It starts with a drink, then becomes a dream. Absinthe, the variety show held inside a Spiegeltent set up in front of Caesars Palace, has gained a well-earned reputation as quite possibly the raunchiest, most raucous entertainment that can be experienced in Vegas without needing shots afterward. Hosted by show “producer” The Gazillionaire and his motormouth sidekick Wanda Widdles, Absinthe has been performed twice nightly, more than 4,000 times in all, since it first opened in Vegas and celebrates its eighth anniversary on April 1, a sacred day for the cast and fools alike.

Absinthe starts out innocently enough with the Gazillionaire’s butler Maxim sitting at a table onstage in the center of the tent, pouring a glass of the fabled spirit that the show is named for as four enigmatic creatures with enormous wigs watch from swings suspended over the audience. The drink, known for its hallucinatory properties, seems to give him super strength and great powers of balance, and after he consumes it, a Green Fairy emerges to tantalize the audience and make clear there is an erotic element to the show.

By the time Ukrainian acrobatic quartet Atlantis takes the stage, Absinthe’s format starts to take shape. It’s a hybrid of cabaret, burlesque, Vaudeville, dancing, extreme rollerskating and circus sideshows taken to a new level. It’s not until hypersexual Widdles introduces The Gazillionaire that the full picture begins to come into focus. “Gaz” sports a gold tux jacket, conspicuous gold dental work and a greasy side part, his origin a complete mystery.

There’s no ambiguity about the bluer-than-blue humor, though. This is not a show for snowflakes. Nothing is sacred, and the Gazillionaire has the ability to be completely offensive without causing spectators to jump up and punch him out, no matter how much he deserves it. Widdles is easily distracted by bulges showing through the acrobats’ tights. Her observations about male endowment turn into a rapid-fire monologue, one of several, and during the course of the show it becomes apparent that Widdles may be the horniest entertainer in Las Vegas.

Do not panic if it seems like a gorilla with a liking for Nine Inch Nails appears suddenly next to you. If you don’t want to be chosen for audience participation segments, a deer-in-the-headlights expression of wide-eyed fear may result in Gaz choosing someone else. He doesn’t hold back on ripping into spectators, though. Whether you’re black, white, Asian, gay, straight, young, old, Republican or Democrat, the hosts of the show are equal opportunity offenders.

The Gazillionaire combed the world from Armenia to Australia looking for the most unusual acts he could find, and has kept the show fresh by revising the acts over the years. Dazzling twin tap dancers Sean and John seem to be on board for the long haul, but it’s not unusual to find new acts in the show upon returning for the second or third time. Watch out for a newly installed electric tree near the tent entrance the next time you come again as well.

To Absinthe. The next time you come to Absinthe.

Caesars Palace, 8 & 10 p.m. daily, $99-$139 VVIP plus tax and fee, 18+. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster