Duelling Piano show and other Las Vegas, NV Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: The Piano Bar

The Piano Bar sits just inside Harrah's Casino by the Carnaval Court entrance and is a fun place to spend an evening. Most nights there seems to be two lots of participative entertainment, firstly a Karaoke session led by a Frank Sinatra look-alike from which I concluded that everyone in Vegas must be an ex-professional singer, they certainly took it very seriously. After this the action on the central stage moves to a duelling piano session much like that at the Bar at Times Square at New York-New York. As the evening gets later (they finish between 1am & 2am) and the alcohol flows freely everyone gets into the spirit "bidding" for songs from the opposing piano players and it makes for a very entertaining evening.

The bar itself is not that large so sometimes they need to close off access on a Friday or Saturday night when they are full. There is often an overflow crowd outside in the casino taking in the show. They have nothing special by way of drinks but have the usual video poker machines embedded in the bar which offer free drinks provided you are playing them. It's a good fun place to spend the evening and you have the Carnaval Court nearby.

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Theme: Live Music
Address: Harrah’s, 3475 Las Vegas Boulevard Sth. LV 89109

Nightlife Spot: The Chicago Brewing Company and Cigar Lounge

Presumably allied to the main premises on S Fort Apache Rd, this branch is located in the corner of the Four Queens Casino on Fremont St. Downtown. It is a small but comfortable lounge overlooking the main casino floor with video poker machines inset into the small bar which, if you are playing, allow you to get free drinks. Service is friendly (thanks Lisa) although I didn't find many places where it wasn't. As I was staying fairly close by it became a regular late night stop off, it closes 1.30am, and I found the beers in good shape each time. Standard microbrews are available, Red, Amber, Wheat, Stout and my particular favourite the IPA. There is a small eatery next door that seems to do a good trade in pizzas and sandwiches. It's a bit of a hidden gem but worth seeking out if you are on Fremont St. for the light show and fancy a decent beer.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Address: Four Queens Casino, 202 Freemont St, Las Vegas, NV
Directions: Centrally located on tourist spot Fremont St. Downtown.

Nightlife Spot: Very Adult Spot

If you fancy a little adult entertainment but want to feel safe and not get ripped off (well not too much) try The Girls of Glitter Gulch. It is right in the Fremont Street tourist area, at the Plaza end, and is a fairly tasteful topless dancing bar. On entering, the door staff will call a waitress who will find you a seat either in a booth or alongside the stage. There is no entrance fee but you will be expected to buy two drinks, around $20, when you first arrive. Thereafter you pay $1 a dance to the girls on stage. If you run out of $ bills don't worry, go up to the raised area and the back and you will find a "Dancing Dollars" booth where they will break larger bills into $1 bills. You will be asked if you want a private lap dance, around $30, but there is no pressure. If you don't want to just say no thanks and provided you are polite none of the girls will take offence. The other thing to note about this club is that it attracts quite a lot of couples and the ladies seem to have as much fun as their partners.

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Theme: Adult Spot
Dress Code: Smart casual seems to be expected
Address: Fremont St. Downtown

Nightlife Spot: The Saloon Bar and Grill

The Saloon has distinct eating and drinking areas, with a sort of minimalist look, and both seem popular. With a long curved frontage and outside seating it is ideal for people watching and there is plenty of opportunity on the vibrant Fremont St, especially in the evenings when the laser show is on. They have regular special offers and music at weekends. Allegedly this is one of Mayor Oscar Goodman's favourite bars.

Service is friendly and efficient although watching an American barman trying to pour a Guinness is normally enough to make me want to cry 'Havoc' and let slip the dogs of war. What is it about these guys, ask them for any ridiculously named cocktail, medium tending towards dry, on the rocks, over easy, lightly shaken with a double twist and backward pike, and they'll set to work with the type of flowing efficient artistry not seen since Torvill & Dean performed Bolero in the 1984 Olympics. But can they pour a Guinness? can they fairycakes!! That 'tick follows tock' advert should be compulsory viewing at every American Bar School.

Anyway, off my soapbox. The food is fairly good, it's a typically American menu, I can recommend the tuna melt. Overall the Saloon is a good place to spend some time if you are looking for a friendly bar with a local feel in what is overtly a tourist area. Just don't ask for Guinness !!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: None, few places in Vegas have a dress code.
Address: Neonopolis, 450 Freemont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Directions: Located in the Neonopolis area on Freemont St just at the end of the canopy.

Nightlife Spot: The Freakin' Frog Beer & Wine Cafe

If you've done a few casino bars, got fed up drinking Bud Light, and want a decent beer in a proper bar fear not, there is an antidote to the noise and neon, just jump in a cab and ask for the Freakin' Frog.

It looks a bit like a warehouse but don't let that put you off. A bar with stools runs along the left-hand side and the right has booths and tables with inlaid brewery adverts. There is a small raised stage, a jukebox and a big screen showing sports, news and films. The bar is mercifully free of video poker machines with the only semblance of gaming being an old Ms Pacman machine in the corner. Open Mon-Sat with hours proudly proclaimed as "11am until the freakin' fun is done".

They also claim to have the largest selection of beers in Nevada and beer is really what this place is all about. There were 10 beers on tap including Chimay, Old Speckled Hen, Alaskan Smoked Porter, plus beers from Sierra Nevada, Rogue and local brewery Big Dog. Out back there is a whole room full of 300+ beers that are listed in folders on the bar.

The eclectic food menu is functional rather than flashy and as such complements the drinking experience rather than interfering with it. My tip is to try the Mac 'n' Cheese triangles, or Crack 'n' Cheese as they are known locally for their addictiveness.

Apart from the excellent selection of beers, the best thing about this bar is the people. The staff are all friendly and, along with owner Adam, they are all knowledgeable and passionate about the beers. The upstairs room was being developed into a whisky bar during my visit and this is now open according to the website.

Although I suspect people travel some way to visit this bar, much of the clientele comes from the nearby University and I had a great time with the three criminal law students who "adopted" me for the afternoon. It's possibly not a place for the typical Vegas tourist but if you want a break from all the hype & neon, and staying sober is not high on your agenda, give it a visit, you wont be disappointed.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Phone: (702) 597-9702
Address: 4700 South Maryland Parkway, Ls Vegas, NV 89119
Directions: Located in the University area. From the Strip go up Tropicana and left at Maryland. The bar is on the right in a strip mall set back from the road. It’s behind Moose's Beach House which may be more familiar to taxi drivers. Served by bus route 109.
Website: www.freakinfrog.com