Where to Start Your Vegas Bar Crawl: A Local’s Step-by-Step Guide🍹

Las Vegas nightlife is legendary a dazzling fusion of neon lights, world-class cocktails, and unforgettable experiences waiting around every corner. Whether you’re here with friends, celebrating a birthday, or just chasing that iconic Vegas vibe, there’s one question every partygoer faces: Where should you start your Vegas bar crawl?

This guide gives you the ultimate local-approved route, weaving through iconic clusters like The Strip, Downtown Las Vegas, and the ever-popular Atomic Golf, all mapped out for maximum fun and zero stress. Ready to sip, stroll, and savor your way through Sin City? Let’s dive in.

🥂 Step 1: Kick Things Off on the Las Vegas Strip

If you’re new to town, The Strip is the heart of Vegas nightlife, home to themed bars, rooftop lounges, and hidden speakeasies that set the tone for an unforgettable crawl.

🍾 Start Early, Start Classy

Begin your evening just before sunset at a spot where you can enjoy panoramic views and upscale drinks. Two perfect options:

Skyfall Lounge (Delano Las Vegas): Sip signature cocktails 64 floors up with sweeping views of The Strip. It’s ideal for those Instagram-worthy sunset shots.
Beer Park (Paris Las Vegas): Laid-back and social, this rooftop spot is perfect for craft beers and light bites before hitting more intense venues.

🧭 Insider Tip: Pace Yourself

The Strip can be overwhelming, massive distances, flashing lights, and endless distractions. Don’t rush. Instead, focus on clusters of bars within walking distance.

For example:

Start near Mandalay Bay or Luxor, then head north toward New York-New York.
Each resort has 2–3 great bars within steps of each other.

You could spend 2–3 hours in this area alone and still have plenty of night left for more stops.

🍸 Step 2: Add a Game-Changing Stop — Atomic Golf

Atomic Golf Las Vegas

When you’re ready for something more interactive (and a little competitive), make your next stop at Atomic Golf Las Vegas, just minutes off The Strip near the STRAT Hotel.

This isn’t your typical bar stop, it’s an entertainment complex with immersive golf bays, high-energy music, and creative drinks. Here’s why locals love adding Atomic Golf to their crawl:

🎯 Why Atomic Golf Belongs in Your Bar Crawl

Four Bars, One Destination: Each bar inside Atomic Golf offers its own vibe, from lively sports bars to chic lounges.
Signature Drinks: Try the Atomic Mule or Cosmic Margarita, handcrafted with bold Vegas flair.
Social Vibe: Between swings, you’ll meet other groups, enjoy live DJs, and keep your energy high without the chaos of The Strip crowds.
Fuel Up: Enjoy lunch or dinner from their Cosmic Lounge menu, perfect for keeping your stamina strong during the crawl.

Atomic Golf strikes the ideal balance between fun, flavor, and a little friendly competition. It’s a must-stop between Strip glitz and Downtown grit.

🍻 Step 3: Head Downtown — Fremont Street and Beyond

After fueling up and playing a few rounds at Atomic Golf, make your way Downtown for the next phase of your crawl. Fremont Street has transformed into one of the most exciting nightlife hubs in Vegas, blending old-school charm with modern energy.

🌟 Must-Visit Spots on Fremont Street

Commonwealth: A two-story cocktail bar with vintage charm and a secret speakeasy (The Laundry Room) for those in-the-know.
Vegas Vickie’s (Circa Las Vegas): Sip martinis under the glow of the famous neon cowgirl sign — it’s pure Vegas history.
Oak & Ivy: Inside Container Park, this craft whiskey bar is perfect for sipping something smooth and chatting with locals.

If you’re still standing, cap it off at:

Discopussy: For dancing, neon lights, and a wild energy that perfectly defines Downtown Vegas after midnight.

💡 Pro Tip: Use Fremont as Your "Late-Night Zone"

Unlike The Strip, bars Downtown stay energetic without feeling overcrowded. Everything’s walkable, and you can easily find a rideshare zone when it’s time to head back.

