Mandalay Bay's Foundation Room Will Become VIP-Focused 'Vinyl Room'

^{The view from Mandalay Bay's Foundation Room has made it one of the most iconic places to look at the Las Vegas Strip for 27 years. (Photo: Las Vegas Then and Now / Facebook)}

After many months of closure and renovation, Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay is officially being brought back in a different form. Live Nation has confirmed that the space will reopen as Vinyl Room, a completely different concept focused on private events and VIP experiences.

For years, Foundation Room offered a compelling option on the south end of the Strip for sweeping skyline views in a smaller setting. The venue closed in September 2025 to the disappointment of many who enjoyed the rooftop lounge atop Mandalay Bay. 

The space will now have a much more music-focused aesthetic, but will no longer be as open to the public. Live Nation has since removed the Vinyl Room Las Vegas page from its special events site, leaving confirmed details about the concept limited.

Live Nation Takes the Iconic Overlook in a New Direction

Foundation Room opened at Mandalay Bay in 1999 and was a laid-back yet upscale rooftop lounge that few lounges could match on that part of the Strip. For anyone who wanted nightclub energy in a smaller lounge, it was one of the better options over the property’s lifespan.

Vinyl Room seeks to shift that identity entirely. Live Nation described it as an “elevated VIP space” focused on private bookings and special events. 

The Las Vegas version is expected to follow a similar model to the Los Angeles Vinyl Room, which is already at the Hollywood Palladium theater. This lounge is open only during shows at the venue and offers tiered memberships, from entry-level access to high-priced tiers with more perks and exclusivity. 

At the Hollywood Palladium, those tiers are priced at $750, $2,500, and $6,000. No pricing has been confirmed for the Mandalay Bay location at this time.

Sources say the targeted opening is summer 2026, but Live Nation has not announced a confirmed date.

The concept shares some DNA with On the Record at Park MGM, another music-themed lounge on the Strip with a vinyl nostalgia theme. On the Record has always been open to the public since its launch, which makes Vinyl Room's members-only approach a departure from the typical lounge, even though both share the same aesthetic.

Renderings of how Vinyl Room's outdoor seating will look once complete. (Photo: Live Nation)

Images of Vinyl Room were briefly available on Live Nation's site before being taken down, depicting a warm lounge interior with hardwood floors, plush seating, and floor-to-ceiling displays of album covers and gold records. 

The members-only approach here aligns with a handful of other members' clubs on the Strip, where operators focus on high-spending guests rather than general admission traffic.

Another Step Towards Members-Only Vegas?

Vinyl Room is part of a growing number of Strip and downtown venues with a similar emphasis on exclusivity and limited access, though it would be a stretch to call it a defining shift in Vegas nightlife just yet. 

At Wynn, Zero Bond just opened in March and brought its New York reputation to one of the most luxurious properties on the Strip. Fontainebleau has the Poodle Room, and Resorts World has Club 66, VIP clubs that all sit high above the casino floor. Meanwhile, in the Arts District downtown, the Doberman Drawing Room offers another take on the private club experience off the Strip. 

Vinyl Room would bring a members club to the south end of the Strip, an area that had been without this type of venue until now.

The popularity of these venues makes it clear that there is demand for spaces that feel less crowded and more VIP, especially for guests who can afford that privacy. But the trade-off is real for those who don’t necessarily fit that profile. Foundation Room was one of the few places where guests could experience a rooftop lounge without the expectations of a traditional nightclub or strict membership requirements.

That said, guests looking for a rooftop view in the area without a membership will still have some options. Skyfall Lounge at W Las Vegas (connected to Mandalay Bay) remains accessible to the public and offers a similar view of the Strip.

A Busy Year for Mandalay Bay's Entertainment Scene

Aside from the changes at Foundation Room, Mandalay Bay has seen a handful of significant venue changes this year across its nightlife and daylife.

On the nightlife side, Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce made its long-awaited return to Mandalay Bay on New Year's Eve, reopening in its original location inside the casino. The reimagined burlesque club brought live bands, dancers, and a fully revamped space back to the property after 16 years.

In terms of daytime entertainment, Daylight Beach Club is being replaced by Tailgate Beach Club, a sports-focused dayclub from Clique Hospitality that will open on May 16. The venue will feature 125 feet of LED screens, three heated pools, and cabanas equipped with PlayStation 5 consoles. The location is ideal for sports fans, being just steps away from Allegiant Stadium. 

This summer looks promising for Mandalay Bay with a noticeably different lineup of entertainment venues than it had just a year ago.