I normally like to talk about the outdoors, but I couldn't pass the opportunity to share these awesome bars with y'all. They're both located just off of the west side of the Las Vegas strip in Chinatown, one of the coolest places to be in the city, a few doors down from each other. Both offer unique cocktails and dramatic ambiance, as well as lines out the door. Always try to make a reservation!
The Golden Tiki
3939 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
4 PM- 2 AM
You can immediately tell this bar is special from the outside, with island décor surrounding the entry. But it gets even more impressive when the bouncer leads you into a small, extremely dark entry room with a gorgeous water feature against a wall. You'll go through another door, and be transported into what has to be described as an adult-only Tiki Room (from Disneyland). Everyone that I've met there is super cheerful and nice, which makes the experience all the better.
Every inch of the room is covered in themed décor, from grass skirts to shrunken heads. There's even another fountain inside, right next to a 9 foot tall, wooden carved tiki. A night sky is painted on the ceiling of the bar and speckled with shining stars, and colorful paper lanterns hang everywhere else. Classic beach music blares from hidden speakers, and small TVs play rolling clips from 50's luaus and beach flicks.
The cocktails are insane. Every drink has a myriad of exotic ingredients that I, personally, had never heard of, but suddenly need in my life. They do take a while to make each drink, but every one I've had there has been amazing, and I intend to work fully down the list! Keep in mind that right now they are currently limiting each table to two hours. Luckily, they make sure they notify you of the strength of each elixir, so that you can plan accordingly. Their cocktails run about $10-$15 a piece, so heads up, there. And while you're at it, make sure you get something on fire. They will literally set any drink on fire for another dollar.
Mas Por Favor
3879 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
3 PM- 2 AM
This was a tough one to get into. While I recommend getting reservations for both bars, this one will fill up the fastest and it's way harder to get in on stand by. I was able to make a reservation by keeping an eye on their availability and jumping on a reservation the minute they opened it up. Even then, you're limited to two hours at the table and there is a $50 per person minimum.
But, this place is pretty cool, and worth the experience. When you come up to the front of the building, you'll see an industrial style eatery and some tables and chairs. There's a cooler with a few beers near the register. It's nothing to write home about, although the food you can order from the cafe-style counter is pretty yummy and imaginative. Get to the counter and there will likely be a couple of people, both trying to manage the small crowd at the register and answer the phone that is ringing off of the hook. They aren't rude, but they aren't nice, because they don't have to be.
When it's your turn to head in, you'll go to the corner of the room, where you'll pass through an old, discreet barn door with a skull hanging off of it. You'll be led through a dark tunnel with a few torches lighting your way, then pass through another door, and finally into the dark bar.
It's a pretty big room, with murals and hundreds of red roses, leading up to glass chandeliers hanging from pallet boards. There are couches, tables, and a bar to sit at. The cocktails are also delicious, but a little simpler than the Golden Tiki's (and still a little pricey). We drank tequila shots from hollowed out jalapenos, and it was so cool. We had some loaded frito pies and nachos, which were good, but not the best I've ever had.
Like I said, this place is an experience. It was pretty fun and cool to see, but considering how difficult it was to get into, I'm not sure I would go back, just so I could get kicked out after a while to make room for a new table. And they will be by to remind you that several times. When we went, they got us confused with another table that did not have a reservation, in which case they only give you the table for an hour and a half. It got sorted out, but it did make it kind of a frustrating way to spend the last hour of our stay there.
If you're in Vegas and feel like escaping the strip but keeping that fun, eccentric vibe, these are the bars for you. They're emblematic of the exclusive, dramatic, and exciting experience that drives visitors from all over the world to this desert city.
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