2 Best Bars in Downtown, Las Vegas

Tucked alongside The Smith Center’s big concert hall is a cozy, 240-seat cabaret (bearing the name of Smith Center president Myron Martin) that creates an upscale vibe and a close communication with performers that’s unduplicated in the casino venues. Patrons sip wine at tables-for-four while hometown favorites such as Frankie Moreno and Earl Turner work around visiting headliners that have included trumpet legend Herb Alpert, pianist George Winston, and jazz singer Jane Monheit. Shows are held mostly on weekends but also on occasional weeknights.

Think of this 99-seat venue as a tiny Vaudeville fantasy world; on any given night, you might encounter an aerialist, a drag queen, a piano singer, a juggler, a comedian, or something entirely different (and similarly mind-boggling). There's burlesque, too. Owner Ryan Doherty bills the space, which is only open weekend nights, as a "variety club" and the name is apt; the more you go, the more variety you're likely to see. Drinks, including craft cocktails, are strong and designed to get the audience nice and loud. Perhaps the best part of the Cheapshot experience is the value: for a low set price you get 90 minutes of entertainment. Where else in Vegas can you find such a deal?