What Are Las Vegas Nightclub Dress Codes?
Las Vegas Nightclub dress codes are always enforced, but the good news is most of them are pretty much the exact same. Girls can usually get away with anything that at least looks like they ‘tried’, while us guys must adhere to more of a patchwork of exceptions that depend on the club and the person. If you want to make sure you have no issues getting in the club, even if you’re on the guest lists, make sure to follow the dress code.
It isn’t uncommon for two people who are wearing the exact same outfit to get a different reaction at the door.
As an example: A local, table customer, friend of the doorman, frequent customer, or gentleman who comes with a group of girls isn’t likely to get sweated about coming in with a t-shirt and stylish sports shoes, while a tourist wearing the exact same outfit might be sent in search of something “more appropriate.”
At the end of the day, it is always up to the clubs discretion, so your bitching and moaning will likely fall on deaf ears.
If you don’t feel confident that your style will fall within exceptions, plan on playing it safe by wearing a safe bet: decently fitting jeans, nice shoes, a collared shirt, or simply pairing your t-shirt with a nice jacket or sport’s coat.
FIRST OFF, WHAT ISN’T ALLOWED?
As you now know, just because it is against the formal dress code doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t occasionally get through the door. Often times if you show up with a very stylish look, things are overlooked. Still, be mindful that these are things that are universally “not allowed” per official dress codes:
- Baggy Jeans
- Sports hats. (Exception: fedoras and the like are usually ok.)
- Tennis shoes.
- Shoes that are considered too “sports like.”
- Shorts
- Cut offs
- Capris
- Jerseys
- Beanies.
LET’S TALK COLLARED SHIRTS.
Just because the “official” dress code calls for a collared shirt, doesn’t mean you have to look like a complete dork or match exactly what all of your friends are wearing.
Try to wear a nice stylish slim fit shirt from Zara, Express, Top Man or whatever your favorite store that doesn’t sell dress shirts from the 90’s is. And try to wear a watch to complete the look.
WHAT ABOUT T-SHIRTS?
The temptation to simply wear a stylish t-shirt to a Las Vegas nightclub is even greater when you consider the fact that we’re in the middle of the desert and half the time it’s hotter than a convection oven outside.
But gambling on wearing a t-shirt may mean the difference between you getting into the nightclub and the doorman telling you to kick rocks. According to the official dress code of most all major Las Vegas nightclubs, t-shirts are a big no no.
Does it mean that you won’t see people inside wearing them? Of course not. As always, rules on dress codes tend to be bent if the doorman knows the person or if the group is a tipping table customer. If you don’t fall in either of those categories, play it safe and dress it up a little. Add a jacket, take it off once inside. Get creative.
SHOULD YOU WEAR DRESS PANTS?
You can obviously wear dress pants to any Las Vegas nightclub if you really have your heart set on it, but it’s completely not necessary at any club in town. You are just fine with a nice pair of jeans, and you won’t look nearly as stuffy. If you do plan on wearing dress pants, think less khaki and more trendy: Zara, Diesel, and some of the brands often seen at Topman are great starts.
WHAT ABOUT DENIMS OR JEANS?
Jeans are completely acceptable at every club in Las Vegas. You just want to make sure that your jeans look good, as most Las Vegas nightclubs frown upon torn/rugged jeans. Also, you shouldn’t try to walk in wearing really baggy jeans. You will get rejected. Probably even laughed at. Bad idea.
WHAT ABOUT MY SHOES?
You are always safe with leather and dress shoes. You can even occasionally get away with low profile “tennis shoes” as long as they are solid black (including the laces) if they look dressy enough and don’t have any huge logos on them.
Have some trendy kicks that you want to wear out? Officially, they aren’t allowed, but most major Las Vegas nightclubs are relaxing the rules on shoes if you compensate elsewhere in your outfit. Have on a STYLISH collared shirt, tie, jacket, nice pants with your fashionable sports shoes? Technically speaking it’s against the “rules,” but you might be just fine.
WHAT ABOUT HATS?
Style it up! Some clubs will let you in wearing a hat if it is considered fashionable (rimmed, beret, etc), but typically most will tell you to leave any sports hats outside of the ropes.
WHAT ABOUT SUNGLASSES?
Unless you’re blind, hiding a nasty case of pink eye or happen to be P Diddy, don’t wear sunglasses to a nightclub. Ever. No matter how good you may think that they look in your mirror selfies, everyone else is 100% making fun of you.
