The fact that Tabu still packs them in all these years after its opening speaks volumes, especially in this segment of the market where the cool crowds often move on to the newest cool thing quickly, leaving some clubs packed for a few months and then empty after that. But while other clubs shoot themselves in the foot by trying too hard, Tabu has succeeded by taking the minimalist approach, keeping things simple and focusing on the fun.

The space is smallish, certainly nowhere near as big as Studio 54, the other hot club in the MGM Grand. The design is spare with dark walls and fixtures fading into the background so you can focus your attention on the few colorful features in the place: a multi-colored glass tube wall behind the bar and the spotlighted seating areas at the center of the club. The latter is where you'll find most people dancing up on the low tables or in the aisles even thought there is a small dance floor.

Those tables draw a lot of attention owing to the constantly changing patterns projected onto them or through them - a couple actually respond to touch.

The DJ behind the megawatt sound system was spinning a good mix of danceable hip-hop and funky pop on the evening I attended, keeping the party vibe going and the customers entertained. My limited interaction with the rest of the staff was mostly a positive one - they seem a touch less intimidating here than at similar clubs around town. I guess that's because their servers are referred to as "models," with one night dedicated of them wearing the latest fashions in a showing of haute couture.

As usual, the crowd was young - I was easily the oldest person in the room by a solid ten years, although it was dark and botox does amazing things so there may have been more of us oldsters lurking in the corners.

Also as usual, the cover and drink prices verge on the heartbreaking, although certainly not any more expensive than any other club in this town. The entry price varies but on weekends if you can do the admission plus two drinks for less than $50 you've totally done something wrong.

Of all the ultra-lounges in this town (and there are a lot), Tabu is by far my favorite.