Vegas has a bar for everyone: the ones who love the glamour, the ones who love the sports, the ones who love flashy cocktails, and the ones who love a cold beer. Sin City has so much glam and a great amount of history – you can find some of that in the coolest bars in town. Here are our favorite historic bars in Vegas!
1. Champagne’s
This legendary bar opened in 1966, as Sundown Liquors and Cocktail Lounge – this is one of Las Vegas’ oldest bars! No night is boring here, with Burlesque Mondays, open mic Tuesdays, live music nights, and karaoke Fridays. The decor is an homage to the old days, and you can’t help but feel dazzled by it. Their cocktail menu is never ending, so you’ll definitely find your favorite beverage here. It’s open 24 hours, and drinks are affordable…that’s also why it was such a popular choice with the ratpack in the fifties, and with the mobsters of the eighties.
But just to save you any disappointment…it’s not really a champagne spot.
2. Hogs and Heifers
This historical spot is well known for dive-bar lovers. Hogs and Heifers Saloon is a small chain of bars, with the first bar originating in 1992 in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, New York.
Known as a bikers bar, this is a really cool spot to have a cold drink during happy-hour, and look around – you could probably spend hours just looking around at all the cool items on the ceiling and walls. Live music creates a fun atmosphere, and the girls dancing on the bar definitely add to it. The bar is cash only. Be aware, though – this may not be the perfect spot for everyone. Expect the staff to push you to take shots, buy them shots, and some foul language will probably be involved. It’s part of its charm, but not everyone loves it.
3. The Bootlegger
This one is more of a restaurant, but it definitely needs to make the list of greatest historic bars in Vegas. Luigi and his daughter Maria Zoia came from Italy in the early 1900s, during the prohibition era in the United States. Luigi served his homemade wine in a boarding house, and became known in the neighborhood as “The Bootlegger”. In the 1940’s, the family moved to Las Vegas, where Maria’s culinary skills, along with her husband’s outgoing personality, led them into the restaurant business.
Later on, they opened Venetian Pizzeria on Fremont Street and the Venetian Restaurant on West Sahara Avenue. The Bootlegger opened in 1972, in honor of Luigi – and multiple locations followed. Their story is a beautiful tale of family work that went from generation to generation, which is still going strong today. Chef Maria’s award winning recipes are still served today, and the restaurant has appeared on many shows (such as Bourdain’s Parts Unknown), and has been covered by many industry articles.
4. Mountain Springs Saloon
Another biker bar for the list – granted, this is a short ride away from Vegas. Originally a stagecoach stop, it has evolved into a ruggedly charming spot. This historic bar sits right on the path of the Old Spanish Trail, and is covered with dollar bills all over the walls and ceiling. As you can imagine, you can also spot a couple of cool motorcycles around. Besides its unique charm and fun vibes, it’s also a great escape from the Vegas heat, as it’s located at an altitude of 5300 feet. They have many awesome events, like live music, pig roasts, attractive happy hours and special deals on their famous tacos.
5. Bar Prohibition
This is one of the oldest bars in Las Vegas, that has seen it all: from operating as a watering hole in the Wild West, to a place for women of the 20s to go wild, and a spot frequented by Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin during the ratpack era. In 2013, the bar was renamed Bar Prohibition. Today, the bar pays homage to its rich history with their unique cocktail menu. Try the Rat Pack Manhattan, or the Bootlegger Bliss. The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino has been partying since 1906 and Bar Prohibition! continues the legacy that spans more than a century, making it truly a gem for historic bars in Vegas.