Vegas: dive bar, downtownish, great burgers?

[VictorFiorillo]

Sorry for the vague question here, but a friend of mine is heading to Vegas tomorrow and I want her to check out this bar I went to a few years ago that had very good burgers. Here's what I remember: they definitely served a lot of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Very comfortable, neighborhood/dive kind of place. Older crowd. It was in Lonely Planet which touted it as the kind of place where judges and politicians liked to hang out. It was definitely on the outskirts of Downtown. Maybe 8-10 blocks from the "Fremont Street Experience". Any ideas?

[Chris Cognac]

Would that be the Double Down? they have Bacon martinis....rancid tasting! Total Dive...its on Koval I think, near UNLV...I went there w some Chefs from Guy Savoy and Bradley Ogden.....wow....live punk band....Bourdain had mentioned he went there....its much like the place he drinks at in NYC....worth the trip just to see it...

[Melanger]

Would that be the Double Down? they have Bacon martinis....rancid tasting! Total Dive...its on Koval I think, near UNLV...I went there w some Chefs from Guy Savoy and Bradley Ogden.....wow....live punk band....Bourdain had mentioned he went there....its much like the place he drinks at in NYC....worth the trip just to see it...

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I met my husband there... But alas, they do not serve food, they merely have a vending machine, and puke insurance.

[the g-man]

After reading this thread, I will be descending on the Double Down Saloon when I am in town next weekend. There is a punk rock band playing there the night that I plan to go; I looked up the band on You Tube and found a video from one of their shows where the singer assaults various audience members wearing nothing but a thong. Good times.

On the old school Las Vegas tip, another place that looks interesting is the Peppermill. It sounds like vintage '70s lounge. Anyone else been there? Should I go early (like before dinner) or late?

[Chris Cognac]

We almost got in a fight there when I went w the chefs while I was filming the pilot for Hungry Detective...some drunk idiot lookin for a brawl.....we used out better judgment and left after the martini's....its an interesting place to say the least!

[Melanger]

After reading this thread, I will be descending on the Double Down Saloon when I am in town next weekend.  There is a punk rock band playing there the night that I plan to go; I looked up the band on You Tube and found a video from one of their shows where the singer assaults various audience members wearing nothing but a thong.  Good times. 

On the old school Las Vegas tip, another place that looks interesting is the Peppermill.  It sounds like vintage '70s lounge.  Anyone else been there?  Should I go early (like before dinner) or late?

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Ahhh. the Peppermill, the land that time forgot...blue velvet banquettes, a romantic firepit, little jars of peanuts and "the scorpion" (watch out, it'll sting you!). This would be where I went on my first date with my now husband. (No, there is no trend...) Go later (as with everything in Las Vegas) the people watching just gets better, so do the rather frequent heated arguments. Let's just say what's been happening in Sheboygan doesn't necessarily stay in Sheboygan and the baggage didn't necessarily get left in the hotel room. Mmmm, the domestic fireworks of strangers. Nevertheless, it's cool, you'll dig it and if you're hungry after or in need of cocktail padding check out the coffee shop out front the portions are huge and not bad.

As for the Double Down, I am afraid that it has mellowed a bit with age. Gone is the midget porn, the carousel pony and those wonderful nights of drinking outside (can you say crackdown). As for location it is right near the Hard Rock (think one block south and half a block east). Don't even think about trying to park on a weekend night, the DD is surrounded by most of the gay clubs in LV and it is a big party scene on the weekend. Your best bet is to take a cab or pay the guy at the massage parlor across the street ten bucks for the "right" to park in their lot, but that's always seemed really shady, even by my standards.

[psychobombshell]

Maybe the Bunkhouse on 11th & Fremont? I know they have a great menu with lots of burgers ! and it's in the heart of all the lawyer's offices!

Edited November 28, 2006 by psychobombshell (log)