There’s a lot happening in Downtown Las Vegas, and when you want to move away from the Strip, it’s the ideal place for a little bar hopping or a Las Vegas-style pub crawl. With all of the bars Downtown Las Vegas offers to choose from, some offer a better experience (and drinks!) than others. Here’s our list of our favorites from Fremont Street to the Downtown Arts District.
Top 3 Bars in Downtown Las Vegas
Atomic Liquors (E Fremont Street)
Atomic Liquors is a classic among Downtown Las Vegas bars. It has been open for more than seventy years and has quite a history to go along with all those decades of service.
The name is a tribute to an important bit of Nevada history. Being located about 60 miles from the Nevada Test Site, you could see the explosions from the rooftop of the building Atomic Liquors is in. Today, the interior features lots of really cool memorabilia from that time.
Atomic Liquors was also a popular spot for celebrities back in the golden days of Las Vegas. The Rat Pack, Barbara Streisand, and Clint Eastwood, among others, would frequent the laid-back spot in hopes of avoiding the attention they got in the more populated touristy areas of the Las Vegas Strip.
Today, the bones of Atomic Liquors remain unchanged, even though the decor has been updated through the years. Still, it’s a favorite of locals and tourists and, in our opinion, is a must-visit if you’re bar hopping in Downtown Vegas.
Velveteen Rabbit (Main St. – Arts District)
Our next pick for the top bars in Downtown Las Vegas, Velveteen Rabbit, is a sharp contrast to Atomic Liquors mentioned above. Velveteen Rabbit is swanky, a marriage between modern and retro, and is seriously a vibe all on its own.
The dim lighting, paired with whimsical decor and infused with vintage items, sets a unique stage for a night out in Las Vegas that’s sexy and eccentric. It’s the perfect place for date night or an intimate night out with friends. The craft cocktails are amazing, and the service is some of the best in Sin City.
Downtown Cocktail Room (Fremont)
The Downtown Cocktail Room is a local favorite. It’s cozy, it’s low-key (although frequently busy), and it is home to the famous “Halfy Hour” drink specials. During Halfy Hour, you get half off well and call drinks, beer, wine, and punch bowls.
Depending on the size, the punch bowls serve six to twelve people and are served in a classic punch bowl. It’s a super fun way to share drinks with a table of friends, and the half-off price between 5 pm and 8 pm can’t be beaten.
For a low-key evening, when you want to just hang with friends and enjoy really good drink specials and seasonal hand-crafted cocktails, the DCR is a great spot. Be warned; they are rather picky about the dress code, so steer clear of anything that resembles athletic wear.
Best Bars Near the Fremont Street Experience
Commonwealth ( El Cortez)
Commonwealth at the El Cortez is one of the most popular bars in Downtown Las Vegas. It offers a lively energy with live music or a live DJ supplying the music most nights. Hip-hop music is the vibe that keeps the dance floor busy, no matter how late it gets. Located in what’s called the Fremont East District, Commonwealth is definitely trendier than some of the other bars on our list.
As a bonus, Commonwealth has its very own speakeasy called the Laundry Room. We’re not telling you how to get inside this back room, though. You have to figure that one out on your own.
Whiskey Licker Up (Binions)
The Whiskey Licker Up sounds like it might be a classic dive bar, but it’s not. Instead, it’s one of the most unique bars in Downtown Las Vegas, with a rotating bar and floor-to-ceiling windows that give you a birds-eye view of the entertainment and people-watching opportunities happening on Fremont Street.
The Whiskey Licker does get really busy, and seats at the rotating bar can be hard to snag. But there’s still a long window-facing bar that’s perfect for enjoying your drink and people-watching while you grab a bite to eat.
Don’t Tell Mama (Neonopolis)
Don’t Tell Mama is, in our opinion, one of the best Downtown Las Vegas bars for live music and entertainment. It’s a piano bar, and the pianist is top-notch. They might have different music themes, but they are always eager and willing to play all of your requests. To sweeten the pot — every night is open mic night, and you can get on stage and sing your heart out.
All of the bartenders and service staff are also filled with musical talent and will happily sing for you. You’re going to want to sit and hang out for a while, so this might not be the best stop if you’re in the mood for bar hopping.
