The new Camden at the Palms offers guests an initial challenge: the front door is disguised as a bookcase. The ruse is intentional, and the goal is to set the tone for the night. The library design continues throughout the lounge, in a slightly un-Vegasy way until you reach the bronze-accented bar area. The delightful drink menu offers a host of hand-crafted cocktails, like the Fresh and Easy with Bombay Sapphire gin, cucumber, mint, lime juice and elderflower tonic. Other libations include the Frenchy, with Absolt Elyx vodka, orgeat, cantaloupe, lemon and champage or the Camden Sour, the bar's version of a whiskey sour with Bulleit 95 Rye, orgeat, lemon, Zinfandel port and an egg white.
Recommended for Lounges because: Camden Cocktail Lounge sets a tone of intrigue with a disguised door, library-like interior and original cocktails.
Terrisa's expert tip: Camden contains some notable artwork, like an original Andy Warhol print and a piece by Damien Hirst, an artist who has a great deal of work on display at Palms, including the segmented shark in the lobby bar.
The sleek, elegant interior design of The Dorsey tells a story all its own, but the drink menu is what's truly captivating. Wine and Champagne are served by the glass or bottle, and you'll find a selection of beer as well. It's the cocktails that attract attention here, however, with drinks organized under sections with names like Light and Bright, Conversation Pieces, Shorties and Bubbly. The Penicillin's blend of Scotch, lemon, ginger, honey and Islay float is popular, but the variety of cocktails makes it hard to pick just one. The Punch Bowls are also a hit, intended for sharing between four and six people. With all the choices here, you may have to make a few trips to try all of the drinks that catch your eye.
Recommended for Lounges because: The Dorsey's sophisticated decor and signature cocktails turn an evening out into an experience to remember.
Terrisa's expert tip: Small plates are available from 3 to 11 p.m., with food like chips and guacamole, French fries, edamame hummus, sliders and steamed Chinese pork belly buns.
The word "trendy" gets tossed around a lot when describing lounges and bars in Downtown Las Vegas, but it's still the best description for places like Classic Jewel. Located in Juhl, a luxury high rise, the intimately-sized lounge seeks to emulate 1950s drinking culture. With a sleek ambiance, comfortable seating and live entertainment, Classic Jewel creates the perfect setting for a memorable evening. The classically inspired cocktails are made from venerated recipes that have proven track records for creating fabulous drinks. You'll see a few familiar names here, like the Moscow Mule, but the array of hand-crafted drinks offers several options you might not have heard of, like the Mexican Firing Squad with Blanco Tequila, Grenadine, Angostura, seltzer and lime, or the Hotel Nacional, made with white rum, apricot brandy, pineapple and lime.
Recommended for Lounges because: Classic Jewel's sleek design and selection of hand-crafted cocktails make it one of the city's best hidden gems.
Terrisa's expert tip: A dress code applies at Classic Jewel, which prohibits cutoffs, hats, ripped or bagging clothes and athletic wear, and large bags and backpacks aren't allowed. Guests are encouraged to dress stylishly.
If you love gin, then head directly to Juniper Cocktail Lounge, home of the largest collection of gin in Las Vegas. The lounge takes its name from the berries that give gin its distinctive aroma and taste, and they carry all of the spirit's top-shelf brands. The hand-crafted cocktails here use house-made and fresh ingredients that come together in dangerously delicious drinks like True to the Roots with Spring 44 Gin, clover honey, fresh lime and orange. The array of tasty specialty cocktails includes other fine spirits as well, like the Maple Old Fashioned made with Whistle Pig 10 Year Rye Whiskey, authentic maple syrup and Angostura bitters. The tempting selection of finely made drinks just might make it difficult to decide which one to enjoy.
Recommended for Lounges because: Juniper Cocktail Lounge puts an emphasis on gin, but the drink menu includes several tasty cocktails made with other top-shelf spirits.
Terrisa's expert tip: Located in the center of Park MGM's casino, Juniper is conveniently close to venues on the south end of the Strip like the T-Mobile Arena and Park Theater.
This hip, intimate Las Vegas lounge is one of the city's best-kept secrets. Dim lighting, cozy leather seating, minimalist art and eclectic music create a seductively mysterious ambiance, and the diverse clientele are mostly locals seeking a laid-back evening away from the Vegas "scene." The seasonal menu features delectable punch bowls and creative cocktails with distinctive flavor profiles that have customers raving. DCR boasts well over 40 seasonal menus so far, with creations like the summertime Watermelon Cooler with vodka, watermelon, cucumber and lime, or the Apple Pie in cooler months--bourbon, apple, caramel and cinnamon. The ever-changing drink menu is just one reason to make this cocktail lounge a regular stop when you're in Downtown Las Vegas.
