By Jacquelynn D. Powers, Photos: Fernando Escovar

ll the stories you've heard about Andrew Sasson are true. Yes, he did physically bar L.A. Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal from entering his nightclub Light because he wasn't dressed properly. Yes, he has a fondness for pole dancers. Yes, he can be incredibly difficult at times. And he has a knack for courting controversy in every city he has lived in -- whether it is Miami Beach, New York or Las Vegas. But when it comes down to what really counts, he is one of the best nightclub operators in the country. And now that he is branching out into real estate, his empire is only beginning to flourish.

I can say these things about Andrew with complete authority because I've known him for 11 years. Of course, back then he was a doorman at Velvet, a nightclub on South Beach. In the '90s, I watched him progress from manning the velvet ropes to managing a full-blown dance club to owning a spot of his own in New York City. And in this decade, he is once again transitioning from the young man I once partied with into a serious businessman and realestate developer.

Like many entrepreneurs before him, Sasson, 33, came to Las Vegas with a dream -- in his case, to transform this city's nightlife scene into something major. Before Light, nightclubs were mainly stand-alone affairs located off the Strip. Andrew, who was born in England, wanted to build a hip and modern watering hole, something this town had never seen before. "The problem with Vegas is that they group young people as just young people," Sasson says. "They don't understand within that group are different demographics like there are with everyone else. So Vegas said, 'Let's build a nightclub for everybody.' But it doesn't work that way."

In 2001, the Bellagio, in partnership with Andrew and Chris Barish, took a chance and unveiled one of the first legitimately upscale and hip nightclubs in a hotel. It was a star-studded launch attended by A-listers like Sting, Leonardo DiCaprio, Angie Harmon, Charlie Sheen, Owen Wilson and Tobey Maguire. "We were the first club that specifically catered to one style of people," Andrew explains. "It's for those who want a high-end, well-dressed atmosphere where they can control their own area through purchasing tables. They had bottle service at other places before we came, but Light is based upon that. We took service to a different level when we came here."

Light became an immediate hit with locals and out-of-towners alike, tapping into a segment of the market that Las Vegas was obviously missing. Since its debut, the hotspot has spawned clubs such as Tabú, Risqué and Ice. Still going strong after two years, Light is known for its celebrity clientele and anything-goes atmosphere. Andrew, who also owns a nightclub in the tony Hamptons called Jet East, even encourages his very attractive staff to mingle with the customers. "Sometimes people need to be shown how to have fun because they're a little conservative or introverted," he says. "Having fun is completely different for different people. Me in bed with five naked blondes -- that's a good night out for me."

But it's not all strippers and Sex on the Beach shots, however. Light has also generated controversy for its strict regulations. "I have a lot of rules," Andrew acknowledges. "We provide fun and entertainment but there's a line -- and if someone hits the line, they walk. The line is drugs and fights, and if you want to do that, then don't come to my club." Even if a celebrity or million-dollar player is caught snorting a line of cocaine, they will be kicked out on their rich and/or famous ass.

While no one is arguing with Light's zero-tolerance drug policy, a few do question Andrew's draconian dress code, which requires patrons to be "properly" attired. "We have a strict dress code and don't mess around with it," he states. "The rules have to apply to everybody -- even Shaquille O'Neal. If Lennox Lewis, the heavyweight champion of the world, walks up in dress code and is totally polite and respectful and has a great time, then why can't everybody else? If you're consistent with what you do, people will understand it."

So will Shaq ever be partying at Light again? "I don't believe so," Sasson says. "And I don't care at all. Actually, if Mr. O'Neal would like to come back dressed to our code I would love to have him." While there was speculation that the Bellagio wasn't too thrilled losing the giant-sized basketball legend as a customer, Andrew confirms that the hotel stood by him during the incident last June: "The casino has its rules, too. They understand that everybody follows their rules. They are more supportive of me having rules and structure than other people are." In fact, the MGM Mirage corporation has entered into a highly lucrative partnership with Sasson, which grants him the right to own and operate multiple...

For the full story, subscribe to Vegas Magazine now!