Casual & Relaxing Drinks

If you know anything about Vegas, you already appreciate the fact that “casual” is not part of the standard vocabulary. If you want to go out drinking, fist-pumping nightclubs and strip-tease bars make up the overwhelming majority of social alcohol-induced entertainment. However, some visitors would like to enjoy a casual and relaxing drink without the raucous crowds; thus the following list offers a range of unassuming establishments in Vegas.

I-Bar at the Rio

Located at the entrance of the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino is a casual drinking establishment called the I-Bar. For the most part, the atmosphere is very relaxing and comfortable. The waitresses are all gorgeous and somewhat sparsely dressed, as is the norm in Las Vegas, but the chairs are cozy and the tables are inlaid with Microsoft Surface technology, which instantly detects low/empty glasses so you never have to wave for the waitress to get a refill.

Octane at the Excalibur

Octane is not your everyday Las Vegas bar. Located within the heart of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Octane is a rock-n-roll bar with a biker theme. Don’t overestimate the description though; the scene here is a lot more casual and relaxing than most Vegas bars and nightclubs. Upon entering, you’ll see a number of custom Phantom motorcycles on display, hanging chairs and steel-top tables – the ultimate biker’s hangout. Octane has a bantam atmosphere and no cover charge.

Casa Fuente Cigar Bar at Caesars Palace

Casa Fuente is one of the classiest casual bars in all of Las Vegas. It is a cigar bar, to be precise, so if you abhor the smell of cigar smoke, this may not be the place for you. Stroll the Forum Shops within Caesar’s Palace and you’ll find quaint sophisticated within Casa Fuente, adorned with a Cuban nuance. They only serve the family’s own Fuente brand cigars, which are quite excellent, as are the drinks. Casa Fuente features a smoking area (of course), full bar, happy hour specials, live entertainment and is handicap accessible.

El Cortez Lounge

If you’re staying in downtown Las Vegas, the El Cortez Lounge Bar, located inside the El Cortez Hotel and Casino, has a very casual and relaxing atmosphere throughout the day. As the sun sinks into evening hours, live piano music ensues; making for a romantic setting should you have someone special to enjoy it with. The El Cortez Lounge Bat features 12 specialty martinis and daily happy hour from 5-7pm.

Starting Gate at Bellagio

Sports fans unite; the Starting Gate Bar inside the Bellagio, right on the Vegas Strip, is a perfect destination for fans of athletics and casual drinking. The focal point of the Starting Gate is to give each and every patron a crystal clear view of the scores in all major sporting events. You can even take a betting-booth seat with your own personal TV monitor. It is not just a sports bar, but a wagering arena, directly adjacent to the Bellagio’s Race and Sports Book.