Tao celebrating fifth anniversary with renovations

When Tao nightclub first opened, it quickly gained a strong foothold in the Vegas club scene.

Not only did celebrities make personal appearances at the club, they partied on their own time at Tao.

And, five years later, it has yet to relinquish its place as one of the hottest clubs on the Strip. Tao celebrates its fifth anniversary in November with a few changes. Renovations recently were completed, adding an upper level seating section, creating better sightlines from tables and redecorating.

"We've had a formula," says Jason Strauss, managing partner. "For us, it's not about changing our formula, but we want to keep consistent with the trends happening in pop culture."

The demographic for Tao always has been diverse, Strauss says. Locals represent a good percentage of clientele, especially on Thursdays, industry night.

DJ Vice, DJ Reach, Ross One and DJ Five all fill resident DJ services throughout the week, each bringing his own vibe to the dance floor.

When it comes to navigating the club crowds, Strauss suggests that people call the club directly to get on the guest list or make reservations. If you want the inside information on bypassing the line or best times to get a table, staff can fill you in.

"It's real important not to get sucked into these random websites that promise all-access and VIP treatment," Strauss says. "The truth is, they're usually middlemen. Better not to go through the middlemen when you can call clubs directly. They'll tell you the tricks of the trade."

The dress code? Dress like it's Saturday night in Vegas, Strauss says.

"Everyone should really know what that means," he says.

Tao opens at 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 9:30 p.m. Saturdays at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Cover charge varies. For reservations or more information, call 388-8588.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal. com or 702-380-4564.