A wise (and thirsty) man once said, "It's 5 o'clock somewhere," and those words resonate well in Laughlin, where cellphones sporadically ping back and forth between Nevada and Arizona time zones.
Is it 5 o'clock? 6 o'clock? Does it matter? If you're stuck on time, you're doing Laughlin wrong. Every minute by the state line we call the Colorado River is meant to be savored. The drinks will flow without fuss, especially if you're testing your luck at one of the local casinos. " As long as you're gambling accordingly, most places will take care of your beverages," says Tiffany Deriggi, a bartender at the Regency casino. "You get complimentary drinks for playing either the max bet or around what the max bet average is."
No matter the casino odds, the Laughlin crowd appreciates a good deal as much as a good drink. No overpriced speakeasies or self-indulgent breweries here. Just an ample supply of bars and lounges to make the easygoing atmosphere of Laughlin just a little more carefree and convenient. "People love to drink beer," Deriggi continues. "Especially in the summer heat, they know we have cold beer, but the Colorado River brings out more of that [hard] seltzer crowd too."
So where should you go for a good drink? Depends on what suits your mood.
An Old Fashioned is in order
The Gourmet Room is easily one of the best restaurants in Laughlin, offering a classic mix of French, Italian, and American cuisine at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort. If you’re here for casual conversation and light bites instead of a lavish multi-course dinner, pull up a seat in the restaurant’s lounge area, anchored by a baby grand piano and a whiskey selection that dominates one half of the drink list. Go with your choice of bourbon, rye, or even cognac, and ask for an Old Fashioned.
You’re looking for a good tequila, sipped neat
Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho is a Mexican restaurant with a party vibe — a fiesta built on the Food Network star's over-the-top, indulgent comfort food. The dining room has plenty of tables, but it's better to sit at the bar and pick your bartender's brain on the agave spirits selection. You may discover a new mezcal or one of five different kinds of Santo, the tequila brand founded by Fieri and rocker Sammy Hagar. El Burro Borracho is also the most high-energy pregame spot at Harrah’s if you’re killing time before a show at the Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater.
Only a cold draft beer will do
Brew Brothers is a tap house at the Tropicana, though just a few of the 16 draft handles carry beers from the Reno brewery of the same. That leaves room for a few Vegas favorites (Big Dog's, Lovelady) plus regional craft legends gone national (Dogfish Head, Firestone Walker). Sip on whatever beer suits your mood while playing video poker, watching the latest game on one of 20 screens, or munching on a charbroiled burger.
You’re in search of a fancy cocktail—maybe a raspberry lemon drop martini
The Martini Lounge at Riverside Resort is a social hotspot that serves as a perfect warm-up spot for dinner destinations like the Gourmet Room or Prime Rib Room. The menu features more than 20 martini variations, ranging from sweeter, tropical cocktails to a classic espresso martini, a favorite for late-nighters who aren't quite ready to call it a night. Don't hesitate to ask about the tequila selection. The Martini Lounge takes pride in its collection of agave spirits, which are best enjoyed on the rocks with a splash of water to bring out their natural flavor.
A great bottle of wine—and a few small bites—with no reservation
The Range Steakhouse is Harrah’s top restaurant, where you can dress up and enjoy a flavorful ribeye or a fresh-sliced prime rib alongside windows overlooking the river. The Range Bar is actually outside the main entrance, serving its own mini-menu of food for walk-ups who didn't plan ahead by booking a dinner reservation. Splurge on a bottle from Caymus, Silver Oak, or Orin Swift.
You’re a free spirit: beer and a shot of anything
The Regency is a small, independent casino between the Aquarius and Edgewater that's long resisted all attempts to be bought out. That independent spirit is reflected in the bar, which serves beer a little colder and pours a little heavier than in other places in Laughlin. The Bloody Mary is also a local fave, especially when sitting down for breakfast at the Chuckwagon restaurant. " We doctor it up with our own little blend of spices and seasonings to make it as spicy as you'd like," Deriggi says. "And we garnish it with asparagus, artichoke hearts, and olives."
A full bar—and video poker—with a view
River Rick's Saloon is one of the best hangouts for video poker in Laughlin, since nearly all 27 machines at the bar face windows overlooking the Colorado River. Known by staff and locals as "River Bar," patrons can also kill time with darts, jukebox music, and a small dance floor that comes alive when live bands make the most of a tight corner stage on weekends. The saloon is framed in wood decor, accentuating an Old West feel that suits the town just fine.
You love a (nearly perpetual) happy hour
The Cove is always ready with an enticing offer at the Aquarius resort, especially during the weekday happy hour when appetizers are $10 and specialty cocktails run $8. Come by Wednesdays for half-price wine bottles, Thursdays for 20 percent off the oyster bar, and either Sunday or Tuesday when locals get a discount on the entire check. Mondays are best, however, when you can save a few bucks on the same pizzas served at River Rock Pizza & Pasta. No matter when you come, the clear, unobstructed views of the Colorado River from The Cove never get old.
