The best cocktail bars Las Vegas

Timetable

Unlike some businesses, which may close around 9pm or even 10pm, cafés and tea rooms can be open 24 hours a day in Las Vegas. This is particularly true of those located in the casinos. Bar opening hours vary from one establishment to another. Some bars will be open 24 hours a day (especially those with slot machine gaming areas), while others may close between 11pm and 1am. Much has changed in Las Vegas since the Covid-19 pandemic. Some establishments are finding it difficult to recruit staff, and so have had to adapt their opening hours. As for entertainment and atmosphere, bars are often much livelier on Thursday to Saturday evenings, with live music and broadcasts of games from the four major US sports (US soccer, baseball, basketball and field hockey). Happy hours are frequent, usually between 4pm and 8pm, or even 3pm in some places.

Budget & Tips

Drinks are subject to the same tax and tipping systems as meals. Expect to pay 15-22% for table service and 1-2 US$ for bar service. In some bars, especially casinos, waiters will take your credit card to validate its imprint. Until you ask for the bill ("check" in English), they will continue to put your drinks on it.

As far asalcoholic beverages are concerned, they are always very expensive, especially when it comes to cocktails. The pint of beer, which holds 42 cl, is the most commonly served at the bar. In reality, a pint contains 47.3 cl, but glasses are never filled to the brim. Beers cost between US$7 and US$10, sometimes much more depending on where you are. On the Strip, prices can sometimes be outrageous, especially in the clubs, where a beer costs US$12. In casinos, you can get free beers if you gamble and tip cocktail waitresses US$1 per beer.

The nextsize down from the pint is the shooner (28.5 cl). Draft beeris more expensive than bottled beer. A glass of wine rarely costs less than US$15. Lastly, cocktails are generally priced between US$12 and US$15, and can go as high as US$20 to US$30.

Age restrictions

No alcoholic beverage may be sold or served to anyone under 21anywhere in the United States. It is always necessary to show proof of identity for any purchase or consumption of alcohol, and some bars even require proof of identity on entry. In supermarkets, if you buy alcohol, the cashier will also ask for ID. If you go through a self-checkout (increasingly common in the U.S.), you'll have to wait for an employee to come and finalize and pay for your shopping.

If you're taking a road trip from Las Vegas to Utah, you should be aware that the state has very strict rules. Current law sets a 4.0% alcohol limit for beer sold in stores as well as in "beer only" licensed establishments, such as beer bars and certain restaurants. Beer over 4.0% is available inState Liquor Stores andPackage Agencies, as well as in clubs and restaurants licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. It is also forbidden to drink alcohol in public places.

What's very local

With its Hispanic and Mexican history, Nevada is a state strongly influenced by Latino culture. In addition to food, there are many Mexican brands of beer and spirits.

Kids

Obviously, bars and establishments selling alcohol are forbidden to under-21s. Some casinos, such as Circa (with its many bars) even prohibit access to minors.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in cafés and bars, except on terraces. The latter permission is increasingly disappearing, especially on the Strip. For the most part, electronic cigarettes are treated in the same way as conventional cigarettes. Only casinos still allow smoking with a drink. The only condition is that you must be in the gaming area. Don't forget that some casinos have banned smoking for good.