Where to Tailgate and Watch Football in Las Vegas
Here are the best places to cheer on the Raiders and drink with fellow sports fans in Sin City.
The Raiders are entering their third season as a Las Vegas team (or second with fans actually allowed at the games) and as time flies by, Sin City is getting used to its new identity as a real NFL town. Of course, the best place to watch a game is inside Allegiant Stadium—and part of the “fun” is parking on the Strip and hiking on Hacienda across I-15 to reach the 65,000-seat venue. But even if you don't have a ticket, you can check out the following destinations (and keep up to speed with the best sports bars in Vegas) for the top places to tailgate before a game, catch the action on a big screen, and (hopefully) celebrate a big win afterwards.
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Mandalay Bay & Luxor
There are a few changes outside Allegiant Stadium this year. The Bud Light Beer Garden is gone, now replaced by the Fan District with food and drink specials at Centra, Aurora, and Public House inside the Luxor and Rhythm & Riffs, Libertine Social, and Eye Candy at Mandalay Bay. Some other bars and restaurants at the two resorts may also get in on the act with two-for-one discounts for ticket holders. The new format shifts the pre- and post-game partying indoors (a relief while the hot weather continues), although you may get lucky and see a few food trucks outside.
How to book: Just show up.
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Palace Station
One of the best sports bars in Las Vegas is offering a variety of deals throughout football season. Come for Saturday games and receive 75-cent wings or on Monday and Thursday for $5 domestic pitchers, $7 import pitchers, and $7 Casamigos Reposado shots. The full menu is available, as always, and you can't go wrong with the $29 appetizer platter of wings, pretzel bites, guacamole, and chicken quesadillas.
How to book: Make a reservation online.
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The M Resort
The Raiders Tavern & Grill is the only restaurant officially affiliated with the Las Vegas football team. The dining room is decorated with jerseys, helmets, and other Raiders memorabilia, but feels more like a restaurant than a sports bar. Outdoor tables overlook the scenery of The M Resort's expansive pool deck. Watch NFL games on one of 45 televisions while sipping on beer from 20 taps and feasting on a deep selection of food, including wood-fired pizzas, tacos, burgers, and more. Don't leave without browsing the gift shop.
How to book: Reservations are available via OpenTable.
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Industrial Corridor
One of the best strip clubs in Las Vegas is throwing watch parties for all Monday Night Football games. Admission includes access to a tailgate buffet, two drink tickets, and all the excitement you can handle on the big screen or in the privacy of a VIP skybox.
How to book: Admission begins at $25 per guest with VIP packages available. A $200 Sapphire Season Pass covers admission to all watch parties this season.
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Miracle Mile Shops
Cabo Wabo Cantina will broadcast games during the entire NFL season on televisions throughout the restaurant, including a 200-inch projection screen and 110-inch video grid. Think of the Strip views on the patio as a bonus. Groups will be eager to share nacho platters, chicken wings, and queso dip served in a hot skillet with chorizo and warm tortillas. Buckets of Dos Equis, Dos Equis Ambar, Heineken, Heineken Light, Tecate, or Carta Blanca are $23 during games. A lounge on the second floor is available for private bookings.
How to book: Book a reservation via OpenTable.
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Summerlin
Your best bet for watching Raiders games in Summerlin has a loose, rustic vibe with six ten-foot 4k projection screens. The regular happy hour deals ($4 bottles or drafts, $5 well drinks, $6 wine, $20 beer buckets, $16 pitchers, and half-off starters) apply during all NFL games. If you plan to stick around to celebrate a win (or mourn a loss) after the game, your entire tab is 25% off 10 pm–7 am.
How to book: No reservations. Just come on in.
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Treasure Island
Treasure Island has a roundtrip shuttle to take fans to and from Allegiant Stadium, running every 30 minutes before and after Raiders games. Before you board, come early and place a bet at the Golden Circle Sportsbook & Bar, where you can buy a bucket of domestic beer and receive a free can of Bud Light Seltzer. It will help wash down all the burgers, pizza, and nachos on the menu. You can always show up even earlier for bottomless mimosas and Bloody Mary pitchers on the newly launched breakfast menu Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 am to noon.
How to book: Seating at Golden Circle is first-come, first-serve. Shuttle passes are available online.
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Multiple Locations
This locals-focused bar has two locations in the northwest and one on the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard near Blue Diamond Road. The half-pound burgers, all-day breakfast, and video poker machines are the big draws, but there's always a great deal on beer with dozens of choices. Corona Extra, Corona Seltzerita, and Modelo Negra are $4.50 by the bottle/can and can be mixed in $16 buckets of four during pro and college games. Modelo Especial, Corona Premier, and Pacifico are on draft for $5 (pints) or $6.50 (22-ounce pours).
How to book: Walk on in (or order food to go).
