Circus Circus – Circus Buffet: This week’s brunch buffet is Fri-Sun, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. is $25.95. Then their dinner buffet is Fri & Sat, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. is $27.95.
MGM Grand – MGM Grand Buffet: Closing on Sunday May 31st, 2026.
Buffet Update – May 2026
Category: Las Vegas Advisor
Speakeasy Happy Hours in Las Vegas: The Secret’s Out (Kind Of) 🤫
There’s a taco shop in Chinatown with a secret tunnel. A food court bar that’s disguised as a bathroom door. A pawn shop that definitely sells guitars and hides one of the best dining rooms on the Strip. Las Vegas has a quiet, winking parallel nightlife happening behind ordinary facades, and the best part? These top five come with a happy hour.
Las Vegas Advisor and Happy Hour Vegas tracked down five verified speakeasy happy hours across the valley. From the Strip to Chinatown so you can skip the guesswork and go straight to the good part. Here’s how to get in. 🗝️
👉 See all Las Vegas Speakeasy Happy Hours at Happy Hour Vegas →
🌮 Mas Por Favor — Chinatown
Happy Hour: Daily 3–6 PM | Mondays: All Day
It looks like a fast-casual taco shop. It is a fast-casual taco shop. But ask the cashier about “tonight’s delight” and you’ll be led through a tunnel to a speakeasy parlor in the back serving $5 margaritas, $8 specialty cocktails, and $4 tacos at happy hour. Yes, four dollars.
The deal: $5 margaritas · $8 cocktails · $4 tacos (happy hour) · Access via secret tunnel through the kitchen
Where: Chinatown, Las Vegas
👉 Full happy hour details at Happy Hour Vegas
🍸 Close Company — Via Via Food Hall (The Strip)
Sun–Thu 4 PM–Midnight | Fri–Sat 4 PM–2 AM
The entrance looks like a bathroom door or a service exit. You’re supposed to walk past it. Close Company is tucked inside the Via Via food hall at a major Strip resort, and it’s the creation of the team behind Death & Co — one of the most respected cocktail programs in the country. Somehow it’s sitting inside a food court, deliberately low-key.
The deal: $10 specialty cocktails for hotel guests and locals. The password? Ask nicely at the door.
Where: Via Via Food Hall, Strip (ask staff for current location details)
👉 Full happy hour details at Happy Hour Vegas
💋 Beauty & Essex — The Cosmopolitan
Mon–Thu 5–7 PM (Bar Only)
Walk through a working pawn shop — vintage guitars, jewelry, all of it — push through the hidden door at the back, and step into one of the most visually stunning dining rooms on the Strip. Beauty & Essex hides behind a pawn shop facade inside The Cosmopolitan, and the reveal never gets old.
The deal: $10 cocktails, wines, and light bites · Buy-one-get-one specialty cocktails · Grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings ($10) are the must-order
Where: The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas Strip
👉 Full happy hour details at Happy Hour Vegas
👾 Cabinet of Curiosities (+ The Lock) — Downtown Las Vegas
Happy Hour: Daily 1–4 PM | Reverse Happy Hour: 10 PM–Close
This one goes two levels deep. Cabinet of Curiosities is a gothic lounge filled with oddities — scan the QR codes on the display cases to learn what each object actually is (or allegedly is). Somewhere inside is a vault door. Pick up the phone next to it. If someone answers, you’re in.
Inside The Lock: Prohibition-era cocktails, dim lighting, period decor, and a bartender who builds your second drink around a questionnaire about your preferences. There is a speakeasy inside the speakeasy. That’s the thing.
The deal: $13 THE NOLA (Gin Fizz) · Daily happy hour 1–4 PM · Reverse happy hour 10 PM to close
Where: Downtown Las Vegas
🗝️ A speakeasy inside a speakeasy. Only in Vegas — and there are two more on this list. Get finds like this in your inbox every week → Free signup here
👉 Full happy hour details at Happy Hour Vegas
🍦 CC Speakeasy — Downtown Arts District
Tue–Thu 5 PM–1 AM | Fri–Sat 3 PM–1 AM | Sun 3 PM–Midnight
Craft Creamery looks like an everyday ice cream shop in the Arts District. Ask nicely and you’ll be guided through a faux freezer door to CC Speakeasy — a hidden cocktail parlor with deep green walls, midcentury modern furniture, and a mural of Salma Hayek’s scene-stealing moment in From Dusk Till Dawn. The cover story is ice cream. The payoff is a full cocktail bar and a kitchen worth staying for.
The deal: $15 Brown Derby · $10 Ice Cream Flight · $16 Chicken & Waffles · The only speakeasy on this list where the cover story is dessert
Where: Downtown Arts District, Las Vegas
👉 Full happy hour details at Happy Hour Vegas
Five Speakeasies. All Verified. All Worth It.
