An even larger turnout is likely next month when 140,000 convention attendees show up for the annual porn trade show and the Consumer Electronic Show.

"We have seen a lot of new faces," said Cohen. Before the economy started diving last summer, 250 to 300 girls would arrive at the 70,000-square-foot club.

"Girls who were in our system from long time ago are returning," he said. The majority of newcomers are driving in from Southern California, he said, with two and three sharing a motel room to cut expenses.

Tipping is down, he added, and more patrons are using credit cards instead of cash.

Cohen has heard scuttlebutt that a number of local strip clubs are struggling, but Sapphire's business has remained robust, he said.

"We have 10 sky boxes that go for $500 an hour and they're being used. We hear people talking about the economy all day, but we haven't noticed a big difference.

"Las Vegas has been an escape that's been around forever. People need to be entertained."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

"Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven," an HBO documentary about the legendary Maccioni restaurant family in New York, airs tonight at 8 p.m. The film goes behind the scenes to cover Le Cirque's move from the Palace Hotel after a 2004 New Year's Eve party to a rebirth two years later in Bloomberg Tower. The family empire founded by Sirio and Egidiana Maccioni and carried on by his three sons includes Las Vegas spinoffs Le Cirque and Osteria del Circo at Bellagio. The Las Vegas eateries are operated by oldest son, Mario. For more on the family, go to: http://www.nypost.com/pagesixmag/issues/20081221/Empire+Sons+Battle+Over+Le+Cirque

SIGHTINGS

At LAX Nightclub (Luxor) on Saturday: Pink, UFC star Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (after his first-round knockout of Wanderlei Silva in UFC 92), UFC president Dana White, LAX investor Wilmer Valderrrama, Luxor headliner Criss Angel and Holly Madison, and UFC commentator Joe Rogan. ... Pink, dining with friends at Company American Bistro (Luxor) in a group that included Valderrama. Also in: UFC owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, with White. ... Beijing Olympics silver medalist gymnast Alicia Sacramone, celebrating her recent birthday with champagne at Privé on Saturday night. Her birthday was Dec. 3. Also at Privé on Saturday, Rashad Evans, the new light heavyweight UFC champ after a victory over Forrest Griffin. Celebrity bodyguard-actor Chuck Zito, who attended UFC 92 earlier, served as door host. ... Spotted in VIP seats at UFC 92: Japan's Satoshi Ishii, who won the heavyweight judo gold medal in Beijing. According to UFC.com, he's in "exclusive" negotiations to join the organization. ... Adam Levine, lead singer for Maroon 5, in a sky villa at the Palms Fantasy Tower on Saturday. ...

At Christian Audigier The Nightclub (Treasure Island) on Saturday: Las Vegas' own The Higher after their concert at the House of Blues; C.B. Dollaway, who was celebrating his first-round technical knockout of Mike Massenzio in UFC 92, along with fellow fighters Efrain Escudero and Ryan Bader, recent winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show. Also in the house: Professional boxer Zab Judah. ...Comedy icon Jerry Lewis having dinner with his daughter Saturday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops). ... Jackson, one of the UFC 92 winners, partying at Wasted Space (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) Saturday night with friends Tito Ortiz and wife, Jenna Jameson, and Jason Giambi. Also at the Hard Rock: French UFC heavyweight Cheick Kongo, dining with friends at Mr. Lucky's.

THE PUNCH LINE

"It's so cold, Bernie Madoff was defrauding Eskimos." -- From David Letterman's "Top Ten Answers to the Question 'How Cold is it?'"

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.