Working on my moontan: Dip and Dance at Encore Beach Club

By Deanna Rilling

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 | 7:46 p.m.

Changing outfits five times before going swimming is ridiculous. But that’s the predicament I found myself in June 3 before heading to Encore Beach Club. Normally, I’d just wear shorts, a tee, and flip-flops. But EBC is so vast and gorgeous, I felt like I’d be insulting the pool with my Target duds. Actually, the real issue: This was the launch of Dip and Dance, a nighttime pool party.

Do I wear clubby clothes? A bikini and heels? Some combo of both? A sundress at night? Deciding on a jean skirt, wedge sandals and a Kaskade tank top (I figured they wouldn’t deny me entry with attire supporting their Sunday resident DJ), I arrived at 11:30 p.m. on the dot.

Recovering from a slammed first industry night, Dip and Dance’s premiere was still on the DL, though a fair number of people were bouncing around the pool and hanging out in the gaming pavilion. But no one was in the pool. Yet. Tentative attendees waded in the shallow areas, or dangled their toes while perched on round lily pads, which formed little islands in the water. They were likely thinking the same thing I was: “Is it actually okay to swim here at night?” I know the answer for Thursdays at EBC is “yes” (ditto for the Sunday night pool party at nearby XS), but maybe the club scene has been so conditioned that, at night, it parties around the pool.

Four girls took the first plunge—er—slow immersion. They paddled to the shower dancer platform in the center of the 240,000-gallon pool and tentatively climbed up, dodging LED-lit arcs of water. “Doesn’t that platform rain down as well?” I coyly asked the staff as the girls tried to keep their hair dry. Indeed it did, and the delicate water show switched to downpour, much to the quartet’s surprise. The girls gave up on their hair and makeup and plunged into the pool. Others at EBC followed, and even I couldn’t resist the pristine waters. Yes, I swam in a Vegas pool. And it was a lovely experience.

Batting around beach balls in a pseudo-water volleyball match with strangers, I watched a few girls ruin party dresses by splashing around. I highly recommend night swimming at EBC as temperatures rise. I’ll definitely revisit Dip and Dance as I continue working on my moontan.