Heat up New Year’s at Las Vegas clubs

The Las Vegas nightlife circuit continues its incredible expansion this New Year’s Eve, with at least four venues slated to sweep away the construction dust and flick on the “open” sign in the immediate run-up to and in celebration of 2008.

Of course, the more established venues are cranking up the party-wattage too.

Here’s a rundown of the 10 best:

1. Privé: The Opium Group brings South Beach spectacle to the Sin City scene when the 12,000-square-foot Vegas version of its celebrity-stuffed Miami-based hot spot officially opens inside Planet Hollywood on New Year’s Eve. The interior features crystal chandeliers, a fireplace and faux elephant trunks. Though Privé has yet to release its roster of special guests, if the famous faces who frequent the Miami outlet are any indication (Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Longoria are just two of the many celebs that have been spotted there), expect a paparazzi’s dream come the ’08 grand opening. (3500 S. Las Vegas Blvd., [702] 596-4333, $200 per person)

2. The Bank: This new concept courtesy of the Light Group (which operated the space’s previous incarnation, the nightclub Light) promises luxury with a capital “L” when it opens New Year’s Eve inside the Bellagio. As the nightlife scene has grown, so has the demand for palatial amenities, first-class service and gaudy spectacle. To that end, the Bank’s New Year’s party will unveil a multi-tiered venue whose centerpiece is a glass-encased dance floor, and VIP tables that start at $5,000 for four people and come with a bottle of Dom Perignon, a small army of servers and more. (3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd., [702] 693-8300, $250 per person, prices subject to change)

3. The 40/40 Club: At a cost of $20 million, rapper and music industry mogul Jay-Z’s newest venture may be the most costly sports bar and lounge in the world. Located inside the Venetian’s new Palazzo Tower, the 24,000-square-foot venue is equipped with 85 plasma screen TVs, five 40-foot bars and five VIP rooms, making it more of a sports bar on steroids (it also features a nightclub) than your run-of-the-mill game-day hangout. Which explains why the platinum-record-selling recording artist turned executive will be bringing his famous pals from the sports and entertainment biz along with him for yet another party the day after the 40/40 Club’s Dec. 30 opening. (3339 S. Las Vegas Blvd., visit www.the4040club.com or call [702] 638-4040 for reservations; tickets start at $700 per person)

4. CatHouse: The Luxor continues to shed its Egyptian theme with the addition of this restaurant/ultra-lounge. Besides fine cuisine courtesy of celebrity chef Kerry Simon, and house and Top 40 dance music, CatHouse will also serve up European-style eroticism on New Year’s Eve. Dubbed a “loungerie” by its owners, guests can expect live-performances that, while not burlesque, will nevertheless involve risqué dance numbers. The décor appeals to the lustful sinner in all of us, with peepholes through which one can view vintage stag films and metal bed-warmers rounding out the ooh-la-la on display. Voyeurs and hedonists -- presumably -- are welcome to ring in ’08. (3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., [702] 262-4228, visit www.cathouselv.com for more info.)

5. LAX: The Hilton sisters, Paris and Nicky, are set to descend on the Luxor’s new megaclub for its New Year’s party, bringing with them a train of friends, admirers, curiosity-seekers, screaming fans and, of course, paparazzi. Expect the environment to be almost as feral outside as inside the two-story venue, because when Paris and Nicky are in town, the whole world not only wakes up but shows up. Thankfully, the labyrinthine space is built to accommodate the craziness. This one will be talked about in the tabloids for days after. (3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., [702] 262-4529, $250 per person)

6. Playboy Club: Recently remodeled, the Palms venue makes good use of its new digs when it unveils ’08 with a dream team of 10 Playmates. In addition to finely toned forms, patrons will be treated to an open bar from 8 to 10 p.m. and a midnight Champagne toast, not to mention a spectacular, panoramic view of the city, alive with lights illuminating the mysterious skin of the world on the last night of ’07. (4321 W. Flamingo Road; to purchase tickets, visit PalmsNewYears.com, $300 per person)

7. Tryst: Two years ago, after a major remodel, the club formerly known as La Bete reopened as Tryst on New Year’s with an affair for adults, not pop-star-addicted kids -- and, boy, was it something. Whether standing by the waterfall and watching the reflection of the Strip’s fireworks show flash off the side of the Wynn, or just cruising around inside and mingling with the well-dressed crowd, the night will be enjoyable if for no other reason than its lack of pretense. This is a mature party for mature people. No muss, no fuss, just fun. (3131 S. Las Vegas Blvd., [702] 770-3375 or visit www.trystlasvegas.com; tickets start at $150 for men and $100 for women)

8. Voodoo Lounge: With, hands-down, the best view of this neon-spangled metropolis, the Rio’s roof-top venue is the place to be in Vegas this New Year’s to see ... everything. When you’re up there, take a deep breath, a slow look around, and savor the pedestal upon which you stand, because it’s definitely temporary. Besides DJs on the outdoor patio, the party also features a performance by the band LF8. (3700 W. Flamingo, [702] 777-6875, tickets start at $200 per person)

9. Tabu: If you don’t want to get lost amid the crush of bodies in one of the city’s megaclubs, then the MGM ultra-lounge is your intimate refuge. Flashy without blinding you, contained without squeezing you, Tabu is the perfect venue to listen to great music (Sugar Ray’s DJ Homicide will preside) and still have a conversation. Ladies enjoy free bubbly all night. (3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd., [702] 891-7183, tickets start at $125 per person)

10. Drai’s: The party at this after-hours basement club usually doesn’t get hopping until 3 a.m., when most people, even on New Year’s, have already hit the bed. While the red-hued venue will open its doors a little early as ’07 ends, celebrating the dawning of ’08 at dawn is an experience like no other outside a vampire lair. Which is to say, it’s completely uncoupled from the world of mere mortals, and, yeah, that’s a good thing, especially in Vegas. (3595 S. Las Vegas Blvd., [702] 737-7801, $150 for guys, $100 for ladies, purchase tickets at www.wanttickets.com)