These aren’t gimmicks — they’re real bars with real happy hour deals that happen to require a bit of insider knowledge to find. That’s the point. Las Vegas rewards people who know where to look, and now you do.
👉 Browse the full Las Vegas Advisor Happy Hours directory for updated menus, hours, and prices across 500+ verified happy hours.
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Cadence Crossing Burger Special
There’s not a whole lot to get excited about with the restaurant line-up of two at Las Vegas’ newest casino, Cadence Crossing. There’s the Tin Lizard Bar & Grill and Tacos Los Gauchos is the 24-hour restaurant. We were there for the special: a $5.99 cheeseburger & fries.
Tin Lizard
The burger is in Tin Lizard. It’s a sit-down room that’s connected to one of Cadence’s two bars, so you can eat inside or at the bar. We chose the bar, where the TVs are tuned to sports, and the beverage if free if you play a bit. The young female bartender was super friendly and quick to take the order (they’re all like that when a place has just opened). Tin Lizard serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Burger
The cheeseburger comes with tomato, lettuce, and onion and a stack of fries. It’s supposed to include a pickle, but ours didn’t. It’s advertised as a quarter-pounder, but that seemed like a stretch, and they don’t ask how you want it cooked, which means rare isn’t an option anyway. The toppings were fresh. The bartender brought condiments. No complaints for $5.99. You’re required to have a Boyd Rewards card.
The Verdict
So where did this $5.99 burger & fries idea come from? The Station Casinos deal, perhaps? Of course it did. So showing up second, you’d expect they’d either make it better or sell it for less. They did neither. The Stations burger is bigger and better for the same price. It’s also available in more places and 24/7, whereas Tin Lizard is open 7 to 9 p.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. weekends. That said, it’s definitely a good deal. If you’re checking out the newest place in town, grab one.
Buffet Update – April 2026
Bellagio – The Buffet at Bellagio: We don’t see this change often. All buffet prices went down by $5-$15 with time changes as well. Weekday Brunch is Mon-Fri, is now 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at $44.99 instead of 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at $54.99. Weekend Brunch is Sat & Sun, is now 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at $49.99 instead of 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at $54.99. Seafood Dinner is now Sat only, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. at $69.99 instead of Sat & Sun, 1 p.m.-8 p.m. at $74.99. Now Sunday Dinner is 2 p.m.-8 p.m. at $59.99.
Circus Circus – Circus Buffet: This week’s brunch buffet is Fri-Sun, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. is $29.95. Then their dinner buffet is Fri & Sat, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. is $34.95.
Rampart – Market Place Buffet: Prime Rib Dinner Buffet is Wed-Thu & Sun instead of Fri & Sun. Still 3 p.m.-8 p.m. at the same price of $35.99. Added a new dinner Seafood Buffet Fri, 3 p.m.-8 p.m. is $55.99.
$20 happy hours on The Strip that are good. I mean, really good.
Five Strip happy hours where $20 (or less) gets you world-class food, top-shelf drinks, and a venue experience that most people save for special occasions.🌟
APRIL 2026 – Buried deep within 125 happy hours on the Strip are a few stand-outs. These aren’t special deals – they’re discoveries! The kind of places and menus that make you feel like an insider the moment you walk in. Check out our top 5 below and see them all at Las Vegas Advisor Happy Hours page.
🍱 TAO ASIAN BISTRO HAPPY HOUR: The Venetian Casino
The math here is almost offensive. Everything on the happy hour menu is $10. Which means a Spicy Tuna Tartare on Crispy Rice + a Sake = $20.
TAO is legitimately one of the most iconic dining brands in Vegas and their happy hour runs like a secret the Strip forgot to hide. Reviewers call it one of the best deals at the Venetian, which is not a property known for deals. Go before someone in accounting notices.
🥩 STK STEAKHOUSE HAPPY HOUR: Comsopolitan Casino
Every food item on the STK happy hour menu is $7. Every single one. The Grilled Chimi Filet — a real steak at a real steakhouse is $7. Add a top shelf martini at $12 and you’re at $19 and eating better than most people at the table next to you who are about to drop $190 on dinner. Recent guests keep flagging this one as “the best kept secret at the Cosmo.” It’s not a secret anymore, but go anyway.
🌮 TOCA MADERA HAPPY HOUR: Shops at Crystals (Aria)
Inside one of the most expensive malls on the planet sits a $14 Sea Bass taco that will ruin every other fish taco you eat for the rest of your life. Add a $5 Modelo or Corona and you’re at $19 – A buck under budget and significantly over expectations. Toca Madera is a modern Mexican concept with serious culinary credentials and a happy hour menu that makes absolutely no sense at these prices. Don’t question it. Just order the sea bass.
