Las Vegas’ Most Exciting Bars and Nightclubs

min read
People dancing under neon lights in a nightclub.
BetMGM Sep 26, 2023, 11:50 AM

Las Vegas is an excellent travel destination offering all kinds of entertainment. It’s known for the finest casinos and shows, world-renowned restaurants, and fascinating historical sites and museums. And if you love a good party, you’ll appreciate the city’s unparalleled nightlife destinations. 

In Vegas, you’re spoiled for choice with nightclubs and bars. To make it simpler for you, here are our favorite Vegas spots. And since we’re in the gambling capital, why not trade online poker with a visit to a real-life casino? We’ve got you covered with great casinos to visit and the best times for poker games. Or you can play poker online during the day and let the Vegas night scene take you away in the evening. Whatever you choose, let’s help you plan one of the greatest nights of your life!

Best bars

Check out these modern or speakeasy bars with exquisite decor and unique signature drinks.

The Laundry Room

Location: Fremont East

Though you might not be used to making reservations for bars, this hidden speakeasy is certainly worth it. Its drinks list features as many as 27 sensational signature drinks that we know you won’t find anywhere else. If you want to unleash your inner Sherlock Holmes, you’ll enjoy the challenge of finding the hidden door to this exclusive establishment.

Atomic Liquors

Location: Downtown

This bar will appeal to avid history buffs. The Atomic Bar is the city’s oldest free-standing bar. Interestingly, the venue used to host “Atomic Watch Parties” for nuclear testing. Today, you can pay tribute to Atomic’s explosive history by ordering its popular “Atomic Cocktail.” The historic glass-covered floor-safe and original 1950s signage will have you missing old Vegas. 

Rosina Cocktail Lounge

Location: The Venetian (on the Strip)

Looking for a classic, elegant bar experience? Rosina should be your next stop. This intimate establishment within The Venetian resort has a pleasing art-deco aesthetic, from the gold trimmings and champagne call buttons right down to its very own stamped ice cubes! “Classic” doesn’t mean that this lounge’s cocktails are boring, either. Its inventive concoctions include a Dark ‘n Stormy and an Airmail. Alternatively, you can order one of your favorites, such as a Manhattan, done with a Rosina twist. 

Velveteen Rabbit

Location: Downtown Arts District

If live performances like tarot readings or psych-rock band sets aren’t an offbeat bar experience, we don’t know what is! If you find yourself in the Arts District, you’re most probably a lover of creativity and culture, and so is the Velveteen Rabbit. This trendy venue is known for supporting the best local and up-and-coming artists. The drinks on offer are equally fun and distinct. In addition to its unique seasonal cocktails, Velveteen provides an expansive beer list and many non-alcoholic beverages too. 

The Golden Tiki

Location: Chinatown

While we’re on an offbeat and quirky note, we can’t skip this larger-than-life Vegas tiki bar. Imagine dancing skeletons, pirate-themed treasure chests, conch shell chairs and many more delightfully kitsch features. (We didn’t even mention the animatronic birds, which share dirty jokes with guests!) The Golden Tiki’s drinks list extends above and beyond your average tiki bar with some unusual flavor pairings to try. Some cocktails are even topped with Dole Whip to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Best nightclubs

For the ultimate Sin City experience, plan an evening out at one of these incredible venues.

Hakkasan

Location: MGM Grand

What can we say… we’re a tad biased. However, let us entice you for a second. A night at the Hakkasan delivers exactly what you would expect from a Vegas rave. This three-level club features what is considered to be the world’s largest kinetic light art installation. Beneath the spectacular visual experience, you can dance the night away as EDM artists like Zedd, Calvin Harris and TiĂ«sto perform. For hip-hop music or a more relaxed lounge atmosphere, head to the downstairs section. The club also features its own Cantonese restaurant and valet. 

Jewel

Location: ARIA Resort & Casino

Guests who want the exclusive VIP treatment spend their nights in one of Jewel’s five themed VIP rooms. These include the G.O.A.T. room, which pays homage to American sports, and the Blind Tiger, which looks like a vintage speakeasy. However, despite the vintage themes, Jewel is anything but old-fashioned. The nightclub makes up for its smaller size by hosting big hip-hop and EDM artists like Tyga and Steve Aoki. One of the club’s standout features is the illuminated staircase and the exciting video LED stage effects have to be seen to be believed. 

On The Record

Location: Park MGM

This is a club for people who might feel pressured to go to nightclubs even though they aren’t fans of them. This time you’ll be glad you went. On The Record is a cross between a nightclub, a lounge and a karaoke bar. Notable features include a Rolls-Royce DJ booth, a large cozy fireplace and an outdoor patio with a British double-decker bus serving drinks. As the name suggests, the establishment features three karaoke bars dedicated to iconic decades. But if your vocal cords and your dancing feet aren’t up to the challenge, step away to the secret speakeasy bar for cocktails and socializing. 

Marquee

Location: The Cosmopolitan

The dry heat in Las Vegas can be relentless. On certain days, a club with a pool deck sounds like a dream. Marquee is a three-in-one nightclub where you decide what type of experience you want to have. For a rowdy party experience, head to the main room for the elevated DJ booth and relaxing pool deck. Or enjoy the view from The Boom Box, an elegant cocktail lounge. The Library section is more intimate, featuring bookshelves, a pool table and a fireplace. Hip-hop and trap enthusiasts will be happy to know that Travis Scott performs regularly under a Marquee residency.

The best time to play poker in Vegas

We all know that bars and nightclubs aren’t all the Vegas night scene has to offer. While you’re in the gambling capital of the world, why not play some poker? Plan to party it out for the weekend, but be sure to leave your early Friday evening free, because 6 pm to 10 pm is the best time to play casino games like poker. Late afternoons throughout the week also promise a lively casino atmosphere, with enjoyable company and opponents. Since most clubs open late, this means your poker plans don’t have to get in the way of your evening plans.

Must-visit casinos in Las Vegas

  • ARIA Resort & Casino
  • MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
  • Luxor Hotel and Casino
  • Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino
  • The Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino 
  • The Bellagio
  • Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino

Bring the spirit of Vegas home and play online poker

With BetMGM, you don’t have to visit a casino in person because you can also play live poker online. Here’s why we’re one of the leading online poker sites: 

  • We have an easy-to-use app
  • BetMGM offers more than 70 daily online poker tournaments 
  • Our Daily $10K promises a prize of $10,000, with buy-ins as low as $109
  • We give new players a 100 percent deposit match up to $1,000
  • Our regulars enjoy Regulars Rewards
  • BetMGM has a wide range of stakes so you can gamble responsibly

Why wait for the right season and the right time to play when you can play poker anytime and anywhere with BetMGM? Let’s help you prepare for that future Vegas trip and teach you how to play poker with our beginner-friendly games! 

Register with BetMGM and join a Texas Hold’em poker game from the comfort of your home.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens flipping casino chips next to the text "The King of Casinos"
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Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.