Vegas has had a serious cocktail scene since Herbs & Rye opened off-Strip in 2009. The casino bars improved in response. The 10 below split between the Strip institutions (worth one visit) and the off-Strip rooms (where locals drink). Most of the off-Strip places are in the Arts District or Downtown.
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The 10 best bars in Las Vegas
01 · Las Vegas
West Las Vegas
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Steakhouse + cocktails · Off-Strip
Steakhouse and cocktail bar in one. The bar that proved Vegas could host a serious cocktail scene off-Strip. Open since 2009.
Order: Their flagship Penicillin
02 · Las Vegas
Arts District
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Sisters' bar · Arts District
Sisters' cocktail bar in the Arts District. Patio, art-forward interior, modernist cocktails using local Nevada ingredients where possible.
Order: A spec built around prickly pear or yucca
03 · Las Vegas
Downtown
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1952 · Restored · Atomic-tests
Las Vegas's oldest free-standing bar, opened 1952. Patrons used to watch atomic-bomb tests from the roof. Restored, now serious about cocktails.
Order: An atomic-themed signature
04 · Las Vegas
Downtown · Container Park
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Whiskey · Container Park
Inside Container Park downtown. Whiskey-focused cocktail bar with a patio. The casual face of serious downtown Vegas drinking.
Order: A bourbon-led seasonal
05 · Las Vegas
Cosmopolitan · Strip
$$$
Three-story chandelier · Inside
Inside the Cosmopolitan. Three different drinking levels inside a giant chandelier installation. The Strip's best cocktail program.
Order: The Verbena (the famous numbing-flower cocktail)
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06 · Las Vegas
West Las Vegas
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24-hour tiki bar
24-hour tiki bar off-Strip. Custom-carved tiki mugs to take home, exotica music, the most authentic tiki vibe in Vegas.
Order: A Mai Tai in their custom mug
07 · Las Vegas
Downtown
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Speakeasy · Behind Commonwealth
Behind Commonwealth bar downtown. Twenty-two seats, no menu, reservations only.
Order: Bartender's choice
08 · Las Vegas
Downtown
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Multi-floor · Rooftop
Three floors plus a rooftop. Different programming on each. The Downtown Vegas cocktail scene's home base.
Order: A French 75 on the rooftop
09 · Las Vegas
Park MGM · Strip
$$$
Hidden bar · DJ
Hidden bar at Park MGM. Walk through a record store to find it. DJ programming is taken seriously.
Order: Whatever's the bartender's seasonal pick
10 · Las Vegas
Mandalay Bay · Strip
$$$$
64th-floor rooftop
On top of the Delano. Floor-to-ceiling windows facing north up the Strip. Cocktails are competent; the view is the reason.
Order: A martini at sunset, north-facing
More Vegas bars by categoryCocktail, rooftop, hidden gem — the full Las Vegas index.
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How to drink in Vegas off the Strip
The Strip casino bars are fine for one drink each, but the actual drinking culture is off-Strip. Herbs & Rye, Velveteen Rabbit and Atomic Liquors form the Downtown trio. The Chandelier inside the Cosmopolitan is the Strip's best room. Vegas runs late: 4 AM closes are normal.