🍣 KUSA NORI HAPPY HOUR: Resorts World Casino
Modern Japanese lounge, gorgeous space, and a happy hour menu that reads like someone genuinely thought about it. Here’s your $20 move: Ikari Salmon Hand Roll ($7) + Droppin Yuzu Sake Bomb ($8) + Artisanal Mochi Ice Cream ($3) = $18 and change. Three courses. Under $20. At Resorts World. Guests have been raving about the quality of the fish and the vibe “felt like Tokyo, priced like a Tuesday” is the energy here.
🏀 BLONDIE’S HAPPY HOUR $20 AYCD: Planet Hollywood/Miracle Mile
And now for something completely different. Blondie’s is the only All You Can Drink happy hour on the Las Vegas Strip. $20. AYCD. Done. Is it the most sophisticated entry on this list? No. Is it family-owned, genuinely friendly, and the best possible answer to “I just want to get in the left lane early”? Absolutely yes. Sometimes the $20 move isn’t a hand roll — sometimes it’s a cold drink, a sports bar stool, and zero decisions for the rest of the afternoon. Respect the classics.
Want to be the first to know about new Happy Hours in Las Vegas?
Check out the new Las Vegas Advisor Happy Hours page for up to date and accurate Happy hours. Or, subscribe to the Happy Hour Vegas newsletter (Free) for curated, verified happy hour deals including new finds and quiet standouts straight to your inbox. Every week, thousands of members get first-in-line access to happy hour deals, events, and giveaways. Plus, local experts tracking 500+ happy hours with updated menus, prices, links and tips for the week.
Meal Deals in Laughlin
Researching these in advance, we knew where we were heading as soon as we blew into Laughlin for a late lunch: the Aquarius Cafe and the turkey value special. We sat down, the waiter arrived seconds later, we said, “Turkey special,” and he said, “Good choice.” When he delivered it minutes later, we couldn’t believe our eyes. See for yourselves.
That’s right: three thick slices of turkey breast off the bone, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, fresh vegetables right out of the steamer, cranberry sauce, roll and butter, and a drink, all included, for — don’t fall off your chair — $6.99. Believe us when we say, this was better than a lot of Thanksgiving Day home-cooked meals we’ve had.
Aquarius puts out five coffee-shop specials every month. In December, they were a French toast platter for $3.99, country scramble and chicken tender sandwich $4.99, chili bread bowl $5.99, and the turkey. In January, they were three eggs, hashbrowns, toast for $3.99, two eggs, bacon/sausage, and pancakes $4.99, big burger and all you can eat spaghetti $6.99, and a pot roast dinner (which we imagine is like the turkey) $7.99.
On a return visit, just passing through on a drive to southern California, we tried the smashburger.
This was a little different experience, since it was a busy Saturday. The service was noticeably slower, though it seemed like everyone in the Cafe was ordering the burger. It wasn’t bad by any means (we opted out on the American cheese), but after the turkey dinner a couple of months earlier, our standards were very high.
April 1 through June 3, the specials include three pancakes, hash browns, two eggs, and a choice of bacon or sausage $5.99; 16-ounce bone-in ham steak served with two eggs, hash browns, and toast or biscuits and gravy, and drink $6.99; double smashburger with lettuce, American cheese, tomato, onion, and special sauce on a brioche bun, served with French fries, $6.99; and a breaded pork chop plate featuring two pork chops and country gravy with potatoes and vegetables, soup or salad, $7.99. We can’t begin to imagine going wrong with any of them at these prices.
The Aquarius Cafe is, to a certain extent, representative of meal deals all over Laughlin. At the Edgewater, Stockman’s Steakhouse when we were there had on offer burgers, chops, chicken parm, and barbecue chicken and shrimp with AYCE soup or salad for $14-$16. The Tropicana’s Carnegie Cafe was advertising buy one meal and get the second for $1.
And speaking of the Carnegie, we tried the shrimp cocktail there.
These were smallish fresh-water Bay shrimp in the cocktail glass, with a lemon wedge, plenty of sauce, very little filler, and a package of crackers. There were probably 150 shrimp and we kept eating and eating to get to the bottom of glass. For $2.95, we were more than satisfied.
In other posts, we’ll discuss the many snack bars of Laughlin and the excellent prices on meals that aren’t on special, just right off the menus. All in all, Laughlin is a bargain-eaters dream, the way Las Vegas used to be.
Broken Yolk
The Broken Yolk Cafe, as the name describes, is a breakfast-restaurant chain with roots that date back to 1979 in San Diego. Today, the brand has 40 locations, mostly in southern California, along with Arizona, Texas, and Las Vegas. Here, it’s now up to five cafes; the first opened in Town Square in 2019, so it’s expanded rapidly around the valley.
