... Drexel University, right in the hea...Club La Vela
8813 Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Phone: 850-235-1061
Club La Vela is not only the largest nightclub in the USA, it is also one of the trendiest and most respected nightclubs in the world. As such, Club La Vela has to continuously reinvent itself to stay on the cutting edge of entertainment and club life.
40 Votes
8 Reviews
Details:
8813 Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach,
FL
32408
Location: 1 block west of Joan Avenue, on Thomas Drive
Contact:
Phone: 850-235-1061
Alt. Phone or Fax: 850-233-0226
Business Hours: Feb-Sep- 10am 6pm; Oct-Dec31- 9pm-4am (Fri & Sat); Closed Jan.
Accessibility Offered: Handicap
Entertainment: Bands,
Dance Floor,
Dj, other entertainment
Music: Hip Hop,
Rock, dance, beats, retro
Admission Charge: Yes
Reviews:
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Dance!, 2011-11-29
Reviewed By: Amy Mann
Reviewed By: Amy Mann
Amy Mann
When you're wanting a BIG night out La Vela is the place to go. They always have the best music and no matter what your genre is, there's something for you. Every year they do something new and better to the club. La Vela is my choice when it comes to nightlife.
When you're wanting a BIG night out La Vela is the place to go. They always have the best music and no matter what your genre is, there's something for you. Every year they do something new and better to the club. La Vela is my choice when it comes to nightlife.
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5 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
Club La Vela always fun, 2008-10-12
Reviewed By: tim c
Reviewed By: tim c
tim c
Club La Vela has been around a long time and I go dozens of times a year. One thing you can count on -- you'll always find soemthing you like at La Vela. You might not like every theme room, but you can count on liking at least one or two of them, no matter what your taste. I've read other reviews of people blasting La Vela and I'll agree, they have off-nights like everyone else.... but, if you pay attention to their specials and events, you can almost be guaranteed a good time and cheap drinks. Ladie's Night, CD Release Parties and my favorite, Sex N Candy, have been killer lately. Throw in events like Halloween, some great circuit bands, etc and you can plan to have a good time. Anoter thing I can say about La Vela is at least they try bringing in new events and themes consistently. They may not all be great, but they've found some that have been big hits: Superflirt, Sex N Candy, Snatch, etc.
Club La Vela has been around a long time and I go dozens of times a year. One thing you can count on -- you'll always find soemthing you like at La Vela. You might not like every theme room, but you can count on liking at least one or two of them, no matter what your taste. I've read other reviews of people blasting La Vela and I'll agree, they have off-nights like everyone else.... but, if you pay attention to their specials and events, you can almost be guaranteed a good time and cheap drinks. Ladie's Night, CD Release Parties and my favorite, Sex N Candy, have been killer lately. Throw in events like Halloween, some great circuit bands, etc and you can plan to have a good time. Anoter thing I can say about La Vela is at least they try bringing in new events and themes consistently. They may not all be great, but they've found some that have been big hits: Superflirt, Sex N Candy, Snatch, etc.
