Las Vegas is a city that runs on neon, secrets, and cocktails poured stronger than your last bad decision. Whether you’re chasing hookups, romance, drag-queen sparkle, or a velvet-draped speakeasy that makes you feel like the star of your own scandal, Vegas cocktail bars deliver. On the Strip, off the Strip, hidden behind fake bookshelves or candy shops – every glass here has a story.

We drank our way through the best cocktail bars in Las Vegas (yes, they’re all open as of fall 2025), and came back with not just recommendations, but confessions. Each section comes with a firsthand tale from the night we’ll never forget – or can’t quite remember.

Best Cocktail Bars for Hookups

Where to go:

• The Chandelier (Cosmopolitan) – Three stories of pink crystal and aphrodisiac energy.
• Vesper Bar (Cosmopolitan) – Low light, dark corners, strong drinks.
• Velveteen Rabbit (Arts District) – Artsy, off-Strip, wild energy.

Testimonial:
“I met him at The Chandelier. He bought me the Verbena cocktail with the ‘buzz button’ flower, and when we chewed it together, the tingle spread down my throat. Five minutes later, we were pressed against the glass like an exhibit. At Vesper, it was even dirtier – hands under the table, strangers whispering about threesomes. Off-Strip at Velveteen Rabbit? Let’s just say glitter boots, mezcal, and an alleyway rendezvous left my lipstick somewhere I’ll never get back.” – Shawntée, 27

Looking for some more sizzling-hot action? Don’t miss sexy.vegas 

Best Cocktail Bars for LGBTQ+ Nights

Where to go:

• Skyfall Lounge (Delano) – Skyline views and drag-anthem playlists.
• Miss Behave Beauty Bar (Resorts World) – Glam, glitter, and gender-bending fun.
• Velveteen Rabbit (Arts District) – Queer, inclusive, loud and proud.

Testimonial:
“I walked into Skyfall hand-in-hand with my girlfriend, and the bartender comped our first round ‘for being hot.’ A drag queen pulled us onto the dancefloor, and we screamed our lungs out to Beyoncé with strangers who became friends in seconds.” – Marcella, 30

“At Miss Behave, we had our makeup done before drinks – my eyeliner was crooked, but she kissed me anyway. Velveteen Rabbit? That was the night I learned flirting in queer bars is 90% eye contact and 10% mezcal courage.” – Roxy, 22 

Best Cocktail Bars to Meet Performers & Nightlife Workers

Where to go:

• The Chandelier (Cosmopolitan) – Dancers, DJs, late-night staff blowing off steam.
• The Gambit (Henderson) – Live music, industry crowd.
• The Laundry Room (Downtown) – Tiny speakeasy where off-duty performers hide.

Testimonial:
“I slid onto a stool at Chandelier next to a showgirl still in glitter. She ordered whiskey neat and told me backstage gossip while I pretended not to stare at her legs.” – J.C., 27

“At Gambit, I flirted with a sound tech who swore he could ‘make me vibrate’ with the right bass frequency.” – Lora, 33 

“The Laundry Room? My cocktail came with a wink from a bartender who’d just finished a burlesque shift. He asked what I was drinking later. Answer: him.” – Jia, 26

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Best Cocktail Bars for Romance & Proposals

Where to go:

• Skyfall Lounge (Delano) – Panoramic Strip views.
• The Vault (Bellagio) – Exclusive, intimate, high-end spirits.
• Velveteen Rabbit (Arts District) – Candlelit and artistic.

Testimonial:
“He knelt at Skyfall, the Strip glittering below us, and I almost spilled my French 75 down his tux. At The Vault, the sommelier poured us something older than my parents, and he slid a ring box across the velvet booth. I whispered yes before the drink even hit my lips.” – Elena, 45  

Need romantic inspo? Check out romantic.vegas for the ultimate spots for love, intimacy proposals and more! 

Best Cocktail Bars for Bachelor / Bachelorette Parties

Where to go:

• The Golden Tiki (Chinatown) – Campy, wild, tiki energy.
• Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den (Resorts World) – Hidden speakeasy with velvet booths.
• The Chandelier (Cosmopolitan) – Big groups, Instagrammable.

Testimonial:
“Golden Tiki had us drinking from mugs shaped like skulls, screaming ‘shots’ while someone set a pineapple on fire. At Kitty Kitty, the bride-to-be dared us all to swap secrets – two girls kissed, one lost her bra, and no one left sober. At Chandelier, we danced on the booths until security politely asked us to come down. We did, but only to make room for another round.” – Kiki, 31 

Planning a stag party or bachelorette? Hot.vegas has all the tips you’ll need for a banger. 

Best Cocktail Bars & Speakeasies

Where to go:

• Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den (Resorts World) – Hidden, decadent.
• The Laundry Room (Downtown) – Reservation-only, 22 seats.
• Ghost Donkey (Cosmopolitan) – Mezcal-focused speakeasy.
• Caramella (Planet Hollywood) – Candy-shop entrance, sultry interior.

Testimonial:
“I texted a number to get into The Laundry Room, and when they finally let us in, it felt like being chosen for a secret society. At Ghost Donkey, we downed mezcal shots and ended up singing with strangers until our throats burned. At Caramella, I licked sugar off his thumb before realizing it wasn’t from the cocktail rim. And at Kitty Kitty, I sat so close to a stranger our knees brushed all night. He bought the next round; I bought the cab ride home.”

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Best Cocktail Bars for Mellow, Blissed-Out Vibes

Where to go:

• Skyfall Lounge (Delano) – Calming views.
• Distill (Summerlin) – Local, neighborhood feel.
• Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den (Resorts World) – Softer side of speakeasy.

Testimonial:
“At Kitty Kitty, I sank into a velvet booth, let the mezcal hum in my veins, and forgot for two hours that I ever had a job.” – Drew, 30

Looking for the best low-key spots? Head over to kush.vegas now! 

Neighborhood Gems & Off-Strip Picks

Where to go:

• The Gambit (Henderson) – Retro-glam cocktail lounge with live music.
• Frankie’s Uptown (Summerlin) – Whiskey-forward, string-light glow.
• Velveteen Rabbit (Arts District) – Always a favorite.

Testimonial:
“At Gambit, I kissed a trumpet player who still tasted like brass. Then got talking about life – so deep we both missed last call.”  – Trista, 21 

“I love me some Velveteen Rabbit. One time I ended the night tangled in someone else’s leather jacket, realizing off-Strip bars aren’t just cheaper – they’re dirtier, sexier, and better.” – Preytrice, 26

A Perfect Night Out: The Cocktail Bar Crawl You’ll Actually Survive

Start off-Strip at Distill or Frankie’s Uptown, where the drinks are strong, but the vibe is soft. It’s your warm-up – something to steady your nerves before the chaos.

Next, head up high. Skyfall Lounge is your skyline moment, that Instagram shot of the Strip glowing like a sequined dress. Order champagne here – it tastes better with altitude.

By now, you’re ready to get naughty. Duck into a speakeasy – Laundry Room if you scored a reservation, Caramella if you like sugar with your sin, or Here Kitty Kitty if you want to feel velvet against your thighs.

Finally, close out the night at a party bar: Chandelier for the spectacle, Golden Tiki if you’re feeling rowdy, or Velveteen Rabbit if you want your night to end in an alleyway kiss.

If you’re lucky, you’ll leave with a phone full of blurry photos, a story you can’t tell your mother, and the lingering taste of mezcal on someone else’s lips.

Do you have a vote? Share your juiciest, sexiest stories about the best cocktail bars in Vegas and we’ll post them here. Four-letter words aren’t only allowed, they’re encouraged.