If you've tried to have a conversation in a Vegas nightclub, you probably know that you might as well try to gamble with Monopoly money: it just won't work. The music is thumping, the crowd is dancing, and conversation is not going to happen. Where can you go to have a drink and still hear what your date is saying? Quiet Las Vegas bars do exist.

The Griffin, located in the new Fremont East district Downtown, is a place where you can enjoy an atmosphere that is the newest version of Old Vegas. You won't find a line, or a cover charge, or have to dress to the nines, and you won't have to learn sign language to communicate with the people around you. Instead of vibrating techno music, you can pick out some tunes on the jukebox. Dim lights, fireplaces, and leather seating make this bar a cozy place for a drink. The Griffin is so retro-trendy that it doesn't even have a website.  Order up a inexpensive craft beer while you enjoy that old-fashioned off -the-grid feeling, or try their signature martini, The Fremont Street.

[PHOTO_106218]The Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas is so large that you won't need any directions on how to find it. Three stories of luminous crystal take up the center of the Cosmo, and the bar(s) are tucked away in the folds of crystals that make up the centerpiece of this hotel. The bottom level acts as the de facto casino bar, but the second and third levels offer a more secluded experience. Find a secret crystal alcove, and you can chat away. The Fire-Breathing Dragon Martini, however, may render you speechless.

Fireside Lounge at the Peppermill — Photo courtesy of Mark / mrak75 at FlickrThe Peppermill's Fireside Lounge has been in Las Vegas for a long time, but the 1970s feeling is fun instead of dated. Dim lighting, neon, and a liquid fire pit may have you using the word "groovy" for the first time (or for the first time in a long time). The drinks are strong, the waitresses are seriously dressed up, and you'll feel totally comfortable cozying up to your date. The Fireside describes itself as Las Vegas' first "ultra lounge," and it has the drink menu to prove it. Order an old-fashioned exotic like a mai tai, or a classic standard like a martini. A glass of wine or a beer is just too ordinary for a place like this. Order a real cocktail, and enjoy a conversation that can be heard even if you whisper.