Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BARS AT THIRD AND OGDEN
When the Henry Brent Co. purchased the old Lady Luck casino in 2005 with
plans to renovate, they also purchased the block across the street. Hoping to cap-
ture the barhopping, urban spirit of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, a series of bars
have opened up. There's a long way to go before there will be Gaslamp compar-
isons, but because many locals still avoid going Downtown, it's generally easy to
find a seat at any of the following:
From its African Teak floor to its retro pillows and white leather couches,
Sidebar
5
(201 N. 3rd. St.;
%
702/384
-
2761; www.sidebarlv.com; Sun-Thurs
3pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 3pm-2am)
is a refreshing upscale alternative to the club
and dive bar scene that rules the town. With monthly wine tastings and food pre-
pared by the chef from Triple George, the restaurant next door, Sidebar is the per-
fect place to sip a sidecar and discuss the revitalization of urban Las Vegas.
If your neck's feeling a tinge red (and your mood is tolerant) keep on walking
down to
Hogs & Heifers
(201 N. 3rd St.;
%
702/676
-
1457; www.hogsandheifers.
com; daily 1pm-4am; cash only)
where the beer guzzling, rowdy, female-run bar
stylings are similar to Coyote Ugly. You might want to avoid mentioning that
here. They're like the Hatfields and McCoys when it comes to who started this
shtick first. This biker bar is run by sexy bartenders, who shout at the crowd and
dance on the bar, inviting customers to do the same. The clientele is heavily male,
as well it should be, considering the way the bartenders seem to ignore female
patrons and go straight for the testosterone. Though the original Hogs and
Heifers (located in the meatpacking district in New York) grew organically, the
Vegas version just popped up in the middle of Downtown and has an artificial
and antiseptic feel to it, particularly considering the small den of slot machines to
the side of the bar, which just don't quite jibe with the countrified theme. Still, if
you like your domestics cold and your women mean, Hogs and Heifers won't dis-
appoint.
GAY BARS
Because of Vegas' transient nature (8,000 people moving here a month, 2,000 leav-
ing), the town lacks a sense of community in most cultures and subcultures, and
the gay arena is no different. The conservative and Mormon overtones that heav-
ily influence the city and its politics also don't make for the most gay-friendly city.
Not that the atmosphere is openly hostile. It's just that the political climate of the
town, by and large, isn't exactly progressive. But in the past few years, more gay
bars have opened up in the area off Paradise Road between Flamingo Road and
Tropicana Avenue, now called the “Fruit Loop.” Perhaps more tellingly, a gay club
has opened on the Strip itself and it's thriving (see below for more on Krave).
Sometimes otherwise “straight” venues host gay nights as well; for information
on these changing venues, as well as entertainment news and listings, pick up a
copy of
Q Vegas
(www.qvegas.com),
available at LGBT nightclubs and book-
stores, Borders, Tower Records, most libraries. There's also a calendar of events at
www.gaylasvegas.com.
GAY BARS ON THE CENTER STRIP
Krave
55
(3663 Las Vegas Blvd. S., in Planet Hollywood;
%
702/836
-
0830;
cover varies each night but never exceeds
$
20; 11pm-close, closed Mon and Wed)
