After months of preparation and several setbacks, Krave Massive finally has arrived. The club welcomes its first guests Saturday night.
Owner Kelly Murphy couldn't be more relieved. Planning the grand opening of the world’s largest gay club in a new downtown location hasn’t allowed him much sleep over the past year.
“It has been hell,” Murphy said, laughing. “As a 40-year-old gay man, I’m not getting nearly as much sleep as I should.”
Taking over the site of the former Galaxy Theaters in Fremont Street's Neonopolis, the new 84,000-square-foot Krave features a little something for everyone. Its choices of "experiences" include a Top 40 Club, Hip Hop Club, Country Saloon and Men’s Revue Show. Krave’s new digs span much of the second and third floors of Neonopolis.
The nightspot, which previously was located in the Miracle Mile Shops and most recently at the Rio, caters to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender club-goers.
Murphy originally had planned to open Krave six months ago, but several construction issues, including early doubts about the building’s structural integrity, set the project back.
“We have had all sorts of surprises on the construction side,” Murphy said.
Murphy predicts more than 6,000 customers will visit the club every week. The draw? Options.
Krave includes several mini-club experiences for people with different personalities and tastes.
It will offer rooms themed around hip-hop, Latin, Top 40 and country music, as well as 3D areas for which clubbers will be provided 3D glasses. Krave’s 80-seat Extravaganza theater features a stage for female impersonators to perform as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Adele.
Perhaps most unique is Murphy's "Boy Hunter," a staffer equipped with an iPad and earpiece who asks VIP guests what kind of club companion they’re looking for. The Boy Hunter tries to find a match among club-goers.
Krave’s grand opening also starts a unique partnership among the club, the Flamingo and Caesars Palace.
Club-goers can book “The Massive Package,” which includes rooms at the Flamingo or Caesars Palace, a pair of spa and health club passes, two tickets to Krave and — most surprisingly — shuttle service to sites other than Caesars Entertainment properties.
Murphy has found support downtown, too.
He received a generous minority investment in Krave’s parent company Phantom Entertainment by a group under Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project umbrella.
The reality of the opening hasn’t quite set in for Murphy, who says he has been focused on one thing: getting the doors open to the public.
“I haven’t had time to think,” Murphy said. “I can’t wait to have a cocktail when it’s all over.”