Artifice

Vegas isn't typically thought of as a cultural mecca, but that's unsurprising when you consider its most popular museums are Madam Tussaud's and the Erotic Heritage, and there's only so much time you can dedicate to wax-covered people who're stiff as a board. Drink in LV's artsier side, at Artifice.

A former electrical warehouse now broken into three separate spaces, the raison d'etre for this 3400sqft lounge is local artwork, with handpainted walls adorned by a rotating collection of photos and paintings from the City of Sin's most talented denizens; the rest of the vibe pays homage to the space's industrial roots, with original cinder block walls, exposed piping, handstitched leather banquettes, and old TVs strewn about the bathroom, meaning no matter where you look you'll be staring at junk. Imbibing kicks off with specialty 'tails like the Alice in Wonderland, mixing gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon, and agave; the absinthe-gin-soda-lime-sour Taming of the Shrew; and the sugar-rimmed, Chambord-and-Citron Muse, which women will be unable to build a Resistance to. Straight hard stuff ranges from Glenfiddich 12 to Absente absinthe, usual suspects like Stella and Hoegaarden line the taps, and wines'll be boutique, including Argentina's Canoas, and Napa's Magness, though have too much, and Sweden's Magnus may have to come and dead lift you.

Artifice'll also feature painters doing their thing live, and anytime a band isn't on stage you can expect a DJ spinning wax, a perfect opportunity for lots of people to stand around looking stiff as boards.