VooDoo Beach

Review

When a club or a pool or a pool club has something like the word "VooDoo" in its name, everyone rushes to make a bunch of puns about crowds being under the place's spell or some sort of witchcraft potentially drawing in audiences. 

Sure, it's cute, but in the case of VooDoo Beach, it's totally unnecessary -- this pool club stands entirely on its own charms. (Wait, was that one?)

With a smattering of pool clubs popping up at Sin City's most venerated hotels, the sun-loving, water-frolicking, mojito-sipping set has a totally unprecedented number of options, yet VooDoo Beach almost always brings in the leisure-hunters. 

That's probably because its mission seems to be not to actively compete with the other pool clubs, but to make a great time for the people there and, in turn, that's what makes it competitive.

All the pretension and the game-playing goes right out the window at VooDoo Beach. There are waterfalls, big, inviting pools and places to lay out (covered in SPF something, hopefully). Going hand-in-hand with the tropical theme of the Rio, there's a lot of lush-looking foliage and more than a few cute little accents that make you think twice about whether you're still in Vegas.

It wouldn't be an effortless day by the pool without something to sip on and VooDoo Beach is no slouch in that arena. Not only is the menu full of frosty (and fruity) tropical drinks, they're also served up with flair that's more than just a mint leaf garnish.

Flair bartenders (think Tom Cruise in "Cocktail," though we've found flair bartenders hate that comparison) toss, catch, flip and pour all the colorful ingredients to your drink right in front of you. It might be the best show at the pool, depending on whether someone's really getting into their suntan lotion application that day.

It makes sense that with this carefree-yet-still-dedicatedly-fun atmosphere that VooDoo Beach knows how to throw a good party and they do it pretty much all the time. A live DJ spins on the weekend (but don't worry, music is still playing throughout the week) and CALOR, a Latin-flavor shindig is held weekly. Plus, VooDoo Beach sometimes hosts concerts from infectiously fun bands like The Presidents of the United States.

And if, even with all that, you're tempted to just hang at the local pool (or the one conveniently attached to most hotels), don't forget that VooDoo Beach is 21 and older and most of those aren't. If the kids are running around grabbing all the fun, what'll be left for you? It's not voodoo magic -- it's common sense.

-- Review by Jamie Helmick