The Tangier sets itself apart by focusing on brown spirits. Not just whiskey, but anything aged—including rum or tequila. Even Tito's Vodka is aged on site for at least 30 days in charred barrels, producing an amber color well suited for an Old Fashioned. Overall, the cocktail menu is split between inventive specialty drinks and classic recipes, with three different variations on a Boulevardier.

French Cellar is a wine shop and tasting room by the team behind Partage (a French fine dining restaurant in Chinatown). It's a charming space with the glow of Edison light bulbs, bottles displayed in wood crates, and tables sitting atop oak barrels. The place is all about French varietals, with special attention paid to Burgundy and Champagne. However, you'll find a wide variety of flavor profiles represented and a well-trained team offering guidance.

Almost anything is better with a view in Las Vegas. That's why the new Resorts World made a point to have a cocktail lounge on the 66th floor of its Conrad hotel tower. Whether facing north (the Strip) or south (the Strat and Downtown), the scenery is ridiculous—especially at night through floor-to-ceiling windows. Walks-ins may get lucky with bar seats, but reservations are highly recommended.

If you're looking for a place to drink beer without one of our great local breweries attached to it, the Silver Stamp might be your joint. Located in the Gateway District (which is increasingly blurring together with the Arts District), the bar is a total throwback with wood paneling, mounted taxidermy, and quirky, vintage decor. Is it a den from the '70s? A basement from the '80s? Hard to say, but the beer selection is exceptional.

Great wine shouldn't have to be expensive. That's the idea behind Garagiste, a neighborhood wine bar in the Arts District by a pair of sommeliers with a long history on the Strip. The already extensive list is growing by the day, featuring a variety of styles, countries, regions, and prices. Garagiste makes a point to champion the natural or "low intervention" wine movement and small producers that aren't easy to track down.

The Laundry Room, a hidden speakeasy inside Commonwealth, is one of the most rewarding bar experiences in Las Vegas. The drink list is an impressive mix of sophisticated classics and inventive creations, but things work out even better when you let the bartender come up with a custom cocktail based on moods and words—like "smoky," "aggressive," or "Brad Pitt in Fight Club."

Lucky Day is all about tequila and mezcal with a rotating collection of agave spirits that can total more than a hundred at any given time. Enjoy them as flights or in one of ten house cocktails. However, the bar itself is almost like something you'd see in New York or Boston—a long hallway with a small patio spilling out into the lights and energy of the Fremont East district.

The oldest free-standing bar in Las Vegas used to be a place where people would grab drinks, sit on the roof, and watch nuclear test explosions go off in the desert (since Nevada was into that kind of stuff in the '50s). Atomic Liquors eventually closed down but returned as a craft cocktail destination in 2012. It's been a huge hit ever since, and much of Nevada's radioactive history is documented with artifacts on the walls.

Emeril Lagasse's Delmonico Steakhouse celebrated its 20th anniversary (a lifetime for a Vegas Strip restaurant) with a full renovation last year that added renewed sparkle and energy to the dining room. The Creole-seasoned steaks are as good as ever. But what about the drinks? The restaurant has one of the best whiskey and spirits lists in not only Las Vegas, but the entire country—with more than 700 options from nine countries and an impressive focus on verticals.

The music heard at the front door suggests you're either about to take a ride on the Pirates of the Caribbean or enter the most indulgent tiki bar in Las Vegas. Golden Tiki counts a dancing skeleton, conch shell chair, and overstuffed treasure chest among its kitschy decorations. It's also hard to overlook the shrunken head collection and a pair of animatronic birds who exchange dirty jokes. The cocktails go well beyond the expected rum-and-fruit-juice staples.

We once asked top bartenders in Vegas where they got drinks on their downtime. All of them said Herbs & Rye. The cocktail bar by which all others are judged is frequently singled out as not only one of the best bars in Vegas, but the entire country. That's because every bartender here appreciates and understands both the art and history of classic cocktails. The menu itself is divided into different American eras, from 1776 through today.

Located inside the Downtown Container Park, Oak & Ivy makes the most of a small bar with just a handful of seats, although hanging out on the rooftop at sunset isn't bad either. The whiskey selection is strong and put to good use in plenty of great cocktails, including a Whiskey Smash made with fruit-infused water that changes with the season. The Moscow Mule is made with house-brewed ginger beer.

A legit piece of Vegas history, the Sand Dollar Lounge has a legacy of live music that dates back to 1976, but the drink menu is the best reason to visit. The best-seller right now is the Lupita, featuring flash-infused basil tequila and house-made orgeat, but the coolest one is the Thai Tea Trippin'—a combination of rum, spiced tea, milk, and sugar with the dairy component filtered out, leaving behind a creamy taste, but no cloudiness. The beer list is strong too.

Opened by two sisters who just wanted a good place to hang out, Velveteen Rabbit is a social drinking spot that understands the art of the craft cocktail and the value of an expansive beer list. With local artwork hanging on the walls and a history of hosting up-and-coming musicians, it's hard to find a bar that is so supportive of the Arts District community while making some of the most unique and creative drinks anywhere in Las Vegas.

Rosina is one of three sister bars in the Venetian Cocktail Collective. Each is great, but while The Dorsey and Electra have a high-energy atmosphere to match the inventive nature of their cocktails. Rosina is an intimate, stylish art-deco spot that focuses on classics—with ice and glassware to match. If you want a Dark 'n Stormy or an Airmail done right, this is where you want to be.

A great drink is even better with a great view. And that's especially true at the Legacy Club on the 60th floor of the new Circa resort on Fremont Street. With a strong whiskey selection, artwork honoring Vegas casino magnates, and an exhibit of gold bars, this penthouse venue goes heavy on macho swagger. Yet in reality, the Legacy Club is one of the best places to bring a date in Vegas.

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 artwork from local artists (that's also for sale). 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).

James Trees' pizzeria (which closed during the pandemic) is now back open as a wine bar with an all-new look. The wines are fantastic, affordable, and chosen with the input of the entire service team, who are all trained sommeliers. There's a heavy emphasis on natural wines and with nearly 100 bottles and more than 20 options by the glass, there's something for everyone. Even beer, if that's your preference. Best of all—Ada's is free from pretentiousness. It's just a fun place to hang out.

The Shag Room is an intimate, secluded cocktail (hidden behind neighboring Bar at Common Club) on the Virgin Hotels casino floor. It's geared toward reservations, although it's relatively easy to grab a seat early in the evening. The lounge feels like an old-school private club with thick carpeting and VIP tables inside Moroccan-style tents. Large parties may prefer bottle service, but The Chai is a nice smooth cocktail, mixing tequila with cardamom and masala tea.