Throw Back a Drink at the Best Bars in Las Vegas

We’ve got 15 new places for you to sip and schmooze in Sin City.

Easy's Cocktail Lounge
Heart of the Ocean cocktail at Easy's Cocktail Lounge | Photo by Stacey Torma, courtesy of Easy's Cocktail Lounge
Heart of the Ocean cocktail at Easy's Cocktail Lounge | Photo by Stacey Torma, courtesy of Easy's Cocktail Lounge

Booze is the fuel that drives Las Vegas, whether in the club, by the pool, or hanging out by your favorite slot machine. If you really want to see what this town is all about, plan to visit the all-time great bucket-list bars in Las Vegas. If that's not enough, don't worry. There's more. Between cocktail lounges, dive bars, wine bars, speakeasies, and brewpubs, the options are endless in Sin City. Some places have great deals. Others stick with dreaded "Strip prices." Either way, remember to tip your bartender and savor every last drop of whatever's in your glass. Have fun, and refer to the following list for the best new bars to open in Vegas over the last few years.

Rouge Room
Champagne bar at Rouge Room | Photo courtesy of Rouge Room

Rouge Room

Red Rock Resort
$$$$

The Rouge Room is a stylish new spot at the Red Rock Resort, taking over the space formerly known as Crimson and Cherry and more recently used for private events and seasonal pop-ups. The whole place was given a dramatic makeover with deep red hues and vintage decor. Think of the lounge as a cross between a secluded speakeasy and a high-energy supper club with outdoor seating and cabanas on an intimate adults-only poolside deck. There are two bars—one that focuses on champagne, the other for cocktails—plus another outdoors. The biggest surprise is the variety of syrups and tinctures made in-house. Many get put to good use with a martini cart that roams between tables. The Rouge Room also has a food menu of light French bites and a rotating lineup of live musicians. It's worth visiting for the pool alone, especially during late-night Dip Du Rouge parties on Mondays.
How to book: Reservations are available online for both the lounge and pool.

Horse Trailer Hideout
Photo courtesy of Horse Trailer Hideout

Horse Trailer Hideout

Downtown Arts District
$$$$

One of the newest places to drink like a local in Downtown, actually began as a series of mobile bars designed from horse trailers, which are still available for festivals and catering events around town. Horse Trailer Hideout is the fully realized brick-and-mortar version, mixing country-chic furnishings with offbeat decor, live music, and games like cornhole or table-top shuffleboard. There's even a punching bag to let off a little steam. Yet the best way to relax is with a draft beer (with sours half-off Sundays) or cocktail served from an indoor horse trailer. What Happens in Vegas is made with local Ambros banana whiskey, coconut rum, pineapple juice, and fresh-ground nutmeg. The smoked Farmhouse Fashion uses whiskey infused in-house with apples and cherries. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 pm, and Sunday through Thursday from 10 pm to close, with $3 select drafts, $4 wells, and half-price specialty cocktails.
How to book: Walk in.

BrewDog Las Vegas
Photo courtesy of BrewDog

BrewDog

The Strip
$$$$

BrewDog is perfect for Las Vegas, a town that loves to make a spectacle out of drinking. The two-level bar opened in late 2022 but is already a Strip landmark with a prime location across from the Park MGM. The main dining room has a modern industrial edge, with pinball and other games on standby for a loose clubhouse feel. However, the real fun is on the expansive open-air rooftop deck, surrounded by the bright lights of Las Vegas. BrewDog makes its own beer on-site with recipes that frequently change with the season. Other craft brews are available, too, including top picks from some of the best Vegas breweries. BrewDog could get by on simple bar bites alone—and the bottomless wings deal on Wednesdays is tempting—but it isn't afraid to get ambitious with the food menu. Sink your teeth into a plate of oak-grilled seafood, lobster-topped french fries, and a delicious Wagyu burger that comes with a $150 price tag and is presented in a smoke-filled treasure chest. Other dishes are reasonably priced for the Strip.
How to book: Reservations are available online.

F The Bar
Photo courtesy of F The Bar

F The Bar

Downtown
$$$$

No, this bar isn't inspired by vulgarity. The "F" in F The Bar stands for Fergusons Downtown, an old Vegas motel that's now a shopping, art, and event space. It's about time it had a fully realized bar. While the clever cocktails and build-your-own Old Fashioned program are pretty awesome, guests can also appreciate the selection of local beer and low-intervention wines (on display atop the bar counter, making it easy to choose by labels or color). F The Bar is the kind of place where you can bring your laptop during the day or hang out with your friends at night when the lights dim and the energy picks up. The mint green paint job and faux foliage are welcome retro touches, but if you just want to chill on the lawn during warmer months, blankets and wine carafes are available to make it easy and comfortable.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Aft
Photo by Sabin Orr, courtesy of Aft

