Editorial
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.
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.
Senior US Editor — drinks his way through New York and writes about which bars actually deserve their reputations.