With a name like The Shag Room, how could one not expect a fun time? This groovy lounge at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has decadent décor, reminiscent of 1960s Morocco or a bohemian glamping experience complete with Persian carpets, long, luxurious draping, candles and low, cushy seating with soft fabrics. Tons of open seating is situated around the lounge, but there are also semi-private, tent-like spaces that you can reserve for that extra-special experience. “It’s a great vibe at The Shag Room,” said Kristian Brandreth, director of food and beverage for Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. “You can come and relax and enjoy a nice cocktail and music. It’s intimate, more personalized service here.”
One of the best days to experience The Shag Room is on Sundays for its weekly Upside Down Tea Party—an adult, boozy high tea experience. Live music from popular Las Vegas performer Elise Victoria sets the vibe as she sings Top 40s and pop music, backed by her band. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. and guests can indulge in some really beautiful boozy teapot cocktails and fun specialty cocktails that come in pictureworthy cups. For just $49 per person, you can choose one teapot plus get a tiered plating of sweet and savory treats.
Popular boozy teapots include the Botanical Bee’s Knees with Ketel One Botanicals Peach & Orange Blossom vodka, Chamomile tea, honey syrup and lemon juice. The White Lotus, served in one of the coolest looking teapots ever, is a mix of Suntory Japanese whiskey, Good Fortune mango calamansi tea, Caribbean pineapple liqueur and firewater bitters. For wine lovers, try the Chia Masala Mulled Wine served inside a llama-shaped glass, made with merlot, orange juice, honey and vanilla. For something sweeter, chocolate lovers should try the Min-Tea Mexican Hot Chocolate served inside a pot shaped like a flamingo. The cocktail is mixed with El Jimador blanco tequila, Abuelita Mexican hot chocolate, agave syrup and whipped cream, and is the perfect antidote for that winter chill.
The small bites, all made fresh and in-house, are super-duper delicious, beginning with the sweets like the Midnight macaron, made with black cocoa almond cookies, black cocoa ganache and salted caramel. Other treats include a vanilla bean panna cotta, blood orange French-style fruit gummies and a chef’s selection of bonbons. On the savory side, bite into little tea sandwiches like the cucumber and cream cheese or the Serrano ham and brie, and savor the chicken curry gougère, a petite pastry filled with almonds, raisins, celery salad and mango chutney.
The Shag Room include a fun open-mic night every Wednesday. “Any talent that people want to feature, get up onstage!” said Brandreth. The night draws up to a dozen performers. On Friday nights, enjoy That Vegas Duo, which plays country and classic rock tunes, and on Saturday nights, perhaps The Shag Room’s most hyped night, enjoy Pop 40, a live band featuring singer Lily Acre, playing Top 40 hits.
Attached to The Shag Room is The Bar at Commons Club, another bar and a lounge space that welcomes a DJ on the weekends. Enjoy all the live music for free—no cover charge! Now that’s one of the grooviest, shaggiest things about The Shag Room!
Perk: Open-mic night winners can go on to win a quarterly competition and score their own night to perform at The Shag Room.
Schedule:
Sunday: Upside Down Tea Party (Noon-4 p.m.)
Wednesday: Open-mic night (8 p.m.-1 a.m.)
Thursday: Rotating live music (8 p.m.-1 a.m.)
Friday: That Vegas Duo (9 p.m.-1 a.m.)
Saturday: Pop 40 (8 p.m.-midnight)
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 702.693.5000
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