Wondering how to plan a Las Vegas bar crawl? Picking a specific area is the best way to go; it’s not a “crawl” if you get back in the car, right? Downtown Las Vegas is a great place to embark on such an adventure—and we made it easy for you with a focus on the neighborhood’s colorful Arts District.
Although it’s called 18b for the 18 blocks that originally made up the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District, we won’t expect you to visit 18 bars … although you could if you wanted to in this buzzy area. Instead, we made a short list of popular options that fit the quirky vibe you’d expect from an area filled with artists, vintage shops and galleries.
Plus, this special Las Vegas bar crawl will satisfy everyone in your group no matter what their preferred drink is, whether it’s beer, wine, cocktails or mocktails. What’s more, you’ll encounter diverse settings from a 1970s basement to a sunken pirate ship.
And if you plan your bar crawl for a First Friday (held on the first Friday of each month), you’ll experience some added excitement as local vendors, food trucks, musicians and more descend upon the area for the festivities. We’ve mapped it all out for you, so let’s go…
What started as a modest production showing up at beer festivals has turned into one of downtown’s most popular breweries. Able Baker Brewing Company has evolved to be a fun-loving taproom space, serving its signature craft beer alongside a menu of craveable bites. And if you’re not in a traditional beer mood, then Chris Kael’s Root Beer’d goes down smooth without the ABV. The Arts District Kitchen, located within the brewpub, serves up delicious selections from tacos and salads to nom-nom-nom appetizers. Try their Signature BBQ Pork Bánh Mì.
After, it’s time to check out the eclectic and lively, ReBAR. This unique bar doubles as an antique shop and is known for its live music and weekend events. Drink specials rotate weekly, or go for a beer, cocktail or mocktail. Plus, with a variety of bites on the menu, you can easily fuel up with a delicious snack.
Next up is The Silver Stamp. This spot will please the beer drinkers in your group with its huge selection of drafts, bottles and cans. Don’t be fooled by the modest exterior, because the retro wood paneling, Christmas lights and dinette sets will have you feeling right at home (in the ’70s) as soon as you walk through the door. In keeping with the basement hangout feel, a hot dog and some pickled eggs will go perfectly with your beer selection.
You’ll stick with the beer theme as you head to Servehzah Bottle Shop and Tap Room. (Ser-veh-zah? Get it? Yeah, it took us a minute too.) The vibe is Latin, but the beers are from around the world. You can get an updated tap list on its website, which is handy if you have something particular in mind. And don’t worry, cocktail aficionados, the bartenders here will take care of you … or, better yet, try a flight of micheladas. For food, you can check its Instagram to see which food truck is scheduled for the day or show up and be surprised.
Your next stop takes you from the taproom to the sunken ship that is Stray Pirate. Walking through the door takes you into a cozy undersea world with dark wood paneling and fish tanks in the walls. Although some label it a tiki bar, it’s far from it. Rather, Stray Pirate is described as a “tropical bar with an escapist vibe.” And since it’s owned by cocktail guru Chris Guiterrez, you know drinks like Stray Dog Grog and Buck-O-Neer will be some of the best cocktails you’ll have in the destination. Or choose a sophisticated mocktail for this stop—because remember, a Vegas bar crawl is more of a marathon than a sprint!
Next up is Velveteen Rabbit, but you’ll need to have secured reservations in advance to enter this intimate venue. The space is whimsy and charming, so much so that happy hour is called “Magic Hour.” Sit among the mismatched antique chairs under chandeliers while sipping seasonal cocktails like Queen’s Cup, made with cucumber and Lady Grey tea-infused gin. Alice in Wonderland, anyone? Or munch on bar bites on the patio, immersed in pink with a mural of pink flowers, a pink floor, pink chairs and pink-striped umbrellas.
After that whimsical jaunt, get ready to enjoy some reggae at Jammyland, a Caribbean cocktail bar. Dive into some delicious eats with Jamaican favorites like beef patties, jerk chicken, sliders, rice and peas, and sweet potato fries. But hey, it’s still a bar crawl, so order up one of its famous rum cocktails to enjoy with your meal.
Now that you know where you’re bar crawling, find out what you’re going to do the day after! Check out the latest entertainment that this incredible destination has to offer and be sure to browse our 2024 trip planning guide.