The best bars in Las Vegas

What is it? A Chinatown bar that embraces the tiki vibe with tons of island kitsch.

Why we love it: It’s hard to pass on a good tiki bar and this one has it all. For starters, there’s live music, shrunken heads, fruity drinks and a strange clam shell you can sit in to take a photo. Plus, it’s supposedly haunted if you trust Ghost Adventures. But most of us come for the sweet rum-heavy mai tais, painkillers and Navy grogs, along with the boozy Dole Whip. Some drinks come served in hollowed-out pineapples, while others arrive on fire.

Time Out tip: Make a reservation ahead of time. There are only a dozen or so tables that are always full. 

Address: 3939 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

What is it? The Cosmopolitan’s signature three-story lounge. 

Why we love it: This is the ultimate meet-up. With over two million cascading crystals, Chandelier Bar is hard to miss and has something for everyone. Each floor serves its very own curated collection of cocktails. You’ll find classic concoctions with a twist on the lower level, modern creative takes on floor 1.5 and champagne-forward drinks from “The Art of Bubbles” menu on the top level. 

Time Out tip: Skip the beer and wine and order a signature drink such as My Friend Daiquirita, a daiquiri/margarita marriage of Batiste Silver Agricole Rhum and Pasote Blanco Tequila.

Address: 3708 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

What is it? A hidden cocktail bar that uses culinary tactics to elevate its drinks.  

Why we love it: First, you have to find it among the graffiti murals down an alley between Main and Commerce. But once you do, you’re in for a treat. Liquid Diet may not look like much with its mismatched furniture and rather ho-hum decor but the chef-inspired cocktails are what everyone comes for. And the menu is constantly changing. There’s a reason Esquire named it one of the best bars in America.

Time Out tip: Keep it simple and ask the bartender what the best drink on the whiteboard is today. 

Address: 1415 S Commerce St, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 7pm–1am

What is it? A cocktail-forward lounge in a space with taxidermy, vintage knickknacks and novelty artwork.  

Why we love it: There is a lot going on at Doberman. The space could easily be mistaken as an antique shop and trophy room. And it’s purposely done. Most of the items on display—we’re talking deer heads and estate sale finds—are part of owner Ryan Doherty’s personal collection. Add some trippy Ben Ashton blurred-line original portraits and you have a room with a distinct look. Award-winning mixologist Juyoung Kang has created a cocktail collection with a clarified milk punch, a martini with lemongrass shochu, and a mezcal meets honeydew cordial.

Time Out tip: Go booze-free and try a mocktail like the Coffee Cheesecake, an alcohol-free espresso martini with malt, coffee, honey, parmesan and nutmeg.

Address: 1025 S 1st St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 3pm–1am; Sun 3–11pm

What is it? A tiki-type bar to sip tropical cocktails in the Arts District. 

Why we love it: Stray Pirate is an escape. Once you step inside this downtown bar you’re transported to the dark sunken hull of a boat where cursed pirates were turned into dogs

(pirated pet paintings hang on the walls). The island-themed bar feeds off the tropics with playful drinks like Robbing the Gulf, a reposado tequila-based cocktail cut with watermelon and jalapeño, or the Swing & Berries, vodka sweetened with strawberry, rhubarb and rosewater. 

Time Out tip: If you’re opting to stay booze-free, try one of the four flavor-packed tropical mocktails like the Dry Tai. 

Address: 1321 S. Commerce St, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 2pm–midnight, Fri 2pm–1am, Sat 1pm–1am, Sun 1pm–midnight

What is it? A comfy French-inspired space in the Arts District for polished cocktails.  

Why we love it: This is a small 40-seat space with an impressive bar program. Walls are painted in Banksy and Basquiat-style murals with robots and astronauts floating among the inspirational graffiti. A patio with twinkling string lights nearly doubles the space where those in-the-know sip cocktails like the J’accuse, which starts with absinthe set ablaze and stirred as apple brandy and amaro are poured in to finish the drink. 

Time Out tip: While you’re here, visit James Trees’s companion place, a 120-seat French brasserie located next door.  

Address: 1407 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89104

Opening hours: Daily 4pm–2am

What is it? Soak in the view from this 64th-floor lounge.  

Why we love it: For stunning views of the Vegas skyline—from a fiery desert sunset to glowing neon lights—head to Skyfall. Located high atop W Las Vegas, you’ll want to grab a glass of champagne or a specialty cocktail and peer out at the Strip through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Depending on the night, the vibe at Skyfall can be quiet to DJ-driven.

Time Out tip: Grab a bite from chef Alain Ducasse’s shareable snack menu.  

Address: 3940 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Opening hours: Daily 5pm–midnight

What is it? A local favorite with curated cocktails that celebrates and elevates the classics.  

Why we love it: Tucked into a strip mall, Herbs & Rye has become a go-to for locals looking for great steaks and top-notch cocktails. It’s a throwback with red wallpaper and heavy oak table booths. The cocktail menu is labeled by eras, which provide a history lesson while you decide whether you want something from the Gothic or Prohibition eras. Let’s just say, you really can’t go wrong. 

