Las Vegas Weekly closed out its 2026 Best of Vegas awards season with a yearbook-themed bash inside Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas, honoring 126 local businesses and organizations dubbed the Class of 2026. The celebration, held Thursday, Aug. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., brought together winners spanning dining, nightlife, entertainment, sports and cultural categories that the publication says define the character of the city.
The party's throwback concept leaned hard into high school nostalgia, with promotional materials for the event promising an evening built around prom nights, yearbook signings and glory days, according to Las Vegas Weekly. The gathering took place at the Resorts World address of 3000 Las Vegas Boulevard South, and awardees kicked off the night with an exclusive VIP reception before heading into the main party inside Zouk.
Guests received official certificates marking their Class of 2026 status, and the night's sponsors leaned into the yearbook bit in physical form. Fresh Wata set up a photo wall for guest messages, while Desert Cactus Booth handled photo ops for attendees looking to commemorate the occasion, a detail also confirmed on the event's calendar listing.
A Full Slate of Sponsors and Sweet Treats
The celebration was presented by Wsky Bar + Grill and sponsored by Spreadgroup, with a roster of local vendors filling out the sensory side of the party. Las Vegas Distillery poured themed complimentary cocktails, Nuage Cotton Candy ran a candy bar, and Layla Social offered hair tinsel treatments for anyone wanting a literal throwback look. Nu World Graphics rounded things out with live demonstrations and freshly printed totes for guests to take home.
Visually, the space got a dramatic upgrade courtesy of Led Marquee and Social Booth LV, which designed and installed a massive decorative wall for the occasion. Area15 performers entertained the crowd throughout the night, a fitting touch given the venue's own showing in this year's awards.
Area15 Takes Best Attraction Honors
Among the 126 honorees, Area15 was named Best Attraction in the Readers' Choice category, according to a separate Las Vegas Weekly report. The immersive entertainment complex, located at 3215 South Rancho Drive, houses attractions including Universal Horror Unleashed and Meow Wolf's Omega Mart, both cited in the outlet's writeup on the win.
In a newly introduced legal category, Benson & Bingham was named Best Law Firm, marking the first time any firm has received that particular honor. Per a release distributed on PRWeb, the firm's win was determined by verified votes from members of the Las Vegas community, the same standard applied across the Readers' Choice side of the program.
How the Class of 2026 Was Chosen
Best of Vegas honors are split into two tracks: Readers' Choice awards, which are voted on directly by readers, and Staff Picks, which are curated and selected by Las Vegas Weekly's editorial staff. Voting for the 2026 Readers' Choice awards took place in April, with results ultimately published in the outlet's Aug. 27 issue alongside the celebration itself.
Las Vegas Weekly has pointed readers toward the complete rundown of this year's honorees, available at lasvegasweekly.com/best-of-vegas/2026/results/, for anyone curious how their favorite local spot fared among the full Class of 2026 lineup.
