Drinking cocktails and other forms of alcohol is deeply engrained in Las Vegas culture, from the free drinks served while gaming to the mixology services offered while getting bottle service at the clubs. During Las Vegas’ rise from the gaming to the entertainment capital of the world through quality, innovation and packaging not available anywhere else, drinks and cocktails have followed suit. Many of the world’s premier bartenders and mixologists are now stationed in the city. What follows is a quest to find the drink experience that most captures the essence of “New Vegas”; something that disregards old rules for a larger than life experience, made with the absolute best technique and ingredients and served in a setting only possible in Las Vegas.
The resurgence of bartenders came in part when Steve Wynn handpicked Tony Abou-Ganim to create the cocktail program for the 22 bars at the Bellagio and to head the Petrossian Bar in 1998. Since then Tony and his disciples (or former co-workers) have moved on and can now be found in bars at a variety of the hotels. It has been a transformation where not only the basic craft is now being perfected all over town but it has also led to very distinct styles at the different bars.
Since just about everyone serves alcohol it would be almost impossible to go through every place in one focused quest, so we’ve distilled a shortlist based on other peoples searches for the best bars and cocktails in Las Vegas. While the best cocktail on its own is a great start, we’re searching for that something extra. We’re equally interested in the bar itself, the underlying concept and the actual execution of the cocktail that creates the best complete experience in one glass.
Bellagio – The Origin
Our search starts at the home of Las Vegas’ cocktail revolution with one of Tony Abou-Ganims signature cocktails, the Cable Car, at the Petrossian Bar at Belaggio. A Sidecar is pretty much as good as it gets when it comes to the basic drink, so can it improve and make something more of the classic? It’s origin actually pre-dates the Petrossian by 2 years but has become synonymous with it. Tony himself also still thinks that Petrossian makes the best Cable Car available anywhere.
However, both the Petrossian and the Cable Car feels a little dated, and not in the way of the 40’s or 50’s. The drink is very good but the orange scent and cinnamon sugar rim gives throwbacks of the late 90’s, just like the bar does. It could be a great place to relax and watch people, but since it’s mostly tourists jostling through Bellagio you see it’s hard to get that special feel. So, the drink might be good but it’s hard to think that this is the best cocktail experience in Las Vegas.
Spring Peacock at Hyde.
Bellagio’s other bar that shows up on the radar is the Hyde Ultra Lounge overlooking the fountains. It’s vastly different in feeling, a high-end story based concept designed by Philippe Starck with live performances and DJ’s, instead of the live piano music at the Petrossian, imported from L.A. for a more contemporary and exclusive vibe. You feel special just being there, surrounded by well dressed people out having a good time. It could very well be the perfect place for a pre-party, the music is not too loud and the energy is very positive.
It’s something completely different from the rest of Bellagio (and much else of “Old” Vegas) that feels fake by trying to be something it decidedly isn’t. But this is where Vegas shines, taking inspiration from history and other cultures but pushing it to a bold, unique experience that actually becomes much more genuine than the more scaled back places. This is elegance and luxury for the young and beautiful of the 21st century, or at least those who think they still are.
Hyde recently changed their drink menu so they have few real signature drinks as of now. The Spring Peacock was recommended and worked very well in the setting. The base of Pavan liqueur and sparkly water creates what’s essentially a very refined and fruity white wine spritzer. The Hyde-Made Limeade is a grown up twist of lemonade and is quite successful at that. Just like Petrossian the drinks are certainly well made but they are a bit too one-dimensional and lack that little something extra.
Latin Cocktails in an Italian Palace?
The Fusion Latin Mixology Bar is located right in the middle of the casino floor at The Palazzo. It’s nothing more than a circular bar counter (with integrated gaming machines) around the open liquor shelves. They serve latin inspired drinks like Mojitos and Hemingway Daiquiris that are solid but lack a little finesse. The overall concept is a bit puzzling in the context given and not the ultimate drinking experience.
One of the lounges that’s equally successful as Hyde in using its location and specific conditions to enhance the overall experience is the Mix Lounge at the top of THEhotel. Floor to ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace provides one of the best views available that captures the entire Strip. As a lounge it’s a little flawed, except for the bar and seating the interior is very bland with large swatches of matte black paint. It’s only after nightfall that you don’t notice the interior finishing and it can go for an upscale club or lounge. Unfortunately the cocktails can’t compensate either, the Pomegranate Manhattan and Passion Mai Tai are a little A-B-C and are quite clearly below all of the previously visited bars in quality. Where they do shine is their guests, being situatued where it is means that no one just happens to go by it. Most of the guests are very well dressed after work types.
