clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

35 Reasons to Love Las Vegas in the Summer

View as Map

2008_10_hasmaps.jpgSummer is a hard time to live in Las Vegas. The heat is exhausting, work is slow and if there's no vacation on the horizon, you might just go crazy. Thankfully, the summer is also one of the best times to enjoy the bars and restaurants of this city. Here's a list of 35 reasons to love Las Vegas dining in the summertime:

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

BLT Burger

Copy Link

Instead of camping, go for the Campfire Milkshake at BLT Burger with vanilla ice cream and toasted marshmallows that can be spiked.

Burger Bar

Copy Link

Go adult with a float by adding beer in concoctions such as the Beer Float Paddle at Burger Bar. This sampler of five different beer floats is the perfect treat when looking to cool off on a summer day. With ever-changing combinations of ice cream flavors and beers, diners are always in for a delicious surprise.

Commonwealth

Copy Link

Commonwealth will keep the beats going all summer long in Downtown Las Vegas with rooftop performances during its weekly event aptly called “Wednesdays.” The event features live music by talent from Las Vegas, New York, England and more. Partygoers can view art installations throughout the venue. New signature cocktails created by Mixologist Juyoung Kang will feature Stoli vodka to accommodate both the “Common” and “Wealth” menus.

Daylight Beach Club

Copy Link

Pool parties galore. Celebrate the sun in the newest pool party, Daylight Beach Club at Mandalay Bay.

Pool with lounge chairs and stage

Dos Caminos

Copy Link

Put together the guacamole at Dos Caminos and the new patio and you have the perfect respite for summer.

For Goodness Shake

Copy Link

The shakes for a cause make their debut on today. Right now!

Gordon Ramsay BurGR

Copy Link

Pops made with salted peanut ice cream and layers of sticky toffee pudding? Yes, please.

Holsteins Shakes and Buns

Copy Link

Adult shakes. Need we say more? The Bam-Boozled Shakes at Holsteins Shakes and Buns come in 13 different Bam-Boozled flavors including the Cereal Bowl made with Cap'n Crunch and Absolut Vanilla, the Drunken Monkey made with Reese’s, banana, malt and Frangelico, the Birthday Cake made with 3 Olives Cake Vodka, birthday cake crumble, vanilla ice cream and sprinkles and the Campfire S'mores made with Smirnoff Marshmallow Vodka, chocolate, marshmallow and graham crumble.

Hyde Bellagio

Copy Link

There’s nothing quite like a shandy in the summer, and now Hyde has a strawberry version made with Ciroc Red Berry Vodka and lager beer muddled with fresh strawberries. Summer in a glass.

Lakeside

Copy Link

Head to Lakeside for the Oyster Happy Hour daily from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Lappert's Ice Cream

Copy Link

This hidden gem inside the California Hotel sells Hawaiian ice creams with more macadamia nuts than should be allowed by law. Specialty flavors include Kauai Pie with a mix of Kona coffee ice cream, fudge, shredded coconut and macadamia nuts.

Lobster ME

Copy Link

Go lobstertastic with lobster shooters, lobsicles, lobster mac and cheese and the quintessential lobster roll. Bonus: locals land 20 percent off.

Lola's - A Louisiana Kitchen

Copy Link

Not hot enough for you? Head to Lola’s for Cajun crawfish. That will get you hot.

Minus5° Ice Lounge

Copy Link

The coolest place in Vegas this summer? Minus5 Ice Bar inside Mandalay Bay and the Monte Carlo. While it's pushing 100 degree outside during the summer, it's always a cool minus five degrees in the ice bar. Until the end of June, guests can skip the sweaty pool parties and don their bikinis in the ice bar. Minus5 Ice Bar is offering free entry for ladies in bikinis before 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

There’s no better patio in Vegas than the floating pagoda at Mizumi. It sits within the Japanese eco-garden and pond at Wynn Las Vegas. The small group of tables here sit on this wood dock near the center of the pond in view of the waterfall as well as peaking in at the restaurant.

The Neapolitan

Copy Link

Cool off poolside with cocktails combined with ice cream at Neapolitan. The bevy of treats here includes alcohol-infused, liquid nitrogen-charged sorbets, shakes, popsicles and blended frozen drinks.

Nora's Italian Cuisine

Copy Link

When drinking Negronis — gin, campari, sweet vermouth and prosecco — head to Nora’s Cuisine to sip it like a true Italian, Vespa not included.

