Seven great bars and meeting places on the Vegas Strip - with no cover charges

If you like to sit down and have a drink - and don't mind paying for it - there are some great places on the Las Vegas Strip that allow you to do just that.  Mix in some great people-watching opportunities (don't forget your camera!) and you have a great afternoon/evening diversion.  Here are six great places to meet and drink on the Strip where no cover charge is required.


#7 - Parasol Up/Parasol Down at Wynn - This bar is actually on two levels: the lower level affords great views of the Lake of Dreams just outside the huge, two-story windows, and the upper level offers great people-watching opportunities while the guests, gamblers and various other members of humanity make their way from the valet to the registration desk, through the casino, or attempt to find the exit to the Strip.  Parasol Down, on the lower level, has more tables and open seating.  Parasol Up, on the casino level, has smaller, intimate tables partially surrounded by curtains, and a walk-up bar included within the curtained area.  I have been unable to find a listing for their hours of operation, but they are open every day of the week until at least 9 p.m.  Drink prices average about $6-$15 each.

We're going in!

#6 - Napoleon's at Paris - A fairly large bar located on the walkway between Paris and Bally's, near the Paris buffet and shops.  Napoleon's features nightly entertainment starting at 5:00 p.m., and they also have dueling piano performers that begin at 9:00 p.m. nightly.  This bar does have a Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m., and they include free sandwiches with the purchase of a beverage from the bar during that time.  Drinks average $6-$12.  Seating in the main bar area is made up of settees and couches, along with small tables and comfy chairs.  It can get pretty loud in the bar during performances, so you might want to sit away from the stage if you're hoping to carry on a conversation without shouting.  In addition to the main bar area, there is also a separate room called "Napoleon's Retreat", which is a cigar room with comfortable seating for about 20-25 people and doors that close off from the main bar area for a bit of quiet, and there is absolutely no cigar smell in the room, which was surprising to me.  Napoleon's opens at 5:00 p.m. daily and is open until 1:00 a.m. on weekdays, 2:00 a.m. on weekends.


#5 - The Piano Bar at Harrah's - Located just off of Carnaval Court right inside of the Harrah's casino, The Piano Bar is loud and rowdy after 9:00 p.m., when the dueling piano performances start.  With seating either at the bar or at one of the many tables in the room, there is space for lots of people, and it can get very crowded.  Some enjoy getting their drinks and standing just outside the bar area along the railing, so they can enjoy the entertainment without having to jostle for a seat inside.  Audience participation is encouraged during both the karaoke performances starting at 6:00 p.m. and the dueling piano act at 9:00 p.m.  Prepare to submit your song requests and feel free to tip generously.  Drink prices average about $6-$14, and the bar is open from 5:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. nightly.


#4 - Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace - While this is not a "bar" per se, it is a great place to sit and people-watch along the Strip.  Beer and cocktails are available, and they have a full menu, too, so breakfast, lunch or dinner can be had while you watch the world go by.  Check out their food and drink lunch/dinner menu here: http://www.caesarspalace.com/images/non_image_assets/Serendipity_Menu_10_04_10.pdf
The Frrrrrrozen Hot Chocolate has been called a "must have", and there are lots of options available for any taste.  While there is no cover charge, expect to pay a little more for your beer or mixed drinks here, as this is a very popular New York transplant.  Hours of operation:  8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m., Friday-Saturday.

Blow Pop Martini

Hubba Bubba Martini

#3 - Sugar Factory at Paris - This bar/restaurant was opened on the site of the old Paris fountain (which was sadly lost but has since been forgiven) and is more than just a place to buy a $25 lollipop with a bejewelled handle.  There is a large gift shop, a chocolate bar, a restaurant with a patio and an upstairs club area all included at this location.  The small patio offers views of the Bellagio fountains, and it is kept warm by portable heaters in the winter and kept cool by misters along the railing in the summer.  Their specialty at Sugar Factory are the "candy drinks", named after some of your favorite childhood things like the Blow Pop Martini, the Hubba Bubba Martini, and a Root Beer Float (alcoholic, not for kids) are included.  Drinks at the bar range from $14-$20 on average, but they are very good.  The chocolate bar offers chocolate fondue served on heated counter tops with fruits and nuts for dipping.  The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with reasonable prices to boot.  There are two other Sugar Factory locations in Las Vegas, but they are mainly retail shops.  The other locations are in The Mirage (just inside the entrance directly across from Harrah's) and in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood (on the right-hand side, just up from PBR Rock Bar).  Hours of operation for the bar and restaurant vary.


#2 - Carnaval Court at Harrah's - I think this open, outdoor bar area is one of the best places to sit and people-watch in Vegas.  It is surrounded on three sides by Harrah's, Ghiradelli's Chocolate and the Imperial Palace.  Cheap food and drinks are located at vendors just outside the main seating area, and there is a bar 'inside' with "Bevertainers" performing at random times during the afternoon and evening.  This place can get very noisy, but it is open air and covered by a huge tent, so you are able to move away from the stage area if it gets too loud.  Be aware that people will dance in front of the stage, and some may attempt to dance on the tops of tables and the bar, too, but Security will quickly get them down.  Because of its openness to the elements, it can get very chilly in the Winter and very warm and toasty in the summer, even with the misters around the perimeter, so dress and plan accordingly.  There are nightly performances by local bands, including the favorite 70's tribute band "Wonder Boogie", who put on a great show with their 'fros and bell-bottom pants.  Carnaval Court is open daily from about 1:00 p.m., depending on the band performing and/or day of the week and closing at about midnight or 12:30 a.m., although some have said the performances go on much longer than that.

A view of The Chandelier Bar from the casino floor, looking up to levels 2 and 3.

#1 - The Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan - The newest hotel on the Strip offers a great meeting place, on three levels.  Located between City Center and Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan is a jewel in the middle of the Strip, and this bar has a great ambiance and upscale look and feel.  The Chandelier Bar offers open seating along the main walkway on the casino level, or more private and intimate seating on the second or third levels accessible by the elevator or escalators.  This open-sided bar has lots of room to meet, greet, people-watch and take some great photos, too.  Drink prices start at $6 and go up.  No food or snack items are available.  Once again, I was unable to find the actual hours of operation for The Chandelier Bar, but I have seen it open as late as 11:30 p.m. while walking through the casino.


Enjoy your time in Vegas!