Open Format Music at Tao Nightclub
Everything you need to know about Open Format nights at Tao Nightclub — DJ lineups, best nights to go, what to expect, and how to get on the free guest list.
The Sound
What Open Format Sounds Like at Tao Nightclub
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 Tao Nightclub, the 10,000 square foot venue is built for an incredible sound experience. Located at The Venetian, 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 Tao Nightclub Elevates Open Format Music
Spanning 10,000 square feet, Tao Nightclub is purpose-built to handle Open Format music at its full potential. Located at The Venetian, 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 2,000 guests, Tao Nightclub is known for Asian-inspired elegance in a 10,000 sq ft club that's part of The Venetian's 40,000 sq ft Tao complex — one of Vegas's most photographed nightclub interiors (carved Buddhas, red silk, bronze) with Thursday hip-hop nights that draw a strong local crowd and weekend EDM headliners like Alesso and Zedd (2026 residents). Three full bars, private sky boxes, a 40-foot outdoor terrace, and the Tao Restaurant-to-club pipeline mean you can make a full evening of it starting with dinner.. 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 Tao Nightclub
Tao Nightclub hosts a world-class roster of Open Format DJs through its residency program and special guest bookings. Here are some of the names you can expect to see on the lineup:
* Lineups rotate weekly. Follow Tao Nightclub for the latest announcements.
When to Go
Best Nights for Open Format at Tao Nightclub
Friday and Saturday for EDM headliners (Alesso, Zedd, Above & Beyond, Acraze). Thursday is Hip Hop night with Murda Beatz, NGHTMRE — lower cover, more relaxed ratio enforcement.
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 Tao Nightclub?
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 Tao Nightclub
The official dress code at Tao Nightclub is: Upscale casual to nightclub attire. 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 Tao Nightclub
These tips are specific to Open Format nights at Tao Nightclub — from timing your arrival to finding the best spot on the dance floor.
Timing Your Arrival
Open format nights at Tao Nightclub 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 Tao Nightclub. 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 Tao Nightclub 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 Tao Nightclub 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.
Why Tao Nightclub
What Sets Tao Nightclub Apart for Open Format
Tao Nightclub at The Venetian opened in 2005 as one of the earliest themed nightclub concepts on the Las Vegas Strip — predating the megaclub construction wave of 2009–2014 that produced Hakkasan, XS, OMNIA, and Marquee. When TAO opened, the dominant paradigm was generic warehouse-scale clubs without strong visual identity; TAO introduced a fully committed temple aesthetic — hand-carved teak Buddha statues rising to 20 feet at the main entrance, a koi pond water feature flanking the entry corridor, bronze dragon wall sculptures, red silk panel drapery cascading from the ceiling, and warm amber lighting calibrated to the lacquered wooden surfaces rather than the LED-forward palette that defines its successors. That 2005 design commitment explains the most remarkable commercial fact about TAO: it is operating with consistently strong bookings in 2026, two decades after its opening, while multiple venues that opened with superior marketing budgets and larger footprints have closed. The 10,000-square-foot nightclub floor is embedded inside a 40,000-square-foot multi-venue complex that includes Tao Asian Bistro one level above, the TAO Lounge as the pre-entry cocktail zone, and a mezzanine level housing both the sky box VIP configuration and an upper lounge for guests who want full audio immersion at a lower crowd density than the main floor. Three full bars distributed across the nightclub floor — rather than the single-bar or dual-bar layouts at smaller venues — eliminate the bottleneck problem that degrades experience at clubs where bar queues consume 20 minutes of every hour.
