making a splash

Nestled in a corner past the Mirage’s general pool area, beyond the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat and down a winding concrete path, is Bare, the hotel’s exclusive, adults-only pool. Shrouded in greenery and teak paneling, the velvet-roped entrance is guarded by an employee who checks IDs.

Loud music booms from within, and after paying a cover charge, you turn a corner and are instantly hit by a scene of bronzed bodies glistening from the sheen of spray-on sunblock. Several surgically enhanced women scuttle topless around Bare’s precious 14,000 square feet. If not ensconced in a cabana or daybed, people dance and flirt with the nearest body in the shallow pool. As the heady mix of 90-degree heat, tanning oil and frozen margaritas slowly seeps into your system, the place begins to resemble a party in a certain millionaire’s secret grotto. The only thing missing is Hef.

I admit I never partook of spring break shenanigans in college. Vacations taken during that weeklong hiatus from studying somehow never involved wet T-shirt contests or anything remotely close to “Girls Gone Wild.” But anyone deprived of such experiences can make up for lost time in Las Vegas, where the latest crop of party pools is setting the stage for raucous revelry this Fourth of July weekend and beyond.

If you’re expecting Jello shots and beer in plastic cups, though, think again. These 21-and-over, publicly accessible pools are the daytime equivalents of glitzy dance clubs. Rehab, the Hard Rock Hotel’s regular Sunday party, introduced the concept of “daylife” when it launched five years ago, and since then, designated adults-only pool areas have emerged at hotels up and down the Strip. “Originally Rehab was for locals to come relax after a hard weekend,” says Phil Shalala, Hard Rock’s vice president of marketing. “That lasted about half a day before turning into a big party. Then we started opening it up to just about anybody.”

Moorea Beach at Mandalay Bay, Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace and Bare and Tao Beach at the Venetian have since established themselves as the city’s daytime hot spots, with Wet Republic at the MGM Grand joining the fray this year. Their increasing popularity has spurred other hotels to revamp their general poolside offerings (see sidebar for more options), as well as open their own public, adults-only areas.

At the more popular pools, velvet ropes rein in lines of eager partygoers willing to pay cover charges of up to $50 on busy weekends. Women of all ages and body types saunter in sporting full makeup and stylish bikinis -- except, of course, at pools that allow “European-style sunbathing” (the current Vegas buzzword that simply means “topless”). Groups of men, from twentysomething grad students to fortysomething businessmen, congregate in infinity pools, clutching expensive cocktails and vainly attempting to keep their eyes off the nearest exposed female torso. Drinks start flowing as early as 9 a.m., so a buzz is as certain as a tan by midday. Inhibitions are checked at the door -- what happens in a Vegas party pool stays in a Vegas party pool.

It’s difficult not to be mesmerized. Saturday afternoon at Tao Beach, currently Vegas’ most buzzed-about pool, is like a music video come to life. Co-owner Jason Strauss cites luxe beach clubs such as La Voile Rouge in St. Tropez, France; Nikki Beach in Miami; and the Palmilla resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, as inspirations for the ruby-hued, Balinese-themed pool. Toned, bronzed bodies mug for party photographers, sipping mojitos and gyrating to the DJ’s rotation of hip-hop and house music. The scene is not much different from that at Tao night club, only the strobe lights have been replaced by the glaring desert sun.

“We wanted to give people a day-to-night experience,” Strauss says. “Other pools close when it gets dark, but here you can keep the party going later at Tao.”

As at clubs, where reserving a table for bottle service is a surefire way to get VIP treatment, renting a cabana guarantees a more luxurious experience, especially for large groups. Along with privacy and prime views of the party, cabanas come equipped with flat-screen TVs, video game consoles, couches and the attentive service of a buxom waitress. (alcohol and food orders are separate from the rental fee.)

For couples or smaller groups, renting a daybed procures the same level of service, as well as a surface on which to sunbathe. Patrons without a cabana or bed reservation have their choice of chaise longues, which are first-come, first-served and usually snapped up early in the day.

For the full daylife experience, start with the originator, Rehab, which remains so popular that the wait in the general-admission line can be as long as four hours.

“We have a really strong brand,” Shalala says. “The new pools opening, for us, are great for business. It helps get that word out about coming to Vegas to party during the day and by a pool.” Want to bypass the line at Rehab? Stay at the hotel -- guests get a separate, hassle-free entrance and dibs on additional presale wristbands.

Not all pools are dens of debauchery or possess DMV-worthy lines.

Venus Pool Club offers the Roman opulence and service expected from Caesars Palace without the herds of newly graduated frat boys flexing their pecs. The music still thumps and a cover charge still applies, but you can sip your $15 frozen margarita and sunbathe topless in relative peace.

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enid.portuguez@latimes.com

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

POOLS OF CHOICES

In Vegas, there’s a pool to accommodate any age and taste. Access to all pools below, unless noted, is for hotel guests only, so if you’re not extremely sly, get a room.

OFF-STRIP BUT STILL HIP

The Palms and Palms Place: Adults who want the party pool vibe without the lines and cover charge can get it at the Palms. On Fridays, the pool area hosts Ditch, a weekly party open to those who are not hotel guests. For a quieter scene, the new Palms Place offers a fire pit and cabanas along with service from Kerry Simon’s new Simon restaurant. Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road. (702) 932-7777, palms.com. Palms Place, 4381 W. Flamingo Road, palmsplace.com.

Green Valley Ranch: Green Valley’s lush grounds and 10-mile distance from the Strip’s riffraff make it a favorite among locals. Its sleek pool has a sand bottom and its own private, adults-only section, the Pond. Check out the Pond’s popular Monday night, Skinnie Dip. 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, Henderson, (702) 617-7777, greenvalleyranchresort.com

Fun for kids

Excalibur: The newly renovated pool area has four pools, waterfalls and two water slides along with cabanas available for daily rental. Though most of the hotel is still stuck in medieval times, the new pools are nothing but modern. 3850 Las Vegas Blvd. S., (877) 750-5464, excalibur.com.