Aft

Wynn
$$$$

This cocktail lounge (or "cocktail deck") is part of the Wynn's recent bar revamp, which turned Parasol Up into Overlook Lounge and Parasol Down into Bar Parasol. Aft is an all-new creation perched outdoors on the Lake of Dreams between SW Steakhouse and Lakeside. It follows something of a nautical theme, with drinks named after desirable destinations like Turks and Caicos, Monaco, and Ibiza. The third is a refreshing mix of Kahlua, cold-brew espresso, and Absolut Elyx infused with vanilla. However, the more spirit-forward cocktails complement the sophistication of the environment—like a smoky rum Old Fashioned, rich in tobacco flavors (and large enough to share), or a spicy Margarita brightened with pineapple and mango. If you really want to get fancy, order the Caviar Fries on the side.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Berlin Bar

Downtown Arts District
$$$$

Berlin Bar has style but isn't too fancy. A beer-and-a-shot is the drink of choice here—a dive bar with a loose German theme. Lots of kitschy mismatched decor, chalkboard art, stickers, and pieces from local artists (on sale if you want to take one home). So where does the name come from? The owners actually planned to open the bar in Berlin, but COVID hit, and they stayed put in Vegas instead. If beer's not your thing, try the Sandia (a Casamigos margarita with fresh watermelon juice). Food includes a soft pretzel charcuterie board and the same gourmet franks served by the Dude, Where's My Hotdog food truck. The infamous Ass Cobra is topped with ramen and asparagus. The patio gets busy on weekends with a long fire pit and a great view of the Stratosphere. The soundtrack of dirty, fuzzy rock fits the vibe just fine.
How to book: Walk in.

The Cabinet Of Curiosities
Photo courtesy of Cabinet of Curiosities

Cocktail lounges on the Strip tend to be stiff, stagnant, and overpriced. So it's always nice to see something loose and fun come along. The Cabinet of Curiosities is a bar and attraction in one, tucked away in the back of the Horseshoe casino, where nobody will notice the prices aren't quite as high as other bars and restaurants on the property. The Cabinet of Curiosities has its share of signature cocktails, including a funky mix of vanilla, coffee, and cinnamon in the Flea Market Martini, but it does a great job with the classics, too. The main wall is lined with cabinets and drawers of oddball knick-knacks. Use your phone to scan a code and unlock the stories behind each one. A large, vault-like door leads to The Lock, a speakeasy in the back that doesn't go overboard with a Prohibition theme. The stylish but understated tone is a welcome change of pace for the Strip. Just hang out and pick your bartender's brain for a custom cocktail.
How to book: Email or call 833-855-2888 with any questions. Pick up the telephone on the back wall for directions on accessing the speakeasy in the back.

Nightmare Cafe
Nightmare Cafe | Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Nightmare Cafe

Downtown Arts District
$$$$

Nightmare Toys is a great spot for shopping in the Arts District, especially if you're into retro and horror-themed collectibles. The owners took the concept a step further with the Nightmare Cafe, a next-door bar with a sinister side and eye-catching, hand-painted murals. You may see a few scary movies or Addams Family reruns on the TV screens, along with the latest game, but the best show is on the menu. Try one of three Mourge-aritas or an Invisible Man-hattan. Cocktails based on the seven deadly sins are in the works, along with exclusive beers from local breweries. For now, you can't go wrong with the Purple People Eater, which makes good use of naturally purple Empress Gin. The food, which skews toward Southern favorites, is nearly as creative, especially the Blair Waffle Project, made with black squid-ink waffles, plump fried chicken, and blood-red hot honey sauce. The space was formerly an auto garage, and the roll-up doors welcome a lot of natural light during the day to balance out all that spookiness.
How to book: Walk in.

S Bar

Mandalay Bay
$$$$

The Las Vegas version of S Bar is the first one that isn't attached to a restaurant. That allows the venue, which took over the old Red Square space, to focus on its own identity as a stylish cocktail lounge with art deco furnishings. The bar itself is a bright statement piece that pops against the darkness of its surroundings. The drink menu doesn't bother with classics, preferring to showcase inventive recipes with interesting glassware and garnishes. A few have large format presentations with surprises included. S Bar is also emphasizing a thoughtful champagne and wine selection. The food menu of elevated bar bites is exceptional.
How to book: Make a reservation online.

Available for Reservations
Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf | Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Red Dwarf

Eastside
$$$$

Red Dwarf follows the vision of Russell Gardner, a Vegas native who let his business organically take shape as a tiki bar based on the vibe, shape, and design of the space. There's a certain restraint that works to its advantage. No over-the-top kitsch, gaming, or smoking—although you're welcome to get in a few puffs on the outdoor patio. Much of Red Dwarf's character is based on a punk rock mentality, reflected in a wall of vintage concert posters and an elevated stage that hosts live music—everything from blues and ska to soul and garage rock—and doubles as a makeshift living room with a couch and mismatched chairs. A large wraparound bartop is full of angles to encourage conversation, and there's a lot to discuss with a collection of about a hundred rums and funky cocktails, including a few mashups on traditional tiki classics. The craft beer list rotates regularly. The one constant is the Dwarf Piss, a $4 house lager brewed in partnership with Astronomy Aleworks. It pairs well with the bar's excellent Detroit-style pizza, made with an airy, chewy dough that's pan-proofed and fermented in-house for up to 72 hours.
How to book: Just show up and sit down. You can always place a pizza delivery order online.

