Sin City is home to a lot of restaurants and bars, but there are tons of hidden gems that the majority of Las Vegans aren't unearthing. To help guide us to these potential discoveries, we've enlisted some of our city's beverage players to share their recommendations for a random feature dubbed Cocktail Confidential. Know a bartender who wants to share some top cocktail spots? The tipline is open.
A self-described cocktail geek Lillian Hargrove now heads up the beverage program at Rhumbar at the Mirage. Hargrove worked as a cocktail waitress at Aria and the Flamingo Las Vegas swimming pools and even as a bevertainer at the Harrah's Lake Tahoe's Vex Nightclub. Before coming to Rhumbar, she was a mixologist at Vesper Bar at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. She was named Campari's Best Aperitivo Las Vegas champion in 2013, was the 2013 Bombay Sapphire Most Inspired Las Vegas semi-finalist and a 2013 submission winner for the Last Slinger Standing competition. Here she shares some of her favorite places to grab a drink and one restaurant that stays open late where she can find gluten-free pizzas.
Which bars or lounges do you turn to when you're not working?
Herbs & Rye, BLVD Cocktail Company at The Linq and Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak at the Mirage.
Which cocktails are most memorable?
As far as the cocktails are concerned, Herbs & Rye focuses on true-to-original recipes and classics that many forgot after the Prohibition. I can order a Vieux Carre or Ramos Gin Fizz in pure confidence, as well as get a delicious steak, all while being treated like a member of the family. The hospitality provided by Nectaly and his staff goes beyond the "quaint" appearance many on the outside may perceive.
At BLVD Cocktail Company, the "Floridita Von Teese" is a sexy spin on the classic Hemingway Daiquiri featuring Cello Via grapefruit-lime cordial and Cana Brava rum. The live entertainment here is unlike anything else on the Strip; but most importantly, everyone that works there are not only nice, but happy to be there. That makes all the difference in the world.
Heritage Steak inside the Mirage just barely opened, but is quickly growing on me. The cocktail menu is a good one, featuring things like Old Tom Gin and Chartreuse, and it's one of the few places where I can get a good espresso con panna. If you're with friends, you MUST order the ash-roasted bone marrow — and don't forget to do a luge after! They have digestivos to choose from, so sit at the bar and enjoy the view.
How about food?
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, specifically the one on Sahara and Rainbow. I often work late hours, and this spot is open 24/7. The thing that makes it one of my go-to's is that after a late night at work I can hit up any spot in town for shots and chicken fingers, but this place offers their entire healthier menu at any time. Being that I have celiac, it's nice that I can get a gluten-free pizza or quinoa salad at 4 a.m. instead of junk food. They don't really offer "cocktails" but the bartenders are very accommodating and have, more than a few times, stirred up a great Negroni for me upon request.
· All Coverage of Rhumbar [~ELV~]
· All Cocktail Confidentials [~ELV~]
Lillian Hargrove [Photo: Rhumbar]