Time Out tip: During happy hour (5–8pm every day except Sunday) steak prices are cut in half. How’s that for a deal?  

Address: 3713 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 5pm–3am

What is it? A craft cocktail and beer bar in a unique downtown space. 

Why we love it: The decor of this eclectic bar recalls the namesake classic children’s book, with mismatched vintage furniture and local artwork. But where they shine is an incredibly inventive cocktail list. Go inside the Alchemy Cabinet, where mixologists use infused liquors and hard-to-find herbs and elixirs to create tasty concoctions.

Time Out tip: Take your drink to the pink patio. 

Address: 1218 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89104

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am

What is it? A hidden gem of a bar in the basement arcade of the Horseshoe.

Why we love it: The Cabinet of Curiosities is one of the most intriguing, under-the-radar bars on the Strip. It’s a museum of sorts with odd objects displayed next to their ultra-strange stories. The bar prides itself on its craft cocktails and even offers a mixology masterclass. The Cabinet is connected to the Lock Speakeasy, a joint you have to actually crawl into. Ask your bartender for details. 

Time Out tip: Schedule a masterclass and learn the intricacies on how to pair flavors and craft a cocktail. 

Address: 3645 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Opening hours: Daily 1pm–midnight

What is it? A vibrant speakeasy slinging mezcal and tequila drinks. 

Why we love it: To find Ghost Donkey head to the Cosmopolitan food hall and search for the door with a donkey marked on it. Once inside the secret tequila bar, the call is obvious: mezcal and margaritas or a tasting flight for those undecided. 

Time Out tip: Don’t forget the nachos. Toppings include: mole chicken, steak and black beans, or black truffle and chives.  

Address: 3708 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 4pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 4pm–2am

What is it? A rooftop bar with expansive Strip views. 

Why we love it: There may not be a more iconic spot to drink in Las Vegas than here. Ghostbar originally debuted in 2001, then disappeared briefly, only to return. The reincarnation of this popular haunt meets all expectations. Great drinks, a lively atmosphere and spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip from its perch on the 55th floor make this lounge a must-visit.

Time Out tip: The terrace is cigar friendly with dozens of cigars, some rare finds, available for purchase.

Address: 4321 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 9pm–close

What is it? A spirit-making distillery with a bar and restaurant. 

Why we love it: Tour this distillery and then sample the spirits in the tasting room. Hidden in Henderson and decorated with old photos from the 1950s and ‘60s, the Las Vegas Distillery is a vintage Rat Pack-era space serving modern day cocktails made from spirits distilled on the other side of the wall. From espresso martinis and classic mai tais to a daiquiri made with their very own white rum, it’s one of the coolest spots around.

Time Out tip: Join a 45-minute tour ($25) to learn how the spirits are made. 

Address: 7330 Eastgate Rd, Henderson, NV 89011

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 3–9pm, Fri 3–10pm, Sat 2–10pm, Sun 2–8pm

What is it? A classic downtown dive bar that’s stood the test of time.  

Why we love it: Soak up the old-school dive vibe at this local classic. Back in the 1950s, patrons would sit on the roof of Atomic Liquors (the oldest freestanding bar in Vegas, built in 1945) and watch nuclear test explosions in the nearby desert. A renovation and reinvention as a craft beer and cocktail bar has made it a destination for a new crowd. Now, you’ll find millennials on the patio downing pints and Nevada Test Shots while munching on pan pizza.

Time Out tip: Be sure to build your own pan pizza.  

Address: 917 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–2am; Fri, Sat noon–3am

What is it? A nostalgic fireside lounge that gives a taste of what Vegas was a half century ago.  

Why we love it: Those who ever wondered what vintage Vegas was like need only pop into the Fireside Lounge, where the magic of yesteryear lives on. Tucked away inside the greasy spoon Peppermill diner, the lounge is bathed in blue-and-purple neon with a fireplace as its centerpiece. Retro drinks and happy hour deals make visitors feel like they’ve entered a time machine.

Time Out tip: Visit for happy hour (daily 3–6pm) for discounted drinks and half-price appetizers. 

Address: 2985 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 7am–2am, Thu–Sun 24 hours

What is it? Hands down, the coolest bar in Las Vegas. 

Why we love it: Ice bars aren’t exactly a novelty anymore, and Minus 5º has three locations in Las Vegas alone. However, they are nice spots to cool off in the sweltering desert temperatures. After all, when else do you get a chance to throw on a parka or faux fur and sip fruity craft cocktails out of a glass made of ice in Las Vegas? The ice sculptures are frequently changed and LED lights and music add to the experience.

Time Out tip: Sign up online to become a VICEP for exclusive offers, discounts and giveaways. 

Address:
LINQ Promenade: 3535 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Mandalay Bay: 3930 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Venetian: 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Opening hours:
LINQ: Sun–Thu 11am–midnight Fri, Sat 11am–2am
Mandalay Bay: Sun–Thu 11am–midnight Fri, Sat 11am–1:30am
Venetian: Daily 11am–11pm