Absinthe — Attraction in Paradise

Hubby won a charity auction for a VIP Gazillionaire package to Absinthe, and this is my review.

For something that usually costs over a grand, I was a little disappointed in what was advertised versus what we got. Our package included: round trip VIP transport to and from the venue, a drive down the Strip, a "dedicated cocktail server" with open bar for the duration of the show, and VIP table seating.

We got a fraction of that.

First, we were supposed to be picked up in a Rolls Royce. Didn't happen. They sent a plain white SUV that led to a bunch of communication errors (and resulted in us arriving about 30 minutes later than we had wanted to be at the venue). Strike one. The driver was awesome and accommodating, but what a letdown from the start.

We were driven directly to the venue where a hidden "door" opened up from a hedge. As soon as we got out, we were handed a glass of (bad) sparkling wine and taken through VIP red ropes to the speakeasy out back. OMG the speakeasy is amazing! We were told we could order anything and everything on the drink menu, and that it was "on the house." We took that as a personal challenge, LOL!

We had a reserved couch area in the Speakeasy courtyard, and I wish I could've spent hours here! But since there was all that confusion with our driver, we unfortunately had to rush. We had room to down one cocktail quickly (and it was amazing), then it was time to move into the adjacent tent for the show.

This "dedicated cocktail server" was a complete load of bull. We had different servers come by all night. They were frequent, but that's far from having our own server who knew our wants and needs.

I opted to stick to champagne after feeling super tipsy from my first cocktail, but hubby went all out and tried several different drinks. Let me warn you: these drinks are small, but STRONG. We are pretty tough and can drink a lot, but my god, after two cocktails, we were literally nearly falling down drunk. You have been warned.

Our table was fantastic. Elevated and right in the center, I couldn't have asked for a better view or seat. The chairs were comfy enough and we had tons of room. The standard seating looked miserably uncomfortable and cramped. The table location made the VIP really feel worth it.

The show was weird. Standard Cirque acrobat type stuff: people doing balancing acts, sword swallowing, roller skating, etc. It gets super repetitive. The best part about the show was the M.C. the Gazillionaire and his randy sidekick Wanda, and their schtick was insulting audience members. They weren't mean-spirited at all, and it was mildly amusing. My advice is: the more you drink, the more you'll enjoy the show. A lot of it reminded me of the old "Opium" show at Cosmo. If you saw that, then you'll get the vibe.

The show is too short at 80 minutes, and afterward we were shuffled back out into the courtyard. It would've been nice to have been able to hang another hour or so at the speakeasy, but our driver was waiting and we had 15 minutes to get to the car or miss our ride.

I'm glad we didn't pay $1,200 for the VIP package because, frankly, it's not even close to worth it.

Closing observation: the show has a reputation of being super dirty, but we didn't find it dirty at all. There wasn't even any nudity, and only a few cuss words. I seriously don't get why Absinthe has a reputation for being so "'raunchy." I don't even think my grandma would've been offended...

I’m a huge fan of Spiegelworld and genuinely believe they’re at the forefront of circus theater in Las Vegas. Their space-themed show, Opium, blew me away every time I saw it. The quality of the circus acts, the wit of the host, and the overall production were top-notch. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Absinthe.

The show starts strong with a singing fairy who’s either lip-syncing or deserves their own Vegas residency. I mean, jaw-dropping. Their voice was Beyoncé-level smooth, and I don’t throw the Queen’s name around lightly. But after this electrifying opening, the show quickly loses steam.

The main host is an eccentric billionaire caricature whose primary purpose seems to be cramming as many curse words as possible into an 85-minute show (yes, not even the advertised 90). The humor is standard Vegas fare, with predictable jabs at the token gay couple in the front row and bleach-blonde, butch baddies in the second. While mildly humorous, this is the safest kind of comedy. Good jokes take risks, and this host clearly prefers to stay in their gazillionaire comfort zone.

The co-host fares slightly better, leaning into awkward, uncomfortable comedy. While she has her moments, sometimes the humor slides too far into cringe territory, losing its comedic edge.

As for the circus acts? A letdown. If you’re looking to be impressed, go see O or Mystère. The hand balancer couldn’t stick their final press-up and ended the act early. While there are a few standout performances—like a unicycle act featuring a performer so self-absorbed he makes Narcissus look modest—most of the acts are all flash and no substance. Case in point: a straps act in a bathtub where the performer spends more time splashing in the tub than in the air.

The pièce de résistance, if you can call it that, is a gag silk act featuring two aerialists in terrible wigs doing absolutely nothing for five minutes, save for a brief karaoke bit. It’s neither entertaining nor impressive. The only real highlight was the audience participation segment, where audience members are invited to strip on stage. I lucked out with two couples who genuinely brought energy and fun to the bit. But when the best performers in your show are the audience, something is deeply wrong.

Absinthe might have been groundbreaking when it debuted 10 years ago, but it hasn’t aged well. It’s in dire need of a major tune-up or a total teardown. That said, the people behind the scenes deserve major kudos. The tent and ambiance are as good as it gets on the Strip. The space evokes a golden-age Barnum & Bailey vibe, with every inch of the interior covered in stunning paintings and graphics that scream Spiegelworld’s brand of immersive circus theater. The lighting and sound design teams also deserve a raise—they managed to elevate lackluster acts into something mildly engaging.

Overall, Absinthe is a mixed bag. While it has its moments, they’re not enough to save the show. Here’s hoping Spiegelworld channels its magic to give this production the overhaul it desperately...

Absinthe Las Vegas: The Wildest, Most Unapologetic Show on the Strip

If you think you’ve seen everything Vegas has to offer, Absinthe will prove you wrong. This show is a high-octane mix of jaw-dropping acrobatics, raunchy comedy, and pure, unfiltered Vegas energy. It’s like Cirque du Soleil got drunk, threw away the safety net, and decided to be absolutely outrageous—and we loved every second of it.

The Performances: Pure Madness Meets Pure Talent

This isn’t your typical variety show. Every act is either dangerously thrilling, ridiculously sexy, or completely unhinged—and sometimes all three at once. • Gravity-Defying Aerialists? These performers will have you holding your breath with their impossible stunts. • Tightrope Walkers? No harness, no fear, just raw talent that’ll leave you gripping your seat. • Comedy & Crowd Roasts? The emcee has zero filters and zero mercy—if you’re sitting in the front row, be prepared to become part of the show.

And let’s be real: your wife will go crazy for the ripped guys doing insane feats of strength, while you’ll be busy daydreaming about the stunning, incredibly flexible ladies. It’s a win-win situation.

The Atmosphere: Gritty, Intimate, and Electric

Forget massive theaters—Absinthe takes place in an intimate, in-your-face setting that makes every performance feel dangerously close. The energy is wild, the crowd is hyped, and there’s a constant sense of “I can’t believe they just did that” throughout the entire show.

The Verdict: An Absolute Must-See in Vegas

Absinthe is sexy, shocking, side-splittingly funny, and completely over-the-top in the best way possible. It’s the perfect mix of circus, burlesque, and comedy with a heavy dose of insanity—exactly what Vegas is all about.

⭐ Rating: 5/5 | A Top-Shelf, Gavigan-Approved Must-See

Pro Tip: Splurge on VIP seating if you want the best experience, but be warned—you might end up in the show. And if you’re easily offended? Stay...