OLD SCHOOL VEGAS HAUNTS (CHECK 'EM OUT)

It's "Ocean's Thirteen" week. Can you tell we're stoked?

Ah, but not so stoked about the current state of the modern Sin City. These days it seems that Vegas caters to an odd mix of the MTV, Hollywood brat, rodeo and fanny pack crowd. How'd that happen?

There was a time when a trip to Sin City screamed “jet set.” Men packed their suits and the dolls who came along for the ride knew her cocktail dress would be in constant use. Cigarette girls were everywhere. Zippos, too. Even though those days are long gone, The Lounge suggests a few old-school Vegas haunts that, if you look hard enough, you just may see Frankie’s fingerprints all over them.

AJ'S STEAKHOUSE (at The Hard Rock)
Let's just say there ain't a better place to start an evening of Rat Packin' than at AJ's. It's mammoth leather door is the portal to a vintage Vegas steakhouse circa 1960 where hipsters break out the cuff links, eat bloody-red meat, drink Jack straight and smoke unfiltered Camels. As for the room itself? We dig those gigantic antique postcards that adorn the walls. Gives us chills.

CAPOZOLLI'S
Located off the strip on Maryland Parkway, this is the only place we think 'Ol Blue Eyes would've chowed down on veal marsala at 2 a.m. if he were alive. In addition to a kickin' bar and solid eats, this very old-school haunt features kitschy jazz and lounge tunes nightly. In fact, many of their coo-coo jam sessions have been recorded and released in a series of CDs under the title "Live at Capozzoli's." Artists featured in the series include Carl Fontana, Jack Nimitz and Bill Perkins.

PEPPERMILL'S FIRESIDE LOUNGE (smack dab on the strip)
So you finally nabbed your slinky little armpiece from her one-armed bandit and want some quality time to make a little hey-hey? Before you do, head for the Peppermill on the strip because there's no better place to get your kitten all revved up. The intimate (and very dark) lounge features plush booths, dark corners and gaudy brass accents with a giant circular fireplace inside a bubbling pool of water. Somewhere upstairs, the ghosts of Frank and Ava are looking down in acceptance. A personal favorite.

THE CASBAR and ALGIERS LOUNGES
It don't get any more old school than these two. The Algiers Lounge is a gin joint of the highest order, renowned above all for its stiff drinks. Before heading to the Palms to smell perfume, any self-respecting swinger-in-training should trek there for at least one round just to soak up the lingering boozy vibe and wear it like a badge. The Casbar Lounge, located in the Sahara, is where Don Rickles made his bones and even though these days the entertainment may be a bit modern, the room is still a legendary pioneer and well worth spending the night in. Even though it's been renovated since its Sin City heyday, have no illusions, this joint survives as premiere holy ground where Vegas lounge royalty swung into the wee hours. Sipping your Manhattan, you can just picture Frank, Dean and Sammy slipping in at 3 a.m. to catch their overnight show.

THEN THERE’S ...Pin Ups Lounge at the Cannery Casino with classic Vargas girl pinups surrounding the place; Pogo's Tavern on N. Decatur Blvd. for its cool and cozy booths and slamming big bands on Fridays; Champagnes Cafe for its red velvet wallpaper, slippery red booths, autographed pics of Dino and a jukebox loaded with Rat Pack wax; BJ's Lounge, looming in the shadow of the Lion on East Tropicana, for its chi-chi lounge vibe, complete with leopard-prints, mood lighting and plush couches; and lest we forget Binion's coffee shop located downtown where the ghosts of old school Vegas fill the joint 24/7.

Check out out other "Ocean's 13" / Vegas-centric posts ... HERE