Beyond the lights of the Las Vegas Strip exists a world of craft cocktails, culinary delights, and one-of-a-kind bars and eateries.
9 Places Near Las Vegas For a Different Kind of Tailgate

Creativity reigns at this city-block-stretch along Fremont Street, Las Vegas’ ‘other’ famous strip. Fergusons centers around the revitalized Franklin Motel, a two-story 1940s property that now houses more than a dozen maker spaces, shops, and boutiques as well as a trio of food and drink spots. You might find yourself grooving to live tunes while sipping a lavender latte at Fergusons’ women-owned Mothership Coffee Roasters or sampling fresh-juice cocktails (and mocktails) at F the Bar, which also features pop-up eateries highlighting local chefs. Another option: soaking up the desert vibes of Peyote, where Latin-inspired dishes range from stewed barbacoa short rib to beer-battered shrimp tacos. 

Tucked behind the doors of a Chinatown Vegas strip mall, a world of tropical kitsch and classic tiki cocktails awaits. Since 2015, The Golden Tiki has been luring patrons with its modern take on the mid-century tiki bar—one that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

The interior pays homage to the ‘legendary’ tale of Captain William Tobias Faulkner, a 17th century pirate who lost his life in pursuit of the titular idol (which just happens to be mounted above the bar’s thatched canopy). Hanging cargo nets, velvet paintings, and a giant conch shell for seating are all part of the decor. You’ll also see a collection of shrunken celebrity heads, including Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, created by Smithsonian artist Terry Barr. Still, it’s the colorful, lavishly garnished, and alcohol-fueled drinks like Singapore Slings, Mai Tais, and Scorpion punch bowls topped with flaming limes that keep things hopping, along with nightly music and a Pacific Island-inspired menu of poke bowls and kalua pig sandwiches.

Not only is the Pioneer Saloon a Nevada landmark, it also happens to be one of the best in-operation relics of the Old West around. Located 45 minutes south of Las Vegas in the former mining town of Goodsprings, this no-frills watering hole—a Hollywood favorite, appearing in movies like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas—has been serving up patrons since 1913 and still retains a ton of authentic history. There’s the stamped tin ceiling from Sears, Roebuck, and Co. and a trio of bullet holes in one of the walls, believed to be the result of a deadly 1915 card game. Framed photos and newspaper clippings detail some of the establishment’s most memorable events, including the time Hollywood actor Clark Gable spent three days here awaiting word on the fate of his wife, Carole Lombard, after her plane crashed in the nearby mountains. Lombard perished in the accident, and her ghost is said to still haunt the place, looking to console her husband. 

Along with a full bar, Pioneer Saloon offers hearty helpings of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from classic flapjacks in the a.m. to barbecue and St. Louis-style thin crust pizzas later in the day. 

Just a quick 15-minutes from the Vegas strip, Henderson’s walkable Booze District is brimming with opportunities for imbibing. One in particular is Astronomy Aleworks, which crafts artisan brews (or “works of fermented art,” as father-and-son owners Raymond and Matt Brady call them) with a sci-fi slant. A chalkboard display above the bar showcases the day’s tap offerings with a selection that includes names like Gamma Ray Burst Belgian Triple and Red Dwarf Lager and everything from sours and blondes to wheats and pale ales. Swing by Wednesday nights for rotating trivia topics like Star Trek and Jurassic Park, and save your headbanging for the weekly Metal Night Tuesdays. Brewing takes place in the Aleworks’ backspace, while its front bar is a low-key room of sci-fi posters and cafeteria-style seating, along with some playable board games, and a couple of TVs. 

Family owned and operated, Mom’s Diner is known as “The Heart of Pahrump” (a town about 60 miles west of The Strip) for attracting a bevy of both local residents and visitors alike. Patrons particularly flock here for its unpretentious atmosphere and ample comfort cuisine. You can count on daily dry erase board specials like teriyaki chicken thighs with rice and Philly cheesesteaks, as well as some legendary homemade pies. Four-egg omelettes and griddle cakes are breakfast favorites. All the food is enjoyed in the restaurant’s bright setting and knick-knack-covered walls (think shelves lined with metal trucks, birdhouses, and aprons as artworks). 

Best known for his immersive Mindfreak magic shows, illusionist Chris Angel has a new trick up his sleeve: Cablp, which stands for “Chris Angel’s Breakfast, Lunch & Pizza.” Inspired by his father’s Long Island restaurants, Angel opened Cablp in 2021 with his brother Costa and master pizza maker Mike Baram. The restaurant’s menu even features some of his dad’s recipes, like the extra thick and rich Cablp Signature Shake, which pairs perfectly with a “Monster” BLT. The native New Yorker also weaves in several East Coast shout-outs, including a New York Calzone and a grilled chicken sandwich topped with mozzarella and bacon and served Philadelphia-style on a signature hoagie roll. In true Angel fashion, there’s even a secret dining area behind a bookcase. 

Husband and wife team Steve Enger and Jody Lyman knew what they were doing when they opened Cottonwood Station Eatery by creating a local gathering spot that caters to both Blue Diamond’s outdoor enthusiasts and “old-timers” alike. 

Although Blue Diamond became designated in 1942, the restaurant is its first new commercial construction in years. The sleek and modern space incorporates elements of a standalone garage that sat vacant on the spot for decades, and its interior is filled with black-and-white photos detailing Blue Diamond's history. While the restaurant’s name comes from the community’s earlier incarnation as Cottonwood Spring, a stop on the old Spanish Trail trade route, it’s mountain bikers that are drawn here these days. You’ll often catch them finding reprieve on Cottonwood Station’s pooch-friendly patio, sipping on local brews and wine, and fueling up with pancetta fig pizzas and pastries baked in-house daily. 

Old-fashioned favorites are the norm at this long-running Boulder City institution, where owner Cindy Ford serves up a menu of her grandma’s recipes. Homestyle cooking is the specialty, with dishes like homemade soups and chili, plates of meatloaf paired with mashed potatoes and gravy, and a bevy of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and chimichangas. Those in-the-know follow up their meal with one of the diner’s famous baked goods, including slices of strawberry rhubarb pie and banana bread. Breakfast is available throughout the day, and the restaurant’s antique decor—things like vintage coffee grinders and tool displays—changes with each season.

Housed inside Boulder City’s historic Bank of Nevada building, The Dillinger gets its name from the notorious John Dillinger, a Depression-era bank robber who was living his best gangster life while the town’s residents were building the Hoover Dam. Dillinger and his gang are also inspiration for the restaurant’s theme, including elements like the entry doors custom-fitted with shotgun handles and a stylish decor of wood, steel, and concrete​​. This is a place where caesar wraps and hand-pressed burgers are accompanied by a constantly revolving selection of craft brews. There’s also an impressive whiskey selection (despite the fact that Dillinger rarely drank alcohol), along with aptly named menu items like the Baby Face Nelson, a half-pound burger patty topped with baked brie and fig marmalade, and the Jailbreak Steak Sandwich, overflowing with breaded ribeye tips and garlic mustard sauce.