CityCenter
Another almost hidden spot closer to the center of the Strip is the Mandarin Bar halfways up the Mandarin Oriental hotel at CityCenter. Even a friday at 7.30 pm it’s calm and almost serene with mostly hotel guests dropping by for a drink. If you don’t look out (which is kinda hard) it’s hard to think you’re actually in Las Vegas. The interior design is utterly sophisticated but the friendly staff provides a personal touch.
The signature cocktail is the Golden Leaf, a martini featuring Hendricks gin, Aperol, mandarin, pineapple, lime and of course leaf gold. It’s uplifting and definately fruity but not so much as to become a pool drink, this is cocktail craftsmanship of the highest level and refinement. The Lemongrass Mojito displays balance and so many levels that takes it far beyond every other Mojito tasted.
Where Mandarin Bar fails in the search for the perfect cocktail in Vegas is the pulse; there’s just not the same atmosphere as at Hyde, for example.
Inside Aria is Sage, the restaurant is known for Chef Shawn McClains food and for the Absinthe bar. But their drinks should not be forgotten, like everything at Sage every little component is dissected and perfected and the drinks are not left out of this treatment. The Sidecar shows beatiful balance and a thorough understanding of the cocktail and their own drinks are equally impressive. Sage don’t quite match Hyde in overall ambience, it’s too much of a restaurant and actually too grand to provide the intimate feeling of Hyde. But McClains food bar meny is available and that could make it one of the best food/drink combos anywhere in the world.
The Cosmopolitan
The Chandelier bar at the Cosmopolitan.
Next to CityCenter is the Cosmopolitan that has established itself as a foodie destination and not one but two true world class bars. The Vesper Bar featuring an ever changing list of cocktails based on the classics putting the craftsmanship and artistry of individual bartenders into focus. The Chandelier is more about evolving the entire way we think about cocktails and the experience surrounding it, bringing the techniques and mindset of molecular gastronomy in a not so subtle way. While many of the modern techniques can be used to increase the precision and enhance what’s naturally already existing in traditional dishes and cocktails, The Chandelier also uses them to push their creations further.
The Chandelier is one of the most defining features of the Cosmopolitan and is impossible to miss when entering the casino from the Strip. It’s spread out over three levels providing more or less seclusion from the buzz of the casino and each with their style and menu. The bottom floor caters to intricate specialty drinks, the middle level to the molecular stuff and the top level to lighter, more sublime cocktails.
The signature drink is, of course, a spin on the Cosmopolitan. The Signature Cosmopolitan has some floral notes that makes it incredibly light yet still with a proper body. It suits the glitzy surroundings just perfect. Another slight twist on an original is the Mai Crooked Tai, the cinnamon syrup really gets the palate going and in this case works beautifully with the Curacao.
Vesper Bar is located close to the lobby of the Cosmopolitan, it’s vibrant and pulsing with a steady stream of people stopping by for a quick drink but there’s also many patrons sitting down. It’s a great place to start chatting with new people around you. Due to its strategic location as a watering hole the most popular drink is actually the Vodka Cranberry. But don’t fall into that trap, the bartenders just can’t wait to show what they really can cook up.
The signature cocktail is a slight twist on the already sophisticated Martini called The Vesper, an even more glamorous yet still understated version that are almost beyond words. There are other cocktails that provide more fireworks but this one just delivers and showcases the mixing skills of the bartender.
For something a bit on the wilder side they have the Aloha Means Goodbye, a sort of a mashup between a Mai Tai and Tom Kha Gai soup. And it just works. There’s so many levels going at the same time that it’s almost overloading the brain (and the palate, it’s quite spicy) but it’s a true one glass experience.
Don’t be afraid to go off menu (The Vesper is not listed, for example), the bartenders really know their craft, the history and tradition of cocktails. The Sidecar even beats Sage’s.
And the Best Drink in Las Vegas is…
The Vesper at Vesper Bar.
Of these places the Vesper Bar, Mandarin Bar and The Chandelier clearly distances themselves ahead of the rest when it comes to cocktail craftsmanship. One step behind is Sage and after they comes Hyde, Petrossian, Mix and Fusion. None of these places are bad, but there’s a significant difference.
When it comes to capturing Vegas Hyde is very high on the list but gets voted down since you feel transported away to some other place. It might be a magic place, but you’re not in the center of it. The Chandelier is truly magical in its own right but it just doesn’t have the pulse that Vesper Bar.
Go to Vesper Bar, order a Signature Vesper and just go from there. You owe it to youself.
Bars just outside the short list that may be well worth a visit: Downtown Cocktail Room, Rhumbar at Mirage, Savile Row at Luxor, Herbs & Rye, Bar + Bistro
