Absinthe Show at Caesars Palace Celebrates 15 Years of Chaotic Fun

^{The Green Fairy descended from the top of Absinthe's spiegeltent to start off the show with a little burlesque flair. (Photo: Vanessa Alves-Johnson / Casinos.com)}

If you know anything about Las Vegas shows, Absinthe is surely one to come to mind. Located at Caesars Palace, it dubs itself as being the greatest in the world. But I’m sure every show probably wants to claim that in Vegas, right? 

This production has been around for 15 years at the iconic casino-resort, and a celebration was in order for the major milestone. I attended a special invite-only event at Absinthe to celebrate its' 15-year anniversary on April 8, an event that brought together media and influencers to experience the show.

Absinthe is Spiegelworld's first and longest-running production, which started on a NYC pier before moving to the Las Vegas Strip. The production does 16 shows a week, every day of the year, and has a cast of 190 people that bring it to life.

I'm familiar with the idea of burlesque and what to expect from these raunchy, rated-R productions, but I've never seen a full show, nor have I seen Absinthe before. So I knew the reputation going into the night, but wasn't fully sure what to expect from this campy Spiegelworld production. 

After seeing Absinthe for the first time, it became clear why it has lasted 15 years on the Strip and is loved by so many visitors and locals. It's bursting at the seams with sexy performances and bits of comedy that really keep you on your toes. You might find yourself wowing at the acrobatic tricks, drawn in by the romance of the dance routines, or even feel 10 pounds lighter after laughing at the Gazillionaire’s comedy. 

Setting the Scene Nearby

Before the actual fun of the show started,  I kicked off my night with a quick dinner at Cafe Americano, which is right next door to the Absinthe tent. I highly recommend it if you don't want to break the bank for dinner before the show. It’s still the Strip, but it’s much easier on the wallet than some of the restaurants hidden deeper within Caesars Palace. No matter what time you're heading in, they offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

The Green Fairy Garden makes for a wonderful photo op at night.(Photo: Vanessa Alves-Johnson / Casinos.com)

When you head over to Absinthe, you'll walk out of the casino through the valet area and go into the beautiful Green Fairy Garden. It's gorgeous during the day, but even more captivating once it's dark. This is where the journey begins, before you dive into Absinthe’s spiegeltent just nearby, but you can even visit without a show ticket. It’s open before, during, and after the Absinthe showings if you want a quick drink or snack. And make sure to check out the Pier 17 Yacht Club speakeasy while you’re there. 

The real fun starts when you head into the tent and wait eagerly for things to begin. It's easy to underestimate the tent's scale from the outside, but the space opens up much more than expected inside. The size still keeps things intimate enough to make you feel like you're close to the action. 

That proximity is part of the appeal of Absinthe compared to a large burlesque performance, where the audience is so far away from the performer. Once the curtain lifted to start the show, it truly blew my expectations out of the water.

The Chaotic Fun Takes Shape in the Tent

Absinthe runs about an hour and a half, and no two moments feel the same. Most shows open with a mysterious chair-stacking routine that sets the tone and only invites more. When the Green Fairy descends from the ceiling, her entrance is a dramatic, classic burlesque moment that sets the tone for everything that follows. Somehow, it’s humorously sexy, and her monologue only helps.

Throughout the 90 minutes, acrobatics, dancing, and comedy all take shape into this wonderful, campy mishmash of a show. The acrobatics are world-class and will have you gripping your armrest without even realizing it. The comedy is one of the features that make this show different from others. The Gazillionaire and his sidekicks are constantly riffing on the audience, and it's jarring how well they think on their feet. 

The humor is sharp but very much tailored to the crowd in the room that night, which is a big part of why no two shows are ever identical. There are enough F-bombs to shake up even the most seasoned adult, making it clear why kids are not allowed inside the spiegeltent.

Woven in between the laughs are acts that catch you off guard with a variety of emotions. During this show, I saw a romantic acrobatic duet that almost brought me to tears, a tap-dancing act set to songs like Hotline Bling, and extreme juggling that was much more entertaining than I expected. 

The Verdict: No Absinthe of Fun Here

A lot may change in Las Vegas, but the mystery and wonder behind a great show just never seems to go away. The best ways to describe Absinthe are weird, sexy, funny, and lovable all at once.

There are plenty of Vegas shows worth your time, and if you can see them all, you absolutely should. But if you're looking for a place to start, Absinthe is a great answer. It has truly earned its reputation, and something I recommend to a first-time or returning visitor. 

Tickets start around $135, which can feel steep, but you genuinely get what you pay for in terms of production quality.

I'm grateful to have experienced this complimentary through Spiegelworld's media event, but it's incredible to see what Absinthe has become over 15 years. Some of the people sitting in the crowd during the show were there on the very first day in 2011. 

This ice carving was made special for Absinthe's 15th anniversary show and you'd be able to sip it complimentary after performing a magic trick. (Photo: Vanessa Alves-Johnson / Casinos.com)

After the show, the celebration continued with a marching band that led everyone into the Green Fairy Garden for an afterparty. There was even an impressive ice carving made for the anniversary that dripped real absinthe for people to sip.

Producer Ross Mollison had a few words to reflect on the milestone: "It's a weird time where you can rely on being on stage every night in Vegas, and the thing that happens every night is a circus. And somehow it happens at Caesars Palace. The show is built on the backs of so many artists. I went around the world to find the best and these were the best I could find, and I've been to New Jersey!”