Running back and forth under the hot sun ... concentrating, entertaining, sweating. Just another day at a Las Vegas pool club for Lara Giltinan, right? It certainly could be, but this was also a typical day back in Giltinan’s hometown of Sydney, where she was a globe-trotting tennis player. Up until she retired at the age of 22, due to a back injury, Giltinan was a top junior tennis player in Australia, even competing in juniors tournaments at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. before continuing her tennis career on the sports management level. So how exactly did she land at Palms Pool, back for her second season this year as a model cocktail server?

“I wanted to experience a different side of life than tennis,” she said. “While I still have the body to do this, I have to make the most of it.” The transformation began in 2011 when she decided to go on “holiday” to America, making stops in L.A., Miami and Las Vegas. “I fell in love with Vegas the first time I came here. I just absolutely loved it. Everyone falls in love with Vegas, I think, but, it was different for me—it was a deeper love,” Giltinan said. While in town, she experienced her first dayclub, too. “My first was Ditch Fridays at Palms,” she recalled.

Mango Tango

Mango Tango

It only took one day in the sun at one of the city’s hottest pool parties for Giltinan to change her life. Less than a year after visiting Vegas, she left Australia, interviewed at Palms Pool and, as she says, “the rest is history.”

Mango Tango

One of the more popular specialty cocktails at Palms Pool this season is the Mango Tango. The refreshingly sweet libation is mixed with Absolut Mango vodka, Malibu Red (Caribbean rum, tequila and coconut liqueur), pineapple and orange juices and fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and topped with a splash of citrus soda. On April 18, guests can sip this deliciousness poolside at Ditch Fridays, and enjoy the Bikini.com pop-up shop and live DJ sets by Mark Stylz and Lisa Pittman.

Palms, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 21+. 702.942.7777