Intimacy
Our pick: Absinthe
Absinthe is staged in the round in a tent, with acrobats landing an arm's length from the front rows. “O” is a large proscenium theatre; the scale is the point.
Show comparison
Absinthe vs “O”
Absinthe or “O” — which is the best show in Las Vegas for adults?
The short answer
Choose Absinthe if you want to laugh, gasp and sit a few feet from the performers. Choose “O” if you want something beautiful and grand in a full-size theatre. Absinthe is adults-only and deliberately offensive; “O” is the one to pick with parents, children or anyone easily shocked.
Absinthe vs “O” at a glance
The practical details, side by side.
Absinthe
|
“O”
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Up-close thrills | Pure spectacle |
| Style | Adult circus variety and raunchy comedy | Aquatic theatre and acrobatics |
| Tickets from | $95 Lowest price | $126 |
| Minimum age | 18+ | 5+ Youngest admitted |
| Running time | 75 min | 90 min |
| Where | Caesars Palace Spiegeltent | Bellagio Las Vegas O Theater |
| Usual nights | Every night | Wed–Sun No shows Mon, Tue |
| Usual showtimes | 7:00 PM, 9:00 PM, 11:00 PM | 6:30 PM, 9:00 PM |
| In Las Vegas since | 2011 | 1998 |
| Links | Full details | Full details |
Prices are the lowest listed starting price, not a live quote. Seats, dates and fees change the total — confirm it, and the age rules, with the ticket seller before paying.
Which is on while you are in town?
Performances over the next seven nights, in Las Vegas time. Shows take regular nights off, so this is often what settles it.
| Absinthe | “O” | |
|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 7:00 PM9:00 PM11:00 PM | 6:30 PM9:00 PM |
| Tomorrow | 7:00 PM9:00 PM11:00 PM | 6:30 PM9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 7:00 PM9:00 PM | 6:30 PM9:00 PM |
| Monday | 7:00 PM9:00 PM | No show |
| Tuesday | 7:00 PM9:00 PM | No show |
| Wednesday | 7:00 PM9:00 PM | 6:30 PM9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 PM9:00 PM | 6:30 PM9:00 PM |
Later dates are on each show's page: Absinthe schedule, “O” schedule.
Head to head
Where they genuinely differ, and which we would pick on each count.
Elegance
Our pick: “O”
“O” is the dress-up, anniversary-dinner show. Absinthe is the one you go to with a drink in your hand, expecting to be teased.
Who can go
Our pick: “O”
“O” works for most ages and most sensibilities. Absinthe is restricted to adults and its comedy spares nobody — know your group before you book.
Which should you choose?
Find the description that sounds most like your group.
Choose Absinthe if…
World-class acrobats on a tiny round stage, inches from the front row, stitched together by a host whose comedy is gleefully filthy.
- You want acrobatics so close you can see the performers breathe.
- Crude, no-limits comedy sounds like a good night rather than a risk.
- You would rather be in a packed tent than a grand theatre.
Think twice if: anyone in your group is easily offended, or dreads being picked on from the stage.
Tickets open at Vegas.com.
Choose “O” if…
Synchronised swimmers, divers and aerialists perform in, on and above a stage that turns from solid floor to deep pool and back again.
- You want the one Vegas show people still talk about years later.
- Atmosphere and imagery matter more to you than following a plot.
- It is a special occasion and the ticket price is part of the plan.
Think twice if: you are watching the budget, or you want a clear story to follow.
Tickets open at Vegas.com.
Absinthe vs “O”: common questions
Absinthe or “O” — which is the best show in Las Vegas for adults?
Choose Absinthe if you want to laugh, gasp and sit a few feet from the performers. Choose “O” if you want something beautiful and grand in a full-size theatre. Absinthe is adults-only and deliberately offensive; “O” is the one to pick with parents, children or anyone easily shocked.
Which is cheaper: Absinthe or “O”?
Absinthe has the lower listed starting price, from $95, against $126 for “O”. These are listed starting prices, not live quotes — better seats and busy dates cost more.
Can children see Absinthe or “O”?
“O” admits children aged 5 and over. Absinthe is for guests aged 18 and over only. Age rules are set by the venue, so confirm them when you book for a child close to the limit.
How long are Absinthe and “O”?
Absinthe runs for about 75 minutes and “O” runs for about 90 minutes.
Where are Absinthe and “O” performed?
Absinthe plays Spiegeltent at Caesars Palace. “O” plays O Theater at Bellagio Las Vegas.
Which nights do Absinthe and “O” perform?
Absinthe usually performs every night of the week. “O” usually performs Wednesday to Sunday and is dark on Monday and Tuesday. Schedules shift around holidays, so check the dates for your trip.
How we compared them
Prices, age limits, running times and showtimes are read from our live show listings each time this page loads. The verdicts are editorial judgements about who each show suits, last reviewed on October 9, 2026 against the producers' own descriptions: Absinthe official site, “O” official site. We may earn a commission from ticket links, which does not change the verdicts.
