Bar Tips - Las Vegas

So you've had enough of gambling for awhile and want to relax with a few cocktails. Looking for somewhere to have a nice martini or a pint of ale? There's no shortage of options in Vegas.

Q: What are the coolest bars in town for the sophisticated crowd?
A: Our hippest friends tell us sidebar in downtown Vegas is the place to enjoy a classic cocktail in a swank atmosphere. While you're down there, don't miss The Griffin and Downtown Cocktail Room, which have a classy chic vibe (make sure you're paying attention for the DCR entrance or you might miss it). ghostbar at the Palms is where you might spot some celebrities while enjoying the fantastic view from the 55th floor. You can't go wrong ordering a martini in Vegas, and Red Square in Mandalay Bay has some of the finest. If you're looking for a cool bar in the literal sense, check out Minus 5 at Mandalay Place. Here you can sip your favorite drink surrounded by ice sculptures while you chill in the 23-degree Fahrenheit bar. Don't worry about being cold - there are coats, parkas and other cold-appropriate cover-ups provided for guests before they enter. Eyecandy is also at Mandalay Bay. This lounge and bar is located on the casino floor. You can check out the hip vibe and the cool technology features like being able to send songs from your iPod to the DJ to incorporate into his or her set list. There's nothing cooler than drinking in the massive, state-of-the-art CityCenter. Any of the watering holes inside Aria number among our faves, especially Gold Lounge and The Deuce Lounge. If you're just looking for a happening place to get your drink on and possibly meet some beautiful people, the center bar at Hard Rock Hotel is the spot for you. This hotel always attracts good looking guests who want to party and this bar puts you right in the middle of all the action. Hostile Grape located at M Resort is the perfect spot to sip your favorite vintage. The Enomatic wine serving machines offer an array of tasting options and prices start around $2. When it comes to offering a cool and exotic vibe, no one can beat Frankie's Tiki Room, Sin City's only authentic tiki bar. Drinks like the Green Gasser and Lava Letch pack a punch that will have thinking you really are on a tropical island somewhere. For a complete list of our favorites, check out our bar section.

Q: What are the best bars for a bunch of college kids?
A: If beer by the pitcher, Beirut (also known as "beer pong,") and a rowdy college crowd are your ideas of fun, then head straight for Blondies Sports Bar & Grill in Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops. If you don't mind heading off the Strip, Freakin' Frog, across from UNLV, is well worth the trip. With more than 700 beers to choose from, Freakin' Frog is sure to have something to quench your thirst. There's also a whiskey attic for the more astute drinker.For more of the frat-party atmosphere on the Strip, head on over to Coyote Ugly at the New York-New York Hotel. And for a raucous party, where even the staff joins in on the fun, check out Dick's Last Resort. O'Sheas Casino next to Imperial Palace always attracts a lively crowd. It's the only place on the Strip where you can play beer pong - and their cheap drink specials are priced just right for the college crowd. On Wednesday nights they host karaoke from 9 p.m. to midnight, which brings us to the next question.

Q: I'm drunk and I feel like screaming into a microphone. Where can I sing karaoke in Vegas?
A: So you're ready to be the next headliner on the Strip. Well head over to Imperial Palace and take the escalators to the third floor for a little karaoke, which operates from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sun. – Thu. and 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Fri. – Sat. This is a must-sing spot if you want your night of stardom to live on forever because here you can have your performance memorialized on a DVD to play again and again and again. If you're ready to hit the stage a little earlier in evening, TJ’s All-Star Karaoke Party at The Piano Bar at Harrah's goes from 6 to 9 p.m. Thu. – Sun. At Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon you'll find Bill’s Karaoke Blast featuring a library of 30,000 songs. It operates from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sun. – Tue. Ellis Island is a well known karaoke hot spot that operates every night of the week from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. It’s located on Koval Lane, one block south of Flamingo Road behind Paris Las Vegas and Bally's. Their karaoke lounge is dark, smoky and basically the perfect venue to show off your inner rock god. If you're in downtown Vegas and feel like belting out a few ditties Don't Tell Mama, next to Beauty Bar, is a piano bar that also has karaoke. Dino's Lounge located downtown on the Strip is another karaoke hot spot. This dive bar offers cheap drinks, pool tables and an elevated stage where you can prove why you should be the next "American Idol."

