Local Guide to the Best Bars Near Mandalay Bay Las Vegas 🍸

When it comes to Las Vegas nightlife, Mandalay Bay is a glittering hotspot on the Strip packed with lounges, poolside bars, and hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. But if you ask locals where they really hang out after work or during a laid-back night out, you’ll find that it’s not always the places with neon lights or celebrity DJs.

This guide gives you a local’s inside scoop on the best bars near Mandalay Bay Las Vegas from craft cocktail lounges and chill sports bars to Atomic Golf high-energy bar scene where fun meets flavor. Whether you’re here for conventions, concerts, or just a night of good drinks and better company, we’ve got your Vegas night mapped out.

🍹 1. Atomic Golf – Where Locals Play, Drink & Unwind

📍 Location: 1850 S Main St, Las Vegas (Just minutes from Mandalay Bay)
🍸 Vibe: Interactive, high-energy, yet surprisingly local

Atomic Golf isn’t just a place to tee off; it’s one of Vegas’s coolest bar experiences, blending golf games, good food, and craft drinks all under one massive roof. Locals love coming here for its unbeatable mix of play and chill.

Step into Atomic Golf and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a high-tech playground for adults, complete with neon-lit bays, lounge seating, and a bar that serves up everything from craft cocktails to draft beers.

Atomic Golf Las Vegas Party

Why Locals Love It:

🍺 Four unique bars in one venue, each with its own vibe.
🍹 Signature drinks like the Atomic Mule and Cosmic Margarita.
🍔 Lunch and dinner menus featuring elevated comfort food (don’t miss the Wagyu sliders and crispy chicken sandwich).
🎯 Interactive games, perfect for unwinding with friends or coworkers.
🎶 Live DJs and events that keep the energy going all week long.

Locals know it’s one of the few places that checks every box fun, food, and a casual, community feel. Whether you’re hitting the range or just grabbing a cocktail at The Cosmic Lounge, Atomic Golf near Mandalay Bay is your go-to for a memorable night out that’s more than just drinks.

👉 Pro Tip: Plan to visit during Happy Hour for exclusive drink specials and shorter wait times before the nighttime crowd hits.

🔗 Explore Atomic Golf’s Bars & Drinks 🍸

🍻 2. 1923 Prohibition Bar – A Hidden Speakeasy Under Mandalay Bay

📍 Location: Inside Mandalay Bay, near The Shoppes at Mandalay Place
🥃 Vibe: Hidden, classy, and authentically vintage

If you love a bar with a story, 1923 Prohibition Bar is a must. Tucked away under Mandalay Bay, this speakeasy transports you straight into the roaring 1920s. Think plush leather couches, smooth jazz, and bartenders who actually know how to make an old-fashioned the right way.

This is a local favorite for date nights or after-work drinks. Locals often recommend it as the perfect escape from the usual Strip chaos, you can actually hear your conversation while sipping a whiskey neat.

Try This:

🥃 The Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned
🍯 Honey Sidecar
🍫 Chocolate Whiskey Martini

Local Tip: Ask the bartender for their off-menu whiskey flight. It’s a hit among Vegas bartenders themselves.

🍸 3. Foundation Room – Classy Views, Laid-Back Vibe

📍 Location: 63rd Floor, Mandalay Bay
🍷 Vibe: Rooftop sophistication with local swagger

Locals might joke that the Foundation Room has the best “view with a drink,” but they’re not wrong. Perched atop Mandalay Bay, this rooftop bar offers panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip, perfect for sunset cocktails or late-night toasts.

While tourists visit for the view, locals love the hidden weekday happy hours and the fact that it’s never too crowded before 10 PM.

Local Picks:

🍸 The “Mandalay Mule”
🥂 Cucumber Gimlet
🍤 Pair it with bar bites like lobster flatbread or truffle fries

The dress code leans upscale, but the energy feels more like a private club than a tourist trap. It’s a great place to bring out-of-town guests when you want to impress without losing that authentic Vegas vibe.

🍺 4. Eyecandy Sound Lounge – Music-Driven, Stylish, and Fun

📍 Location: Mandalay Bay Casino Floor
🎧 Vibe: Modern lounge meets dance floor

Locals love Eyecandy for its seamless blend of music and mixology. It’s one of those places that’s effortlessly cool, DJs spin live sets, lights pulse to the beat, and the drinks are as photogenic as they are flavorful.

Whether you’re here for a pre-concert hangout or a late-night cocktail run, Eyecandy gives you that pure Vegas energy without the nightclub cover charge.

Local Favorites:

🍹 Passionfruit Mojito
🍸 Vegas Berry Splash
🍒 Cherry Blossom Martini

🍷 5. Ri Ra Irish Pub – The Local’s Irish Hideaway 🍀

📍 Location: The Shoppes at Mandalay Place
🍀 Vibe: Cozy, friendly, authentic Irish charm

Ri Ra Irish Pub is one of those places where locals feel right at home. Between the warm wood interiors, hearty pub food, and live Irish music, it’s as close to Dublin as you’ll get in the desert.

It’s also one of the most underrated happy hour spots near Mandalay Bay, with cold pints, whiskey tastings, and friendly bartenders who remember your name.

Top Picks:

🍺 Guinness on Tap (of course)
🥃 Jameson Tasting Flight
🧀 Pub nachos or the Irish chicken curry

Locals come here for a post-shift pint or casual meet-up before heading downtown a genuine Vegas gem that feels worlds away from the Strip chaos.

