfall lagoon pool area, video lounge, free adult programming channels, free wireless Internet.

Free BBQ Sundays: Every Sunday, from noon till the foot longs are gone.

Still not ready to commit? The hotel does offer day passes, so you can come and play with the boys and get access to the whole facility (except for a hotel room unless invited to one)! A day pass costs just $25, and you can hang out from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Think you might want to come back for some more? Blue Moon has a Season Pass, so you’ll have access for one year from date of purchase, for $300. Lockers are available first come, first served.

The Good: The Blue Moon seems to be getting lots of return gay visitors who have loved every stay. You’ll have a fabulous time here whether you want to get frisky or just spend some quality time with your significant other. It’s off the Strip, which means you don’t have to deal with a crush of tacky tourists and the value is good. The pool and spa area are very nice.

The Bad: I’ve heard some griping about room cleanliness and functionality – toilets or lamps that were broken, or rooms with a really ugly view of the parking lot. Vending machines are often out of snacks or water. There is not much within walking distance – you will have to cab to the Strip.

The Bottom Line: It’s a unique gay hotel and playspace, and those who go to the Blue Moon expecting that are the happy ones. The guys expecting a five-star resort are disappointed and make up the bulk of the complainers. If you’re looking for Las Vegas luxury, stay on the Strip at one of the higher end places. If you’re looking for an all guy, all gay fun getaway for a great price, the Blue Moon is probably perfect for you.

Find info on other Las Vegas accommodations.

The Luxor has just started Sunkissed Sundays, an LGBT-focused pool party. It’s in the daytime, which would normally make me cringe, but it’s Vegas – sitting by the pool downing cocktails all day is acceptable and even encouraged. It started at the end of May, and judging by the early success, will be happening every Sunday from now on, from noon until 6 pm. It’s over at the Luxor’s two south pools, a lush area with waterfalls, VIP cabanas available for rentals, cold towels and even henna tattoos if you’re so inclined.

What’s next, a gay club inside the Luxor? We can only hope…in the meantime start picking out your swimwear!

Check out Sunkissed Sundays on MySpace.

UPDATE APRIL 2010: I am waiting to hear if Sunkissed Sundays will return this year, the Luxor is not sure, so will keep you posted!

On May 2, 2010, WEN’s “Get Wet” pool party with Cindi. It’s at the Luxor’s south pool, the Betty’s will have their own cabana. Cost is $10 and the party goes from noon until 6.