Top venues plan big parties for New Year’s

Almost every marquee nightclub in Las Vegas will feature an A-list host. And whether it be Mariah Carey at Tao, Pamela Anderson at Pure, Jay-Z at 40/40 Club, the Hilton sisters at LAX or Kanye West at the Palms venues, there will be something special for those willing to shell out some major cash to party with the stars.

But you need to act fast if you plan on hitting one of the prime venues as tickets are being scooped up.

Here’s a look at some of the hottest New Year’s Eve parties in town:

TOP HOT SPOTS

PURE — The most interesting party of the evening might occur at the Caesars Palace mega-club.

Pamela Anderson hosts the New Year’s Eve party. The intriguing part is who else might join her. Anderson has been working through marital problems with current husband Rick Salomon, who probably will be in attendance.

But illusionist Criss Angel, whom Anderson was seen partying with at LAX just a day after she filed for divorce from Salomon, could very well appear since he is a regular at Pure. The unanswered questions will likely make Pure one of the toughest tickets to score in town.

The Caesars Palace venue will open its doors at 8 p.m. Monday. For table reservations, call 289-2002. For more information, log on at www.purethenightclub. com.

TAO — Mariah Carey makes an anticipated return to Sin City as she hosts what should turn out to be a star-studded evening at the Tao Las Vegas compound inside The Venetian.

The multiplatinum award winner will lead the New Year’s Eve countdown at Tao.

For more information, log on at www.taolasvegas.com.

40/40 CLUB — Jay-Z, along with girlfriend Beyoncé Knowles and friends, will continue their opening-weekend gala with a New Year’s Eve bash at the Palazzo’s upscale sports lounge.

Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets for the party are on sale now and are available at www.the4040club.com. Tickets start at $200, with each ticket including a champagne toast.

LAX — Socialite sisters Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton co-host and lead the New Year’s Eve countdown at the Luxor venue. The Hiltons will lead a clubwide champagne toast at midnight to ring in 2008.

The Hiltons probably will be dining next door at Company American Bistro, the restaurant that Nicky Hilton has invested in along with Nick Lachey and Wilmer Vanderrama.

For guest list and general information, call 262-4529 or log on at www.laxthenightclub.com. For table reservations, call 280-3600.

PRIVÉ — One of the city’s newest nightclubs is poised for a strong debut as Avril Lavigne hosts the party at the Planet Hollywood Resort venue.

The Grammy-nominated artist will be joined by husband Deryck Whibley of rock group Sum 41. A special DJ performance from rapper Lil’ Jon also will be featured.

General admission tickets will start at $200. You can purchase your tickets by calling 474-4000 or logging on at www.clubzone.com. For VIP table reservations, call 596-4333.

THE BANK — The new nightlife venue will continue its opening-weekend party with a New Year’s Eve bash inside Bellagio.

The Bank, located at the spot formerly held by Light nightclub, will welcome an array of surprise celebrity guests according to sources tied to the club.

Tickets are $250 per person, which include VIP entrance and a champagne toast at midnight. Prices are subject to change and doors open at 9 p.m.

Table reservation packages start at $10,000 for eight guests, which includes three bottles of premium liquor, two complimentary bottles of Dom Perignon, standard mixers, six Red Bull mixers, six Evian waters and a personal service team.

PALMS NIGHTCLUBS — Yes, all of the clubs at the trendy resort will be hopping in the hours before and after 2008 arrives. Billed as “The Spectacular Spectacular,” celebrities galore are expected to hit up such venues as Moon, Playboy Club, Rain and Ghostbar to party in style just off the Strip.

Kanye West will highlight the lineup following his concert at The Pearl inside the Palms. Actress Jaime Pressly, rocker Dave Navarro and DJs Skribble and Eric Cubeechee also will be hitting the nightspots.

For reservations, call 942-6832 for more information. For table reservations, e-mail tables@9groupvegas.com for details.

BEST OF THE REST

BODY ENGLISH — Backstreet’s back, kids. Yes, we’re talking about the Backstreet Boys who will be making a rare Las Vegas appearance together.

The Grammy-nominated group hosts the party at the Hard Rock Hotel. Backstreet Boys members Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and A.J. McLean will all be in attendance.

General admission for the event is $200 per person, which includes top-shelf open bar throughout the night (champagne from the bar will not be included). There will be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight for everyone. General admission tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

For table reservations, call 693-4000.

RUMJUNGLE — Sara Jean Underwood, the 2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year, hosts the celebration at the Mandalay Bay nightclub. International celebrity DJ CB Shaw will provide the music.

Several dinner and nightclub packages are available, starting at $75 per person. For reservations and more information on the packages, call 632-6907.

TANGERINE — The Treasure Island hot spot rings in 2008 (and closes its doors at the same time) with Kevin Federline hosting the festivities.

Tangerine is closing its doors to undergo a redesign and renovation.

Doors open at 8 p.m. For more information, log on at www.tangerineclub.com or call 894-7580.

JET — The Mirage venue will feature an upscale James Bond-themed soiree, where guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite Bond character for the New Year’s Eve celebration.

Party-goers will ring in the new year while DVDJ Roonie G will present an exclusive Bond-themed audio/visual set during the countdown.

Individual tickets are $200 per person, which includes VIP entrance and a hosted bar from 9 to 11 p.m. Prices are subject to change.

Table reservation packages start at $2,500 for a group of four guests and include one bottle of premium liquor, one complimentary bottle of Dom Perignon, standard mixers, six Red Bull mixers, six Evian waters and a personal service team.

Jeremy Pond covers the nightclub scene for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Vegas Confidential. His column appears Fridays in Neon and online at www.lvrj.com and www.normclarke.com. He can be reached at 383-0298 or via e-mail at jpond@reviewjournal.com.