Reno’s Nikki Beach is all white

A flame juggler entertains at Nikki Beach’s second-season grand-opening party. Photo by Matthew B. BrownIn a city where there's only about four months of prime pool season, Grand Sierra Resort's Nikki Beach is doing all right — that's “all white” if you were there for this season's grand opening party on Saturday, June 7.

With most everyone wearing the color of Florida sand, thousands (from a few legit sources I heard maximum capacity is 1,500, but this was the hottest party in town, so you know they squeezed in more bodies than that) came out for dancing go-go girls, flame jugglers on stilts, a fireworks show, drinks, and dancing. Us VIPers even got to feel the sand, a staple of any Nikki Beach property around the world, under our feet.

Speaking of VIP – this Nevada Magazine editor gig is all right sometimes — my wife and I chatted with Victor Sutter, head of operations for Nikki Beach. He told us how, after spending time opening properties in cities such as Cabo and Miami, he was surprised to learn of his third assignment – Reno? Despite his initial skepticism about a city known more for its high-desert mountains and gambling than its warm-weather pool parties, it's been successful.

Looking back toward Grand Sierra from the Nikki Beach VIP area. Photo by Matthew B. Brown“We're selling out $1,000 VIP tables with a two-bottle minimum,” said Sutter, dressed in a stylish white outfit, of course. “Tonight all 38 tables are reserved.” He also gave a personal testament to why “America's Adventure Place” is an apt slogan for Reno. He said one of his first few trips to the area was highlighted by a dirt-bike excursion with some buddies. Oh, and the snowboarding's not bad either, he admitted. This is a guy who's not only made for the beach, but works for the Beach.

The lines were long to get a drink, but the music was bumping until 2 a.m. (the pool has to shut down at that time to respect hotel guests), and there was a festive mood in the air for the opening of the property's second season.

My wife and I have been to the pool twice for night parties, and we'll be going back in a few weeks. If you want a different experience in Reno outside the sometimes suffocating bars and casinos, catch a breath of breezy Nevada summer air at Nikki Beach. If you like sun with your pool, check out Amazing Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.