Dancing Into a New Dawn: LIV at Fontainebleau Opens a New Era of Vegas Nightlife

A dazzling addition to the city's illustrious nightlife sector, the opening of LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Las Vegas marks a narrative replete with luxury, perseverance and of course, the dependable pulse of electronic dance music.

A $3.7 billion venture, the prodigious Fontainebleau Las Vegas stands as a monument to ambition. After a tumultuous journey of two decades, which included halts in construction during the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, the project found new life under the leadership of Jeffrey Soffer and Fontainebleau Development. Today, this 67-story structure stands tall as Nevada's highest habitable building and a symbol of resilience and rebirth.

Nestled within the property's grandeur is LIV Nightclub, a Miami-based brand founded by David Grutman in 2008. LIV's new Sin City counterpart, an intimate 2,000-person venue, immediately stands out as being unique for its size and format within the broader Vegas landscape. It carves a niche by embodying the ubiquitous craving for proximity and connection emanating from today's EDM community.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas' Senior VP of Nightlife Michael Waltman emphasized these elements of the guest experience were a key priority.

"LIV is more intimate than most in Las Vegas, and we love that," Waltman tells EDM.com. "No matter what table you're at or where you are as a general admission guest you have full visibility of the DJ." 

View the original article to see embedded media.

John Summit, LIV's debut performer and first resident DJ, has ingeniously captured this sense of connection on the road in his own right. While he's been growing into increasingly larger-scale performances, oftentimes they still resemble the shared energy of a spirited house party.

As a current Miami resident himself, Summit's debut in Las Vegas at the Grutman-helmed LIV felt like a cosmic alignment in the present moment. The DJ's first performance was a journey through his landmark year, which was dotted with global dance hits like "Where You Are" and "Fade Out."

LIV's grand opening, which took place during what is traditionally among the slowest weeks of the year in Vegas, exceeded all expectations. It was a testament to a combination of the brand's national renown and leadership's strategic foresight.

Prior to joining the Fontainebleau development, Waltman found himself on the ground floor of the team that launched Resorts World Las Vegas and its scintillating Zouk Nightclub property, experiences that have undoubtedly informed his approach to building the next chapter in the LIV legacy. He says he's immensely proud of the "once-in-a-lifetime type of opportunity" to bring two high-profile nightlife brands to the entertainment capital of the world.

Waltman's vision for LIV goes beyond just offering a premier night out; it's about creating an environment where the energy of the crowd and the DJ merge into a single, unforgettable experience.

Looking ahead, he remains excited about the introduction of LIV Beach, the brand's forthcoming dayclub counterpart, which is set to open in March 2024. The addition to the company's growing portfolio is expected to embody a similar ethos as the nightclub, offering a curated party experience that caters to table service and general admission guests alike.

The story of LIV at Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a tale of adaptation, innovation and relentless pursuit. As the skyline twinkles under the desert sky, LIV at Fontainebleau Las Vegas not only joins the industry-leading constellation of nightclubs that adorn the Strip, but also shines as an example of what the future of clubbing can look like: immersive, inclusive and intensely memorable.

John Summit's next performance at LIV Las Vegas is slated for January 10th, 2024. Tickets are on sale now.