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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.
Chloe Helfand wants to learn something new about wine every day and pay it forward. The lead sommelier at José Andrés’ Bazaar Meat at SLS Las Vegas was a veteran of nightlife management in New York City before she moved to Las Vegas and was a stay-at-home mother. She jumped back into the business as the opening general manager of Double Helix at the Palazzo, and then trained as a sommelier at David Burke at the Venetian. She worked as a wine manager of both The Country Club and Tableau, and then opened Lakeside, the sister restaurant to SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas. By 2012, she moved to La Cave to be the wine director before becoming a part of the team at SLS Las Vegas in July 2014. Right now, she’s working toward her advanced level certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, as well as additional training in beer and sake. She’s also the wine chair for Taste of the Nation's Share Our Strength. Here, she shares three places she likes to imbibe when she’s not working.
Which bars do like to drink at when you’re not working?
There are several! I like to go to different bars to drink depending on the occasion. Here are a few of my favorites.
My usual haunt: Herbs & Rye
My hideaway: The 23rd floor of Mandarin Oriental at Mandarin Bar
My homage to the great: Jaleo
What drinks are most memorable?
I’ll go to Herbs & Rye for a Negroni. At Mandarin Bar the Smoke and Mirrors cocktail is sexy and different, and when I grow up I want to be just like José Andrés and drink a gin and tonic out of a porron, so a gin and tonic is a must at Jaleo.
Why do you enjoy going there?
I enjoy Herbs & Rye because of the music environment, and it’s always a great time for a classic cocktail. Mandarin Bar is sleek, futuristic and I love the intimate setting. And José Andrés is my hero, so Jaleo never disappoints.