Misterio Mezcal Bar
Misterio Mezcal Bar | Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Misterio Mezcal Bar

Downtown Arts District
$$$$

Misterio isn't messing around. The intimate bar, located on the ground floor of the shareDOWNTOWN apartment complex in the Arts District, has more than 80 bottles of mezcal on its drink list, plus a few worthy tequilas, too. Enjoy the smoky agave spirit to the fullest, whether part of a flight or in one of 14 specialty cocktails prepared with house-made juices, purees, and syrups. The Chupacabra is a well-balanced recipe made with tamarind puree and rosemary syrup. It goes nice with an Avocado Boat, split open and topped with a choice of beef, chicken, or tuna. Happy hour runs generously from 4 to 8 pm Monday through Thursday with discounts on select cocktails, tacos, nachos, empanadas, and ceviche. A regular $10 special pairs a select mezcal with Revision beer (produced in Northern Nevada).
How to book: Walk in.

Allē Lounge on 66
Photo courtesy of Allē Lounge

Allē Lounge on 66

Resorts World
$$$$

Allē Lounge used to have a better name (Starlight on 66), but still has a fantastic perch on the 66th floor of the Conrad hotel tower at Resorts World. Whether facing north (the Strip) or south (the Strat and Downtown), the scenery is ridiculous—especially at night through floor-to-ceiling windows. Walks-ins may get lucky with bar seats, but reservations are highly recommended. The whole room has the feel of a private study or library with comfortable furniture, refined decor, and a menu presented as a thick novel. A vintage telescope is pointed at the Strip. Five different takes on an Old Fashioned are prepared on a tableside cart. Any option pairs well with full-service Golden Russian Osteria caviar.
How to book: Call 702-676-7766 to book a reservation.

The Tangier
Photo courtesy of The Tangier

The Tangier

Sahara
$$$$

The Tangier sets itself apart by focusing on brown spirits. Not just whiskey, but anything aged—including rum or tequila. Even Tito's Vodka is aged on-site for at least 30 days in charred barrels, producing an amber color well suited for an Old Fashioned. Overall, the cocktail menu is split between inventive specialty drinks and classic recipes, with three different variations on a Boulevardier. If you just want to sip on the good stuff, there are about 160 varieties of bourbon, scotch, or cognac available, with a few rare bottles hidden out of view. No list. The idea is for things to be conversational between the guest and bartender. Grab a seat. You'll find something you like. Not into the strong stuff? Sangria is just $10.
How to book: The bar is geared toward walk-ins from 3 pm–2 am daily.

The Silver Stamp
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Silver Stamp

Gateway District
$$$$

If you're looking for a place to drink beer without one of our great local breweries attached to it, the Silver Stamp might be your joint. Located in the Gateway District (which is increasingly blurring together with the Arts District), the bar is a total throwback with wood paneling, mounted taxidermy, and quirky, vintage decor. Is it a den from the '70s? A basement from the '80s? Hard to say, but the beer selection is exceptional, including occasional one-and-done-kegs that are hard to find elsewhere. At least half the tap list is European. There's always a rauchbier (German smoked beer) and Kolsch served in wheels (pay for 10, get 11) for large groups, an idea inspired by the owners' visit to a Cologne festival. Hot dogs and pickled eggs are on standby if you get hungry.
How to book: Walk on in.

Easy's Cocktail Lounge
Photo by Chris Wessling, courtesy of Easy's Cocktail Lounge

Another day, another new speakeasy in Las Vegas. Easy's is a throwback cabaret lounge hidden behind a donut shop at the new Proper Eats Food Hall inside the Aria. There's a lot to love about the joint—the intimacy, old-school design, live music, and, of course, the cocktails. The drink menu is divided between classics, inventive recipes, and high-priced "Show Stoppers" with extravagant presentations. The Heart of the Ocean, for example, reflects a day at the beach with a display of seashells, sand, and a cloud of dry ice mixed with coconut oil to smell like suntan lotion. The combination of tequila and blueberry spirulina simulates an ocean wave, topped with the froth of egg-white foam and consumed from a hand-blown glass shell. Yes, you'll want to take photographs. Whether it's worth $50 may depend on your expense account, but most of the other cocktails cost between 20 and 30 bucks. Caviar is available too, but if you really get hungry, feel free to roam Proper Eats for pizza, burgers, sushi, and other grab-and-go bites.
How to book: Check in at the host stand at Easy's Donuts or request a reservation in advance online.

Rob Kachelriess has been writing about Las Vegas in Thrillist for more than nine years. His work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Trivago Magazine, Sophisticated Living, Modern Luxury, Leafly, Las Vegas Magazine, and other publications. He's covering the tip. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.