um exclusive: interview with las vegas’ jack colton

Photo by Tracy Lee

There are few people whose lifestyle alone inspires a cult like following.  In this regard, I consider myself a true believer in the likes of Neil Strauss, Larry Ellison and Morrissey.  A new inductee into this very select group is the ubiquitous Jack Colton.  Consummate Las Vegas scenester, gadfly, writer and uber-lounge lothario, Colton has redefined Sin City decadence in an era where even the truly posh is becoming passe.

From appearances at a-list, invite only VIP events that Paris Hilton herself might be hard pressed to sneak into, to weekly attendance at the hottest club parties up and down the strip, Jack Colton is well on his way to becoming bonafide Las Vegas royalty.  Promoters, hotel executives and even godfather of glamour himself Robin Leach (who handpicked Colton to take over one of his LV writing jobs) all recognize the increasing influence and importance of Urban Monarch’s favorite red headed rogue.

I was lucky enough to steal away a few moments of Jack’s valuable time and score an interview. Read on for a glimpse into the Las Vegas life most mere mortals can only dream about.

1)  How did you get started with Las Vegas nightlife?

In early 2003, I left a ‘cushy office job’ in Oklahoma at a company that I fully owned, and I moved back to Las Vegas to get into entertainment.  I wanted to start back at the bottom, and I definitely did. I literally stood out on Las Vegas Blvd, in the same stuffy business attire that I was used to wearing in Oklahoma, and passed out “free nightclub passes” next to the guys who flick the porn cards at those walking along the Strip.

It seriously was a total trip, but it gave me the perspective of both the unknowing tourist and as the guy fighting to be someone in Vegas. And I think I even learned a little Spanish, hehe. About a month later I was given a “Corporate Marketing Director” title at one of the top clubs (at the time), and then I eventually handled much of that club’s promotions. Obviously, I’m now considerably further a long in terms of the proverbial “totem pole” when it comes to status in Las Vegas, but I wouldn’t have traded my journey for anything. I’ve taken the hard route, bled the entire way, and am glad I did. I don’t ever want to become the jaded local with a seriously skewed view of their entitlement to respect and privilege; I’d rather just enjoy the moment.
 
2)  With or without ‘naming names,’ what is the worst experience you’ve had at a LV club/lounge?  The best?

There have been a few times that I’ve been a bit too drunk and made mistakes, but that’s bound to happen and is no one’s fault but my own. For the most part, everyone comes here to have a good time and keeps their cool. No real bad experiences, just some that weren’t as good as others.

The best wouldn’t be a single time, but rather is the feeling that lives continuously every time I look around and realize that I’m surrounded by good friends, having a great time, and we are all making a pretty good living for what we do.

3)  Coolest celebrity encounter thus far?

I don’t usually get bent out of shape in hanging out with notables. The more of them you are around, the more you realize how much all people are totally just people. I’d have to say the coolest ones were Tom Anderson (from MySpace), the guys from Google, or even the one who started Grey Goose. I mean, I use MySpace all the time, benefit hugely from Google, and probably consume more Goose than water.

Other than that, depends on the situation. Actors and singers are fun to be around, but they have a lot on their shoulders when they are in public…so it’s more a pain in the ass to be around.

I think the funniest encounter was last summer when I was talking with Paula Abdul for a good while and had absolutely NO CLUE it was her. We talked back and forth about the weather, the hors dourves, and I even asked her what she did for a living. “Oh, I’m in entertainment.” I felt like a total tool bag about ten minutes later. Haha. 
 

4)  How has your website affected your Las Vegas experiences?

From the business sense, I get paid to be out and I usually get invites to all of the impossible to get in parties…so that’s good. But you have to accept the good with the bad, and the bad is that I’m not always able to have fun with my friends because lately a lot of people recognize me while we are out. I love meeting new people, but it’s a lot more fun to take shots, get sauced, and laugh about dumping soap in the mall fountain with people who were actually there and know what happened (and yes, we’ve done that recently. No, we aren’t 15. haha). 