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12 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
Overrated..., 2008-09-17
Reviewed By: Barvet
Reviewed By: Barvet
Barvet
Ever since I was a teen in the 90's Club la Vela has been an expensive and overrated money pit. MTV made the place a virtual Spring Break headquarters when they were there in 1992 and afterwards every college kid, wannabe thug and red neck has sullied forth into the bowels of this blight on PCB. Don't get me wrong, sometimes La Vela will showcase a bikini contest, concert (good bands are rare) or some outdoor activity that isn't too bad but this review is based totally on going as a patron to a drinking establisment... The minute you set foot on into La Vela you get smacked in the face with a cover price that no matter how cheap is never worth it. Usually 15 to 40 depending on how early you go. To the left of the entrance are some porches and a stairway that takes you to a faux trendy underground area that is desperately trying to emulate any generic club in South Beach. The girlier the mixed drink the more you're going to pay for it (they know their clientele). You may for about two minutes find the beds and bright neon lights interesting but after awhile the bad techno music starts to drone on and on. Next spot is the main dance floor where top 40 hip hop, dance, and techno music blare even louder. The center stage is for women only and meant to show off how big of a meat market the place is. Women, unless you're with a guy you can trust don't bother, if you don't have a partner (sometimes even if you do) some moron is going to start grinding against you and not have the patience to even try and talk to you. Talking on the dancefloor is a doomed effort anyway since you can't hear anything that isn't coming from the soundsystem. This is where the young crowd dwells. Drinkers, you'll be outnumbered five to one easily and good luck meeting women who can drink. Beware the women who hang out at the bars waiting for suckers to buy them drinks and then run off, a lot of them aren't 21. The bar at the side of the entrance and the island bar near the dance floor take an eternity to get a drink. Mixed drinks are notoriously watered down and shots are tiny but cost twice as much as a normal 2-3 ounce shot they serve at most bars. Beer is served only in cans (thanks to patrons bashing each other's heads in with glass bottles). A can of beer costs the same as a six pack elsewhere ($5-6). If you go to the stage area you'll be treated to cover bands that play top 40 rock that makes karaoke journey sound like Stairway to Heaven. Ever hear God Smacks entire discography? You will there. Do you like Tool? You won't after you hear 'Sober' get butchered. The bar there is the quickest they have which is still slow and they do have a minimal bar staff taking orders at tables. If you go downstairs theres a place where 18 year olds rave. The sofas there are a decent place to rest and watching fetuses dance to looped electronica has marginal entertainment value. The bar there is ideal to refresh yourself since most people here aren't old enough to drink hence less of a wait. From there you can resurface to the pool area which is the only place in the whole club where you can communicate with another human being. Congratulations, you just did a full circle of the club. Vomit with tears and exit before the mad dash begins. Nothing is more pathetic than seeing 100 guys desperately try and get with the last 3 women there. By this time you will have spent at least $50 I'd wager. When most people will ask themselves: Was it worth it? I'd wager most would say no.
Ever since I was a teen in the 90's Club la Vela has been an expensive and overrated money pit. MTV made the place a virtual Spring Break headquarters when they were there in 1992 and afterwards every college kid, wannabe thug and red neck has sullied forth into the bowels of this blight on PCB. Don't get me wrong, sometimes La Vela will showcase a bikini contest, concert (good bands are rare) or some outdoor activity that isn't too bad but this review is based totally on going as a patron to a drinking establisment... The minute you set foot on into La Vela you get smacked in the face with a cover price that no matter how cheap is never worth it. Usually 15 to 40 depending on how early you go. To the left of the entrance are some porches and a stairway that takes you to a faux trendy underground area that is desperately trying to emulate any generic club in South Beach. The girlier the mixed drink the more you're going to pay for it (they know their clientele). You may for about two minutes find the beds and bright neon lights interesting but after awhile the bad techno music starts to drone on and on. Next spot is the main dance floor where top 40 hip hop, dance, and techno music blare even louder. The center stage is for women only and meant to show off how big of a meat market the place is. Women, unless you're with a guy you can trust don't bother, if you don't have a partner (sometimes even if you do) some moron is going to start grinding against you and not have the patience to even try and talk to you. Talking on the dancefloor is a doomed effort anyway since you can't hear anything that isn't coming from the soundsystem. This is where the young crowd dwells. Drinkers, you'll be outnumbered five to one easily and good luck meeting women who can drink. Beware the women who hang out at the bars waiting for suckers to buy them drinks and then run off, a lot of them aren't 21. The bar at the side of the entrance and the island bar near the dance floor take an eternity to get a drink. Mixed drinks are notoriously watered down and shots are tiny but cost twice as much as a normal 2-3 ounce shot they serve at most bars. Beer is served only in cans (thanks to patrons bashing each other's heads in with glass bottles). A can of beer costs the same as a six pack elsewhere ($5-6). If you go to the stage area you'll be treated to cover bands that play top 40 rock that makes karaoke journey sound like Stairway to Heaven. Ever hear God Smacks entire discography? You will there. Do you like Tool? You won't after you hear 'Sober' get butchered. The bar there is the quickest they have which is still slow and they do have a minimal bar staff taking orders at tables. If you go downstairs theres a place where 18 year olds rave. The sofas there are a decent place to rest and watching fetuses dance to looped electronica has marginal entertainment value. The bar there is ideal to refresh yourself since most people here aren't old enough to drink hence less of a wait. From there you can resurface to the pool area which is the only place in the whole club where you can communicate with another human being. Congratulations, you just did a full circle of the club. Vomit with tears and exit before the mad dash begins. Nothing is more pathetic than seeing 100 guys desperately try and get with the last 3 women there. By this time you will have spent at least $50 I'd wager. When most people will ask themselves: Was it worth it? I'd wager most would say no.
