Before the turn of the millennium, Las Vegans’ off-Strip choices for drinking establishments were limited. Small-chain sports bars dominated. Sure there were a handful of British and Irish pubs, and restaurants like the now-defunct Rosemary’s put some craft in their cocktails. But San Francisco and Manhattan this wasn’t.
Then, the 2000s saw a renewed interest in downtown Las Vegas. Today, downtown Las Vegas thrives as a vibrant, walkable community, attracting both locals and tourists with its unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. The development of trendy restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues has significantly fueled its popularity, making it a hot spot for diverse experiences and social interactions.
1. Downtown Cocktail Room,
When Michael Cornthwaite, the unofficial “Mayor of East Fremont,” opened the DCR at the beginning of 2007, he saw downtown as an untapped resource and a big opportunity.
“Way back in the ’90s, to me downtown represented a clean slate,” Cornthwaite said. “It really was just a bunch of disconnected businesses. But it was located in an urban core of a world-renowned city”. So I thought, ‘This will eventually come back and be fun to be part of.”
The DCR sits on a dark section of Las Vegas Boulevard, 100 feet from Fremont Street. The entrance presents some first-time patrons with a test of sorts: Where do I push on the glass to open the door? (Hint: The metal door is on your left.)
Inside, the glamorous interior and soft lighting give off an upscale ambience. Tables and couches are candle-lit and comfy. Around the corner of the bar is another room with booths and couches. Beyond the delicious cocktails and Bohemian-Speakeasy ambience, perhaps the DCR’s No. 1 asset is its staff. Cornthwaite created an establishment with a friendly atmosphere with mixologists and servers who remembered customers’ names and drink preferences. “Too me it was just normal,” he says. And the number of regulars — the familiar faces are on both sides of the bar — is a testament to Cornthwaite’s vision.
111 S Las Vegas Blvd (702) 880-3696 downtowncocktailroom.com
2. Atomic Liquors,
Atomic Liquors, Las Vegas’ oldest freestanding bar, has evolved significantly since its reopening. Located farther east on Fremont Street, Atomic Liquors originally operated from 1952 until 2011, when it closed following the deaths of its previous owners. The bar, which famously hosted celebrities like Burt Reynolds and the Smothers Brothers, also made appearances in movies such as “Casino” and “The Hangover.”
The revitalized Atomic Liquors gained renewed attention when Anthony Bourdain visited for his CNN travel show “Parts Unknown,” bringing the historic spot into the limelight. Today, Atomic Liquors maintains its classic charm while embracing Nevada’s atomic history, complete with its signature drink, the F-bomb. The bar now stands as a beloved fixture in the downtown Las Vegas scene, surrounded by trendy establishments and a vibrant community.
917 Fremont St. (702) 982-3000 atomic.vegas
3. The Griffin,
It can be argued that The Griffin led the revitalization of the downtown bar scene.
With it’s medieval cave interior, graced with two large fireplaces, and its hipster clientele, all knit caps and facial hair, looking like they just arrived from Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, it’s immediately obvious this isn’t your father’s Las Vegas bar.
While this isn’t the place for cocktail snobs, the beer and liquor selections are quite good. The main room — spacious, with plenty of seating, and arguably Las Vegas’ best jukebox — can fill up in a matter of minutes, as if busloads of 20-somethings were just deposited outside, sometime after 9 on Friday and Saturday nights. By 11:30, the bar can be four-deep.
The back room features a smaller bar and a dance floor.
Like most of the establishments on this list, Griffin patrons tend to be locals. But thanks to its notoriety — it has made Esquire’s best bars in America list — The Griffin attracts tourists looking for the Las Vegas beyond The Strip.
511 Fremont St. (702) 382-0577
4. Velveteen Rabbit
Velveteen Rabbit, a beloved spot for the cocktail crowd, has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the Arts District since its opening in May 2013. Housed in a transformed furniture store, this bar offers an eclectic menu featuring craft beers, artisanal cocktails, and reasonably priced classics. A standout is the Crucifix in a Deathhand, inspired by a Bukowski poem, which combines Irish whiskey, absinthe, and bitters for a potent mix.
The dimly lit interior adds to its charm, with antique-looking couches, chairs, and walls adorned with intriguing art. The check board menu and cozy ambiance make it a favorite for those seeking a unique and intimate drinking experience. Over the years, Velveteen Rabbit has become a key player in the downtown Las Vegas bar scene, known for its creative drinks and inviting atmosphere.
1218 S. Main St. (702) 685-9645 velveteenrabbitlv.com
5. The Underground at The Mob Museum
The Underground at The Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas is a captivating speakeasy and distillery that takes you back to the Prohibition era. Located in the museum’s basement, this hidden gem is surrounded by 1920s artifacts, creating an immersive historical experience. The speakeasy features authentic Prohibition-era craft cocktails, like the Bee’s Knees and Moonshine Mayhem, served in a meticulously designed Roaring Twenties setting. With its intimate ambiance, hand-crafted cocktail menu, live music, and password entry system, The Underground offers a unique and educational night out, perfect for history buffs and cocktail enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re touring the on-site distillery or enjoying a drink, this speakeasy provides a memorable glimpse into a bygone era.
300 Stewart Ave. (702) 229-2734 themobmuseum.org
6. Don’t Tell Mama
Small, dark and sometimes smoky, this piano-karaoke bar sits in the middle of East Fremont. Despite its size and sometimes raucous crowds it’s usually not hard to find a seat.
Unlike some of it’s neighbors, the drinks here are not the main attraction; it’s the music. Among the impressive singers who grab the mic are the bartenders who’ve just served you.
517 Fremont St., Suite A (702) 207-0788 donttellmama.com
7. Huntridge Package Liquor,
This dingy dive bar doesn’t have the luster it had when the Huntridge Theater — across the street — was an operating concert venue. But the drinks are cheap and the regulars — locals, of course — are friendly.
1122 East Charleston Boulevard Las Vegas NV 89104
8. Vic & Anthony’s,
Another reason to venture to the west of Las Vegas Boulevard, this modern steakhouse in downtown’s top hotel is home to one of the best wine bars on Fremont Street. The setting is nice and modern, and the service and wine selection are impressive.
Golden Nugget: 129 Fremont St. (702) 386-8399 vicandanthonys.com
9. Oak & Ivy,
Nestled in the Downtown Container Park, Oak & Ivy is a high-end cocktail bar that stands out for its dedication to classic mixology and unique handcrafted drinks. This stylish bar, tucked into the side of a shipping container, offers an intimate setting with a small patio and a cozy, eight-seat indoor bar. Known for its exceptional whiskey selection, Oak & Ivy features over 40 American whiskeys and a menu of barrel-aged cocktails, all crafted with high-quality, fresh, and seasonal ingredients.
707 Fremont St. (702) 553-2549 oakandivy.com
10. Hugo’s Cellar,
Hugo’s Cellar, the Four Queens’ old-timey steakhouse, might seem out of place on a list dominated by East Fremont hipster hangouts. But the martini service alone earns it a spot.
The bar — just three or four seats and a couple of small tables — sits at the restaurant’s entrance, a half flight of stairs below the casino. The fireplace and low light imbue the place with the old-time Las Vegas feel it’s earned over the years.
Oh, the martini service? They’re stirred (not shaken; sorry, Mr. Bond) vigorously. The portion that doesn’t fit in your cocktail glass is poured into a carafe which is packed in ice. Be careful: You end up with almost two full martinis.
Four Queens: 202 Fremont St. (702) 385-4011
Did we miss your favorite watering hole? Join the discussion and let us know your favorite spot to drink in downtown Las Vegas.
