The Laundry Room is a true speakeasy in form and function. The space was originally a laundry room for guests of the El Cortez Hotel & Casino across the street. People like Liberace, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin had their dirty laundry made clean. (“Bugsy Siegel had that questionable smudge removed from his trouser leg before meeting with the lawyers,” according to The Laundry Room.)
More than half a century later, the room still keeps secrets by serving as a very intimate speakeasy (capacity is less than two dozen people). There are also speakeasy rules: no talking on the phone, no standing at the bar and the biggie, no photography—meaning no selfies and no snaps of your cocktail. “In the true idea of a speakeasy—there’s supposed to be no record of it,” said Anthony Partridge, lead bar manager/bartender.
The speakeasy experience continues to the menu, no shots at this bar! “We are very much a cocktail venue,” Partridge said. “(The Laundry Room) is like having sit-down service for cocktails. Unlike the loud, boisterous nightclub, it takes after an elevated sit-down experience.” Here, you’ll need to have patience, as the cocktails are made with precision and care, which takes time. But it’s sooo worth it—these are some of the best cocktails you’ll have in Las Vegas, and that’s thanks to Partridge, who created the menu, and his team.
The menu is broken down into the “mother cocktails” (classic cocktails), which Partridge uses as a base to create a completely new or altered taste experience.
Three standout examples include the Foreshadowing, a take on the Old-Fashioned. This one is pink, thanks to the use of rhubarb gin, and is mixed with Alpine liqueur, elderflower, habanero bitters and rosemary. “You’ll catch that fruit, floral value up front,” Partridge said. “And you will get a nice, spiced finish, and minted finish from the Alpine liqueur.”
Then there’s An-Teaked, a take on a tiki cocktail from the sours category. It's made with dark rum, German amaro, pineapple, lime, vanilla, mint and nutmeg. “We’re not a tiki venue, but if you have a tiki hankering, it’s got those characteristics,” he said.
And finally there's the Viva Lav Crem (one of the best cocktails this writer has ever tried!), based off the classic brandy Alexander and mixed with rum, heavy cream, lemon, vanilla and lavender. “It’s not overtly sweet,” he said. “Somewhere between the lavender bitters and the scratch of lemon juice, it really balances everything out.”
We say it’s near impossible if the menu selection doesn’t appeal, but if you can’t pick one, no worries; there’s a long list of flavors at the back of the menu. Pick five and the mixologist does the rest.
“As far as The Laundry Room experience, I really get the chance to give people something they haven’t tasted before,” Partridge said. “I ... construct something for them rather than ply them with alcohol. The experience is a little more noteworthy in that respect. People will say it’s the best experience they’ve ever had.
"I always tell people I’m not approaching a drink; I’m approaching a palate.”
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Perk: To access The Laundry Room, you must make a reservation on laundryroomlv.com. But how do you find the place? Look for Commonwealth in the Fremont East District. Step to the big red doors, ask for security, tell them you have a reservation, and the next steps will be falling down the rabbit hole.
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