My favorite Vegas bars and restaurants MOSTLY Vintage

Here is the start of a list I am working on. Thanks, Bruce

TELEPHONE AREA CODE IS 702

CODE- (24)= OPEN 24 Hours(R) is restaurant (B) is bar. (R/B) Means both bar and restaurant are worth checking out!
(B)(24)Frankie's Tiki Room 1712 West Charleston
(B)(24) Hard Hat Lounge 1675 Industrial Rd (702) 384-8987 GREAT Frank Bowers mural!!!
(R/B)Golden Steer http://www.goldensteerlv.com/ (702) 384-4470 308 W Sahara Ave EXCELLENT OLD STEAKHOUSE- GREAT food!
(R/B)ITALIAN-AMERICAN Social Club (membership not required)2333 E Sahara Ave (702) 457-3866 closed Sunday, Monday - GOOD Italian food!NOTE- TEMPORARILY CLOSED AS OF DEC. 2012. Call First!
(B) ATOMIC LIQUOR 917 Fremont St. 702-384-7371 One of the oldest bars in Vegas. Closes 10pm often. Don't go alone. NOTE-CLOSED DEC. 31. 2010 .....will reopen....early 2013 -but remodeled... :(
(B)(24)DINO'S 1516 SO LAS VEGAS BLVD 702-382-3894 Great Dive bar--Karaoke Thursdays, Saturdays and Late Fridays
(R/B)(24)PEPPERMILL 24 hours! 2985 S Las Vegas Blvd-check out the tacky bar, Huge portions on many food dishes in the restaurant! (Next door to the Riviera)
(B)(24)CHAMPAGNES "CAFE" 3557 S Maryland Pkwy http://members.tripod.com/~megachaz/index-3.html (702) 737-1699
(R/B) Battista's Hole In The Wall (702) 732-1424 4041 Audrie St. Make sure you tip the little old accordian player! This place is endangered by proposed redevelopement!!!! :(

(B/R) Bootlegger Bistro http://www.bootleggerlasvegas.com/ (702) 736-4939 7700 Las Vegas Blvd S # 1 GO FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT! Vintage lounge acts Friday and Saturday nights.

(R/B)BOB TAYLORS RANCH HOUSE http://www.bobtaylorsranchhouse.com/ 6250 Rio Vista St (702) 645-1399
(s/B) revolving CAROUSEL Bar upstairs at Circus Circus!!(endangered)go early, often not open after 10pm.NOTE-Recently remodeled as a SNACK bar! :( ..still cool to see.

(R) Chicago Joe's Restaurant(702) 382-5637 820 S 4th St OLD Style Italian food in an old house.

(R/B)BINIONS RANCH STEAKHOUSE-great view! 128 Fremont St ( 702) 382-1600

(B)Beauty Bar, The Griffin, Downtown Cocktail Room -3 newish, but good bars near the corner of Las vegas Blvd and Fremont st Downtown.
(R)Luv-Its Frozen Custard (702)384-6452. Since 1973! 505 E. Oakey @Las Vegas Blvd. YUM!

Article on Vegas Dive bars http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/2004/01/01/cover.html

Other stuff to do;
Neon Museum "Boneyard" http://www.neonmuseum.org/tour-info 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North (702) 387-6366
Clark County Museum
Nevada State Museum
Atomic Testing Museum
Liberace Museum -CLOSED IN 2011 ! :(

Hoover Dam and check out Boulder City

[ Edited by: mrsmiley 2013-02-06 18:21 ]

Dont forget...
(R) Peppermill

TBird.

A really appreciate lists like these.
Thanks Mr Smiley!

On 2005-08-10 15:35, Tiki Bird wrote:
Dont forget...
(R) Peppermill

TBird.

Peppermill is just a restaurant? That is cutting out at least half the fun...the tacky BAR!!!

btw-If people want to add to their OWN posts it would be great if you could edit your existing post so we have all the info as tightly as possible and not one hundred posts from say three members. It makes it easier to print for traveling. Thanks, keep adding them!! :)

[ Edited by: mrsmiley 2006-03-02 17:11 ]

Updated

Rum Jungle.

