“DiscoShow is the most fully realized Vegas concept since AREA 15.”
Spiegelworld‘s long-awaited DiscoShow has finally arrived, and VEGAS 411 was there. Is it an actual show? A nostalgia-fueled music experience? A night out at the dance club? It’s all those things (to varying degrees) and a lot more. We had a blast, and chances are you will, too.
DiscoShow is still in discounted preview performances (an industry method to work out kinks and such). So this won’t be an official review. But we can take you through the various spaces, share our initial impressions, and give you a grasp of the overall concept…once we gather our wits.
Right out of the gate, DiscoShow is the most fully realized Vegas concept since AREA 15. Don’t expect any large-scale knock-offs (unlike those floundering Top Golf wannabes). FLASHBACK: Tina Turner and Friends and FIRST LADIES OF DISCO are terrific tribute shows, but DiscoShow exists in another realm.
Ross Mollison and the Spiegelworld team have taken over the northwest corner of Linq Hotel Casino. They’ve transformed the former casino-level sports book, a long-abandoned betting facility on the third floor, and everything in between.
The massive area now resembles an entire New York City block, circa late 70s. A subway entrance, corner newsstand, diner, bar, dance club, a secret warehouse disco…they’re all here and rendered in amazing detail.
Long-forgotten candy brands, reproductions of old New York Times, and vintage magazines line the newsstand shelves. Crew members in disco clothing serve colorful libations. Donna Summer records and period movie posters line the walls of Diner Ross. Young people in short shorts rollerskate down the sidewalks. Can this be real?
The world of DiscoShow is accessible from an entrance on Las Vegas Boulevard or through the casino. Both doors lead to 99 PRINCE, a lounge resembling a gritty subway platform. Drink in the details as you leave the real world behind and journey to the days of platform shoes, Jovan Musk, and AquaNet hairspray.
“99 Prince, where the cocktails celebrate the convergence of past and present. Here the drinks pay homage to the new wave era of craft cocktails from the early to mid-2000s, a time shaped by cocktail giants like Dave Arnold, Dale DeGroff, Jim Meehan, Sasha Petraske, Julie Reiner, and Leo Robitschek.”
When you’re ready to move on, stop at the toll booth (above) and show your ticket. Even if you’re not attending DiscoShow, you’re invited to proceed to the next station. There you’ll find Diner Ross and a much larger club known as GLITTERLOFT.
“Head upstairs to the Glitterloft, a space inspired by early-1970s rent-parties and David Mancuso’s legendary Loft. When you go to a party, it’s all about no-fuss fun. Black solo cups. Specials on the board. Bottles and cans of beer.
If you are not ordering vodka sodas, gin and tonics, or Jack and cokes, you’re drinking one of three specialty cocktails served on draft: modern, tasty riffs on the Wallbanger, Mind Eraser, and Margarita.”
GLITTERLOFT starts the party, turns the beat around, becomes the main event, and hosts the last dance. It’s a terrific place to socialize with friends, take a date, and dance to great disco beats. Deejays spin legendary songs on vinyl as roller-disco kings and queens strut their stuff. And prepare for the largest drag queen you may ever see.
As with 99 PRINCE, the expansive GLITTERLOFT is awash in authenticity. From broad color strokes to precision details, campy fabric patterns to a glorious central mirror ball, this is one funky town. And like Studio 54‘s notorious balcony, quiet corners may entice you to whisper “You Can Ring My Bell” to a romantic partner.
The hedonistic world of GLITTERLOFT is complete unto itself. But if you’re ready to journey even deeper, the next stop is DISCOSHOW, the production. In Part Two, we’ll take on a visit to Diner Ross. and eventually into the main performance space. Here’s a sneak peek as introduced by “Mother” (drag icon Eureka O’Hara):
Spiegelworld’s DiscoShow performs Wednesday through Sunday at 7 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets are available here. Diner Ross, 99 PRINCE, and Glitterloft are open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 pm until “late”. Make reservations by heading here. Linq Resort is located at 3535 S. Las Vegas Boulevard.
