Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Some of the breweries and bars in the Las Vegas area that offer craft beer, cocktails, and lots of fun.

Las Vegas Beer and Bars —-

Whenever I visit an area, I like to explore the breweries, tap rooms, and bars to familiarize myself with the local craft beer scene and find places that offer comfortable surroundings and unique stories. The independent brewery and craft beer scene has grown significantly since my last trip to Las Vegas. And my attendance at this year’s Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America provided an opportunity to briefly explore Las Vegas and find some of the best breweries and bars to visit. Since my visit was abbreviated, I still have much more to explore on my next trip.

Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Many of these breweries are located in the Arts District of Las Vegas. Here’s an alphabetical summary of my stops.

Able Baker Brewing Co.

Able Baker Brewing features a 7,504-square-foot Atomic Age-themed venue with 600 square foot patio.

Atomic Age-themed Able Baker Brewing debuted in October 2019 with a big bang. The brewery derived its name from the first two atomic detonations at the Nevada Test Site. These two test explosions were code-named after the military’s phonetic alphabet of the time. So the military named the first test “Able” and the second test “Baker”.

The experimentation at the Nevada Test Site provided data for the evolution the Atomic Bomb. “Atomic Blast” viewing parties were commonplace in Las Vegas and Nevada. And several “Miss Atomic” beauty queens were crowned. Able Baker Brewing’s interior design, displays, artworks, and even beer names reflect this unique Atomic Age history.

With 34 taps, Able Baker provides a wide range of beer and other beverage selections. Their flagship beer is Atomic Duck IPA. The beer derives its name from the local legend that a duck was the only animal to survive the Atomic tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site. That duck was lovingly named the “Atomic Duck”.

Able Baker’s flagship beer is Atomic Duck IPA.

Located inside of Able Baker Brewing, Arts District Kitchen serves delicious food items made from scratch. Try the teriyaki chicken rice bowl!

Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Atomic Liquors

Famous neon sign of Atomic Liquors.

In a city that is constantly changing and tearing down the old to build newer and more grand venues, Atomic Liquors is different and in many ways unique. Originally a restaurant called Virginia’s Café, Joe and Stella Sobchik opened their business in 1945. During the war years and because of food rationing, finding ingredients to serve was not the easiest thing for Joe and Stella. Still, they made a go of it, serving food to the travelers that stopped for gas, and catering to the locals who would line up in front of the building for the popular Helldorado Days Parade.

Virginia’s Cafe circa 1945.

But Joe tired of cooking for the public and decided he and Stella should close the café and open a liquor store. So Atomic Liquors was opened, with the very first liquor store license in Las Vegas. At first Atomic Liquors was just a package store, selling beer, wine and the hard stuff on a take-out basis. Looking to expand their business, Joe and Stella purchased the liquor ‘pouring’ license from the Lido Lounge, which was closing in a downtown casino. This allowed them expand their takeout trade with beer, wine and mixed drinks served over the counter. Their approach also created an entirely new type of liquor sale license called ‘The Tavern License’. Atomic Liquors was issued the first ever license, #00001, while becoming the oldest freestanding bar in Las Vegas.

Soon Atomic Liquors became a tourist attraction for its rooftop patio view of the United States military test site for nuclear devices. People would flock from all over to drink “Atomic Cocktails” while watching atomic bomb blasts from the rooftop. The bar was also a popular stop for many of Las Vegas’ famous performers, including the Rat Pack, Barbra Streisand, and the Smothers Brothers.

The Sobchiks faithfully operated Atomic Liquors until Joe’s death in 2010 and Stella’s in 2011. In 2012, Atomic Liquors reopened to the public under the new ownership of brothers Kent and Lance Johns and partner Derek Stonebarger.

Today’s bar has become a historic tourist attraction featuring original retro interior design, craft beer, cocktails, food, and loud music.

Atomic Liquors is located just a few blocks away from the Fremont Street Experience.

Just next door, you’ll find the Atomic Kitchen, which serves up its own signature cocktails, craft beer, and food (including burgers, sandwiches, and salads). Atomic Kitchen provides a more modern design and quieter seating to enjoy your food, drinks, and conversation.

Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Beer Zombies

Chris Jacobs, founder of Beer Zombies. Image courtesy of Beer Zombies.

Combine a love of beer and brewing with a love of horror films and you get Beer Zombies. Chris Jacobs, a former bartender and freelance artist, launched Beer Zombies in 2013 as an outlet to express his hopped-up fanaticism. Beer Zombies specializes in brewing an eclectic variety of beer styles. And their love of horror films is not only reflected in their name but also their can art. They currently have locations in Nevada and Utah. Originally their beers were contract brewed by California-based Mason Ale Works. But today they have their own brewery in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas

Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas creates a 1:1 replica of their original beer hall and restaurant in Munich, Germany.

Have you been longing for a trip to Germany for a Munich beer experience? Well a trip to Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas could be an affordable alternative.

The Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas is the first German/Bavarian beer hall and restaurant in Las Vegas which creates a true Bavarian beer hall experience. The beer hall of Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas is a 1:1 copy of Munich’s Hofbräuhaus München. The hall seats approximately 400. The benches and tables are of sturdy European construction. The beer hall ceiling is an exact copy from the original and features the same images as its predecessor – recreated by a local artist over four weeks’ time working on scissor lifts with images on an overhead projector as a guide.

