Open Format Music at Hakkasan
Hakkasan does not run a dedicated Open Format night on its weekly calendar, but it's one of the most popular nightclubs on the Strip. This page covers what Open Format sounds like in Vegas, which clubs program it as a recurring night, and how to get on the free guest list at the right room.
Genre Note
Hakkasan does not currently run a dedicated Open Format night. Its regular programming is centred on EDM, Hip Hop, Top 40 (separate rooms for EDM and Hip Hop), and any Open Format you'll hear there is likely to come from open-format sets or guest DJs rather than a recurring Open Format event.
If a Open Format-first night is what you're after, scroll to Other Nightclubs with Open Format Music below — those venues program Open Format on a recurring basis. For Hakkasan specifically, use this page as a primer on the room and the sound, then book the guest list when a Open Format-friendly event lands on their calendar.
The Sound
What Open Format Sounds Like at Hakkasan
Open format nights mean the DJ plays everything — EDM, hip-hop, Top 40, house, throwbacks, and more, reading the crowd and switching genres to keep the energy up. These nights have the most diverse playlists in Vegas.
At Hakkasan, the 80,000 square foot venue is built for an incredible sound experience. Located at MGM Grand, the club features a world-class sound system that brings Open Format tracks to life with crystal-clear highs and deep, chest-thumping bass.
The Venue Experience
How Hakkasan Elevates Open Format Music
Spanning 80,000 square feet, Hakkasan is purpose-built to handle Open Format music at its full potential. Located at MGM Grand, the venue's sound architecture is designed around the sound system needs to handle everything from heavy EDM drops to crisp hip-hop vocals to Latin percussion — and it does. The audio engineering allows DJs to switch between genres without any loss in quality or impact. Whether the DJ drops a bass-heavy trap banger or transitions into a smooth R&B classic, the system reproduces each genre at its best.
With a capacity for a crowd of up to 3,800 guests, Hakkasan is known for Hakkasan is where Vegas nightlife meets fine dining ambition — five floors that each feel like a different club. Start dinner downstairs at the Cantonese restaurant, move up to the Ling Ling Lounge hip-hop floor, then ascend to the thundering main room where the DJ stage rises above a sea of 3,000+ people. The production quality is closer to a stadium concert than a typical nightclub. Friday and Saturday headliners bring the biggest EDM names on the Strip. The venue's sheer scale means you can disappear for an hour on one floor and emerge somewhere completely different.. On Open Format nights specifically, the layout accommodates the diverse energy shifts that come with open format sets. The dance floor stays active through genre changes because the crowd feeds off the DJ's ability to read the room and pivot. Different sections of the venue naturally attract different vibes — high-energy near the booth, more social near the bars — giving you options throughout the night.
Headliners & Residents
DJs Who Play Open Format at Hakkasan
Open Format is not a recurring billing at Hakkasan, but the DJs below represent the artists most associated with Open Format in Las Vegas right now. Any Open Format-heavy guest night at Hakkasan would realistically pull from this tier of talent, and the same names can be caught more reliably at the venues listed in Other Nightclubs with Open Format Music below.
* Lineups rotate weekly. Follow Hakkasan for the latest announcements.
When to Go
Best Nights for Open Format at Hakkasan
Friday and Saturday for main room headliner DJs — EDM and hip-hop headliners rotate weekends. Wednesday is R&Bae night with DJ Franzen — the Strip's best midweek R&B experience. Thursday features TELYKAST and rotating hip-hop performers at the Ling Ling Lounge.
For Open Format specifically, the biggest nights are typically Friday and Saturday when headliner DJs take the stage. If you want a less crowded experience with the same great music, Thursday nights often feature Open Format sets with shorter lines and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Doors usually open at 10:30 PM, but the dance floor does not really fill up until midnight. For guest list entry, plan to arrive before 12:30 AM — especially on peak nights.
Quick Info
The Crowd
Who Goes to Open Format Nights at Hakkasan?
Open format nights draw the most diverse crowd of any genre night. Expect a mix of everything — tourists, locals, big groups, and couples who want variety and a DJ who reads the room.
The Scene
Open Format: How Vegas DJs Read a Room
Open format is not a genre — it is a skill set. An open format DJ at a Las Vegas nightclub is performing a real-time audience analysis, diagnosing what the room needs at any moment and delivering it. The technical demands are high: the DJ needs to know enough music across enough genres to find the right track for any crowd composition, at any moment in the night. The best open format DJs in Las Vegas are, by this measure, the most versatile performers in the city.
