What you can expect
On Friday, August 18, I decided to do my first music according to the new criteria. The original plan was to do a few at Musikfest 2013. Yeah, right! Did not even come close on this idea. I noticed a band I never heard of, Pop Rox playing at Vision Bar. The review is for another article. Right now, I want to give you an idea about Vision Bar.
Vision Bar is located in the hotel section of Sands Casino near Sands Event Center. Mainly open on the weekends with hours during the week, depending on what is happening at the Event Center.
First off, I want to point out the dress code. You know what is happening, even before you leave. So far, I have only gone when there is a live band. Yes, there is a major difference in what you should wear vs. a DJ. When a band is at Vision Bar, the dress code is more relaxed. Jeans, t-shirt, sneakers will get you in. Know from experience. Never hurts to go all out, but if you can dress casually on these nights. At some point, in the near future, I will be going when there is only a DJ. On these nights? Dress up: slacks, dress / polo shirt and shoes. Make it complete, why not add the tie? Ladies: pretty much the same thing. I do apologize to the ladies. Currently, I am the entire staff of A Valley and Beyond and have no female staff members to ask.
Dress code done. Time for the cover charge. Again, there is a difference. Live band / DJ combo: $6.00, DJ only: $10.00. Honestly, I have no idea why the price difference. I am hoping to interview someone about Vision Bar in the next few months.
Time for an idea about entering the bar. When you arrive, there are security guards at the door. Believe me, they will check your ID. I am easily over 21. On Friday night, there were 2 lines: General and VIP. Sorry, not a VIP. Walking in the door, you pay the cover charge and there is a coat room. Formalities done. Time for the overall layout, followed by Friday's experience.
Walking into the bar, there is actually 3 sections. The first is stage / main bar / dance floor. Second, this is for warmer weather: an outside patio / smoking section. Third: and upper level. Friday, this was roped off. I believe this was the VIP section that night. The bar is a circle in the middle of the room. There is plenty of space to slide in an order a drink. Do not know about the beer / mixed drink / shot prices. I had a Diet Coke for $3.00.
Continuing with the layout...
Seats are arranged in a circle around the bar with room to walk. I observed the seating is available for bottle service. Believe me, there was plenty of that available Friday night. The stage is located in the front to the right of the main entrance (looking from the back of the club). A dance floor of smaller size is right in front. The sound person located between dance floor and bar. I did not forget about the DJ. The DJ booth is in the center of the bar, about the height of a second floor. Raised high enough for someone to see everything going on. 3 sets of doors lead to the patio section.
Speaking of the patio...
Set with tables, chairs, 2 sofas and a small bar. The smoking sections are located to the back and do not interfere with the main area. The band and DJ can easily be heard and experienced. When weather co-operates, I would suggest the patio section either for all night or to take a short break from a large crowd.
Time for Friday's, overall experience:
First thing I noticed and the major point I have to make: security. Vision Bar does takes this very seriously. I noticed at least 5 bouncers in the club. They were standing at different places and walking around. Their expressions were very serious and keeping an eye on everything. Outside, at least 1 bouncer was observed with others walking in and out. I noticed one potential problem Friday night. A bartender motioned for security. The gentleman, literally, ran to where a situation was developing. In under 2 minutes, everything was back to a normal, fun evening. Later, the same potential situation developed. The same bouncer was keeping an eye on it. Observation: He diffused the situation and in a friendly / professional way, escorted one gentleman out the door. I high doubt too many people even realize what was happening in both situations.
Continuing the overall experience....
What appeared to be 2 hostesses were present. I noticed a party of several people in one section and a bachelorette party in another. The hostesses were attentive to both and provided bottles when asked or even before. There were enough bartenders to keep wait times very short. Waitresses were working the crowd to make sure everyone did not wait long. Personal wait time for requesting / having the Diet Coke: under 2 minutes with a fairly crowded bar; easily acceptable.
