12 Best Bars in Las Vegas, Nevada

This classic mid-century tiki bar might remind you of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic's. It's part of a crazy-busy strip mall in Chinatown, with a cocktail menu spilling over with nostalgic classics. Cautiously sip a Dole Soft Serve Float or jump into the deep end with a Blue Lagoon or Painkiller. Hop a rideshare back to your hotel after a Navy Grog with three rums. The roomy decor is full of surprises if you look around, including such treasures as an animatronic skeleton of the mythical privateer and legend behind The Golden Tiki, William Tobias Faulkner. A tiny stage and dance floor host occasional DJs and live bands. There's a happy hour from 4 to 7 pm, a limited food menu—mostly sliders and wings—and a Sunday "Captain's Brunch" with waffles and burritos.

Leave your designer handbags on the bar; this is a place to see and be seen. Sophisticated clientele frequent this piano lounge, where a different expert each day (check the website and pick your favorite) tickles the ivories of a one-of-a-kind, art deco–style Steinway grand while patrons sup on trendy offerings like the Poof!—a pairing that reflects Las Vegas bars' current fascination with all things smoky, with a cocktail of Bulleit rye, apple brandy, and sweet vermouth, placed under a smoky dome alongside duck confit croquettes. Caviar is, of course, a given, featured in tacos and the Bellagio Martini, served with an Ossetra cigar.

The W Las Vegas gives its classy lobby lounge a moniker that goes with its theme: the 32nd president. Bourbons, whiskeys, and barrel-aged drinks are specialties here, so belly up, let the soft music and tiny twinkling lights help you relax, and ask the bartender to prep you a little something, maybe from the Woodford Reserve barrel service (and yes, you can keep the barrel). What's more, since it's a lobby lounge, there's no cover.

Gin is the specialty of the house at Juniper, which is named after one of the berries used to flavor the spirit; in fact, it has the largest selection of gin in Las Vegas. But thirsty patrons can get just about any craft cocktail they wish at this Park MGM lounge. The menu features a curated cocktail program using house-made juices and syrups alongside an expertly selected spirits menu, and there's a special game-day cocktail menu, too.

Circles are a big theme at this lounge that fronts Koi restaurant. The motif is repeated in the ceiling and in light patterns projected on the walls, plus the circular banquettes that are great for big groups and lousy for small ones. Be sure to visit during happy hour from 5 to 7 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, when mixologists oblige by offering signature drinks for reasonably discounted prices.

Head to the Silverton's frontier-themed, salt-of-the-earth casino (or its sensational, museum-like hunting-fishing Bass Pro Shops), where it's well worth stopping by for a drink and taking a long look at the gigantic, sharks 'n' all aquarium. The aquarium holds 117,000 gallons of salt water and is home to more than 4,000 fish and as many as eight mermaids at a time (yes, really). There's live music spanning a variety of genres on Friday and Saturday, with no cover.

Cigars team up with whiskeys (including barrels and flights) and small bites at this respite in the center of the resort. Find up to 1,000 cigars housed in a climate-controlled humidor, one of the largest in the city. If you're a sports fan, take in the fan cave with its 208-inch video wall and lots of screens. You can bring your own cigars; there's a $10 cutting fee. Become a member for discounts on beverages. There's also a location at Paris Las Vegas.

This baroque Paris piano bar can get loud, but it's all good fun. Free music flows Thursday through Sunday from 7 pm to 2 am; tip the dueling piano players well if you really want to hear your favorite song. Creative cocktails include the Banana Split Martini and Godiva chocolate–based Midnight in Paris, and cigar lovers can enjoy a smoke in the exclusive lounge area.

A lot of people ask, "Where do Las Vegas entertainers hang out and perform for one another?" One of the best and most consistent answers is found in this appealing and easily accessed lounge at The Tuscany (an attractive, convention-oriented hotel that is otherwise unremarkable). Kenny Davidson's Celebrity Piano Bar is a Friday-night fixture for local performers, and other nights feature a rotating roster of singers as early as 7 or 7:30 pm, making it a true low-key alternative to the dance clubs.

The very swanky but very inviting indoor-outdoor Press features firepits with seating overlooking the private pool at the Four Seasons, cooled off by misters in the hotter months—and it's open until 11 pm (midnight on weekends). Like everything at the upscale resort, the libations and accompanying bites are near perfection. Live music is offered during Press Play from 5 to 8 pm Thursdays. Free high-speed Internet and access to digital newspapers and magazines from 100 countries highlight the complimentary services at this lobby bar that doubles as a coffee shop by day.

The Chandelier Bar may be The Cosmopolitan's cocktail-venue claim to fame, but you shouldn't overlook the sleek Vesper Bar, the true mixologist space at the hotel. Name an ingredient, any ingredient, and the talented staff behind the bar can come up with a drink for you. Long-forgotten cocktail recipes are a specialty at this very modern square bar sitting alongside hotel registration.

Different cityscapes ranging from sunset in Hong Kong to night in Dubai to evening in New York City change on huge screens (so you can order a Manhattan while you're looking at Manhattan) that make up the background at this lounge, which offers specialty drinks like a pineapple mule.