RM Seafood’s Erika Lizzio Chats About Her Favorite Drinks in Las Vegas

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.

Erika Lizzio, the lead bartender at RM Seafood at Mandalay Place, helped create the new cocktails on the menu, including Butterfly Kisses, made with Empress 1908 Gin, St. Germain, English cucumber-basil shrub, and Key lime. Lizzio has been in the industry for more than 21 years, starting her career at Lucky Strike Hollywood, then eventually as a bartender at Lavo at the Palazzo. Here she shares some of her favorite places to drink in Las Vegas.

Which bars or lounges do you turn to when you’re not working?

It definitely depends on my mood. I love Oak & Ivy at Downtown Container Park. The vibe down there is very unique and fun. After my shifts sometimes, I like to head down to Stripsteak and enjoy one of their curated cocktails. Every month they offer a new cocktail and it’s fun to see what they come up with. I also love Jaleo at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. They have a really good happy hour. When I’m feeling super retro, I like to head to Starboard Tack. They have a great old school feel and an incredible selection of cocktails.

Of those places, which cocktails are most memorable?

If I had to pick the most memorable, it would have to be a Caipirinha from Caio, the lead bartender at Jaleo. He’s the one that taught me how to make one, the right way. Being from Brazil, he really knows his stuff. All of his cocktails are great, but I have a really hard time ordering anything else from there because it’s so yummy. Shouldn’t break a tradition, right?

Why do you enjoy going there?

Stripsteak has a great bar staff and nice selection of booze. I’ve never had a cocktail there I haven’t liked. They also have really good duck fat French fries. Oak & Ivy also has amazing drinks and you can’t beat their atmosphere. Their patio is gorgeous and great for a beautiful night out in Vegas. At Jaleo, their staff is always so welcoming.

Are there any outstanding coffee cocktails that you enjoy? Where do you go?

I always go straight to Ri Ra for their super delicious Irish coffees. Not only is it a fun place to be with their live music and friendly staff, but they also have more Irish whisky than you can ever imagine.

What about breakfast or brunch drinks? Where do you go?

Brunching is one of my favorite things to do and there are so many great stops in Vegas for a good brunch. I’m a bloody Mary type of girl, so my top choice is Honey Salt. They offer an all-you-can-drink option.

Where do you like to stop for a wide selection of beer?

There are so many bars that offer a great selection of beer, but my personal favorite is Eureka!, which just opened downtown. Their list is extensive, and they have something for everyone, whether you’re looking for an ale or a lager.

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