DRAI’S Nightclub Vice President has revealed which celebrity has made him most starstruck in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun.
Drai’s Nightclub has seen home to some of hip hop and R&B heavyweights over the years, including Rick Ross, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, French Montana, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Fabolous and Yo Gotti.
Surprisingly, it was a reality star, not a singer, who made the Las Vegas club’s Vice President starstruck when he walked through the doors.
“I would say it’s a very weird thing, but I’m a big Big Brother fan.
“The winners of Big Brother came here one time and the season had just ended a week before and it was the guy with the long hair,” presumably referring to Jack Matthews from Big Brother Season 21.
“And they showed up at the door and I did not expect them. I turned around – nobody knew who they were – I looked at them and kind of froze being like, ‘Oh my God, those are the guys from Big Brother,'” Dustin Drai, Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub VP, told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview.
Recalling the unexpected rendezvous took place about three years ago, he continued, “I run over to them being like, ‘What do you need?’
“And they’re like, ‘Who is this guy?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m the owner of the company. This is my club. Whatever you need, let me set you up a table.’ And they were like okay.
“Literally, they were in shock, my staff was in shock. I was the only one super excited. So that was a cool moment for me.”
TRUTH ABOUT WIZ
While Dustin, 30, couldn’t pick who has been his favorite artist to work with, he did say that he has a “really strong relationship” with 2 Chainz and that he’s “very close with Wiz [Khalifa].”
The rapper has had a residency at Drai’s for nearly five years, having recently performed on April 27, and will be back May 24 and June 7.
“He’s awesome. Super, super humble guy. Really enjoys putting on a performance. I mean, his music is legendary. He’s legendary.
“Every time he comes to a show, he’s professional, he’s on time. His team is amazing. They’re really a great residency to have. And we love having them here at Drai’s, and I know that he loves being here because he truly is like family,” Dustin revealed.
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“Everybody that we work with here, we want them to feel like family. So I think when Wiz is here, he feels like family and that’s why he puts so much into his shows.”
He continued: “I would say 99% of our artists, if not all of them, are really respectable and understand that they’re here for a job and it’s not a playground.”
BACK TO REALITY
Fans who haven’t gotten the chance to experience the premier beachclub and nightclub got a taste of what it was like on MTV’s Double Shot at Love starring DJ Pauly D and Vinny Guadagnino.
Jersey Shore’s Pauly D has also had a residency at Drai’s for a few years, but has since moved residencies to Marquee nightclub at The Cosmopolitan where he currently deejays.
I looked at them and kind of froze being like, ‘Oh my God, those are the guys from Big Brother.'”
Dustin Drai
Drai’s was also the filming location for Season 2 of CBS’ dating reality show, Love Island, serving as the “Love Island” villa.
When asked if any more TV shows will be filmed at the 65,000-square-foot venue in the near future, Dustin said, “We’re always open to the possibility of doing more.
“I think Vegas is such a hot market for that, and we have such an amazing venue that allows for so many different people to come through here that reality TV kind of enjoys shooting here. So you’ll never know. We’ll see what happens.”
Dustin, for his part, was recently featured on Paramount Network’s Season 9 of Bar Rescue alongside actor Danny Trejo.
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Founded by hospitality legend and Dustin’s father, Victor Drai, Drai’s has been around for 30 years as a brand.
This Memorial Day weekend, however, marks the 10 Year Anniversary of Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub opening at The Cromwell, which is a hotel located on the Strip that’s part of Caesars Entertainment.
Boasting panoramic views of the entire Vegas Strip, the day and night clubs have about 2,000 to 3,5000 party-goers at any given time, the VP revealed.
“We’re celebrating by continuing to bring the live experience of the live entertainment was what we’ve been doing for the past eight years and just continuing that with the artists that we have performing,” Dustin said.
“We basically combined concerts and nightlife into one venue. And one thing that was very important to us back then and still is important to us today is the full 45-minute performance.
“Our artists come here and they’re able to give a full concert style performance in a nightclub.
“We’re one of the only venues in the world that gives that experience to the customers, and that’s something that we take a lot of pride in, and we strive to make that as memorable as an experience and continue trying to push the envelope as much as we can to change the experience and stay on the forefront of what that means with live entertainment.”
Drai’s will be expanding to other markets, including New York and Dallas. Drai’s Supper Club Dallas will be debuting in late 2024.
Tickets to Drai’s 10 Year Anniversary Celebration, featuring Wiz, Cardi B, Moneybagg Yo and a surprise guest, can be purchased on the website.
