Rio’s VooDoo Beach offers pool parties with plenty of music, drinks, comfort

Remember when sneaking into a hotel pool required nerves of steel and a bit of stealth?

These days, thanks to Las Vegas' spate of summertime pool parties, locals can check out area hotels pools deception-free.

Take the Rio, whose pools always have been among the city's coolest. Thanks to the hotel's VooDoo Beach summer pool parties, locals now can party in the sun just like the tourists do.

VooDoo Beach has been a summertime staple at the just-off-Strip property for two years now, says David DeLeo, the Rio's I-Bar and pool manager.

VooDoo Beach offers three pools equipped with such features as sand entries and cascading waterfalls. Add to that drinks created by the Rio's signature flair bartenders and music provided by DJs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and the result is something Frankie and Annette couldn't have imagined.

"We try to give everybody a different experience," DeLeo says, "something that the average (hotel) is not going to have."

VooDoo Beach's amenities also include cabana rentals (starting at $375), daybed rentals ($150) and bottle service (starting at $150).

And, in a few weeks, there'll be another amenity you won't see elsewhere around town: Misting chairs, DeLeo says, "available to everybody, not just VIPs."

VooDoo Beach's entertainment schedule this summer also includes several concerts. The Spin Doctors already have played, and upcoming acts include Toad the Wet Sprocket and The Presidents of the United States of America.

VooDoo Beach is designed to complement entertainment offerings at the Rio's VooDoo Lounge. In fact, DeLeo says, some guests plot their day around making the day-to-night transition, partying at the pool until evening, and VooDoo Lounge, beckons.

There is no admission or cover charge to VooDoo Beach pools. Because of that, DeLeo says some guests stop by for a quick lunch and a bit of decompression before heading back to work.

That, DeLeo notes, is a particularly appreciated option these days.

"When it's time to relax," he says, "you don't want to worry about anything but kicking back and having a great drink."

VooDoo Beach is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with Friday and Saturday hours extended a bit each way as summer progresses.

For information, call 777-7777, ext. 7196.

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.