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2 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
Club LaVela, 2008-09-01
Reviewed By: Yoda
Reviewed By: Yoda
Yoda
Club LaVela is the largest nightclub in the USA. This being said, my expectations were very high. This club exceeded them in every possible way. No matter what you're into or what kind of music you like, LaVela has got a room for you. They have a hip hop room for the booty shakers. They have a rock room with 2 live bands for the headbangers. They have a Techno room for the ravers. For the more upscale crowd, they have 3 different VIP rooms. My favorite is the Pussycat Lounge. It reminds me of South Beach. As if all of this wasn't enough, Club LaVela also has a pool deck where I have seen some of the wildest bikini and wet Tshirt contest anywhere. Oh yeah, don't worry ladies, they have a male hard body contest for you to enjoy too. It's a great place to easily meet new people and enjoy long lasting or not so long lasting relationships. This club is basically a non stop party day and night so get your sleep before you come because you're not going to want to sleep until you leave.
Club LaVela is the largest nightclub in the USA. This being said, my expectations were very high. This club exceeded them in every possible way. No matter what you're into or what kind of music you like, LaVela has got a room for you. They have a hip hop room for the booty shakers. They have a rock room with 2 live bands for the headbangers. They have a Techno room for the ravers. For the more upscale crowd, they have 3 different VIP rooms. My favorite is the Pussycat Lounge. It reminds me of South Beach. As if all of this wasn't enough, Club LaVela also has a pool deck where I have seen some of the wildest bikini and wet Tshirt contest anywhere. Oh yeah, don't worry ladies, they have a male hard body contest for you to enjoy too. It's a great place to easily meet new people and enjoy long lasting or not so long lasting relationships. This club is basically a non stop party day and night so get your sleep before you come because you're not going to want to sleep until you leave.
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6 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
WOW!, 2006-09-20
Reviewed By: Diamond88
Reviewed By: Diamond88
Diamond88
This really is America's best nightclub. It has everything for everybody!
This really is America's best nightclub. It has everything for everybody!
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16 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
Always lots going on..., 2005-05-31
Reviewed By: swn5363
Reviewed By: swn5363
swn5363
This place is huge! There are so many theme rooms, there's sure to be something for everyone. The Pussy Kat Lounge is a great place to relax... and the Rock arena hosts some great bands. The daytime poolside contests are the best anywhere. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for a fun night.
This place is huge! There are so many theme rooms, there's sure to be something for everyone. The Pussy Kat Lounge is a great place to relax... and the Rock arena hosts some great bands. The daytime poolside contests are the best anywhere. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for a fun night.
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11 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
LA VELA, 2005-04-29
Reviewed By: jessica*8
Reviewed By: jessica*8
jessica*8
I love La Vela. Everytime I go to another club, I compare the music played and the amount of people to La Vela, they never compare to it! Especially the daily contests at the pool!
I love La Vela. Everytime I go to another club, I compare the music played and the amount of people to La Vela, they never compare to it! Especially the daily contests at the pool!
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17 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
Great!, 2005-02-21
Reviewed By: Kuteypatooty09
Reviewed By: Kuteypatooty09
Kuteypatooty09
Club La Vela is the best place to be in Panama City!!
Club La Vela is the best place to be in Panama City!!
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