Located inside the elegant and tropical inspired, Mandalay Bay Casino, this bar and restaurant is a feast for the eyes: fire walls, waterfall walls, ceiling art which seems to descend from the heavens, glowing bar tops, enourmous drums to assist in going tribal, and, of course - being Vegas, go-go dancers who perform above the huge bar area.

(R)
Stan and Val's Hilltop House on Rancho...Bring on the pan-fried chicken, yum!

Unfortunately Stan and Val's Hilltop House on Rancho has closed since Inky's recommendation ! :(

[ Edited by: mrsmiley 2011-06-06 23:49 ]

I'll be in Vegas next week, arriving Sunday night and leaving Wednesday night. I'm there for work, so my time will be limited. What should I see?

What is the best buffet?

What is the most tiki place that is left there?

I already have Mandalay Bay and Peppermill on my list. What's your best recommenation for someone with limited time on a brief stay?

Aloha!

If I were on a short clock, I'd try to hit:

The Beauty Bar downtown and ask for Jay to make you a mojito - best in town. Seedy ambience, but that makes the mojito tastes even better.

Benihana's bar at the Hilton. Get one of the tables where the rain comes down around you near the pond. Great atmosphere, average drinks; but hey, they have alcohol in 'em!

The bar area at Mix restaurant at T.H.E. Hotel (part of Mandalay Bay). They have loungers on the balcony that overlook the whole strip. Nice view.

Eat at Nobu. Tip top eats.

It's cliche, but the Rum Jungle at mandalay has gooten better. The food is decent, and they have many many rums to swill. Try the Flor De Cana 4 year old light rum.

The pool bar at Hard Rock is OK if you need a slight tiki fix.

If I can think of any more right now, but I'll add more if I do.

Cheers!

edited

[ Edited by: mrsmiley 2006-03-02 17:16 ]

bump

On 2005-10-23 14:04, Geeky Tiki wrote:
The pool bar at Hard Rock is OK if you need a slight tiki fix.

Does one need to be a guest in order to visit the pool bar?

In regards to the Hard Rock Pool area, sometimes you can get in without staying and sometimes you can't. I'm not sure of their criteria but I've walked back to the pool area without anybody checking to see if I was staying there. Other times I've been stopped and asked to see my room key, which I didn't have, so they sent me away. The pool area is one of the best in Vegas. if your a Shag fan, the blackjack tables by the pool were designed by Shag.

Re: The Peppermill

On Halloween, their tacky bar had the nerve to ask my friends and I to remove our costumes before being served at the fire pool but the scantily-dressed "working girl" seated at the bar trolling for johns was fine.

I also found this...

On 2005-08-10 14:39, mrsmiley wrote:
(R/B) Battista's Hole In The Wall (702) 732-1424 4041 Audrie St. Make sure you tip the little old accordian player! This place is endangered by proposed redevelopement!!!! :(

Battista's Hole In The Wall has been bought by Harrah's. A friend of Lady V's knows one of the owners and she says they could close in a few months to a few years. This is a definite stop when we go to Vegas.

I would add (R) Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens, which used to be Liberace's Tivoli Gardens and is next door to the Liberace Museum.

Liberace decorated this Italian restaurant himself and all the furniture is vintage 1960s-70s and very loungy.

Best is a lounge full of Saarinen Tulip Chairs and Tables:

When I was there, the food was very good and very reasonable. Lots of locals there with their families.

1775 E. Tropicana Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Sabu

[ Edited by: Sabu The Coconut Boy 2006-03-21 15:06 ]

It appears that the current Vegas tiki bars are:

1. Kahnunaville at TI

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=5752&forum=1

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=13631&forum=1

2. China Bar at the Venetian

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=12467&forum=2&start=30&32

Don the Beachcomber R Trader Vic's are both in the pipeline.