The open format model works particularly well in Las Vegas because the audience composition changes dramatically within a single night. A room that starts with tourists celebrating a birthday at 11 PM may look very different by 1 AM when local regulars fill in the back half of the venue. An open format DJ who can program for both audiences simultaneously — satisfying the tourists with recognizable hits while giving the regulars the more adventurous selections they came for — is delivering a service that no single-genre DJ can provide.
The transitions in an open format set are the most technically impressive moments. Moving from a hip-hop track to an EDM drop to an R&B slow-down without the crowd registering the genre shift as a disruption requires precise reading of the room's energy level and harmonic vocabulary. When an open format DJ executes these transitions seamlessly, the crowd's experience is of continuous energy — they feel the music escalate and shift without ever feeling like the DJ lost the thread. It is a form of real-time crowd management disguised as music curation.
For first-time visitors to Las Vegas who want maximum variety and are not committed to a specific genre, open format nights deliver the broadest musical experience. You will hear the biggest hip-hop tracks of the year, the festival-ready EDM anthems, the R&B tracks that bridge the two, and the throwbacks that unite a room across demographic lines. An open format night at a major Las Vegas venue is the most compressed and efficient way to experience what contemporary nightclub music looks like across its full range.
What to Wear
Dress Code for Open Format Nights at Hakkasan
The official dress code at Hakkasan is: Upscale nightclub attire. No hats, athletic wear, shorts, or sandals for men. Smart casual minimum. 21+ with valid government-issued photo ID. This applies to every event regardless of genre, and door staff enforce it strictly — especially on peak nights. Getting turned away at the door after waiting in line is the worst way to start your night, so plan your outfit in advance.
Open format nights have a versatile dress code. Since the music spans genres, the crowd dresses across the spectrum from smart-casual to fully dressed up. Men should stick with dark jeans or tailored pants, a nice shirt, and dress shoes. Women can choose between cocktail dresses, stylish separates, or trendy going-out looks. When in doubt, dress slightly above what you think is necessary.
Quick Dress Code Checklist
Allowed
- Collared shirts & button-downs
- Dress shoes or clean sneakers
- Dark jeans or tailored pants
- Cocktail dresses & heels
- Blazers & sport coats
Not Allowed
- Athletic wear or jerseys
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Baggy or ripped jeans
- Hats or baseball caps
- Shorts or cargo pants
Insider Tips
Open Format Night Survival Guide for Hakkasan
These tips are specific to Open Format nights at Hakkasan — from timing your arrival to finding the best spot on the dance floor.
Timing Your Arrival
Open format nights at Hakkasan have an unpredictable energy curve because the DJ reads the crowd and adjusts. Arriving by 11:00 PM is ideal — you will get through the guest list quickly and have time to explore the venue before it fills up. The DJ usually starts with more mainstream tracks and builds toward heavier drops and deeper cuts as the night progresses.
Group Strategy
Open format nights handle all group types well at Hakkasan. The diverse music means everyone in your group will hear something they love throughout the night. For guest list, arrive together and have one person give the full list of names at the door. Groups larger than 6 should have one designated person communicating with the promoter or guest list host to avoid confusion. If budget allows, bottle service on open format nights is ideal for groups because you get the best of every genre from the comfort of your table.
Dance Floor Positioning
Open format nights at Hakkasan mean the dance floor energy shifts with the genre. During EDM drops the crowd surges toward the DJ booth. During hip-hop tracks the energy spreads more evenly. Your best bet is to pick a spot about midway between the DJ booth and the bar — you will be in the action for every genre switch without getting trapped in the surge. Watch for the transition moments when the DJ switches genres — the dance floor reshuffles and you can move to a better position.
Getting Close to the DJ Booth
The DJ booth on open format nights at Hakkasan is the most dynamic spot in the venue because you never know what genre is coming next. The DJ watches the front rows to gauge reactions and decide what to play next — if you are near the booth and react big to a genre, you might get more of it. Position yourself close early in the night when there is room, and move with the natural ebb and flow. Open format DJs are the most crowd-responsive, so your energy directly influences the set.
Pricing & Entry
Open Format Night Costs at Hakkasan
Knowing what Open Format nights at Hakkasan cost before you arrive eliminates surprises and helps you budget your night. The standard cover charge is Normally $40-75 cover. For drinks, expect to pay Mixed drinks $18–28, Beers $14, Bottles from $600. Tipping $1-2 per drink or 18-20% on a tab is standard at Vegas nightclubs. A typical night out for one person — cover, 4-5 drinks, and tips — runs roughly $120-180 at Hakkasan without guest list.
The NoCoverVegas guest list eliminates the cover charge entirely for Open Format nights. For a group of 4, that is approximately $232 saved on cover alone. A group of 6 saves around $348. Free for women all night. Men free before 12:30 AM with even female-to-male ratio. Groups of 4+ with 2:2 ratio recommended. Sign up at least 1 hour before arrival on weekend headliner nights. These savings can be redirected toward drinks, bottle service upgrades, or other entertainment during your Vegas trip.
