Haze adds a few surprises to traditional nightclub offerings

The traditional nightclub elements are all there -- dancing, DJs, bottle service, beautiful people -- but Haze at Aria has a few surprises, too.

It has a human aquarium, live theatrical performances and a design that induces sensory illusions on the dance floor.

The 25,000-square-foot club, which opened New Year's Eve, incorporates those things that make other Light Group clubs successful, along with features that define the club's concept, says Jodi Myers, president of Light Group.

It's best summed up by the name, Haze. Inspired by owner Andrew Sasson's daughter, whose name is Haze, "it also ties in with the concept of the club. It challenges your perception of reality," Myers says.

Upon entering, guests walk by the human aquarium, or voyeur room partitioned by a glass wall, and see a different scene every night. The scene will depend on that night's theatrical performance, Myers says. One week it was a mock recording studio and showed women recording. Recently, a woman stood in the room, getting dressed and putting on makeup, to go along with that night's Moulin Rouge theme.

"It's kind of fun, theatrical," Myers says. "I love it because there are lots of different clubs in town and this sets us apart. People go home and feel like they have something to talk about."

The ceiling is made up of moving tresses, so when you're on the dance floor, you feel like the ceiling is moving up and down, Myers says.

Two DJs, David Christian and Karma, split residency duties, spinning mashups, hip-hop and house.

Bottle service starts at $525 for three people with a minimum of two bottles. Cover charge is $20 for women and $30 for men. Thursdays are industry night and locals get in free.

If you go, "dress to impress" and get there early because it gets crowded, Myers says. Haze is open from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. For table reservations, call 693-8300.

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