Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
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‒ Secret Source ‒ NEHME E. ABOUZEID BARS & LOUNGES CASA FUENTE CIGARS At a decade old, Casa Fuente is an institution in The Forum Shops. Those who are serious about their cigars can choose from the selection in the walk-in humidor and belly up to the bar in the newly renovated space for an unusual assortment of cocktails and spirits, including Casa Fuente's own Kavalan Sherry Cask Strength Whisky and Jack Daniel's Casa Fuente Single Barrel Whiskey. The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-731-5051; casafuente.com CENTER BAR A legend in its own right for 20 years and counting, Hard Rock's celeb- favorite Center Bar is back and better than ever after undergoing a full-scale renovation. Expect rock stars. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702-693-5000; hardrockhotel.com CLIQUE BAR & LOUNGE A distinct counterpoint to the Cosmopolitan's high-energy club scene, Clique offers light bites and tableside cocktail service in a sexy, matte black and shimmering gold room inspired by women's jewelry and boasting a dramatic backlit bar. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7939; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com THE DORSEY For those who love a classic, labor- intensive mixed drink formulated by a famed master mixologist (and with a minimum of electronic dance music), enter The Dorsey, whose cocktails are designed by Sam Ross of Attaboy and Milk & Honey. Don't miss the Penicillin, a smoky-sweet remedy for everything— made with single-malt and blended Scotch, honey, ginger, and lemon. Venetian, 866-659-9643; venetian.com FIZZ David Furnish and Elton John's two-story Champagne bar is an exquisite blend of '70s-style bronze accents and faux-fur prints. Caesars Palace, 702-776-3200; caesars.com FRANKIE'S TIKI ROOM Down authentic (and authentically strong) tiki drinks in a retro space with hand-carved furnishings, vintage post- ers, and an exotic soundtrack. You'll find original carvings by Tiki Bosko (who made art for the Tropicana) and Leroy Schmaltz, the king of tiki carv- ers. 1712 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-385-3110; frankiestikiroom.com FRANKLIN While the Delano celebrates its desert surroundings with neutral décor that brings the outdoors in, the hotel's lobby bar, Franklin, provides a lush, modern contrast with dark leather fur- niture, warm wood walls, gold accents, and a fireplace. Delano Las Vegas, 702-632-7888; delanolasvegas.com THE GOLDEN TIKI Located in Chinatown, the newer of Vegas's two favorite tiki bars features tropical drinks, talking tiki statues, and a giant conch shell. Look for "shrunken heads" of local celebs. 3939 Spring Mountain Road, 702-222-3196; thegoldentiki.com HERBS & RYE From Gothic "alcoholic remedies" to quaffs from the Golden Age to the perfect Sazerac, Herbs & Rye is darkly and wittily vintage. Owner and award-winning mixologist Nectaly Mendoza's place is where the industry goes at the end of the night to take the edge off. 3713 W. Sahara Ave., 702- 982-8036; herbsandrye.com MANDARIN BAR Unofficially called "The Edge" due to its perch in one of the hotel's particu- larly sharp corners, Mandarin Bar's VIP area requires advance booking, so call ahead to relish the awesome 23rd-floor views afforded by three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. Mandarin Oriental, 888-881-9367; mandarinoriental.com PARASOL UP With colorful fabrics and hanging lan- terns, this casino-level lounge just underwent a million-dollar renovation and still offers some of the best people- watching in Las Vegas. The updated drink menu features five barrel-aged craft cocktails available on draft. The bar's counterpart, Parasol Down (an escalator ride away), overlooks Wynn's picturesque Lake of Dreams. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3392; wynnlasvegas.com PETROSSIAN BAR Just like its New York sibling, Petrossian Bar celebrates caviar and vodka in a loungey atmosphere (pre- pare for conspicuous consumption; it's right on the edge of the casino floor). INSIDER TIP: Petrossian also has one of the most civilized high teas in town: Think fresh scones and clotted cream accompanied by a pianist command- ing the one-of-a-kind Steinway. Bellagio, 702-693-6163; bellagio.com SKYFALL LOUNGE This jewel-toned bar and lounge, which connects with Alain Ducasse's vertiginous restaurant Rivea, is one of the best places on the Strip to settle in for the living theater that is a flaming Las Vegas sunset over the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area. Do it with a cocktail from the bar menu (perhaps from the Shaken and Stirred category). Delano Las Vegas, 702- 632-7575; delanolasvegas.com VELVETEEN RABBIT The Downtown bar, run by two sisters, is filled with Victorian furniture and features stylistic quirks like draft-beer pulls fashioned from old wooden mannequin hands. The cocktail list includes such unusual concoctions as The Ghost Next Door (fig-infused tequila, banana syrup, Aztec chocolate bitters, and biscotti "mist") and the WHO: SVP and chief marketing officer, Vegas Golden Knights NHL hockey team. Vice chair, After-School All-Stars Las Vegas youth charity. TENNIS, ANYONE? "The indoor courts at Life Time Green Valley (121 Carnegie St., Henderson, 702-802-7300; lifetimefitness.com) have great tennis viewing galleries and the service of a high-end health club." SUIT UP: "Suitsupply (The Grand Canal Shoppes, 702-359-6100; suitsupply.com) is my new favorite place to buy suits. It combines a highly personalized in-store experience with endless e-commerce inventory and no preten- sion." CA-NOODLING: "I've loved Wazuzu (Encore, 702-770-5388; wynnlasvegas.com) pan-Asian cuisine for years. When I worked at Wynn, it was my go-to spot for business lunches because of the small dining room and fast but impeccable service." BEST PLACE TO SPEND FRIDAY NIGHT: "At T-Mobile Arena (3780 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-692-1600; t-mobilearena.com) for a Golden Knights game this October, of course. The $375 million arena is state of the art and the perfect home for such a game-changing tourism driver as the city's first major pro sports team." VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 93