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The Bars and Pubs of Las Vegas
Groups roam Vegas'
streets and frequent its casino bars and pubs.
Vegas may be known for its clubs, but
it also has some great pubs and bars. Even those famous – or
infamous – "lounge acts" can be entertaining.Here's PubClub's
picks for the best of Vegas' pubs and non-clubs.
Bars
Fine tunes and times at the Nine Fine and wasted away at Margaritaville.
It's not difficult to get wasted away in Vegas, and the best place
for us to do this is Margaritaville Cafe (Flamingo Hilton). It's
easy for us to think this way; we enjoy the great parties of Jimmy
Buffett concerts. Vegas Margaritaville is a three-level Parrothead
paradise, showing concert videos and playing Buffett that just begs
to stay for another margarita (tip: get "The Perfect Margarita,"
$8:50). Careful, though, you just must might wind up tossing out your
anchor here). The first level is the best place to hang and a volano-and-mermaid
show every 40 minutes or so late afternoons and early evenings makes
you know where you are when it blows. Upstairs is a misted patio overlooking
the Strip. It's mostly for people having snacks but the bar can get
a few fins to the left, fins to the right...
There
are quite a few Irish pubs popping up in Vegas, and the finest is the
Nine Fine Irishman in New York, New York. The Nine Fine has a live
Celtic band six days a week (not Tuesdays), a lovely and energetic lass
named Sharon Lynne doing Irish step dancing on a raised platform and
a crazy crowd that gets the place rocking after midnight. It's a regular
stop for Rebels and Lady Rebels from UNLV, locals and tourists in the
know (and those lucky enough to stumble into it). The band – featuring
a fun fiddler and Irish drinking songs - switches to rock 'n roll on
its last set. There's a $10 cover Fridays and Saturdays.
The coolest bar in town is, without a doubt, the classy Red Square.
Located next to the Rumjungle club in Mandalay Bay, Red Square is
a martini lounge decked out in cool, soft colors. It specializes in
martinis with Russian names but the "coolest" part about the
place its its hockey rink. Actually, it's a thick strip of ice running
the length of the service bar that keeps cocktails ice cold. There's
no music, but it attracts a lot of young, fun people who want to drink
but don't want to put up with the fuss and expense of getting into Rumjungle.
One entertaining thing to do is check out the prices on some of the
Russian vodkas.
We snapped this
shot in Red Square, Vegas' "coolest" bar.
Although we haven't been there, we've heard good things
abou the Hofbräuhaus. It has the real-deal beer, straight from
Germany in a replica of the famous beerhaus in Munich. The food is authentic,
as well. Of course, we heard this from a German, but we trust our source.
Plus, it's the only place in town that shows F1 races. It's off the
Strip near the Hard Rock Cafe but there is a free shuttle. 4510 Paradise,
Road, 853-BEER).
Z'Tejas Grille (3824 Paradise Road) is a restaurant/bar with
tasty food that can have a lively atmosphere. It's mostly a locals dinner
crowd but the margaritas and martinis are an attraction for the bar-seeking
set.
The Boston Grille & Bar (3411 S. Jones Blvd.) attracts local
punk rockers.
Non-punk rockers do their own rockin' at Tommy's. Tommy Rocker's,
that is. For years, Tommy's has been where locals take the visitors
to show them a good time in Vegas. Tommy, the owner, has been known
to pull patrons on stage to test their singing skills. There is no cover
and if there is a dress code it's an aloha shirt It peaks weekends from
about midnight until 2.
We all know talk can be cheap, but so are the drinks in these little-known
places on the Strip. The Kanpai Bar, located just inside the
main Imperial Palace entrance, sells domestic beer for $1.50 and some
limited imports for $2.50. It does this all day until closing at 3 a.m.This
is one one of the best-kept pre-party secrets in town. Next door, the
dingy casino O'Sheay's sells 10-ounce beers for $1.25, but service
is spotty. You can also get $1 bottles and other cheap drinks at the
Casino Royale between the Venetian and Harrah's. Make a quick pit
stop in one of these places and take the drinks to a casino.
Brew Pubs
Looking for a good Happy Hour spot? Gordon Biersch is a where
the locals go to knock 'em back after work, especially on Fridays. It's
away from the neon lights and gaming tables of the Strip (Hughes Center,
Flamingo and Paradise), making it hard to tell one is in Vegas. The
food is fine but for those ready to mingle, we don't recommend the garlic
mashed potatoes. Gordon Biersch also has a fully-stocked bar for non-beer
drinkers.
Other brew pubs can be found at Ellis Island, Main Street
Station and Sunset Station.
Lounge Acts
Lounging at the
casino lounges is a fun alternative to clubbing.
The clubs are hardly the only game in town when it comes to Vegas nightlife.
The casino lounge bars offer great entertainment without the hassles
of getting into the clubs. There's no line, no cover and usually a live
band. And, often, a lively crowd. So, we always recommend a lounge
crawl, especially for large groups and bachlorette parties.
The best lounge is at the MGM Grand's Main Casino Stage.
From 3 in the afternoon until 2 in the morning, the "Heroes
of Rock & Roll" rolls out a live musical parade of look-alike musicians
ranging from Buddy Holly to Tina Turner to Mick Jagger to you-know-who
(this being Vegas, Elvis really never does leave the building). Afterward
it's a live band, followed by activity as late as one wants go go.
It's a close walk to New York/New York. This casino attracts
a fun, young crowd and many make it to this live-band bar.
Just a few steps from the hectic scene at Rumjungle, Mandalay Bay's
lounge features bands that rock. It always has a lively crowd and
is a favorite place for wedding parties cutting loose after the reception.
If Joe's Band is playing, the place can be outright explosive. Frankly,
it's a much better call than Rumjungle.
 Next
stop on the Virtual Vegas Party Bus: Vegas Clubs
.
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