Five of the best Las Vegas cocktail bars

Lily Bar & Lounge

Bathed in a golden glow, Lily Bar & Lounge offers views of the Bellagio’s casino floor but is far enough removed to feel like a retreat from the throng. The clubby design is both traditional and sophisticated, with plush button-backed couches and leather stools set against tinted mirrored walls. Cocktail-wise, expect a changing line-up of seasonal specials or opt for the blowout 1914 Sidecar martini: a blend of rare cognac, Grand Marnier Quintessence, lemon juice and cinnamon sugar, all for a mere $400.

Alibi Ultra Lounge

Aria Resort & Casino’s Alibi lounge is as slick as you’d expect, with a warm taupe and teal colour scheme and a bar made from Norwegian granite and polished brass. Open from noon until 5am, there’s time to work your way through the menu of handcrafted classics until you find your favourite. Kick things off with a Bright Eyed & Bushy Tailed, made with coffee-infused George Dickel Rye, Cocchi Barolo Chinato and Angostura bitters.

Downtown Cocktail Room

Head towards Downtown Vegas for a more laid-back vibe. On the corner of Fremont Street and the Strip, the speakeasy-style Downtown Cocktail Room has been serving a revolving cast of innovative libations since opening in 2007. Start with the Originals – we loved the Sloe and Steady (Navy gin, berries, lime and fresh tarragon) – or grab your friends and jump right in with a bowl of Dr. Salmon’s Punch.

Oak & Ivy

Located within the Downtown Container Park, dedicated craft whiskey bar Oak & Ivy features a range of barrel-aged cocktails and American whiskies. The bar’s interior is fairly compact, but there’s a decent sized patio out front where you can sip your Brown Sack Special: a mystery drink concocted on the momentary whim of your bartender. Other specialities include the Billionaire Cocktail (relax, it’s only $14) made with Maker’s 46, absinthe bitters, grenadine and lemon.

Frankie’s Tiki Room

Every town needs a tiki bar, and Frankie’s is our favourite in Sin City. Open 24 hours a day, the tropically styled thatch-and-bamboo interior is suitably low-lit, attracting those with a penchant for skulls, tiki carvings and other aspects of faux-Polynesian culture. As you’d imagine, there’s a stupendous menu of boozy, fruity, rum-based drinks. Try the 1950s SoCal-inspired Lapu Lapu made with dark and light rums, pineapple, passion fruit and orange, or opt for the Tonga Reefer: a blend of vanilla rum, guava and lime.