Recommended for Lounges because: The drink menu is never boring at the Downtown Cocktail Room, where the bartenders create cocktails with incredible flavors.
Terrisa's expert tip: Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more and must meet drink minimums. A $25 per person minimum applies on weekdays, which rises to $35 per person on weekends.
If you're bored with Sin City's ultra trendy lounges and bars, you'll enjoy the comfy, retro feel of the Fireside Lounge. Sink into a cozy booth and nurse a mai tai or other nostalgic beverage. Mirrors lining the walls reflect the glow of the bubbling fire pit, sure to inspire romance. Performances from Vegas legends are replayed on flat-screens dotted around the room, enhancing the yesteryear ambiance. Consistently voted one of the best date spots in Vegas, this lounge spares no expense in setting the mood for you and your honey. This classic Vegas lounge has been featured in films like "Showgirls" and "Casino," and one look at its purple and neon decor will tell you why--it's about as pure Vegas as it gets.
Recommended for Lounges because: The Fireside Lounge keeps the spirit of Old Vegas alive and well, with a retro design and classic drinks.
Terrisa's expert tip: Stop in for Happy Hour at the Fireside every day from 3 to 6 p.m. to enjoy discounts on well drinks, select beers and house wine.
Electra Cocktail Club at The Palazzo oozes sophistication, and the cocktails reinforce that impression. Comfy seating and DJs create an inviting atmosphere that's easy to linger in. The focus here is on rum, agricole (cane juice rum) and mescal, and the expertly crafted cocktails reflect Electra's preferred spirits. Originality is the standard here, with drinks like the Cucumber & Elderflower Daiquiri, made with white rum, fresh lime, cucumber and elderflower, or the Disgruntled Mai Tai with two rums, Aperol, fresh lime, Curacao, orgeat and Underberg. Bottle service is also offered, and guests can enjoy a lengthy list of top-shelf spirits to choose from.
Recommended for Lounges because: The sleekly styled Electra Cocktail Club serves well-crafted, fine cocktails in a classy, comfortable setting.
Terrisa's expert tip: Electra's commitment to unique, well-crafted drinks extends to the non-alcoholic drink selections. The Byron Bay, for instance, is made with fresh passion fruit, ginger, lime and club soda, proving that originality doesn't have to include booze.
Just a short drive west of the Las Vegas Strip, Herbs & Rye attracts bar aficionados from all over the city. Its dark, speakeasy-like atmosphere sets exactly the right tone for a menu full of delicious creations that go down a little too smoothly. The menu is arranged by era, so if you'd like some liquid history, check out the offerings from the Gothic Age (1776-1865) and try the famous Pimms Cup, made from a recipe that's still a secret to this day. Other eras include the Golden Age and Old School Age, Prohibition, Years of Reform, Rat Pack Era and the Tiki Boom. If you can't find a cocktail you like here, you might have to stop drinking. Herbs & Rye also has a restaurant that's well known for its outstanding steaks, as well as other tasty items like flatbreads, pasta and appetizers, plus more.
Recommended for Lounges because: Herbs & Rye's extensive selection of finely crafted cocktails and staff of expert mixologists make it one of the best bars in Las Vegas.
Terrisa's expert tip: Parking is extremely limited at Herbs & Rye. To avoid hunting for a parking space, take a taxi or ride shareâ"which is probably a good idea anyway since you'll want to enjoy their tasty drinks.
Offering an experience unlike any other bar or lounge in town, 107 SkyLounge is the perfect place to go when you want to impress someone special. Located on the 107th floor of the Stratosphere Tower, it boasts expansive city views that are complemented nicely by an extensive appetizer, small plate, dessert and cocktail menu. Feast your eyes on the view as you dig in to some yummy snacks to share with the table and sip one of the lounge's signature cocktails. A rotating schedule of DJs keeps the music going while you enjoy expertly crafted drinks and delicious food, all with an amazing view of Las Vegas.
Recommended for Lounges because: 107 SkyLounge offers guests a panoramic view of Las Vegas and expertly crafted cocktails.
Terrisa's expert tip: Happy Hour at 107 SkyLounge happens every day from 4 to 7 p.m., offering deals on your favorite libations. There's also no cover charge for entry.