Q: Are there any country-Western bars in Vegas?
A: On the Strip, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar is the big honcho. Further south on Las Vegas Boulevard is the massive Stoney's Rockin' Country, complete with a mechanical bull, giant dance floor and down-home atmosphere. Boots and belt buckles abound at Dylan's Dance Hall and Saloon on Boulder Highway and the numerous Roadrunner Saloons around the Valley.

Q: Where can I go if I just want to drink and party?
A: It's a non-stop party at Coyote Ugly where the bartenders encourage the ladies to get up on the bar and dance. Diablo's Cantina in front of Monte Carlo offers a place to party where you can have a view of the Strip below. The bar area located on the second level features an outside patio where you can drink and dance the night away under the stars. In front of Harrah's you can get your drink on in a party pit to end all party pits, Carnaval Court. Here you can drink around the circle bar while watching the flair bartenders or bust a move near the stage to the tune of one of the music acts that play there. Further south on the Strip, Town Square is home to Blue Martini, Yard House, Cadillac Ranch and Pete's Dueling Piano Bar ,which always host a good party. At Blue Martini you'll find a stylish crowd that's ready to party and various areas to enjoy a drink including several bars, a dance floor and stage area. If it's good beer you're after Yard House has around 200 on tap. Cadillac always caters to a raucous crowd, and they have a mechanical bull to prove it. There's no better spot to drink your cares away than Pete's Dueling Piano Bar. You can indulge in a few libations to the tune of two pianists who perform the greatest hits from all genres of music. Fremont Street Experience is a magnet for people who just want to drink and party without having to worry about dressing up or fitting in with a certain scene. Here you can get your swerve on under a canopy of lights while sipping a yard-long frozen margarita or other beverage offered at the various vendors scattered along the street. Live entertainment like cover bands or other street performers adds to the revelry. The area is also home to a slew of bars including Beauty Bar, Downtown Cocktail Room, Don't Tell Mama and RUSH Lounge located at Golden Nugget.

Q: Where can I go to get a real pub experience?
There's a little Irish in everyone and J.C. Wooloughan's located in Rampart Casino is the best place to go sip some Guinness or throw back an Irish whiskey. If you want to relax, head to Crown and Anchor, a laid-back British pub perfect for downing a few pints or watching a soccer game. Nine Fine Irishmen inside New York-New York hosts live entertainment every night of the week where you can down a pint while doing a jig. Downtown Hennessey's Tavern is the perfect spot to down a few Irish car bombs on their outside patio. McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon at Rio is always home to a good time. Whether it's fish 'n' chips you're after or you're in need another Jameson, this Irish pub always attracts a crowd that's ready to party. While it's not quite Cheers, McMullan's Irish Pub near Orleans puts on a pretty good effort. The family-owned and operated pub is a friendly place to enjoy a beer, weekly pub quizzes and some good conversation.

Q: What's a good place to grab and a drink and listen to some live music?
A: The Bar at Times Square has nightly dueling piano performances. Located directly on the Strip, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is a jumping spot to get a bite to eat and of course, a few drinks. Live entertainment gets the crowd going on the dance floor or you can check out the tourists on the Strip from the outdoor patio. Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip hosts headliners and a chill spot to check out a vast selection of music memorabilia. If you're a blues fan B.B. King's Blues Club is a must-see venue. It features authentic Creole-style cookin' and live music. Wasted Space at Hard Rock Hotel is cool spot where you can see some big name acts perform in an intimate setting. There's no bad seat in the house and of course the fully-stocked bar helps ensure that everyone has a good time.