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Circa
The Overhang Bar is one of the best spots to soak in the extravagance of Circa's massive three-level sportsbook (the largest in Vegas) with football games shown on a 78-million-pixel video screen. You can also watch the Raiders on the giant outdoor video wall at Stadium Swim, which (unlike some of the other pool parties in Vegas) is heated and open every day of the year.
How to book: Overhang Bar is first-come, first-serve, but you can inquire about reservations at the sportsbook or Stadium Swim
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The Venetian
It's Las Vegas, so of course it's possible to watch football with bottle service at one of the best cocktail lounges on the Strip. Electra is showing NFL games on a massive 40-foot, 70-million pixel digital wall with deals on pizza, burgers, wings, and fries. You can also try exclusive drinks only available during football games.
How to book: Reservations are highly recommended. Email the Venetian to lock one in.
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Off the Strip
Crazy Horse 3 is just steps away from Allegiant Stadium, making the gentlemen's club an enticing tailgate spot. Locals and Raiders ticket holders can take advantage of free entry and half-off beer and cocktails on game day. Fox Sports Radio will host giveaways while broadcasting live on-site during home games.
How to book: Call 702-673-1700 to inquire about VIP upgrades and parking opportunities for those attending the game in person.
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Off the Strip
AREA15 has fun attractions like Meow Wolf's Omega Mart and crazy dinners at the Lost Spirits distillery. Now, it has football too. Illuminarium is hosting 21-and-over Monday night viewing parties, with every play brought to life via dramatic, immersive projection screen mapping. Guests can order pulled pork sliders, fish tacos, and other game-day bites from Lumin Cafe. Special Field Goal shots of Ketel One, Bajan punch, and cranberry juice are just $3.
How to book: Buy tickets online.
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The Sahara
Watch football by the pool every Sunday throughout the NFL season at Azilo. Doors open early at 9:30 am on game day, with live football shown on a 240-foot LED video wall. Play games like cornhole and beer pong in the Tailgate Zone and munch on food like burgers, Italian sausages, and even ribeye steaks while sipping themed cocktails. In true Vegas dayclub fashion, a DJ will be pumping beats during commercials and time-outs.
How to book: Go online to book a daybed or cabana.
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The Palms
With the recent reopening of the Palms casino, Mabel's is finding its groove again as one of the best barbecue joints in Las Vegas. The restaurant is teaming up with local favorite Beer Zombies for a pregame party during all Raiders home games, with free rides to Allegiant Stadium for ticket holders. A beer from each visiting team's city will be served in the spirit of somewhat-friendly competition while guests enjoy live music, games, and great food. A $32 all-you-can-drink special runs during Saturday and Sunday games.
How to book: No cover. Book a reservation online.
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Town Square
Sickies Garage has plenty of high-def TVs for watching a Raiders game. Ask about the beer bucket special: five domestics on ice for $19.99. The brew goes well with a few new dishes inspired by the fall football season, including Loaded Tater Tots, Chili Mac n' Cheese, a Meatloaf Melt, and check this out—Apple Pie Nachos. Register for a chance to win an 80-inch flat-screen TV during any NFL game.
How to book: Call 725-735-5400 to inquire about reservations.
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Green Valley Ranch
Borracha is one of the best spots to watch football for the Henderson crowd. Show up in Raiders gear and receive your first draft beer free during games. Everybody gets a free shot during Raiders touchdowns. Doors open early at 10 am on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the football season with $5 domestic brews and $7 imports. The menu is full of Mexican classics like crispy shrimp tacos, bubbling cheese fundido, and flaming tequila fajitas.
How to book: Place a reservation online.
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The Venetian
Okay, maybe you just want to throw a party of your own, either at home or inside a crazy Las Vegas hotel suite. Yardbird can help out with easy and simple catering for game day. The restaurant has a Fried Chicken Package (24 pieces with mac n' cheese and biscuits) for $150, Chicken Biscuit Snack Pack (12 crispy chicken biscuits with mac n' cheese and crispy Brussels) for $95, Backyard BBQ Bonanza (fried chicken, full rack of St. Louis-style ribs, a half-pound of smoked brisket over bacon baked beans, biscuits, spiced cracklins, mac n' cheese, and house pickles) for $175, and a Big Boy Brunch Bash (with fried chicken, cheddar cheese waffles, bacon, biscuits, country gravy cheese grits, and a dozen scrambled eggs) for $110. Each package is meant for six people to share.
How to book: The packages are takeout only and available by calling 702-297-6541.
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MGM Grand
Nellie's Southern Kitchen, a new restaurant by the Jonas Brothers, is going all-in on football season. You'll be able to munch chicken and dumplings, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and other forms of comfort food while games play on a centralized high-def video screen surrounded by couches and tables in a cozy lounge area.
How to book: Book a reservation via OpenTable.