Cocktails, wine bars and dives: drinking in Las Vegas for grown-ups.
Cocktail bars, wine bars, dive bars and gastropubs: drinking in Las Vegas for grown-ups.
Velveteen Rabbit in Las Vegas is the Arts District craft-cocktail and beer bar on South Main since 2013, a vintage-furniture room with seasonal cocktail menus and a pink outdoor patio.
Signature drink: Seasonal house cocktail with fresh produce
Food: Snacks and small bites
Tip: Magic hour daily 17:00 to 19:00 runs $6 punch and house wine; the patio runs first-come.
Atomic Liquors in Las Vegas is the city's oldest freestanding bar since 1952, a Fremont East dive with 20 rotating draft beers and the upstairs Atomic Kitchen for date-night dining.
Signature drink: Atomic shot and beer
Food: Atomic Kitchen upstairs
Tip: Holds the oldest tavern license in Las Vegas; the streetside patio overlooks Fremont East and runs from open until close.
The Golden Tiki in Las Vegas is the Spring Mountain Chinatown tiki bar, an immersive Polynesian-pop room with shrunken-head cocktails, rum collection and late-night DJs.
Signature drink: Mai tai and shrunken-head Tom Collins
Food: Polynesian-influenced snacks
Tip: Rum flight runs the back wall, 30+ rums; the shrunken-head cocktail is the photographable signature.
Herbs and Rye in Las Vegas is the West Sahara speakeasy since 2009, a classic-cocktail bar and late-night steakhouse with the half-price happy hour the city's industry made famous.
Signature drink: Classic-era cocktails by era (1800s, 1900s, 1920s)
Food: Late-night steakhouse menu
Tip: Happy hour daily 17:00 to 20:00 runs all classic cocktails and steaks at half price; the only happy hour late enough for the swing shift.
Frankie's Tiki Room in Las Vegas is the West Charleston 24-hour tiki dive since 2008, the city's only round-the-clock tiki bar with classic-era rum cocktails and Bamboo Ben decor.
Signature drink: Bearded Clam and Lava Letch
Food: Snacks only
Tip: 24/7 service; the early-morning shift is the room at its most authentic. The custom-glass programme is collectible.
Bar Parasol at Wynn Las Vegas is the lobby-level hotel cocktail bar overlooking the Lake of Dreams, a Forbes-recommended room for nightly cocktails timed to the half-hour water show.
Signature drink: Lake of Dreams Old Fashioned
Food: Wynn small plates
Tip: Lake of Dreams runs every half-hour from dusk to 23:30; book a table on the half-hour to overlap.
The Laundry Room in Las Vegas is the Commonwealth speakeasy on East Fremont since 2013, a 25-seat hidden bar with a strict no-photo rule and bespoke menu-less service.
Signature drink: Bespoke cocktails (no menu)
Food: Snacks only
Tip: Text 702-701-1466 for the reservation; the room is hidden behind the Commonwealth bar wall. No photos and no menu.
Ghost Donkey at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas is the hidden mezcal and tequila bar on the third floor near Block 16, an immersive room with chili-light ceiling and signature truffle nachos.
Signature drink: Mezcal flights and truffle nachos
Food: Mexican snacks and truffle nachos
Tip: Mezcal flights run a four-pour comparison; the truffle nachos are the most-ordered late-night plate.
Double Down Saloon in Las Vegas is the Paradise Road punk dive since 1992, a 24-hour graffiti-walled bar with the original Ass Juice, bacon martinis and a constant punk soundtrack.
Signature drink: Ass Juice and bacon martini
Food: Snacks only
Tip: 24/7 service; the kitchen runs late-night snacks only. Pinball at the back and live bands most weekends.
SkyBar at the Waldorf Astoria in Las Vegas is the 23rd-floor cocktail lounge with Strip-axis views, a quiet luxury hotel room with classic cocktails and afternoon-tea service.
Signature drink: Strip-view classic cocktails
Food: Hotel afternoon-tea menu and small plates
Tip: Afternoon tea runs Friday to Sunday 14:00 to 16:00; the cocktail menu opens at 16:30 with sunset Strip views.
The Griffin in Las Vegas is the East Fremont cocktail and live music bar since 2007, a Gothic-decor room with a stone fireplace and rotating indie bands.
Signature drink: Cocktails plus live indie music
Food: Snacks only
Tip: Music runs weekends 22:00 onwards; the fireplace seating is first-come and warmer in winter.
Peak food season in Las Vegas is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Las Vegas rewards trust.