Aria's Future Burger Lounge Might Not Be The Last

Southern California's Burger Lounge is confirmed to arrive on Aria's casino floor this spring, but already the California-only chain is weighing their options for future Las Vegas expansions. The San Diego Union-Tribune was the first to extract a reaction from their local burger brand, who are cautiously optimistic about their first move outside of the state.

Burger Lounge will fill the footprint of recently shuttered coffee kiosk The Roasted Bean with an eye to serving the neighboring poker room. The card men and women lost a quick burger meal option in 2013 when the SkyBox Sports Bar & Grill closed to make way for Shawn McClain's FIVE50 pizza bar.

The Burger Lounge design will be executed by San Diego's Studio MYID, who have been working in tandem with the company since their first restaurant launched in 2007.

The Union-Tribune reports Aria will be footing the bill for construction and operation. The 1,325-square-foot project has a current construction budget estimated to reach $923,000. In return, Burger Lounge will "help oversee the venue" in the profit sharing venture. CEO J. Dean Loring explained to the paper. MGM Resorts first approached him "a few years ago" about a partnership. Burger Lounge is noted for attracting a clientele perceived as youthful and "upscale."

Burger Lounge - Photo: Bradley Martin

Work on the project has already begun and the resort has boldly predicted a March debut. For CEO Loring, sharing the risk with MGM has allowed him to consider more outposts for the "home of the grass-fed burger" and organic wheat and white flour buns:

"Depending on how our experience goes with Aria, we may may have an interest in opening additional locations in Vegas, either on the Strip partnering with MGM or in other areas in Vegas."