Tailgate Beach Club: "Meh" Venue, but Great AYCD Deals
Key Points:
- Tailgate Beach Club is a new sports-viewing venue at Mandalay Bay in the former Daylight space.
- The venue was under-screened & underpopulated, with almost no free seating.
- Entry is usually free, and they offer appealing AYCD deals.
Tailgate Beach Club opened this summer in the former Daylight Beach Club space at Mandalay Bay, building on the pool + sports-watching combo made popular by Circa.
The new venue has 3 heated pools for year-round viewing, 125 feet of LED screens that create a 360-degree viewing experience, and "live DJ integration", which sounds like a sports fan's version of Hell.
Imagine sweating a massive bet while some kid wearing headphones (on just 1 ear) is riling up the crowd with an Avicii club mix.
But I digress.
I snagged free entry for a recent Monday Night Football Game to check the venue out, and... wasn't all that impressed.
That said, they routinely offer all-you-can-drink deals that may just reel me back in.
Pricing: The Main Draw
"Get in the door" pricing to Tailgate Beach Club is almost always free.
Just reserve your spot on their website.
That said, if you want a place to sit that isn't water or concrete, you'll have to pony up.
All seating is billed as a minimum spend agreement, meaning your group commits to spending at least that amount in exchange for the real estate.
A single lounger starts at around $50, small couches that accommodate up to 5 start at $300, and tables/cabanas start at $500.
Those prices are for a Monday Night Football game. Expect them to be higher over the weekend.
The real draw, IMO, are the AYCD deals Tailgate Beach Club offers.
They come in several flavors, depending on the day, but they currently offer one on Monday & Thursday from 11am-5pm for $75 (female) and $100 (male).
That's a killer deal.
Tailgate Beach Club Review
As mentioned, I hopped on the free entry option, reserved my ticket online in advance, and was dropped off at Mandalay Bay... which was a miscalculation. It's a hike to get to the Beach Club.
Get dropped off at the venue itself.
I had my ticket ready to be scanned when I got there, but they never asked for it. Likely because you could count the patrons inside on 2 hands.
The atmosphere felt more like a library than a football watch party.
Now, I could see the game, but I couldn't get over the thought that Tailgate was "under-screened" for a sports-viewing venue. As in, there should be more, and the ones that exist should be bigger.
This place should be surrounded by screens.
Maybe I'm being picky. That's possible. It was fine. But I certainly wasn't blown away.
Here's a look at the scene, which looked nicer as it got darker.
Now, I didn't reserve a lounger. That would've cost extra, and I own that decision, but I was surprised to see next to zero free options, and they were guarding the paid seats with "Reserved" placards despite fewer than 10 people being there.
If you plan to buy $50 worth of drinks anyway, then reserve yourself a seat.
I took my beer and posted up on the pool edge with my feet dangling in.
It worked, and the view was decent.
Some unique freebies were scattered about, including a hoop in the pool, inflatable inner tubes, ping pong tables, and pop a shot.
There was also a staffed BetMGM betting window.
Audio management was on point.
Music masked commercials, and they even overlaid their own custom graphics over the main broadcast for first downs, touchdowns, etc., which was a cool touch.
The Menu
Pricing is about what you'd expect at a venue like this.
Most appetizers, sandwiches, and wraps landed between $20-$30, which is pretty reasonable.
Cocktails, served in a 32oz souvenir cup, started at $48, while 16oz canned beer started at $13.
Needless to say, I never had to wait long to order.
Restroom Sales Pitch
After a couple Bud Lights, I hit the restroom... and it was weird.
I don't frequent "club" scenes, but I'm familiar with restroom attendants.
This guy was chatting me up mid-stream and was peddling mints, gum, colognes, etc.
It looked like a flea market with the entire counter area surrounding the sinks covered, and I struggled not to drip all over his mint collection when I moved my hands from the sink to the paper towels he was desperately trying to hand me.
Not exaggerating, I had to say "No thanks" about 5 times to offers of mints, mouthwash, or offers to smell some fragrance. He was still yapping as I exited the restroom.
I have no idea whether he was a Tailgate Beach Club employee or just posted up there on his own... and honestly, I'm not sure which scenario is more embarrassing for the venue.
I left at around halftime, partially because I didn't want to endure another mint sales pitch.
The Verdict on Tailgate Beach Club
Would I venture to the south reaches of the Strip and pay $13 for beers at Tailgate Beach Club to watch a Monday Night Football game again?
Probably not.
I'll happily pay a premium for drinks to experience a cool venue or atmosphere, but my first experience wasn't enough to pull me back.
It was fine. Hardly appalling. Just underwhelming.
That said, their AYCD deals are an appealing option - $75 or $100 for 6 hours of drinks is one hell of a deal, and I assume the atmosphere would be less library-like.
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I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
