Chuck Nguyen had one dream when he thought of Las Vegas—he wanted to own his own nightclub. “Obviously this is the mecca of the bartending world,” says the Wisconsin native. “But I really wanted to own my own nightclub; I really wanted to come out here and be in the No. 1 place for nightclubs.” But now he’s living—and loving—a different dream.
When he moved to town 10 years ago, he brought six years of bartending experience with him working at various bars and clubs in Michigan, where he went to college. He quickly got hired at some of the best pool clubs and nightclubs in Vegas, and, for the past seven years, he’s been a bartender at Influence, The Pool at The Linq (he also bartends at Omnia nightclub at Caesars Palace).
“I’ve been lucky enough to make a good path for myself,” Nguyen says. “I’m having so much fun bartending and I love what I do that it’s hard for me now to want to transition to the other part of managing and owning. I enjoy my life as a bartender, so I’m riding that out.”
Nguyen loves being behind the bar at Influence—a more casual, welcoming 21-and-over pool club that overlooks The Linq Promenade.
“I love the aspect of creating an atmosphere that people love to be in,” he says. “I look at this place as a home to me and I’m the host of a party. We set that tone as a bartender to create that atmosphere. This pool is more like your backyard barbecue party. Something that you’d like to go to and hang out with your friends, feel comfortable—it’s not all high maintenance and you have to be dressed to the nines. It’s more laid-back—we got good music, good vibes.”
With so much fun being had behind the bar, will Nguyen ever fulfill his nightclub dream?
“I’ve learned so much over 16 years in this industry,” he says. “I think I could run a successful club—so yeah, definitely don’t count me out, that’s for sure.”
Libation: Wet & Wild
If you like to drink poolside, Influence, The Pool at The Linq overloads you with awesome options. There are spiked lemonades, various mojito recipes, skinny cocktails, frozen cocktails, different margarita flavors, delicious shots, canned brews, champagnes, rosés and specialty cocktails like the Wet & Wild. This popular sip is a sweet blend of Grey Goose vodka, blue Curaçao, fresh strawberry purée and coconut berry Red Bull. Or, if Nguyen is behind the bar, ask him to whip up one of his famous strawberry mojitos!
Benefit: If you have a large party, ask about booking the REQ Room—a giant cabana that can fit up to 40 people!
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