Those intimately involved call it "the lifestyle." Swinging or swapping spouses for sex. It's something that's gone on here for years, isn't widely publicized, and may not be legal, but its popularity and locations are spreading.
Prostitution is illegal in Clark County, but you can pay for the opportunity to have sex with others in your own neighborhood. Patrons hope what happens at a swingers club stays there, but neighbors of one such place want to get the word and the people out.
Nestled at the edge of Sunrise Mountain, the holiest of places for one of the valley's biggest religions, the Mormon Temple is where marriages take place and lives as a couple begin. But just 500 yards up the road, as the sun sets, a much different lifestyle takes shape.
The Glitter Nights Swingers Party takes place in Sunrise Manor, a 22,000-square-foot mansion in a purely residential neighborhood, operating as a business.
There's a lounge, dance floor and DJ, and of course a bar. We proceeded on a tour with our hostess, Susie, after meeting her partner Daniel.
"The swing room's in here with a massage table. The swing has a remote if you wanna lower it and raise the chair, it can do that for you if you wanna get a little kinky and crazy," explained Susie.
Glitter nights is in County Commissioner Rory Reid's district. "I just think it's outrageous this is in a residential neighborhood," says Reid. This is an apparent adult use in a residential neighborhood, and I don't think anybody, no matter how, umm, progressive they may be, would condone that use in a neighborhood."
It's not just in this neighborhood. At the Lights of Vegas estate on the other side of town, near Cheyenne and Jones, it's $60 per couple at the door. Their website lists a host of events, including a mother's day brunch. At the house, there's hot food, cold drinks and group sex.
There are at least eight of these places around the valley, and many, including the well-known Red Rooster, operate in residential neighborhoods. But while the newer clubs are easy to find on the web, they've essentially operated under the radar, until now.
"A swingers club, sex club, as set forth in Title 30 is something that's forbidden," explains County code Enforcement officer Joe Boteilho. "...an entrance fee to get into for this purpose is something that's spelled out very clearly."
And the County is now involved in a full-scale investigation.
"I think where it's located, the nature of the business, the allegations about alcohol and admission charges, and I think those elements are all those being investigated," said Reid.
Frank Dixon is president of the Mormon Temple. "...we will do anything we can to support the activity that leads to them being taken out of the community. Our families are affected. They have their homes where they look for some solace and some peace and some protection from these kinds of things, and all of a sudden they appear next door."
Glitter Nights has actually been operating here for about a year, but only just started promoting.
"If the laws on the books don't allow us to regulate this, there's something wrong with the laws on the books," says Reid.
Darcy called both party hosts to ask for comment and neither would go on camera. On the phone, Larry from Lights of Vegas said his swingers parties are no different than having people over for a Super Bowl party and asking them to contribute for the keg.
Daniel from Glitter Nights simply maintains they're doing nothing wrong. But the County disagrees. County officials recently wrapped up their investigation and are moving forward with appropriate enforcement action.
You may wonder how a place like the Green Door has been allowed to operate for all these years. According to the County, the Green Door has business licenses as a restaurant, gift and novelty shop, for amusement machines, and as an admission fees establishment. It's licensed to operate in a commercial area.
