With a background in theater performance and education, it comes as no surprise that Brooks Smith is a charismatic guy. Even in his days as a busser at a popular Las Vegas nightclub, when people were around him, they just seemed to be having more fun.

“(Management) saw that all my tables were partying harder than anywhere else,” says Smith. “So they kinda moved me out and said ... ‘Whatever you do, do it everywhere in the club, get everyone partying and hyped up.’”

Now, Smith does this on a much larger scale as creative coordinator at Drai’s Beach Club and Nightclub atop The Cromwell. He creates new party themes and presentations for both the day and night experiences, acting as something of a liaison between the club’s host staff and technical staff. His role even includes creating custom parties for special guests and VIPs.

“They’ve seen everything, so it’s my job to make it fresh, make it new. Even if they’ve been to this club before, they still want that wow factor,” says Smith. Working on the creative side of things is a shift from his early days focused on performance or working on the club floor.

“I used to have the strong desire to be in the crowd. ... Now it’s more about creating the show and putting the performers out there myself,” says Smith. “I put the pieces into place and push the dominoes over and hopefully it all falls in the right way.”

Saint Tropez Spritz

This libation is a fizzy treat that tastes about as fancy as it looks. Citric and slightly tart with floral and herbal flavors, the Saint Tropez Spritz combines Grey Goose L’Orange vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Aperol, club soda and Mionetto Moscato sparkling wine, with lemon and orange slices and a mint sprig for garnish. You’ll find that the St-Germain elderflower liqueur waits its turn behind the other flavors, making itself known on your palate as the cocktail’s effervescence fades.