Longbar (D Las Vegas)
If you want to combine a little sightseeing with your bar hopping, the Longbar at the D Las Vegas on Fremont Street should be added to your list. It’s definitely not one of the fanciest bars, but it makes our list of best bars because it offers up the longest bar in Vegas.
The bar is long enough to comfortably accommodate 32-34 seats, and there are personal gaming machines at each seat for a little gambling fun while you enjoy your drinks. The wall is lined with a long row of televisions, and the bar is equipped with personalized sound systems so you can block out the noise from the casino.
It gets a little crowded at times, but it’s still a fun place to go with friends and grab a quick drink. Plus, it offers a bit of respite from the commotion outside on Fremont Street.
The Griffin
The Griffin is a downtown bar that doesn’t offer the glitz and glamour that’s associated with the Las Vegas Strip. It’s a cozy, intimate, warm, and inviting environment for anyone that wants to stray away from the typical bar scene.
The Griffin has sort of a European hipster vibe, with an inside that has a bit of a maritime feel. We love the dim-lit feeling and how it feels like you’re in a room full of locals, even though most of them are probably tourists just like you.
The Griffin has a great happy hour and fire pits that are just begging for you to sit down and enjoy your beer next to. We wouldn’t say that the Griffin offers cheap drinks, but they are more reasonably priced than what you’ll find elsewhere around town.
Gold Spike (Las Vegas Blvd near Fremont Street)
The Gold Spike is like a constant party, and it isn’t just live music that makes it feel this way. Gold Spike offers several different rooms or venues in one, with each one feeling like its own little world. If you’re tired of the casino scene but still want to play, Gold Spike has enough fun and shenanigans to keep the night going.
Gold Spike offers a backyard bar, which is like a neighborhood backyard party on steroids. There’s beer pong, giant twisters, cocktails, beer, friends, and more. The Living Room of Gold Spike turns into a house party at night. It’s just an all-around fun place with a young vibe that feels different than what many of the other Downtown Las Vegas bars offer.
Arts District
Oak & Ivy (Downtown Container Park)
Oak & Ivy is hands down one of our favorite Downtown Las Vegas bars in the Arts District. It has received accolades like being named one of the Top 50 Whiskey Bars in the United States, and, in our opinion, the cocktails are incredible. You might hear that a lot, but in this case, it’s true. Their hand-crafted specialty cocktails are a step above, which makes this a great spot for a casual date or when you have a cocktail lover that you want to impress.
On average, you won’t pay more for a specialty drink here than you will at any other Las Vegas bar, especially if you compare the prices to the bars on the Las Vegas Strip. However, they do have a couple of selections on the menu that are true splurges, and they’re worth every penny if you have the wiggle room in your budget. The Apple Pie Harvest ($30) is our favorite, and it’s strong enough that they only allow one per guest.
The outdoor patio area at Oak & Ivy is also great for people-watching, taking in the twinkling lights of the Container Park at night, or relaxing for a bit after touring the Downtown Las Vegas First Friday exhibits.
18Bin (Charleston Blvd)
18Bin is one of the best bars in Downtown Las Vegas if you want a dog-friendly spot to grab a drink and maybe some lunch with friends. It’s quieter and more laid back than what you usually find in the city bar scene, but that’s what you’re looking for if your pup is tagging along.
They offer a “Yappy Hour” with drink and food specials for you and a couple of Yappy Meals for dogs. The food is decent, made with seasonal ingredients. Although some reviews claim the food was a little bland or lackluster, we thought it was fine for a low-key, casual meal to enjoy outside on a nice Las Vegas day.
ReBar (Main St.)
ReBar looks like you’ve entered the world of dive bars from the outside, and even once you’re inside, it’s not all glitzy like the new bars and clubs on the Las Vegas Strip. To say that ReBar has a personality would be an understatement, and this is why we think it’s one of the best bars in Downtown Las Vegas.
What makes ReBar one of the most unique bars in the area is that it’s like a combination of a really cool thrift shop mashed with a tavern. There are all sorts of random odds and ends woven into the decor, but more than that, this is the place to go if you want to eat and drink dirt cheap.
Draft beer is as low as $3, and everything on the food menu is $15 or less. If you’re in Downtown Las Vegas and have a hankering for food and drinks in a fun atmosphere, ReBar is worth the stop.
Jammyland Cocktail Bar & Reggae Kitchen (Main St.)
