S Bar in Las Vegas offers many ways to enjoy an evening

Let’s make it simple for you. If you’re looking to make plans for a night out, head to S Bar.

That it’s swanky is an understatement. This place is slick and beautiful in décor, but that doesn’t mean that it’s pretentious or hard to get into. The cover is—there is no cover! There is open seating without a food and beverage minimum spend, a rarity in Las Vegas nightlife.

“We want you to feel VIP but not have to be VIP to get in,” said S Bar general manager Tylor Kezar. “S Bar is very much a cocktail-focused, gastropub-style venue. We are unique. We’re boutique. Intimate. We’re a new breath on nightlife.”

Kezar’s descriptors are all correct. Guests have multiple ways to enjoy the night at S Bar. Looking for a meal before the drinks? S Bar offers small plates of specialty dishes; order a few together and it becomes dinner, including delicious desserts.

Onto the cocktails, which feature classics with a twist, and recipes that call for fresh ingredients. Kezar puts three on his list to try, starting with the Blackberry Lavender Lemonade, mixed with Glacier 45 huckleberry vodka, fresh blackberries, lavender simple syrup and fresh lemon juice. “It’s refreshing, berry forward, Pacific Northwest with the blackberry and huckleberry,” Kezar said. Next up, the Lies & Hearsay, with The Botanist gin, fresh basil, basil-infused syrup, fresh strawberries and tonic. Classic comes by way of Kezar’s third suggestion, the Midas’ Manhattan. “It’s very traditional; an upscale Manhattan,” he said. “Very booze forward with a little gold magic.” Served in its vessel alongside a flask also filled with the concoction (two cocktails for one price!), it’s a mix of Bulleit rye, Amaro Nonino liqueur, bitters and gold flakes.

If nothing on S Bar’s cocktail menu piques your interest, don’t fret, as Kezar says that every bartender is fully schooled in the art of cocktail-making. “I inspire my bartenders to be creative and play,” he said. “We want our bartenders to take our guests on a journey. We want you to tell us what direction you’d like to go.”

With cocktail in hand, enjoy S Bar for its entertainment offerings, too. Each night brings something a little different, from live DJ sets to musicians and the venue’s special Late Affair events on Saturdays. When 10 p.m. rolls around on Saturday, S Bar transforms into a fully immersive play space with the Late Affair.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” Kezar said. “There’s going to be performances throughout the venue. Singing and dancing. It may be the person sitting or standing next to you or walking through the door. It’s all-inclusive performances that bring everyone into it. It’s very unique.”

Tips/Insider Knowledge

• Enjoy cocktail hour Tuesday through Saturday from 5-7 p.m. with discounts on champagne!

• S Bar offers some ticketed events that include open bar, meet and greet, passed hors d’oeuvres and live music. On Oct. 19, from 6-10 p.m., spend the evening with artist Bran Baxter Symondson for $66 per person.

• Raiders fan? Join S Bar every time the Raiders play a home game beginning at 1 p.m. for its Silver & Black pregame party. Special game-day cocktails and bites are available as well as televised earlier games. Entry is free.

Mandalay Bay, 702.632.7707

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