The food doesn’t get any more authentic than the dishes at Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas without traveling directly to Bavaria. The food is prepared on-site with many of the ingredients imported fresh from Europe.

The beer is brewed using the original recipes handed down over 400 years ago by Wilhelm V, the Duke of Bavaria. Because there are no substitutes for the water quality and premium ingredients at the base of Hofbräu beer flavor, the beer is imported directly from the brewery in Munich, Germany.

Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas’s beer is imported directly from the brewery in Munich, Germany.

If you want a quieter experience then head out to the Biergarten (beer garden). On the way out you’ll pass signage that reads “Durst ist schlimmer als Heimweh” meaning “Thirst is worse than homesickness”. The Biergarten features a sparkling circular fountain and six chestnut trees and is covered with a ceiling painted with blue sky and clouds, allowing the garden to keep cool in Las Vegas’s hot weather.

Want the one thing unique to Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas? Just ask to be paddled.

A band plays German music and more to create a party atmosphere.

Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Nevada Brew Works

You can find trendy beers and cocktails at Nevada Brew Works.

Nevada Brew Works opened its doors in September 2020. The owner of Nevada Brew Works is Jason Taylor, who initially started construction on the bar in January 2020 while working as an electrical engineer. His father-in-law, Ken, became the the Brew Master. Like many businesses that opened in this time frame, the pandemic created challenging circumstances resulting in financial difficulties.

In an episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and his experts visited Nevada Brew Works to examine operational issues and help improve business operations. Nevada Brew Works underwent a complete transformation, focusing on exceptional craft beers, cocktails, and tasty cuisine (made-from-scratch pizzas, burgers, and more).

Since that time, the bar has continued to thrive and serve its community in the Arts District of Las Vegas. The brewery offers a good range of craft beers.

Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Ser Veh Zah (Arts District)

Ser Veh Zah bridges the gap between the Latino and craft beer communities.

Nestled in the Arts District of Las Vegas is a taproom and bottle shop called Ser Veh Zah. Ser Veh Zah blends craft beer appreciation and Latino cultural roots to create a unique space.

The taproom offers 24 draft selections as well as a variety of cans and bottles of quality craft beers from around the world. In addition to beer, Ser Veh Zah proffers a limited selection of quality spirits.

The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Seating is comfortable. And their artwork is beautiful. Don’t miss visiting this great spot.

Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Silver Stamp Las Vegas

A simple neon sign in a small window indicates when the Silver Stamp is open. But don’t fear, the inside is friendly and magical.

Las Vegas screams glitz, glamour, luxury, and opulence. So it’s ironic that one of the city’s most beloved establishments occupies a nondescript, single-story building away from the Strip. The building doesn’t even have an outdoor sign with its the business name. And yet, this 3 year old bar that started during the height of COVID was recently named America’s BEST Mom & Pop Shop in America in a nationwide contest held by Entrepreneur Magazine in conjunction with Yelp. Yes, in three short years The Silver Stamp created a nationwide cult following!

Step inside and you are transported to a different time, a different place (a throwback to a late 1960’s neighborhood dive bar), and a magical beer realm. Owners Rose Signor and Andrew Smith may have created the most comfortable and inclusive bar in America. In addition, they curate and maintain an outstanding selection of international and domestic beer.

Entering The Silver Stamp transports you to an inviting and astonishing experience.

Inside, The Silver Stamp boasts wood-paneled walls, antique beer signs, old game machines, a photo booth, Christmas lights, funky art, and vintage beer can art installations. They also feature wonderfully comfortable, padded bar seats that are refurbished casino gaming chairs.

Once inside, you may never want to leave The Silver Stamp.

And most importantly, The Silver Stamp’s owners and employees live and project the inviting, friendly spirit of this amazing bar. Their genuine hospitality truly makes The Silver Stamp shine above all other bars.

This is my favorite place to be in Las Vegas!

Treat yourself to a great time and some delicious craft beer at The Silver Stamp.

Las Vegas Beer and Bars

Underground, The

The Underground features Prohibition-era cocktails at a reasonable price.

Looking for a speakeasy experience that’s affordable and historically accurate? Then visit The Mob Museum followed by a stop at The Underground.

Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, The Mob Museum is an immersive experience exploring the ongoing power struggle between organized crime and law enforcement from the Mob’s origination to today. Through vivid storytelling, guests are presented with the facts, the fiction and the gray area in between — showcasing the events and characters that played an integral (and infamous) role in U.S. history. As part of that history, Mobs sold bootleg alcohol during Prohibition.

Prior to Prohibition, bars were almost exclusively frequented by men. Speakeasy bars (also known as Blind Pig or Blind Tiger) came into prominence in the United States during the Prohibition era (1920–1933, longer in some states). During that time, the sale, manufacture, and transportation (bootlegging) of alcoholic beverages was illegal throughout the United States. Today, speakeasy refers to a retro style bar that replicates aspects of historical speakeasies.

Speakeasies changed U.S. culture during Prohibition by opening the way for women to frequent bars.

A set of basement stairs that lead to under The Mob Museum takes you back in time to enter The Underground speakeasy. But to enter, you must say the secret password that changes weekly. (Hint: check The Underground website.) Once in The Underground, wind your way through an enticing Prohibition-era world. Surrounded by stories, images and artifacts from the 1920s, the speakeasy specializes in Prohibition-era cocktails for your enjoyment. You can also tour an on-site distillery.