Picking which nightclub (or nightclubs – plural, if you're feeling adventurous) to spend your precious and limited Vegas vacation on is a tough task. It seems like there a billion clubs, all touting the same stuff – alcohol, men, women, dancing – so how do you know which one has that something special to set it apart?

In the case of The Bank at the Bellagio, you know because people talk about it. The things that set The Bank apart are the kinds of things that people notice and if you're in a place where Sin City nightlife doesn't come up too often, well, that's what we're here for – here's the rundown on The Bank. Hopefully this will help you make an, ahem, informed decision.

The layout of The Bank is one of the most intuitive in Vegas. Visitors to the club are greeted by a line that sometimes spills to the edges of the casino floor, but it's laid out in a manageable way. Tables and VIPs to the left, general admission to the right.

Once you're in, you head up an escalator that leads into the club. Because the elevator doesn't spill right into the main club, there's less of a back up than at most clubs. You progress through a room filled with bottles of Cristal and booths (if you're looking for a slightly more breathable table, this is the spot to reserve) and then it's The Bank in all its glory.

You enter the main room of the club in the back left corner. From here, there's a bar immediately to your right and going straight will lead you to some of the best views in the house. The Bank's layout is essentially a tiered rectangle. Ringing the rectangle on top are drink rails and standing space (which is where those views come in – you can see almost all the action with your drink resting comfortably on an actual flat surface instead of perched precariously on some ledge).

If you drop down a level (or two) there are booths and tables that are separated enough that VIPs have their own space, but don't feel segregated or closed off. The dance floor is on the bottom floor, right in the middle. Above that is the DJ booth, where DJs like Samantha Ronson sometimes come to spin (there's even VIP space flanking that if you're going ultra-swanky for the night).

There's another bar off to the far side of the club (and more private table seating behind that) and near there are stairs down to the restrooms.

But all that is just architecture. What actually sets The Bank apart is much more than simple schematics.

The Bank is generally regarded as a higher-end club, even if you don't spring for bottle service (although if you do, the service is top notch). From the dark-yet-sparkly décor to the gold accents, The Bank oozes elegance. And if you didn't notice from the atmosphere, take a look around at the other patrons – no one just picked up a shirt from the laundry pile and rolled into The Bank. There's definitely a dress-to-impress vibe.

On top of all that, the club – and its management – bring in some fantastic talent (singer Estelle had a recent performance at The Bank that packed the house) and throw some epic parties.

It's with all this that The Bank sets itself apart – and though it's not the cheapest club in town, did you really come all the way to Vegas to scrimp once you got here? We didn’t think so.

– Review by Jamie Helmick