🚕 Step 4: Plan Your Route Like a Pro

To keep your night seamless, use this simple route map:

Start: Skyfall Lounge or Beer Park (The Strip)
Mid-Stop: Atomic Golf Las Vegas (just north of The Strip)
Finish: Fremont Street (Downtown)

Total travel time between clusters:

Strip → Atomic Golf: ~10 minutes by rideshare
Atomic Golf → Fremont Street: ~8–10 minutes

🚗 Getting Around Safely

Rideshare apps (Uber/Lyft) are the easiest and safest ways to hop between clusters.
Avoid long walks on major roads, distances can be deceiving under the neon glow.
Designate a driver or end your night near your hotel. Vegas cabs and rideshares are everywhere 24/7.

🍕 Step 5: Eat Smart, Drink Smarter

Nothing kills a bar crawl faster than an empty stomach. The trick? Plan food stops along your route, not after you’re already tipsy.

🍔 Best Bites Between Stops

On The Strip: Grab shareable plates at Beer Park or a quick pizza at Secret Pizza (inside The Cosmopolitan).
At Atomic Golf: Enjoy lunch or dinner favorites from their Cosmic Lounge menu, from savory sliders to crispy chicken sandwiches.
Downtown: End the night with late-night tacos from Nacho Daddy or loaded fries at Project BBQ.

🧃 Hydration Hack

Drink one full glass of water for every two cocktails. Vegas is hot year-round, and dehydration sneaks up quickly under those bright lights.

🎰 Step 6: Capture the Experience

Vegas nightlife isn’t just about drinks, it’s about memories. Between bars, take photos, post stories, and enjoy the people-watching.

📸 Photo-Op Hotspots

The Strip’s Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign (start or end your crawl here).
Atomic Golf’s neon art installations, they’re designed for Insta-worthy shots.
Fremont Street’s Viva Vision canopy, an immersive light show that makes every photo pop.

🍹 Step 7: Know When to Stop (and Where to Go Next)

A successful bar crawl isn’t about how much you drink, it’s about enjoying the journey. End your night on a high note:

Wrap up at a chill lounge (like Commonwealth’s rooftop or Atomic Golf’s lounge bar).
Skip the last-round regret by switching to mocktails or coffee before heading back.
Plan tomorrow’s recovery, brunch may be off the menu, but a hearty lunch at Atomic Golf hits the spot after a long night out.

🔄 Optional Loop: Can You Bar Hop in Vegas Easily?

Yes and that’s what makes this city such a nightlife paradise. Most Vegas bars are designed for hopping between experiences, with transportation, food, and entertainment close together.

➡️ You can read more in our FAQ: Can you bar hop in Vegas easily?

This itinerary is just one of many ways to explore. Depending on your group’s vibe, you can start Downtown, hit Atomic Golf mid-way, or go all-in on Strip glamour first.

🗺️ Bonus: Local Tips for a Legendary Bar Crawl

Dress comfortably but stylishly: Vegas dress codes vary, but smart casual always works.
Bring cash: Some Downtown spots have cover fees or cash-only deals.
Pre-book your Atomic Golf bay: Especially on weekends or event nights.
Stay hydrated and pace yourself: The desert climate is no joke.

🌌 The Perfect Vegas Bar Crawl Summary

Start: Rooftop drinks and Strip views 🌇
Play: Atomic Golf for high-tech fun and signature cocktails 🏌️♂️
Finish: Fremont Street’s classic vibes and wild energy 🎶

Las Vegas has countless bars, but with this step-by-step guide, you’ll know exactly where to start, what to drink, and how to experience the best of the city’s nightlife, all while balancing fun, flavor, and convenience.

Whether it’s your first Vegas adventure or your tenth, one thing’s for sure: there’s no crawl quite like a Vegas bar crawl, and no stop more iconic than Atomic Golf Las Vegas.