Get your damn hands up
Anthem Lounge is the newest nightclub to open in The Quarter at Tropicana Casino and Resort, adding an upscale and high-energy experience to the collection of clubs, pubs and restaurants. It is immediately unmistakable, occupying a space on the second level above the main plaza, with dancers and live musicians who play on a platform outside the club for all to see. Inside, there is one square room with an open dance floor, two bars, bottle service couches on each side, more platforms for performers and plenty of visual stimulation from the corset-clad bartenders and the circular screen that syncs with the music.
So much hotter than 32 Degrees
Anthem was formerly the ultra-chic 32 Degrees Luxe Lounge, which focused on bottle service in a more private environment. Current owners Carrie Kauffman and Lambros Tsikouras were managers at 32 Degrees, and when they bought the space they wanted to create a dance club with fewer egos and more energy. The place has been completely remodeled in a way that makes it look deceivingly large, with four fewer bottle service tables and a floor plan that maximizes mingling. It’s still a stylish venue, but just be sure to wear your more comfortable high heels or dress shoes.
Rock anthems meet “Party Rock Anthem”
The concept behind Anthem was to bring together all varieties of celebratory sound, from classics like “Don’t Stop Believing” and “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” to modern club bangers like “Turbulence” by Laidback Luke and Steve Aoki and “Levels” by Avicii. They mix the styles in a creative way, too, by having a DJ spin while a live guitarist lays down licks to accent the beat and a saxophonist smoothes out the edges. A live band will also play on certain nights.
Bedtime elsewhere is prime time here
Anthem opens between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., but it may not hit its stride until 2 a.m. or later. The Vamp Room after-party, a carryover from the late-night promotions at 32 Degrees, doesn’t end until the sun comes up. Knowing that, don’t panic if you show up around midnight and there are more employees than guests. Keep calm, carry on drinking and trust that the crowd will come. You will know the party is in full swing when the black curtains outside the club close.
Get over the hump day
Ignite your Wednesdays with the club’s weekly locals party, featuring live cover bands and drink specials like $3 Miller Lites, $5 Absolut cocktails and $6 Jameson pickle back shots. That last one is a shot of Jameson followed by a shot of pickle juice, and if that doesn’t get you out of the mid-week doldrums, then you may be beyond help.