[ Edited by: christiki295 2006-03-26 09:27 ]

carluccio's has excellent food at very reasonable prices. there's also micky finz on fremont street that just finished getting a buildout from tikidiablo. nice drinks, nice people but not the most tiki place. lots of great stuff from danny, but it's an open air place on fremont st.

On 2006-04-05 09:22, pdrake wrote:
. there's also micky finz on fremont street that just finished getting a buildout from tikidiablo. nice drinks, nice people but not the most tiki place. lots of great stuff from danny, but it's an open air place on fremont st.

An open air place that serves cocktails, although not tiki? What hotel casino is it by?

it's in neonopolis. next to fitzgerald's.

[i]On 2006-04-05 09:22, pdrake wrote:

there's also micky finz on fremont street that just finished getting a buildout from tikidiablo. nice drinks, nice people . . . . it's an open air place on fremont st.

Nice, light & airy tiki establishment, with a beachy feel:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=19118&forum=2&start=last&0

There's a wonderful dive across the Strip from Mandalay called "The Laughing Jackalope." It's wedged between a strip mall and a run down motel.

Cheap drinks. Fantastic hamburgers. Atmosphere out the wazoo.

they have a live lobster crane game, too. you catch it, they'll cook it right up.

On 2006-03-21 15:04, Sabu The Coconut Boy wrote:
I would add Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens, which used to be Liberace's Tivoli Gardens and is next door to the Liberace Museum.

1775 E. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89119

EVERY wednesday night Wes Winters plays the lounge (He does the Liberace tribute show next door - but appears as himself at the bar only on Wednesaday nights).

It is the ULTIMATE Vegas experience and a few tiki central ohana are making it their regular hangout... namely me (futura girl) and inky louise and a few other friends.
Sorry Sabu - those Saarinen Tulip Chairs chairs are knockoffs - but still they're fabbiolous.

If you're heading to vegas - make sure wed at Tivoli Gardens is on your agenda. (they are only open until 10PM by the way)

i'll be there next wed.

The Cabana Bar at The Wynn's pool use Trader Vic's for mixers. Their drinks are great and their pineapple mojito is worth the $12 :)

On 2006-06-01 14:34, pdrake wrote:
i'll be there next wed.

Me too! GoldenGate E/R?

i meant carluccio's. you going to the golden gate emergency room?

On 2006-06-07 08:03, pdrake wrote:
i meant carluccio's. you going to the golden gate emergency room?

No, Golden Gate Extractor/Replicator User's Conference. Actually, I'm leaving Wednesday Afternoon so I won't see you. :( I'm getting there Monday Afternoon, I have conference things Monday Evening, Tuesday 'til 10 PM, and Wednesday 'til 3:30 PM.

added Luv-its to my first list! pS-FEEL free to edit and combine your old posts so there isn't alot of extra stuff here. thanks :)

Some non eating or drinking stuff added in the original post.

Mrsmiley,

You forgot PT's pub on every corner! Chicago's Own steakhouse was really great. Sad to see them leave. Bahama Breeze is pretty good too. For Italian there's Piero's. I no longer live in Vegas and moved back home to Huntington Beach, CA. Piero's has a restaurant here called The Ritz located in Newport Beach. Off of Eastern and St. Rose there was a Hawaiian restaurant I believe closed down. Sorta a locals place off the beaten path.

Mahalo,
Tikitatt

Bumpty bump.

Tao in the Venitian R, B
The former site of Taboo Cove (RIP)
Great asian decor with some odd items like the opium pipes. The club was closed the night we were there but the Hall of Monk's looks cool on the website.

Definite "off strip" option...The Art Bar - a bit funky, not the typical vegas.....and has a VELVET ELVIS ROOM. The owner is an Elvis Impersonator. Nice guy. Stopped in for a drink & left 8 hours later......good times.....

What is the deal with the Peppermill. I was in Vegas two weeks ago and the Peppermill is closed. There was a note on the door regarding maintenance problems, but no opening date was mentioned. Anyone knows whats up?

