As you walk along the Strip’s neon buzz, you may get the urge to feel one yourself. Las Vegas has no shortage of liquor, from beer and wine to tall-glass margaritas, icy and fruity concoctions and mixed drinks. Of course, especially on the Strip, drinking in Las Vegas can get a little pricey. For those looking to get a little lifted without losing too much heft to their wallets, finding cheap drinks in Las Vegas may be easier than you think. All it takes is a little strategy–and, of course, a little luck!
Finding Free Drinks in Las Vegas
The easiest way to drink free in Las Vegas is to gamble. Most casinos will offer free drinks to those at tables–though drink service quality can vary, both in strength and in frequency. Those at slots and video poker may find they have a slightly harder time obtaining free-flowing, complimentary drink service as well–and some video poker counters require a minimum buy-in to drink free. The general rule is that you should tip your drink server at least a dollar a drink, to ensure they keep coming back around. Of course, being female is also one of the surest-fire ways to drink free in Vegas, with many clubs offering free drinks for ladies–and often, plenty of patrons willing to foot the bill for beauties.
Finding Cheap Drinks in Las Vegas
Cheap drinks in Las Vegas abound, if you know where to look for them. Generally, the “Old Strip” provides plenty of bars with one-buck beer specials–at least during happy hour. Additionally, Slots-A-Fun has become famous for its $1 beers, and most dining establishments offer happy hour specials of some kind, including 2-for-1 drinks. You can also find dollar-beers at Fiesta Henderson, Jerry’s Nugget Casino (with 24-hour Pacifico beer specials at the main bar), and $1 beers at Silverton and M Resort (until 7 p.m.). California and Fremont both offer $2 beer specials around the clock, as well.
Those who like their liquor harder should lead over to Benny’s Bullpen at Binion’s, for Jack and SoCo shots as low as $2 per shot. Mixed drinks can be harder to find at reasonable prices in Las Vegas, though the Mirage’s STACK and the Bellagio‘s FIX offer them for just $5 from 10 till midnight. You can also procure bargain prices on well drinks at The Plaza, starting as low as $2.50. Bill’s Gambling Hall has also become famous for its dirt-cheap margaritas (reportedly as low as 99 cents).
Huge Drinks: Only in Las Vegas
Additionally, Las Vegas is famous for its huge drinks. Somewhat of a novelty, you can find blended drinks that measure three feet tall, or huge containers of mixed drinks sold on the Strip. While these drinks tend to be a bit pricier (over $10), they also tend to pack a punch–making them a fairly good value-buy.
Happy Hour Drink Specials in Vegas
No matter where you are in Las Vegas, chances are, there’s a happy hour special to make your drinking more affordable. The M Resort offers 12-oz. beers five days a week in the late afternoon and early evening (4 to 7 p.m.) for just a buck, while South Point bars extend $2 drinks (for just about everything) on Fridays, from 4 to 10 p.m. Happy hour at the Las Vegas Hilton’s Ceviche poolside runs four hours daily, from 4 to 8 p.m., and even those not staying at the hotel are welcome to join in the fun. Some places also pair food with drink specials, with small plated appetizers at Grape Vegas running just $3.50 during weekday happy hour, and choice appetizers as low as $5 at Lagasse’s Stadium, located in the Palazzo. For those looking for a quick drink and a bite to eat, Hussong’s Cantina at Mandalay Bay offers a 24-oz. beer and taco special for just $5.