The Best Bars in Las Vegas Right Now

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 $75 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.

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 games like shuffleboard and pinball 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. However, plenty of other craft brews are available, too, including top picks from some of the best Vegas breweries. This place 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, however, are reasonably priced for the Strip.
How to book: Reservations are available online.

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.

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.

Chef Nicole Brisson of Brezza, one of the best Italian restaurants in Las Vegas, also runs Bar Zazu as a next-door companion piece at Resorts World. The food takes inspiration from Spanish tapas with eight varieties of Pan con Tomate (grilled cristal bread with tomato and other toppings) and charcuterie plates of imported cheeses and fresh-sliced meats. Added wow factor is seen in an extra-large bone marrow presentation and shrimp ceviche with a long squid-ink cracker. A stellar European-heavy wine list and a fun lineup of cocktails, including The Heathers (basically a Manhattan with maple, clove, and other flavors) and Seed of Sakura (similar to a gin-and-tonic, but with the bite of grapefruit and Campari) complement the food’s bold flavors. The playful nature of the lounge is reflected in the rotating digital art pieces that quietly come to life with subtle animated touches.
How to book: Make a reservation online via Seven Rooms.

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 artwork from local artists (that's also for sale). 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 tower. The soundtrack of dirty, fuzzy rock fits the vibe just fine.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome.

Cocktail lounges on the Strip tend to be stiff, stagnant, and overpriced. So it's about time that something fun and loose came along. The Cabinet of Curiosities is a bar and attraction in one, tucked away in the back of Bally's (soon to be the Horseshoe), where nobody will notice the prices aren't quite as high as other bars and restaurants on property or in the adjacent Paris casino. 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 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 the brain of your bartender 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 Toys is a great spot for holiday shopping in the Arts District, especially if you're into retro and horror-themed collectibles. The owners recently 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 TVs above the bar, along with the latest game, but the real 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 some 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: Just walk in.

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. Yael Vengroff's drink menu doesn't bother with classics (modified or otherwise), preferring to showcase inventive recipes with interesting glassware and garnishes. Your cocktail might show up in an illuminated glass or topped with a flaming lime. S Bar also puts a fresh spin on bottle service, offering "tableside sips" of spirits with house-made mixers (like blackberry, mint, and ginger beer; or jalapeno, lemon, lime, and agave) for groups to pour themselves. The food menu of elevated bar bites is exceptional and roaming House of Leaves performers appear during the "Late Affair," well after midnight on Saturdays.
How to book: Make a reservation online.

James Trees' wine bar has a vino selection that's compelling, affordable, and chosen with the input of the entire service team, led by sommelier Kat Thomas. There's a heavy emphasis on small producers and with nearly 100 bottles and more than 20 options by the glass, there's something for everyone. Even beer, if that's your preference. Best of all—Ada's is free from pretentiousness. It's just a fun, loose place to hang out. The tapas menu by chef de cuisine Jackson Stamper includes imported cheese and charcuterie, a variety of Spanish-inspired bites, and an Argentinian-style skirt steak. Guest sommeliers are invited for special event tastings and happy hour runs 2-5 pm daily with deals on bottles and boards.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome.

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 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 house 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-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: Just walk in and take a seat.

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 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.
How to book: The bar is geared toward walk-ins 3 pm–2 am daily.

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.

Great drinks with great views. The Legacy Club is perched on the 60th floor of the Circa resort on Fremont Street. With a strong whiskey selection, artwork honoring Vegas casino magnates, and an exhibit of gold bars, this penthouse venue goes heavy on macho swagger. Yet in reality, the Legacy Club is one of the best places to bring a date in Vegas. The servers are knowledgeable about the menu (a nice change of pace from other cocktail bars on the Strip), so don't take suggestions lightly. The Nevadan lives up to its name, using Frey Ranch rye distilled on an upstate farm. Enjoy one in the indoor lounge or on the outdoor patio.
How to book: via their website.