Mandalay Bay: The lazy river, three regular pools, a lagoon pool and a wave pool deserve their own ZIP Code. Kids can splash on the wave pool’s sandy beach while parents can try their luck in the three-story Beachside Casino. 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S., (877) 632-7800, mandalaybay.com.

Into the wild

Golden Nugget: Literally swim with the sharks at the Tank, the revamped pool area. The centerpiece is a 200,000-gallon aquarium with a 30-foot water slide that runs through a collection of sand tiger, brown and Pacific blacktip sharks. 129 E. Fremont St., (800) 846-5336, goldennugget.com.

Rio: “Wild” is a tame way to describe Rio’s new adults-only pool, which charges a cover and is open to the public. The “Brazilian-style” Sapphire Pool (apparently Brazilians sunbathe the way Europeans do) is partnering with gentlemen’s club Sapphire. 3700 W. Flamingo Road, (866) 746-7671, harrahs.com.

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BEFORE YOU DIVE IN

If you’re not sure which party pool is for you, let this chart be your guide. Note that prices can vary, so call ahead to confirm.

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REHAB

THE POOL:

Hard Rock Hotel, (702) 693-5555, rehablv.com.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

A headshot. They hold casting sessions for Rehab’s reality TV show every week.

DRINK OF CHOICE:

Sex on the Beach (vodka, peach schnapps, orange and cranberry juice) in a

22-ounce souvenir cup, $18.

TOPLESS?:

No.

HOW MUCH?: Cover charge:

$40 for men,

$20 for women. Lounge chairs: up to $200.

Daybeds: up to $4,000. Cabanas: up to $10,000.

VIP MUST-HAVE:

A daybed or lounge chair in the ultra-premium Bikini Beach area.

IF THE POOL WERE A CELEBRITY . . .:

Travis Barker. Rock ‘n’ roll meets MTV’s “Spring Break.”

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MOOREA BEACH

THE POOL: Mandalay Bay,

(702) 632-7777, mandalaybay.com.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING: A wide-brimmed hat. There is

virtually no shade in the main pool area.

DRINK OF CHOICE: Moorea Escape (strawberry- and pineapple-infused Montecristo light rum, Rock Candy syrup, fresh lime), $14.

TOPLESS?:

Yes.

HOW MUCH?: Cover charge:

$30 for men,

$10 for women. Daybeds, cabanas and pavilions: $200-$750.

VIP MUST-HAVE:

A reservation in the pavilion, the private deck above the main pool. It has its own pool and waterfall.

IF THE POOL WERE A CELEBRITY . . .: Angelina Jolie. Exotic and easy

on the eyes.

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VENUS POOL CLUB

THE POOL: Caesars Palace, (702) 650-5944, venuspoolclub.com.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING: Cohiba cigars and Gucci loafers.

DRINK OF CHOICE: A glass of Louis Roederer Champagne, $1,200 for

a bottle.

TOPLESS?: Yes.

HOW MUCH?: Cover charge: Mon.-Fri. and Sun., $10; Sat., $25.

Daybeds: Mon.-Thu. $200-$250; Fri.-Sun. $250-$300. Cabanas: Mon.-Thu. $650-$750; Fri.-Sun. $750-$1,250.

VIP MUST-HAVE:

An appointment for a poolside massage from Qua Baths & Spa.

IF THE POOL WERE A CELEBRITY . . .: Diddy. A vision in white linen and big spendin’.

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BARE

THE POOL: Mirage, (702) 791-7442, barepool.com.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

Pasties!

DRINK OF CHOICE:

Raspberry Sin (vodka, Cassis de Bordeaux, lemon, fresh raspberries, sugar rim), $15.

TOPLESS?:

Yes.

HOW MUCH?:

Cover charge: Mon.-Thu. $30 for men, $10 for women; Fri.-Sun. $40 for men, $10 for women.

Daybeds and cabanas: $350 plus $300-$600 minimum food and beverage.

VIP MUST-HAVE:

A private party on the deck, which comes with daybeds, dining areas and an infinity pool.

IF THE POOL WERE A CELEBRITY . . .:

Scarlett Johansson. Sultry, seductive and younger than you think.

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TAO BEACH

THE POOL: the Venetian, (702) 388-8588, taolasvegas.com.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

Your publicist, agent and manager.

DRINK OF CHOICE:

Frozen cocktail popsicles, $8 each.

TOPLESS?:

Yes, except for weekends.

HOW MUCH?:

Cover charges vary widely; call ahead. Daybed and cabanas: $750-$5,000.

VIP MUST-HAVE:

The cabana closest to the pool -- it’s near the action and gets more sun.

IF THE POOL WERE A CELEBRITY . . .:

Lindsay Lohan. Works hard, plays harder.

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WET REPUBLIC

THE POOL: MGM Grand, (702) 891-3563, mgmgrand.com /wetrepublic.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

A Nerf football to throw around in the pool.

DRINK OF CHOICE:

Wet Splash (Stoli Vanilla, Stoli Raspberry, Stoli Blueberi, Stoli Ohranj, cranberry juice, Red Bull), $14.

TOPLESS?: No.

HOW MUCH?: Cover charges vary. Daybeds: start at $300. Cabanas: start at $750. Bungalows: start at $1,250.

VIP MUST-HAVE:

One of the six bungalows, which feature three private spas, a massage therapist on site and private restrooms.

IF THE POOL WERE A CELEBRITY . . .:

The girls from “The Hills.” Shiny, pretty and airy.