Bottle service at Hakkasan starts at Starting at $750 for standard tables (Ling Ling Lounge), $1,500 regular nights / $2,500 Saturdays for 6-person main room groups; prime stage tables $3,000–$6,000. Tax (8%) and gratuity (20%) additional.. For Open Format nights specifically, bottle service is worth considering if your group has 4 or more people. It guarantees entry regardless of guest list ratio requirements, gives you a dedicated section with seating, and includes a dedicated server and mixers. When you factor in what your group would spend on individual drinks plus cover charges, bottle service often breaks even at around 6-8 people while providing a significantly better experience. Ask about Open Format-night table locations when booking — positioning varies by event and some spots offer better sightlines to the DJ booth.
Cover Charge
Normally $40-75 cover
FREE with guest list
Drinks
Mixed drinks $18–28
per cocktail
Bottle Service
$750 for standard tables (Ling Ling Lounge), $1,500 regular nights / $2,500 Saturdays for 6-person main room groups; prime stage tables $3,000–$6,000. Tax (8%) and gratuity (20%) additional.
minimum spend
Open Format at Hakkasan — FAQ
Does Hakkasan play Open Format music?
Open Format is not the primary programming at Hakkasan. The venue's regular rotation leans toward EDM, Hip Hop, Top 40 (separate rooms for EDM and Hip Hop), and the Open Format tracks you'll hear are typically limited to open-format sets or guest DJ nights rather than a recurring Open Format-only night. If a Open Format-first experience is what you want, the other clubs listed below are the better fit.
What are the best nights for Open Format at Hakkasan?
Friday and Saturday for main room headliner DJs — EDM and hip-hop headliners rotate weekends. Wednesday is R&Bae night with DJ Franzen — the Strip's best midweek R&B experience. Thursday features TELYKAST and rotating hip-hop performers at the Ling Ling Lounge. Open Format sets are typically featured during peak nights. Check the event calendar for specific DJ announcements.
Which DJs play Open Format at Hakkasan?
Hakkasan hosts a rotating lineup of Open Format DJs including names like DJ Politik, VICE, Brody Jenner, and more. Resident DJs and special guest performers are announced weekly.
How do I get free entry for Open Format night at Hakkasan?
Sign up for the NoCoverVegas guest list to get free entry to Hakkasan. Free for women all night. Men free before 12:30 AM with even female-to-male ratio. Groups of 4+ with 2:2 ratio recommended. Sign up at least 1 hour before arrival on weekend headliner nights.
What is the dress code for Open Format nights at Hakkasan?
Upscale nightclub attire. No hats, athletic wear, shorts, or sandals for men. Smart casual minimum. 21+ with valid government-issued photo ID. On Open Format nights specifically, the crowd tends to dress in line with the genre's style — but the venue's standard dress code is always enforced. No athletic wear, hats, or sandals are permitted regardless of the event.
How much does bottle service cost on Open Format nights at Hakkasan?
Bottle service at Hakkasan starts at Starting at $750 for standard tables (Ling Ling Lounge), $1,500 regular nights / $2,500 Saturdays for 6-person main room groups; prime stage tables $3,000–$6,000. Tax (8%) and gratuity (20%) additional.. Prices can vary depending on the night, the DJ performing, and table location. Open Format nights with headliner DJs may have higher minimums. Bottle service includes your table, mixers, and a dedicated server — and it guarantees entry for your group.
What time should I arrive for Open Format at Hakkasan?
Doors open at 10:30 PM and the dance floor usually fills up by midnight. For guest list entry, arrive before 12:30 AM — this is especially important on peak Open Format nights. The headliner DJ typically starts their set between 12:30 AM and 1:00 AM. Peak hours at Hakkasan are 12:30 AM – 3:00 AM on Fri/Sat; 11:30 PM – 2 AM on Wed/Thu.
How do I get to Hakkasan for Open Format night?
Rideshare dropoff at MGM Grand main porte-cochere on Las Vegas Blvd. Hakkasan entrance is inside the casino near the restaurant level. Self-parking at MGM Grand garage ($18). Valet at MGM Grand main entrance ($35+). Rideshare is the most popular option for nightclub guests since parking garages close before the club does. Plan your ride home in advance — surge pricing peaks around 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM.
Free Guest List
Skip the Line at Hakkasan
Free entry for Open Format nights at Hakkasan. No cover charges.
Complete Guide
Explore Everything at Hakkasan
Detailed guides for every aspect of your Hakkasan experience — from guest list signup to bottle service pricing, best nights, and upcoming events.