On 2008-02-06 22:55, hiltiki wrote:
What is the deal with the Peppermill. I was in Vegas two weeks ago and the Peppermill is closed. There was a note on the door regarding maintenance problems, but no opening date was mentioned. Anyone knows whats up?

Help on this appreciated ... some friends planning their post-renewal of vows drinks at the Peppermill Lounge in mid-April.

Thanks in advance!

On 2008-02-07 10:52, 54 house of bamboo wrote:

On 2008-02-06 22:55, hiltiki wrote:
What is the deal with the Peppermill. I was in Vegas two weeks ago and the Peppermill is closed. There was a note on the door regarding maintenance problems, but no opening date was mentioned. Anyone knows whats up?

Help on this appreciated ... some friends planning their post-renewal of vows drinks at the Peppermill Lounge in mid-April.

Thanks in advance!

I just booked my flight to Vegas for the 25th of this month. I'll make it a point to stop by the Peppermill.

Mahalo,
Tikitatt
Myspace.com/velvetpainter

[ Edited by: Tikitatt 2008-02-16 14:58 ]

I just called the Peppermill and they are open 24/7. Here is there information:

Peppermill's Fireside Lounge
2985 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 735-4177

Phew!

After I recommended it and all, I was feeling a prize idiot!

Looking forward to celebration drinks around the firepit.

I added frankie's!

Mr. Smiley,

As a Vegas resident, can you comment on the following? They are on my list of places to visit.

1. Huntridge Tavern - Does it vibe Vegas history (or is it just a dump) ?
2. Cheetahs - Are there any nice Tikis here ?
3. Golden Steer - How are the steaks compared to Circus Circus or Binion's ?

Thanks,

JOHN-O

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2008-12-11 22:35 ]

On 2008-12-11 22:28, JOHN-O wrote:
Mr. Smiley,

As a Vegas resident, can you comment on the following? They are on my list of places to visit.

1. Huntridge Tavern - Does it vibe Vegas history (or is it just a dump) ?
2. Cheetahs - Are there any nice Tikis here ?
3. Golden Steer - How are the steaks compared to Circus Circus or Binion's ?

Thanks,

JOHN-O
Smiley Sez...#1 Possibly just a dump-I will have to check it out again, it has been a while. The Huntridge Drug next door has a great old lunch counter (diner). Currently it is waiting for someone to run it.
#2 Cheetahs: Russell and Hubert go there alot, but we have a "don't ask-don't tell policy"
#3 Steaks at Golden Steer are the Best, Binions second place and Circus Circus third. Golden Steer has great vintage Vgeas Steakhouse ambiance and Frank Sinatra is almost always on the Muzak. Binions has a great view and Circus Circus has a great classic Steakhouse ambience, but last time I went there my Steak was ok-not fantastic. I did have a great time though.

Hi, I Know this is about places that are open, but how about some now closed places that should be remembered:

Alpine Village- this was an amazing place. esp. the Ratskeller

The Venetion- killer I talian place on the side of the boulevard mall

The aku aku- need I say more

Don the Beachcombers- ditto

vinnies paradise lounge- crazy place- Black velvet paintins of virgins and devils behind the bar- red pattent leather and even a red toilet.

On 2008-02-06 17:50, croe67 wrote:
Definite "off strip" option...The Art Bar - a bit funky, not the typical vegas.....and has a VELVET ELVIS ROOM. The owner is an Elvis Impersonator. Nice guy. Stopped in for a drink & left 8 hours later......good times.....

Bad news - the Art Bar is closed. Building for sale, etc. That was a pretty sweet place.

bump

On 2005-08-15 18:38, christiki295 wrote:
Rum Jungle.

Located inside the elegant and tropical inspired, Mandalay Bay Casino, this bar and restaurant is a feast for the eyes: fire walls, waterfall walls, ceiling art which seems to descend from the heavens, glowing bar tops, enourmous drums to assist in going tribal, and, of course - being Vegas, go-go dancers who perform above the huge bar area.

Alas, now closed.