If you ask Kimberley Hughes why Park MGM is one of the best spots to drink, dine and have fun, she’d say, “We have, by far, the best bars in the city,” not to mention the proximity to T-Mobile Arena and its slate of ome of the best artists in the world—Cher, Lady Gaga, Aerosmith and Bruno Mars. “It’s unlike any experience you can get anywhere else on the Strip.”
Hughes has worked at the property as the general manager of lounges for the past few years, overseeing Juniper Cocktail Lounge, BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar and Mama Rabbit (where we conducted the shoot and interview); and recently she was promoted to general manager for Roy Choi’s Best Friend.
One of her passion projects during her time as general manager of lounges was helping to open Mama Rabbit in 2019. “Bricia Lopez was the cultural liaison on the project,” says the Portland, Ore., native. “She wanted to open a place that was reflective of Oaxaca, Mexico, and have it be authentic. It was my job was to execute her vision. Mama Rabbit is the best of both worlds. You can really appease any expert level tequila or mezcal drinker, or you can also find things that a beginner will like.”
As a level two cicerone, and with more than a decade of bartending experience, Hughes had to learn all about tequila and mezcal—when Mama Rabbit first opened there were 500 selections. “I did a lot of training on mezcal and tequila,” she says. “It made me a fan of mezcal.”
And Hughes continues to be a fan of the property she helped grow. “I started my career in Portland, but I could never have the experiences I’ve had here,” she says. “Where else could I work next to Lady Gaga and meet all of her people that work with her? That would never happen anywhere else than Vegas and Park MGM. The number of high-profile clients, plus all the guests from all walks of life, it’s what I love most about working here.”
Libation: Fuenteseca
Nowhere else in the city can you try this specially bottled tequila. Fuenteseca partnered with MGM Resorts and made special barrels of the brand’s very first extra añejo tequila. “They added up all the years of tequila that Fuenteseca currently makes and blended them all together to total 100 years, resulting in a specially barreled extra añejo that you can only get at Mama Rabbit,” Hughes says. “It’s best to drink straight up with no ice. You’ll taste top notes of pink peppercorn with hints of vanilla and wood.”
Benefit: Enjoy live music and free salsa dancing lessons during Latin Night every Thursday beginning at 9 p.m.
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