Jammyland Cocktail Bar & Reggae Kitchen on Main St. in Downtown Las Vegas offers up a bit of a tiki bar vibe with barrel-aged cocktails that are strong on the rum and the flavor. The cocktails aren’t all tiki-inspired, though. One of our favorites is the Clairvoyant Mistress with tequila, Fernet Branca, lime, mint, ginger, and honey.
This is also one of the best bars if you’re in town and craving some Jamaican-themed food. The food menu isn’t huge by any means. It’s a super casual menu, with food that you’d expect to find from Jamaican food trucks. Jerk wings, rice & peas, curry, and a classic Cubano sandwich are a few things you’ll find on the menu.
Berlin Bar (Charleston Blvd)
Dive bars in Downtown Las Vegas always offer something unique, and Berlin Bar is no exception. The locals around town know it well for its punk-leaning vibe and punk rock karaoke nights. For unpretentious, slightly edgy dive-bar fun, we vote Berlin as one of the best bars in the area.
In addition to the punk rock karaoke nights, you might also stumble in on a night with a live DJ or live music. On the menu, you’ll find a selection of beer that you won’t get anywhere else in Downtown Las Vegas or even on the Strip. The mixed drinks are spot on with homemade garnishes, and they do offer food – including a full menu of all types of hot dogs (the General Li is our personal favorite), pizzas, and a pretzel board. Come for the brewz, and stay for the karaoke of food. It’s all good.
Hogs & Heifers (N 3rd St – Close to the Mob Museum)
Hogs & Heifers has reached near iconic status among Downtown Las Vegas Bars. It has been voted one of the best country bars, but it’s also home to events like the Punk Rock HoeDown. It’s edgy. Unpretentious. And they’re not afraid to let some F words fly. If you’re sensitive or lean more toward the elegant and classy, stay away. If you want a bar that’s fun and full of sass, then this is your place.
Breweries
Hop Nuts Brewing (Main St.)
Hop Nuts Brewery has the distinction of being the first microbrewery in Downtown Las Vegas. Their tap room is open seven days a week, and they always have fifteen great craft beers on tap – stout, IPA, porter, red ale – they got it.
If you visit during happy hour from 4 pm until 7 pm, you can snag $4 pints, which is an incredible deal. The only downside is that there’s not a lot of seating, so be prepared to stand or plan your visit during non-peak hours.
CraftHause
CraftHause Brewery is like a breath of fresh air in Downtown Las Vegas. The Downtown area is eclectic, and we love the different personalities of each bar, but if you’re feeling a little overstimulated and just want a place that feels bright, airy, and uncomplicated, CraftHause fits the bill.
CraftHause offers a collection of artisan brews that have a reputation for charming even non-beer drinkers. There’s also a small menu of food that compliments the brews, and they even offer brunch on Fridays and Saturdays.
HUDL Brewing Company (Main St. – Arts District)
HUDL Brewing Company is in a class of new bars/breweries in Downtown Las Vegas. They’ve only been open a couple of years, but in that time, they’ve managed to impress.
HUDL Brewing Company usually has well over a dozen brews that they’re currently pouring. This includes seasonal brews and year-round beers. Our favorites to try are the Mosquito Bites Back (Mexican Lager) and the Chocolate Vanilla Oak Cream Ale.
Able Baker Brewing (Main St.)
Able Baker is a Downtown Las Vegas Brewery that pays homage to the area’s history with an atomic theme. They have at least thirty beers to tempt you, and the food from the Arts District Kitchen located inside Able Baker is great.
However, we’re quite fond of the legend of the Atomic Duck, which Able Baker claims to be home of. We won’t tell you the legend. You’ll have to discover it on your own during your visit.
Key Takeaways
- Downtown Las Vegas is home to some of the best bars in Sin City.
- Have a blast bar-hopping along Fremont Street or through the Downtown Arts District.
- The D Las Vegas is home to the longest bar in the city.
- Many bars offer free entry, but it’s always best to double-check policies.
- Check the dress code before heading out – some bars, like Commonwealth, are known for being sticklers.
- Most Downtown Las Vegas Bars are open during holiday weekends but check ahead if your visit to Las Vegas coincides with a holiday.
- Check out Las Vegas Tours that take you to the best bars and breweries in Downtown Las Vegas.