12 Best Nightlife in Las Vegas, Nevada

Perched atop the Palms, this apex of ultralounges was one of the first in Las Vegas to put a public area on top of a hotel tower to offer a glassed-in view of the city. Step outside and you'll find that the outdoor "Ghostdeck" is cantilevered over the side of the building, with a Plexiglas platform that allows revelers to look down 450 feet. For the views of the Strip skyline from the 55th floor alone, it's worth the effort. GhostBar opens as early as 7 pm, allowing older patrons equal opportunity before the younger club crowd keeps it hopping until 3 am.

True to its name, this swanky lounge sits under a chandelier with 2 million crystals, which makes it the largest chandelier in town (and, perhaps, the world). The bar is separated into three levels, and each has a different theme and menu. Level 1—dubbed Bottom of The Chandelier, for those of you scoring at home—is a high-energy space, with offerings like the Wheel of Fortune, with rum, mezcal, smoked strawberry, and hibiscus aperitivo. Level 1.5 is dedicated to hand-crafted cocktails for the "true experience seeker," like the Cigar Lover's Manhattan, which comes with a cognac-infused chocolate cigar and the admonition to "take your sweet time." On Level 2 you can get a Champagne Socialist, which also contains spiced pear, vanilla liqueur, citrus, and coco chai syrup. If you're particularly adventuresome (and you can get a seat on the first floor), try the off-menu Verbena cocktail with a "Szechuan button." This desiccated flower from Africa numbs your mouth to make flavors more potent; it also prompts you to down your cocktail in mere seconds. All three levels offer excellent people-watching opportunities. Level 1 is open 24/7; the others have more limited hours.

There's nothing better than a feel-good story in Las Vegas. Sisters Pamela and Christina Dylag saved and scrimped to open this great, velvet-lined cocktail lounge dotted with furniture they found at vintage shops and equipped with beer taps that look like hands. Two different new-ish immersive patio experiences create a true "Alice in Wonderland" vibe. A great cocktail list with a vintage feel and punches are just some of the treasures behind the bar. Regular Wednesday specials mean a number of wines are available for $5 per glass.

Who knew you could have an alibi almost all night long in Las Vegas? This cocktail lounge offers just that—it's open until 3 am nightly—along with bottle service and DJ entertainment Friday through Monday, as well as a creative cocktail list. Alibi is perhaps best suited to those who want a VIP-style experience without waiting in a long line or shelling out extravagant prices.

Definitely not your father’s cigar bar, this sexy lounge filled with sexy people (and known to attract a few celebrities) has a custom-crafted humidor, popular and limited-edition stogies, and a drinks menu tailored to the smokes and designed to foster relaxation.

Ancient statues, tapestry-covered walls, pirated Mississippi road signs—the Foundation Room gets high marks for eclectic aesthetic appeal. Though membership is encouraged and comes with perks, this secluded subsidiary of the House of Blues is open to everyone seven nights a week, provided you're willing to wait in line. Reserve in advance for a reduced cover charge. The venue itself is a series of rooms, each with its own set of design themes and type of music that could range from Top 40 hits to house, depending on the night. A main attraction is the view of the Strip; because the club is on the 43rd floor, it provides some of the best panoramic vistas of the entire town, but the views come with a hefty cover charge.

The sleek, sophisticated Gatsby’s is known for its vintage and rare Champagnes and classic and artisanal cocktails, including one that’s served in a miniature bathtub, complete with rubber duckies. Every first Friday brings the Return of the Gatz, a 1920s-theme party with music and dancing.

Gin is the specialty of the house at Juniper, which is named after one of the berries used to flavor the spirit; in fact, it has the largest selection of gin in Las Vegas. But thirsty patrons can get just about any craft cocktail they wish at this Park MGM lounge. The menu features a curated cocktail program using house-made juices and syrups alongside an expertly selected spirits menu. There's also a live DJ on many nights.

Circles are a big theme at this lounge that fronts Koi restaurant. The motif is repeated in the ceiling and in light patterns projected on the walls, plus the circular banquettes that are great for big groups and lousy for small ones. Be sure to visit during happy hour from 5 to 7 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, when mixologists oblige by offering signature drinks for reasonably discounted prices.

This serenely styled lounge is quite literally at the center of the action in Bellagio. It's smack-dab in the middle of the casino floor, which you can view through windows on two sides. Community-style ottomans lend themselves to conversation. At the bar, expert mixologists pour cocktails made with seasonally fresh ingredients. There's live entertainment from 9 pm to 2 am, Tuesday and Thursday, and 7 to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday. DJs spin Friday and Saturday from 11 pm until the venue closes around 3 am.

Lounges in Las Vegas have lots of varying vistas, but few can equal the Overlook Lounge, which, appropriately, overlooks the Wynn resort’s Lake of Dreams. The interior is elegant, with draping fabrics that seclude it from the adjacent casino, lots of wood grain, crystal lamps on the tables, and a ceiling with ornate moldings. It serves all the classic cocktails, plus a large list of innovative ones created by Wynn’s accomplished mixologist, Mariena Mercer Boarini, that are designed to appeal to all five senses. Try the Hudson, an amber-hued blend of blanco tequila, grapefruit liqueur, thyme, and pink grapefruit bubbles, finished with edible perfume.

Since it's part of The Mob Museum, you may wish to think of The Underground as an immersive and interactive exhibit on Prohibition-era speakeasies. Memorabilia from the 1920s abounds. Period music plays all night long. But it also functions as a working bar, with hand-crafted cocktails, drink specials, and serious bartender sass. There’s even a distillery in a back room—The Underground distills and serves its own special-edition moonshine, and visitors can take guided tours. Admission to the museum gets you in for free, but if you aren’t visiting the museum, check the bar’s Instagram account for the nightly password to give the bouncer at the back door. And be sure to check out some of the secret meeting rooms; one is hidden behind a big painting.