🍹 6. Skyfall Lounge – Sunset Views & Champagne Nights 🥂

📍 Location: Delano Las Vegas, 64th Floor
🌇 Vibe: Elevated, chill, romantic

Skyfall Lounge is technically next door to Mandalay Bay (inside Delano), but it’s a local favorite for after-dinner drinks or romantic nights. Locals know it’s one of the best-kept secrets for sunset views, you can see the entire Strip light up as day turns to night.

What to Try:

🍸 Skyfall Spritz
🥂 Champagne Flight
🍤 Small plates like crab cakes or flatbreads

It’s upscale but not pretentious, making it perfect for locals who want something special without the nightclub crowd.

🍸 7. Rhythm & Riffs Lounge – The Underrated Gem 🎷

📍 Location: Mandalay Bay Casino floor
🎶 Vibe: Live music meets local lounge energy

Not every great bar near Mandalay Bay is about flashy cocktails. Rhythm & Riffs Lounge brings it back to the music with nightly live bands, smooth cocktails, and an inviting atmosphere that attracts locals and tourists alike.

If you’re a fan of live jazz, blues, or even acoustic sets, this spot hits the right notes (pun intended).

Must-Try Drinks:

🍹 Mandalay Mai Tai
🍸 Cucumber Cooler
🥃 Spicy Paloma

Local musicians often drop in to jam here, so don’t be surprised if you stumble into a spontaneous Vegas jam session.

🍻 8. Backstage Bar & Billiards – Off-Strip Local Favorite 🎱

📍 Location: Fremont East District
🎸 Vibe: Dive bar with an edge

If you’re willing to take a quick ride north from Mandalay Bay, Backstage Bar & Billiards (known locally as “Triple B”) is a staple among Vegas locals. Think rock music, pool tables, cheap drinks, and zero pretense.

It’s co-owned by members of Imagine Dragons, and while it’s got some rockstar flair, it remains one of the most down-to-earth bars in the city.

Why Locals Love It:

🎱 Pool tables and pinball machines
🍺 Cheap beers and strong pours
🎶 Local band performances

It’s the kind of place where bartenders know your name, and locals show up to unwind after a long week a perfect contrast to the glitz of Mandalay Bay.

🍹 9. The Dorsey Cocktail Bar – Class Meets Creativity

📍 Location: The Venetian (short Uber ride from Mandalay Bay)
🍸 Vibe: Sleek and sophisticated

While it’s not right next door, locals often recommend The Dorsey when you’re in the mood for something elevated. The bartenders are masters of mixology, and the drink list reads like a novel of creative inspiration.

Top Picks:

🍸 Smoke Show
🍋 Penicillin
🧊 Espresso Martini

Locals come here for date nights or when they want a break from the casino crowds. It’s the kind of place that makes every cocktail feel like an experience.

🍺 10. Minus5 Ice Experience – Coolest Bar Near Mandalay Bay ❄️

📍 Location: The Shoppes at Mandalay Place
🧊 Vibe: Chilled, unique, unforgettable

If you’re looking for something truly different, locals suggest the Minus5 Ice Bar, everything (yes, everything) is made of ice. From the walls to the glasses, this is a sub-zero bar experience you won’t forget.

While it’s a bit of a novelty, locals enjoy bringing out-of-towners here just for the wow factor, it’s fun, it’s cold, and the drinks hit perfectly after a hot Vegas day.

Try:

🧊 Vodka-based cocktails
🍓 Berry Blast Martini

🎯 Insider Tips for Drinking Like a Local Near Mandalay Bay

If you want to really drink like a local, here are a few golden rules Vegas residents live by:

Avoid peak Strip hours. Locals go out early (5–8 PM) or late (after midnight) to avoid the tourist surge.
Find bars with locals’ nights or happy hour deals. Atomic Golf, Ri Ra, and Foundation Room all have weekday specials.
Ask bartenders for off-menu items. Vegas bartenders love to create custom drinks if you ask nicely.
Hydrate. Always. The desert heat and strong pours will sneak up on you fast.
Tip well. Locals know, good service in Vegas always circles back.

🥂 Why Atomic Golf Tops the List for Locals Near Mandalay Bay

Out of all the bars near Mandalay Bay, Atomic Golf stands out for its blend of entertainment, comfort, and true local energy. It’s not just about drinking, it’s about connection, laughter, and play.

Locals choose Atomic Golf for:

🍻 Casual meetups after work or conventions
🍴 Delicious lunch and dinner options to pair with drinks
🎯 Interactive golf bays that make every hangout more fun
🎧 Events, live DJs, and a buzzing crowd that keeps things lively but never overwhelming

If you’re in the Mandalay Bay area and want to experience what locals actually do on a Friday night, skip the overpriced Strip bars and head to Atomic Golf Las Vegas where great drinks meet unforgettable fun.

🔗 Plan Your Visit to Atomic Golf 🍸

🌟 Final Round: Drink, Play & Discover Local Vegas Near Mandalay Bay

From rooftop lounges with skyline views to underground speakeasies and interactive golf bars, the Mandalay Bay area offers more than just glitz, it’s a microcosm of Las Vegas nightlife that locals genuinely enjoy.

Whether you’re here for a quick getaway, a work trip, or a night of exploration, don’t settle for the typical tourist stops. Follow this local’s guide and you’ll find your new favorite bar, maybe even your new go-to hangout spot.