The sky boxes at TAO Nightclub are cantilevered structures suspended above the main dance floor on a mezzanine-level support system that positions each box directly over the crowd below. The architectural effect is genuinely different from mezzanine seating at other venues: sky box guests are physically above the dance floor rather than adjacent to it, with a downward sightline to the DJ stage that no floor-level VIP table in any Las Vegas nightclub replicates. The cantilevered position above the dance floor also means sky box guests are fully inside the sound field at production volume — not pulled back to a quieter position — while remaining physically separated from the general admission crowd by the elevation itself. The 2026 resident lineup at TAO spans a deliberately wider genre range than most Strip nightclubs: Alesso, Zedd, Above & Beyond, Acraze, and Alan Walker anchor the electronic and progressive house programming on Fridays and most Saturdays, while Tyga, Murda Beatz, and NGHTMRE drive the hip-hop and trap nights that anchor Thursday programming and periodic Saturdays. This intentional cross-genre booking policy means TAO is one of the only Las Vegas nightclubs where a group that includes both EDM fans and hip-hop fans can find an appropriate night on the calendar without the group splitting across venues.
The 40-foot outdoor terrace at TAO is the only outdoor extension of a major Las Vegas Strip nightclub accessible under the same guest list admission without re-entry requirements. The terrace runs adjacent to the main nightclub space on the second level of The Venetian — not a rooftop, but a covered outdoor ledge at the Las Vegas Blvd and Flamingo Rd corner — and provides a quieter zone for conversation, fresh air, and a change of venue register without physically leaving TAO or losing the evening momentum. Groups use the terrace as a rotation point: the dance floor during peak sets, the terrace during transitions, the sky box for bottle service and group consolidation. No other nightclub on the Strip offers a comparable outdoor area within the same admission footprint.
Expert Advice
Insider Guide: Tao Nightclub for Open Format
Book dinner at Tao Asian Bistro before the club. It's one floor above the nightclub in the same building, the staff coordinate between both venues, and the dinner-to-club transition is a one-flight-of-stairs walk — the most seamless dinner-to-nightclub pipeline available on the Strip.
The sky boxes on the mezzanine level are Tao's best-kept group secret: elevated private rooms above the main dance floor with full audio and sightlines to the DJ stage, but physical separation from the general admission crowd. The correct call for birthday groups and corporate events that want privacy without losing nightclub atmosphere.
Thursday is Tao's most accessible night — lower cover, a local-weighted crowd, and typically a strong DJ booking. Visitors who have scheduling flexibility and want Tao without peak-weekend intensity should target Thursday.
Tao's guest list ratio requirement is actively enforced: even or more women than men at check-in. For groups with more men, plan arrival before midnight when enforcement is slightly more flexible, or book bottle service to bypass the ratio requirement entirely.
The 20-foot Buddha statues and red silk panels at the entrance create one of the most recognizable nightclub photo backdrops in Las Vegas. Group photos at the entrance before entry produce better composition than most in-venue shots — the amber lighting and carved wooden architecture contrast strongly with the LED-forward interiors at XS and OMNIA.
More Open Format
Other Nightclubs with Open Format Music
Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub
The Cosmopolitan
EDM, House, Hip Hop, Open Format
Open Format nights at Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub →LIV at Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
EDM, House, Hip Hop, Open Format (Miami-influenced)
Open Format nights at LIV at Fontainebleau →Jewel Nightclub
ARIA Resort & Casino
EDM, Hip Hop, Top 40, Open Format
Open Format nights at Jewel Nightclub →More at Tao Nightclub
Explore All Music Nights at Tao Nightclub
Tao Nightclub programs multiple genres throughout the week. Browse every music night and find the sound that fits your group.
Plan Your Visit
Las Vegas Guides
Open Format Nightlife Guides
Where to Stay
Hotels Near Tao Nightclub
Most guests visiting Tao Nightclub stay at one of these Strip hotels. Click any hotel to see its full nightlife guide and package options.
Pricing & Entry
Open Format Night Costs at Tao Nightclub
Knowing what Open Format nights at Tao Nightclub cost before you arrive eliminates surprises and helps you budget your night. The standard cover charge is Normally $30-50 cover. For drinks, expect to pay Mixed drinks $16–25, Beers $12, Bottles from $500. 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 Tao Nightclub without guest list.
