Nightlife Guide

Zedd + Steve Aoki
Cisco Live Nightclubs 2026

Zedd and Steve Aoki are among the headliners performing at Las Vegas clubs during Cisco Live week. Free guest list — skip the line and skip the cover charge.

Overview

What Nightlife Is Like During Cisco Live

Cisco Live is one of the biggest events on the Las Vegas calendar, drawing over 28,000 attendees to the city each year during May-June. When the show floor closes, the energy shifts to the Strip's world-famous nightclubs, rooftop lounges, and gentlemen's clubs.

Convention weeks are some of the busiest nightlife periods in Las Vegas. Clubs often bring in top-tier headliners to capitalize on the influx of visitors, and venues fill up faster than usual. Getting on a guest list before you arrive is the smartest move you can make — it guarantees free entry and lets you skip the general admission line.

Since Cisco Live falls during May-June, Vegas pool season is in full swing. That means dayclubs and pool parties will be open, giving you the perfect daytime option before transitioning to nightclubs after dark.

After Hours

Cisco Live After-Hours Scene

Cisco Live 2026 raises the bar on conference after-parties: the official Cisco Live Celebration features Maroon 5 headlining and The Chainsmokers closing the night at Allegiant Stadium — a private concert included with every full conference pass. Beyond the Celebration, the IT community takes over the Strip with vendor dinners, partner events, and late-night networking. Cisco Live week also overlaps with JCK Las Vegas (the jewelry trade show) through June 1, which doubles the convention crowd in the city and drives extra headliner programming during the overlap window. During the conference itself, Hakkasan at MGM Grand runs DJ Franzen's R&Bae Wednesdays on June 3 and Timmy Trumpet performs live on June 4 — the final conference night — both about 10 minutes and $12 by rideshare from Mandalay Bay. The Mandalay Bay Convention Center's south Strip location puts you a rideshare away from every major venue — Hakkasan is 10 minutes, and the central Strip clubs (OMNIA, XS, Zouk) are 15–20 minutes.

Getting Around

Transportation from Mandalay Bay Convention Center to Nightlife

Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)

The most convenient option. Most nightclubs are a 5-15 minute ride from Mandalay Bay Convention Center. During convention weeks, expect slightly longer wait times and surge pricing around 10-11 PM. The designated rideshare pickup areas are well-marked at all major venues.

Free Entry (Strip Clubs)

Sign up through NoCoverVegas and get a free guest list entry at your hotel to any of our partner gentlemen's clubs. The guest list picks you up and drops you off right at the door — no cover charge, no hassle.

Las Vegas Monorail

The monorail runs along the east side of the Strip, connecting MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris, Flamingo, Harrah's/The LINQ, and the Las Vegas Convention Center. It's a great option if your nightclub is at one of these hotels. Single rides are $5; day passes are $13.

Walking the Strip

If your hotel is on the Strip and your nightclub is nearby, walking is a perfectly viable option. Most major nightclubs are inside casino-hotels. Just be aware that distances can be deceiving — what looks like a short walk on a map can easily take 20-30 minutes with pedestrian bridges and casino floor-throughs.

Cisco Live Nightlife — FAQ

Where is Cisco Live 2026?

Cisco Live 2026 is at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119, at the south end of the Strip. The venue spans over two million square feet across multiple halls and exhibit spaces. A free tram connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur; from Excalibur it is a 5-minute walk to MGM Grand and Hakkasan via pedestrian bridges. For nightlife travel (after 10:30 PM when the tram closes), rideshare from Mandalay Bay to the central Strip takes 10–15 minutes.

What are the Cisco Live 2026 dates?

Cisco Live 2026 runs Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4, 2026. Sunday is dedicated to registration and the Cisco Partner Summit. Main conference sessions run Monday June 1 through Thursday June 4. Thursday is a shortened day ending at 2 PM. Plan for five days on-site. Register for technical sessions and DevNet labs in advance through the Cisco Live scheduler — popular hands-on sessions fill up fast.

How much does Cisco Live cost?

Cisco Live offers several pass tiers including full conference, IT Management, and exhibit-only options. Check the Cisco Live website for current pricing.

Where do I pick up my badge?

Badge pickup is in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Bayside registration area. Express kiosks are available for pre-registered attendees — have your confirmation QR code ready on your phone. Pickup opens the Sunday before the conference. Picking up your badge Sunday is strongly recommended to avoid the Monday morning rush before the opening keynote. Walk-in registration is also available on-site throughout the conference.

Do I need to bring a laptop?

Strongly recommended. Hands-on labs, DevNet workshops, and many technical sessions include live exercises.

How do I get to Cisco Live from the Strip?

A free tram runs between Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur — useful for getting between those three south Strip properties during tram hours (11:30 AM – 10:30 PM on weekdays). The tram does not run to MGM Grand; from Excalibur you can walk to MGM Grand via pedestrian bridges in about 5 minutes. For nightclub travel after sessions (10:30 PM or later), rideshare is the practical choice — Hakkasan at MGM Grand is about $12 and 10 minutes, and central Strip venues (OMNIA, XS, Zouk) run $15–25 and 15–20 minutes. From central Strip hotels near Caesars, The Cosmopolitan, or Wynn, plan 10–15 minutes and expect $15–25 to reach Cisco Live by rideshare.

What should I wear?

Tech casual. Polo shirts, jeans, and sneakers are common. Comfortable shoes are essential for the large venue.

What is the Cisco Live Celebration?

The 2026 Cisco Live Celebration features Maroon 5 headlining and The Chainsmokers closing the night at Allegiant Stadium — the 65,000-seat home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Food stations and premium beverages are included. Attendance is included with every full conference pass at no additional cost. The event is exclusive to Cisco Live badge holders. Cisco provides complimentary shuttle buses between the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Allegiant Stadium. The Celebration is widely regarded as one of the best after-parties at any enterprise technology conference.

What is the Customer Appreciation Event?

The Customer Appreciation Event is the official Cisco Live after-party, rebranded as the Cisco Live Celebration in 2026. It features Maroon 5 as the headline act and The Chainsmokers closing the night at Allegiant Stadium, with an open bar and food stations included. Attendance is part of every full conference pass with no additional ticket required. Check the Cisco Live mobile app for the confirmed date and shuttle pickup location.

Free Guest List for Cisco Live Attendees

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