In reverse, I’m concerned my experiences will change the website. I can’t get too far out of touch from what the normal visitor would experience, and I truly need to be in the “trenches” to be useful to anyone. Having nightclub owners telling their staff to never charge me for anything, not ever waiting in line, and often receiving expensive gifts doesn’t help matters out. I’m far too cheap to complain about it (and who would), but it’s something I’m intensely mindful of.

5)  Are there any openings (clubs, etc) that Jack Colton is particularly excited about?

The new pool parties this summer should be pretty sweet. I’ve spent nearly every day this week talking with the folks at Hard Rock (Rehab), Mirage (Bare), and Venetian (Tao Beach) seeing what they’ve cooked up for us….and yea, Vegas has raised the bar this season considerably. Hit the gym folks.

Charlene, just one of Jack Colton’s Friends 

6)  What do you think is most unique about LV nightlife compared to NYC, LA, Miami, etc?

In short, no other city can even dream of touching our budgets, lax alcohol laws, and tourist infrastructure. I mean, seriously, you have clubs that opened with a $40,000,000 total build cost and turned a profit within two years. That does NOT happen in other U.S. cities.
 
7)  I’m very curious about / slightly intimidated by Rehab (weekly pool party @ Hard Rock).  What rehab specific advice / stories can you relate?

Rehab is a party filled with people so beautiful that they could make a supermodel feel self conscious, so obviously that party is a hot ticket as far as Vegas Pool parties are concerned. I’d suggest people to go with a solid girl / guy ratio, and get there somewhat early.
 
8)  What’s the most idiotic thing you’ve seen happen in a club?

It’s just the petty stuff that gets on my nerves. I hate it when I see people fighting over stupid shit (like a bachelorette chunking her shoe at her best friend over a dude), and especially when I see someone throw their nose up in the air and disrespect someone else because they think they are “VIP.” It’s one thing to have security move someone from your table if they weren’t invited, but another to elbow someone in the back as you are trying to get by because you think you can. Not cool.
 
9)  I’ve heard a lot of stories about bottle service being a great way to meet beautiful women (albeit gold diggers?!)  Your thoughts?

Free drinks are a great way to politely invite girls over, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself….just tip your host a bit extra. If they don’t stay past the last bottle of Johnny Love, then they were probably just whoring drinks off of you. Or maybe your breath stinks. Who knows, but you at least met girls didn’t you?
10)  What club is the most fashion centric (i.e. intolerant of underdressed guys?)

People who spend the most money want to be around beautiful girls, edgy fashion, and people with a “confident cool” about them. So most Vegas clubs are finally getting out of the collared shirt movement (thank God), and realizing that most of their high-end market rests within the ‘metrosexually fashion conscious.’ Some still have room for improvement, (Pure for example), but everything is getting better for us guys.

Random Event attended by Jack Colton

11) The easiest way for guys to improve their Las Vegas nightclub experience is:

Bring lots of money.
 
12)  What’s the #1 mistake guys visiting Las Vegas make?

Not being themselves. If you’re coming here to get the attention of girls, have a good time with friends, and to really let loose…you don’t need to talk and act like something you saw on television. That’s just stupid. Leave the sunglasses, the big monogrammed gold chain, and the pinstriped shirt at home. You’ll stand out much more by not looking like what everyone loves to laugh at. Believe me.
 
13)  What would you suggest, per guy, for an ‘average’ budget for a night of LV clubbing?

Club cover is usually $30, drinks average $12 with tip, and bottle service ends up running about $500 total per bottle when it’s all said and done.
 
14)  When is the best time of the year to visit clubs?

The best times are when there are less people. It’s the same with Miami, Cancun, or any other major tourist destination. When it gets busy the lines get longer, prices get higher, and the likelihood of being surrounded by morons who don’t know how to drink gets dramatically higher. Same goes for which nights of the week to go out, weekends are for amateurs.
15) Any advice for someone trying to do more than 1 club in a night?

Breast implants. Sure it’s an invasive surgery, but you’ll never forget to take them with you and they seem to open so many doors!
 

Thank you so much to Jackcolton.com for agreeing to this interview.  First round of Grey Goose + Red Bull is on us next time we’re in Las Vegas, Jack.

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