Craft Cocktails, Dives & Unique Decor: Las VegasÂ' 10 Best Downtown Bars

LONGBAR opened inside the D Las Vegas in 2012 and holds the unique distinction of being the longest bar in Nevada. Stretching over one thousand square feet, it's the perfect place to grab a drink, watch the game, place a bet or simply hang out with some friends. Offering nine beers on tap, 15 60-inch TVs and more than 30 seats with personal multi-game playing machines, it's a good thing the bar is as long as it is, as people never seem to want to leave. You'll have no problem bringing the whole gang along, plus a few extras, for a few drinks at LONGBAR.

The Vanguard is located in the Fremont East District in Downtown Las Vegas, which puts it in the heart of one of the city's most trendy areas. The small lounge has a little sidewalk patio, a seating area with a comfortable couch and a bar area at the back, all designed in a comfortable modern industrial style. The Vanguard has a menu of its own creations, like That's Not A Snowflake, made with Crown Royal Vanilla Whisky, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh lime juice, house-made syrup, soda water and cherries. Their selection of classic cocktails all have the Vanguard's twist, like the Vanguard Mule, which adds rosemary, simple syrup and muddled cucumber to the classic recipe for a Moscow Mule. If you're feeling daring, try The Copperfield--you come up with the base spirit, and the bartender gets to be creative.

At one time, people could sit on the roof of Atomic Liquors and watch the mushroom clouds from the atomic blasts at the Nevada Test Site. Those days are long gone, but the bar remains and it still offers patrons the chance to watch something interesting from the patio: the crowd passing by on Fremont Street. Inexpensive and no-frills, this is the place for a large selection of craft beers along with a well-stocked bar helmed by knowledgeable bartenders. Atomic Liquors is the oldest freestanding bar in Las Vegas and got its name because of those famous viewing parties on the roof. The bar was renovated not long ago, but only to give things a face-lift, not a complete re-do. The "dive" vibe is very much alive here, and that's on purpose.

When you see the murals on the walls around The Velveteen Rabbit, you start to get the idea that this is a hip place for a cocktail. Located in the Arts District along Main Street, this intimate bar offers well-crafted drinks and a welcoming ambiance. Step inside to its "shabby chic" interior and you'll find a tempting drink menu. Menus change seasonally here, but all of them offer guests innovative, slightly eccentric craft drinks. Look for memorable creations like Other Husband, on the Winter menu from 2018/2019, a creation of plum-infused brandy, Pasubio Amaro, cinnamon orange juice and lemon meringue. Velveteen Rabbit also offers plenty of beers, from the 12 rotating on tap to 18 or more bottled beer. Entertainment includes DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.

ReBar brings two seemingly unrelated ideas together: vintage items for sale, along with a bar. Draft beers start at $3, draft wine at $4 and well drinks and cocktails from $4. The concept makes sense in this downtown bar, which is located right along the Main Street corridor that features antique and vintage shops of all kinds. Everything's for sale at ReBar, so you can browse while you drink. If you get tired of checking out the merchandise, you can play a board game. Customers can also choose to drink for a good cause: a portion of each drink ordered from the Charitable Cocktails menu goes to a Las Vegas charity.

Oak & Ivy is all about the whiskey and hand-crafted cocktails. High quality ingredients keep the tastes strong and flavorful. Fresh, seasonal ingredients combine with homemade garnishes and mixers to deliver a refreshingly great drink every time. Barrel-aged cocktails, rare beers and spirits are featured, guaranteeing that you'll savor every last sip of your drink. The Blood and Clovers, for instance, features Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, Luxardo Sangue Morlacco and Vittone Rosso. There's also plenty of classics, like the Mint Julep, made with fresh mint and Bulleit Bourbon, and an extensive selection of American Whiskeys will give connoisseurs many more reasons to keep coming back.

This Bohemian bar's location in downtown Las Vegas makes it a beloved Strip-alternative hangout for hipsters and locals seeking a low-key evening. The relaxed setting offers guests the perfect place to simply hang out and enjoy a cool cocktail or reasonably priced beer without having to worry about a dress code. Rich, charismatic decor, including barrel-vaulted brick ceilings, cozy banquet seating, dim lighting and inviting fire pits, creates a warm, mellow environment perfect for a night of drinking and socializing. The jukebox, live acts and DJs offer a unique mix of entertainment, while the well-stocked bar and generous pourings promise to please.

With a claim as the world's only 24-hour tiki bar, Frankie's Tiki Room is a must for rum fanatics, as it houses more than 150 premium rums. A unique South Seas theme with more than a touch of Vegas kitsch, the bar's interior was built by Bamboo Ben, the world's foremost Tiki bar designer and the grandson of Eli Hedley (who created the decor at Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room). While the atmosphere is fun, Frankie's Original Tiki Drinks are what truly keep guests coming back for more. Each drink is clearly labeled so people know how strong they are. Be sure to pay attention to how many skulls a concoction has--the more skulls, the stronger the drink--some of these flavorful creations aren't intended for lightweights!

The 6,000-square-foot Commonwealth cocktail bar was inspired by pre-Prohibition era design and drinks, and even has its very own speakeasy, plus a 2,000-square-foot rooftop patio with spectacular views of downtown. The drink menu features a collection of the finest spirits and libations, each expertly crafted by one of the top mixologists in the city and executed by Commonwealth's experienced bartenders. Warm, incandescent light sets an intimate tone, washing over the dark, grainy wood and exposed brick on the walls and floor. Booths are tucked away in alcoves for private conversations, while a communal 20-foot-long bar encourages getting to know your neighbor. To check out Commonwealth's backroom speakeasy, The Laundry Room, check the website for a number to text for reservations.

This hip, intimate Las Vegas lounge is one of the city's best-kept secrets. Dim lighting, cozy leather seating, minimalist art and eclectic music create a seductively mysterious ambiance, and the diverse clientele are mostly locals seeking a laid-back evening away from the Vegas "scene." The drink menu features delectable punch bowls and creative cocktails with distinctive flavor profiles that consistently impress. Return guests will always find something new and special since the menu change seasonally. A live DJ plays nightly Tuesday through Saturday, so you can enjoy music with your delicious cocktail. One of the bar's most-mentioned features is the front door, which some people have a hard time finding. It's a large bronze door, but there are no handles--just push to get in.