Sound and light show? very professional and wild! The DJ / sound person did an excellent job here! Acoustics are very good with not a bad sound spot in the entire club. The sound was loud enough so you had to be very close to be heard. This may be a downside to some. Vision bar is a larger place. Earlier this year, I was told by someone they could fit 1000 people in the club. Friday's crowd ranged from about 50 people to over 200 easily. I am not including the patio here. I walked around the back of the club. I did not notice one bad spot for sound. The lights show covered at least half the club. I am talking about physical locations. Light show covered the entire club.
Now for the downside, everything has one.
First off, the dance floor could be a little larger. For the amount of floor space Vision Bar has, they could expand or have a second dance floor.
Second: on Friday, it appeared a lot of emphasis was placed on bottle service. I counted over 25, individual, spaces dedicated to it. I realize Vision Bar is a more upscale club. The club has a lot of customers from the casino. The amount of spaces dedicated to bottle service seriously cuts down on the space people can move around. I have to mention one thing here. The seats were available for everyone Friday night. This point is 50 / 50 with me. I realize both sides. Having that many poles / ropes / buckets still cuts back on maneuvering space. In the back of the club; by back, I mean the entrance / exit to the outside parking lot. There is more open floor space.
Like other clubs with an outdoor section; this part depends on weather. This is a plus and minus. Winter / cold weather, not a good idea. Summer / warm weather, no rain, great idea. Hopefully, there will be plans to cover this section in the future.
Honestly, for my Friday night visit, these were the only 2 downsides I found with the club.
Overall suggestion:
Pick a night, depending on your mood and budget and definitely stop by. Vision Bar is not only for the upscale crowd. I am on a next to zero budget right now. For the $10 (cover / Diet Coke / tip), I had no problems. Easily being able to observe everything and enjoy myself. Like everything I review, the best suggestion I can give? After reading this review, check the website and ask around. You may or may not agree with me. Was this my first time at Vision Bar? No. The first time I decided to do a review. This review is based on my experiences on Friday, August 16 2013. Will I be going back to Vision Bar? Yes. I plan on reviewing more bands there and stopping on a night with strict dress code / DJ only.
Wrapping this one up....
Thanks for reading the review of Vision Bar! I hope you found it informative and maybe decided to stop by in the near future. Like I said, depending on your preference and budget, pick a night. Try something new!
http://www.sandseventcenter.com/vision-bar
Vision Bar is located in the hotel section of Sands Casino near Sands Event Center. Mainly open on the weekends with hours during the week, depending on what is happening at the Event Center.
First off, I want to point out the dress code. You know what is happening, even before you leave. So far, I have only gone when there is a live band. Yes, there is a major difference in what you should wear vs. a DJ. When a band is at Vision Bar, the dress code is more relaxed. Jeans, t-shirt, sneakers will get you in. Know from experience. Never hurts to go all out, but if you can dress casually on these nights. At some point, in the near future, I will be going when there is only a DJ. On these nights? Dress up: slacks, dress / polo shirt and shoes. Make it complete, why not add the tie? Ladies: pretty much the same thing. I do apologize to the ladies. Currently, I am the entire staff of A Valley and Beyond and have no female staff members to ask.
Dress code done. Time for the cover charge. Again, there is a difference. Live band / DJ combo: $6.00, DJ only: $10.00. Honestly, I have no idea why the price difference. I am hoping to interview someone about Vision Bar in the next few months.
Time for an idea about entering the bar. When you arrive, there are security guards at the door. Believe me, they will check your ID. I am easily over 21. On Friday night, there were 2 lines: General and VIP. Sorry, not a VIP. Walking in the door, you pay the cover charge and there is a coat room. Formalities done. Time for the overall layout, followed by Friday's experience.
Walking into the bar, there is actually 3 sections. The first is stage / main bar / dance floor. Second, this is for warmer weather: an outside patio / smoking section. Third: and upper level. Friday, this was roped off. I believe this was the VIP section that night. The bar is a circle in the middle of the room. There is plenty of space to slide in an order a drink. Do not know about the beer / mixed drink / shot prices. I had a Diet Coke for $3.00.
Continuing with the layout...