Park on Fremont

Copy Link

Take dining outdoors and add some games to it at Park on Fremont. The garden patio features art by Mark Ryden, Peter Gronquist and Mark Mothersbaughs and an outdoor hopscotch game for adults.

The Pool At Bellagio

Copy Link

Childhood favorite Snow Cones get an adult twist spiked with alcohol. The Simple Cherry has Skyy cherry vodka, cherry syrup and house-made salted caramel sauce. Guests can grab a spoon and escape the heat with this intoxicating blend.

Poppy Den

Copy Link

Must order dish for the summer? The watermelon salad with feta cheese.

Ra Sushi

Copy Link

Nothing says summer quite like watermelon. Only through the end of July, Ra Sushi has a watermelon kiwi shrimp dish and watermelon margarita pairing for $18. Guests can purchase separately ($10 for the dish, $8 for the cocktail).

Red Square

Copy Link

Nothing is cooler than sipping a vodka from the Ice Bar at Red Square, unless it’s having a cold drink in the private vodka locker.

Rehab Pool Party

Copy Link

Rehab, the original pool party, turns 10 this summer, and any time something sticks around for that long in Vegas is a reason to celebrate.

Rice & Company

Copy Link

Not hot enough for you, try Rice & Company's Fire Breathing Dragon Roll with its mountain of spice that Heat Seekers Aaron Sanchez and Roger Mooking discovered

Rick Moonen RM Seafood

Copy Link

Need a reason to play games? Rick Moonen offers a dessert called Rick’s Tasting Game with 16 favors of ice cream and sorbet served blind for $18. Guests who can name all 16 flavors in his ice cream tasting get the dessert for free. Flavors change often and can be as exotic as foie gras, or as simple as vanilla. Only a handful of people have been able to guess all flavors.

Rollin Smoke Barbeque

Copy Link

Skip doing the barbecue yourself and head over to Rollin Smoke for some of the best Southern-style proteins in Vegas.

Scarlet Bar

Copy Link

Sure, drinks served inside fruit are a reason to celebrate summer. Scarlet’s Coming in 90 Seconds, all puns intended, comes with orange flower water and fresh pineapple juice, Peruvian brandy and sparkling wine. Served in a pineapple, it’s the perfect drink to stay cool, enjoy with a partner and relax with after a long day in the sun for $36.

Serendipity 3

Copy Link

Vegas is notorious for its scorpions. Go for a kinder, gentler version with the Scorpion Bowl with Leblon Cachaca, Cruzan Light and Myer’s Original Dark rums, orange juice, orgeat syrup and fresh sour mix and is served on the Wake Up Happy cocktail menu at Serendipity 3 for $14.

Make like a tourist and walk down the Strip with a frozen cocktail in a novelty holder. The newest? The bling bottles at Shiver in front of Planet Hollywood Resort, only $24 filled with a frozen cocktail and $10 for a refill on the 46-ounce champagne bottle.

Sugar Factory American Brasserie

Copy Link

Cool down with liquid nitrogen cocktails such as the Blow Pop, consisting of Three Olives Bubble Gum vodka, DK Apple Pucker, fresh lemon sour, green apple syrup and — as you may have guessed — a Sour Apple Blow Pop on top.

Sushi Roku

Copy Link

Sushi Roku celebrates the warm weather with its annual Summer Break menu. The $45 per person pre-fixe dinner menu, available through Labor Day, includes a trio of appetizers that include Kobe meatballs, albacore sashimi with garlic aioli and shrimp dim sum with dashi broth; chicken salad Chinois; tuna, yellowtail, salmon, albacore and whitefish sushi with an albacore and avocado roll; grilled petite filet with shitake mushroom tempura and truffle mayo; raspberry bread pudding with caramel gelato; and fresh fruit and sorbet.

T-Bones Chophouse and Lounge

Copy Link

Summer is the season for sweet corn. At T-bones Chophouse, they serve Aspen corn, a sweet white corn from the farmers market in Santa Monica served off the cob and charred, tossed with cilantro lime butter and topped with cotija cheese and chipotle mayo.

Tacos & Tequila

Copy Link

Why not? Can’t decide on a beer or a margarita? Combine them with the Chonga, a 54-ounce frozen margarita with two upside down 7-ounce Sol beers that flow directly into the giant margarita, priced at $20