8 Great Bars in Las Vegas

2017-09-11

In-the-know locals raise a glass to these Sin City nighttime venues.

In Las Vegas, you can drink for free while gambling or spend big bucks on bottle service at a club. But if you want to go somewhere where the drinks are the main event, the city also has plenty of great bars for toasting the town. Local experts imbibe Sin City’s finest libations at these watering holes.

Herbs and Rye

“For the best craft cocktails off the Strip, Herbs and Rye is still, hands down, the best,” says Andrew Kiraly, editor of Desert Companion, a southern Nevada lifestyle magazine. “Their bartenders are completely on point with every drink they make, and their cocktail menu is astoundingly broad,” featuring classic cocktails from as far back as 1776.

Herbs and Rye is also a full-service restaurant, and during happy hour (Monday through Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. and midnight to 3 a.m.), the menu features half-price steaks, the perfect accompaniment to your Corpse Reviver No. 2.

Double Down Saloon

“If you want bacon martinis and also to lose your hearing,” Kiraly advises that “the Double Down Saloon is legendary for delivering both.” Along with its porcine refreshment, this 24-hour dive bar is known for a fruity concoction served up in a souvenir toilet bowl shot glass. Several nights a week, you can partake in free live music, and there’s always pool and pinball. It’s located on Paradise Road, so just swing in on your way to the airport to create one last memory.

Commonwealth

Patrick Ritschard, chief concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, says, “If people are looking for something different or off the Strip, Commonwealth is a really fun hidden gem downtown.” The hipster hangout also has a speak-easy called The Laundry Room. Text (702) 701-1466 for a reservation at The Laundry Room, or just head up to the Commonwealth rooftop for stellar views.

Skyfall Lounge

This Delano Las Vegas venue features 180-degree views from the hotel’s 64th floor, and Nancy Nitsche, chief concierge at the Aria Resort & Casino, appreciates that you can just pop in for a drink. At Skyfall Lounge’s daily happy hour, held from 5 to 7 p.m., specialty cocktails are $12, which is a steal for the Strip, and bar bites are only $5. If you’re staying at the Delano Las Vegas, you can also raise a complimentary glass of champagne every evening between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

The Dorsey

Located at The Venetian Las Vegas, The Dorsey provides a posh cocktail experience. “James Bond would be at The Dorsey,” says Carol Styles, concierge at The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas. You can choose from a menu of expertly crafted signature cocktails, such as the ginger- and lemon-laced Penicillin. If you visit with a group, go big with a craft punch bowl.

The Chandelier

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to quaff a fine cocktail while you’re sitting in a gigantic light fixture, find your answer at The Chandelier, a lounge in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Pull up a stool inside the three-story crystal centerpiece and select from an ever-changing menu of creative drinks.

Kelly Messina, senior director of leisure sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, recommends asking for a Verbena, which you may not find on the menu. “It is like a margarita, but with a verbena flower that you are meant to chew before you drink. It changes the feel of your mouth and the taste of the drink,” she says.

The Golden Tiki

For “a Tiki bar through and through,” Melinda Sheckells, editor-in-chief of Vegas Seven, a weekly Las Vegas lifestyle magazine, suggests heading straight to Chinatown to visit The Golden Tiki. “It is almost like Disneyland,” she says, with its attention to tropical, kitschy details. Sheckells recommends anything served with Dole Whip fruity soft serve.

Velveteen Rabbit

Sheckells says she also really loves Velveteen Rabbit downtown. “They have a very unique cocktail menu that is constantly changing, and it is owned by two sisters.” In addition to cocktails, the bar has an interesting selection of craft beers that rotate regularly. Plus, it’s the perfect spot for starting or ending a Main Street bar crawl. “You can meet cool locals there, and it feels like it’s not part of the typical Vegas environment,” she adds.

Courtesy of USNews