The Rouge Room is a stylish new spot at the Red Rock Resort, taking over the space formerly known as Crimson and Cherry and more recently used for private events and seasonal pop-ups. The whole place was given a dramatic makeover with deep red hues and vintage decor. Think of the lounge as a cross between a secluded speakeasy and a high-energy supper club with outdoor seating and cabanas on an intimate adults-only poolside deck. There are two bars—one that focuses on champagne, the other for cocktails—plus another outdoors. The biggest surprise is the variety of syrups and tinctures made in-house. Many get put to good use with a martini cart that roams between tables. The Rouge Room also has a food menu of light French bites and a rotating lineup of live musicians. It's worth visiting for the pool alone, especially during late-night Dip Du Rouge parties on Mondays.
How to book: Reservations are available online for both the lounge and pool.

One of the newest places to drink like a local in Downtown, actually began as a series of mobile bars designed from horse trailers, which are still available for festivals and catering events around town. Horse Trailer Hideout is the fully realized brick-and-mortar version, mixing country-chic furnishings with offbeat decor, live music, and games like cornhole or table-top shuffleboard. There's even a punching bag to let off a little steam. Yet the best way to relax is with a draft beer (with sours half-off Sundays) or cocktail served from an indoor horse trailer. What Happens in Vegas is made with local Ambros banana whiskey, coconut rum, pineapple juice, and fresh-ground nutmeg. The smoked Farmhouse Fashion uses whiskey infused in-house with apples and cherries. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 pm, and Sunday through Thursday from 10 pm to close, with $3 select drafts, $4 wells, and half-price specialty cocktails.
How to book: Walk in.

BrewDog is perfect for Las Vegas, a town that loves to make a spectacle out of drinking. The two-level bar opened in late 2022 but is already a Strip landmark with a prime location across from the Park MGM. The main dining room has a modern industrial edge, with pinball and other games on standby for a loose clubhouse feel. However, the real fun is on the expansive open-air rooftop deck, surrounded by the bright lights of Las Vegas. BrewDog makes its own beer on-site with recipes that frequently change with the season. Other craft brews are available, too, including top picks from some of the best Vegas breweries. BrewDog could get by on simple bar bites alone—and the bottomless wings deal on Wednesdays is tempting—but it isn't afraid to get ambitious with the food menu. Sink your teeth into a plate of oak-grilled seafood, lobster-topped french fries, and a delicious Wagyu burger that comes with a $150 price tag and is presented in a smoke-filled treasure chest. Other dishes are reasonably priced for the Strip.
How to book: Reservations are available online.

No, this bar isn't inspired by vulgarity. The "F" in F The Bar stands for Fergusons Downtown, an old Vegas motel that's now a shopping, art, and event space. It's about time it had a fully realized bar. While the clever cocktails and build-your-own Old Fashioned program are pretty awesome, guests can also appreciate the selection of local beer and low-intervention wines (on display atop the bar counter, making it easy to choose by labels or color). F The Bar is the kind of place where you can bring your laptop during the day or hang out with your friends at night when the lights dim and the energy picks up. The mint green paint job and faux foliage are welcome retro touches, but if you just want to chill on the lawn during warmer months, blankets and wine carafes are available to make it easy and comfortable.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

This cocktail lounge (or "cocktail deck") is part of the Wynn's recent bar revamp, which turned Parasol Up into Overlook Lounge and Parasol Down into Bar Parasol. Aft is an all-new creation perched outdoors on the Lake of Dreams between SW Steakhouse and Lakeside. It follows something of a nautical theme, with drinks named after desirable destinations like Turks and Caicos, Monaco, and Ibiza. The third is a refreshing mix of Kahlua, cold-brew espresso, and Absolut Elyx infused with vanilla. However, the more spirit-forward cocktails complement the sophistication of the environment—like a smoky rum Old Fashioned, rich in tobacco flavors (and large enough to share), or a spicy Margarita brightened with pineapple and mango. If you really want to get fancy, order the Caviar Fries on the side.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Berlin Bar has style but isn't too fancy. A beer-and-a-shot is the drink of choice here—a dive bar with a loose German theme. Lots of kitschy mismatched decor, chalkboard art, stickers, and pieces from local artists (on sale if you want to take one home). So where does the name come from? The owners actually planned to open the bar in Berlin, but COVID hit, and they stayed put in Vegas instead. If beer's not your thing, try the Sandia (a Casamigos margarita with fresh watermelon juice). Food includes a soft pretzel charcuterie board and the same gourmet franks served by the Dude, Where's My Hotdog food truck. The infamous Ass Cobra is topped with ramen and asparagus. The patio gets busy on weekends with a long fire pit and a great view of the Stratosphere. The soundtrack of dirty, fuzzy rock fits the vibe just fine.
How to book: Walk in.