The NoCoverVegas guest list eliminates the cover charge entirely for Open Format nights. For a group of 4, that is approximately $160 saved on cover alone. A group of 6 saves around $240. TAO Nightclub at The Venetian admits women free all night on the NoCoverVegas guest list — complimentary admission for ladies on all three operating nights (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) with no time restriction. Men receive complimentary entry before 12:30 AM with an even female-to-male ratio. Guest list sign-up closes at 8:00 PM on the day of your visit — register in advance via NoCoverVegas for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows. Enter through The Venetian casino floor: take the escalator to Level 2 (The Restaurant Level), proceed past the Tao Restaurant entrance, and follow signage to the Tao Nightclub guest list check-in desk. Thursday hip-hop nights have more relaxed ratio enforcement than Friday and Saturday headliner nights. 2026 weekend residents include Alesso and Zedd — arrive by 11:30 PM on headliner nights for smoothest check-in. The outdoor 40-foot terrace is included under the same guest list admission with no re-entry required to move between indoor and outdoor areas. Tao Restaurant reservations (dinner before the club) are separate from nightclub guest list and must be booked in advance. 21+ with valid government-issued photo ID. These savings can be redirected toward drinks, bottle service upgrades, or other entertainment during your Vegas trip.
Bottle service at Tao Nightclub starts at Starting at $500. 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 $30-50 cover
FREE with guest list
Drinks
Mixed drinks $16–25
per cocktail
Bottle Service
$500
minimum spend
Open Format at Tao Nightclub — FAQ
Does Tao Nightclub play Open Format music?
Yes. Tao Nightclub features EDM, Electronic, Hip Hop, Open Format across its regular event schedule. Open Format nights are among the most popular at the venue.
What are the best nights for Open Format at Tao Nightclub?
Friday and Saturday for EDM headliners (Alesso, Zedd, Above & Beyond, Acraze). Thursday is Hip Hop night with Murda Beatz, NGHTMRE — lower cover, more relaxed ratio enforcement. Open Format sets are typically featured during peak nights. Check the event calendar for specific DJ announcements.
Which DJs play Open Format at Tao Nightclub?
Tao Nightclub 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 Tao Nightclub?
Sign up for the NoCoverVegas guest list to get free entry to Tao Nightclub. TAO Nightclub at The Venetian admits women free all night on the NoCoverVegas guest list — complimentary admission for ladies on all three operating nights (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) with no time restriction. Men receive complimentary entry before 12:30 AM with an even female-to-male ratio. Guest list sign-up closes at 8:00 PM on the day of your visit — register in advance via NoCoverVegas for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows. Enter through The Venetian casino floor: take the escalator to Level 2 (The Restaurant Level), proceed past the Tao Restaurant entrance, and follow signage to the Tao Nightclub guest list check-in desk. Thursday hip-hop nights have more relaxed ratio enforcement than Friday and Saturday headliner nights. 2026 weekend residents include Alesso and Zedd — arrive by 11:30 PM on headliner nights for smoothest check-in. The outdoor 40-foot terrace is included under the same guest list admission with no re-entry required to move between indoor and outdoor areas. Tao Restaurant reservations (dinner before the club) are separate from nightclub guest list and must be booked in advance. 21+ with valid government-issued photo ID.
What is the dress code for Open Format nights at Tao Nightclub?
Upscale casual to nightclub attire. 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 Tao Nightclub?
Bottle service at Tao Nightclub starts at Starting at $500. 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 Tao Nightclub?
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 Tao Nightclub are 12:00 AM – 2:30 AM.
How do I get to Tao Nightclub for Open Format night?
Rideshare dropoff at The Venetian main entrance on Las Vegas Blvd. Tao entrance is on the second floor of the Grand Canal Shoppes. Self-parking at The Venetian/Palazzo garage ($15). Valet at Venetian main entrance ($30+). 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 Tao Nightclub
Free entry for Open Format nights at Tao Nightclub. No cover charges.
Complete Guide
Explore Everything at Tao Nightclub
Detailed guides for every aspect of your Tao Nightclub experience — from guest list signup to bottle service pricing, best nights, and upcoming events.