Seats are arranged in a circle around the bar with room to walk. I observed the seating is available for bottle service. Believe me, there was plenty of that available Friday night. The stage is located in the front to the right of the main entrance (looking from the back of the club). A dance floor of smaller size is right in front. The sound person located between dance floor and bar. I did not forget about the DJ. The DJ booth is in the center of the bar, about the height of a second floor. Raised high enough for someone to see everything going on. 3 sets of doors lead to the patio section.
Speaking of the patio...
Set with tables, chairs, 2 sofas and a small bar. The smoking sections are located to the back and do not interfere with the main area. The band and DJ can easily be heard and experienced. When weather co-operates, I would suggest the patio section either for all night or to take a short break from a large crowd.
Time for Friday's, overall experience:
First thing I noticed and the major point I have to make: security. Vision Bar does takes this very seriously. I noticed at least 5 bouncers in the club. They were standing at different places and walking around. Their expressions were very serious and keeping an eye on everything. Outside, at least 1 bouncer was observed with others walking in and out. I noticed one potential problem Friday night. A bartender motioned for security. The gentleman, literally, ran to where a situation was developing. In under 2 minutes, everything was back to a normal, fun evening. Later, the same potential situation developed. The same bouncer was keeping an eye on it. Observation: He diffused the situation and in a friendly / professional way, escorted one gentleman out the door. I high doubt too many people even realize what was happening in both situations.
Continuing the overall experience....
What appeared to be 2 hostesses were present. I noticed a party of several people in one section and a bachelorette party in another. The hostesses were attentive to both and provided bottles when asked or even before. There were enough bartenders to keep wait times very short. Waitresses were working the crowd to make sure everyone did not wait long. Personal wait time for requesting / having the Diet Coke: under 2 minutes with a fairly crowded bar; easily acceptable.
Sound and light show? very professional and wild! The DJ / sound person did an excellent job here! Acoustics are very good with not a bad sound spot in the entire club. The sound was loud enough so you had to be very close to be heard. This may be a downside to some. Vision bar is a larger place. Earlier this year, I was told by someone they could fit 1000 people in the club. Friday's crowd ranged from about 50 people to over 200 easily. I am not including the patio here. I walked around the back of the club. I did not notice one bad spot for sound. The lights show covered at least half the club. I am talking about physical locations. Light show covered the entire club.
Now for the downside, everything has one.
First off, the dance floor could be a little larger. For the amount of floor space Vision Bar has, they could expand or have a second dance floor.
Second: on Friday, it appeared a lot of emphasis was placed on bottle service. I counted over 25, individual, spaces dedicated to it. I realize Vision Bar is a more upscale club. The club has a lot of customers from the casino. The amount of spaces dedicated to bottle service seriously cuts down on the space people can move around. I have to mention one thing here. The seats were available for everyone Friday night. This point is 50 / 50 with me. I realize both sides. Having that many poles / ropes / buckets still cuts back on maneuvering space. In the back of the club; by back, I mean the entrance / exit to the outside parking lot. There is more open floor space.
Like other clubs with an outdoor section; this part depends on weather. This is a plus and minus. Winter / cold weather, not a good idea. Summer / warm weather, no rain, great idea. Hopefully, there will be plans to cover this section in the future.
Honestly, for my Friday night visit, these were the only 2 downsides I found with the club.
Overall suggestion:
Pick a night, depending on your mood and budget and definitely stop by. Vision Bar is not only for the upscale crowd. I am on a next to zero budget right now. For the $10 (cover / Diet Coke / tip), I had no problems. Easily being able to observe everything and enjoy myself. Like everything I review, the best suggestion I can give? After reading this review, check the website and ask around. You may or may not agree with me. Was this my first time at Vision Bar? No. The first time I decided to do a review. This review is based on my experiences on Friday, August 16 2013. Will I be going back to Vision Bar? Yes. I plan on reviewing more bands there and stopping on a night with strict dress code / DJ only.
Wrapping this one up....
Thanks for reading the review of Vision Bar! I hope you found it informative and maybe decided to stop by in the near future. Like I said, depending on your preference and budget, pick a night. Try something new!
http://www.sandseventcenter.com/vision-bar