With good reason. The chain has received numerous “best-breakfast” awards and was named 2025’s “Top Breakfast Franchise” by Franchise Times. Broken Yolk is popular with locals and southern Californians for its breakfasts and Tex-Mex cuisine. It’s known especially for eggs Benedict, epic portions, fresh ingredients, good service, and not unreasonable prices. We went to the one downtown on Las Vegas Blvd. and E. Carson St., caddy-corner from the big red Fremont Street Experience parking garage, and the place definitely lives up to its rep.
The menu is as big as the food itself. Breakfasts include seven Benedicts ($16-$22), four skillets ($17-$18), a couple of huevos, along with machaca and chilaquiles ($15-$19), a whole page of eggs and omelets, plus pancakes, waffles, French toast, smoothies, and coffees. For lunch, Broken Yolk offers burgers ($17-$19), soup and salad, and sandwiches, such as the BLT ($13) and chicken Caesar wrap ($17).
There’s also a full bar, serving four Bloody Marys ($13), the usual brunch libations, and beer ($8).
When we were there between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on a recent Saturday, the place was packed and looking around, we noted that the Benedicts, huevos, and burgers predominated. We tried the smoked salmon and south-of-the-border Benedicts. We were uncertain about the latter — sweet corn cakes topped with carne asada, jalapeno, the two poached eggs, and house-made poblano sauce — but it didn’t disappoint.
The smoked salmon was especially tasty, with capers, arugula, fresh dill, and plenty of luscious hollandaise. The hash browns filled half the Border Benedict plate; we opted for half home fries and half fruit cup, which was a good choice, as they didn’t scrimp on the potatoes. Bring an appetite!
Our bill, with the Bloody Mary, two Benedicts, and tax, came to $63. Not a bargain by any means, but we will say this: It was breakfast and lunch and we didn’t need much dinner.
Foodie Happy Hours: Where the Food Actually Matters
Most happy hours are built around drink deals. This category is different.
Foodie happy hours are where the kitchen comes first with menus driven by chefs, not just pricing. Think better ingredients, sharper execution, and dishes you might not order at full price made available at happy hour prices.
It’s one of the most anticipated happy hour updates, because it changes often. New chefs, evolving menus, seasonal ingredients and new food trends keep our editors busy and our audiences happy.
For Las Vegas Advisor readers, this is where the value shifts:
- Better ingredients
- More thoughtful menus
- Pricing that rewards timing instead of compromise
You’re not just saving money—you’re ordering smarter.
Below are five foodie happy hours worth knowing about or, view all 42 Foodie Happy Hours (Updated March 2026).
Stubborn Seed Happy Hour » Resorts World
🌿 Chef Jeremy Ford has a Michelin star and zero interest in playing it safe. His Social Hour (daily 4–6 PM) brings that same energy to the bar at happy hour. Order the Crunchy Truffle Bravas ($14) and try to explain to your friends why potatoes just made you emotional. Full details & menu →
Weera Thai Happy Hour » Four Vegas Locations
🌶️ Authentic Northern Thai food at happy hour prices. Four locations across the Valley with different menus, hours and prices in the $7-$8-$9 range. Sahara location Mon-Fri, 4-7 PM. The move here is the Nam Khao Tod ($9) crispy rice salad that you won’t find on any Thai menu in Vegas. Reviewers keep coming back just for this dish. Trust them. Full details & menu →
D’Agostino’s Trattoria » Summerlin
🍝 Chef Dan Thompson built D’Agostino’s Trattoria in Summerlin as a love letter to his Italian heritage — and his Happy Hour is where that love shows up at a very reasonable price. No shortcuts, no chain-restaurant energy — just scratch-made Italian bites and $12 cocktails in a neighborhood spot that earns its regulars the old-fashioned way. The House-Made Pesto Chicken Egg Rolls ($12) are stuffed with roasted chicken, pesto Genovese, and three Italian cheeses — the kind of happy hour bite that makes you wonder why you ever settled for wings. Tuesday–Sunday, 4–6 PM. Full details & menu →
Todd’s Unique Dining » Henderson
❇️ Family-owned since 2004, Todd’s has been Henderson’s best-kept secret for over 20 years. Creative fusion flavors, daily-flown-in seafood, and a menu that doesn’t look like anyone else’s in the valley. Happy Hour is Tue-Fri 4:30-6 PM, with bites starting at $5. The must-order: Goat Cheese Wontons with raspberry basil sauce ($6). As local food legend Al Mancini put it, they should be declared Henderson’s official appetizer. Hard to argue. Full details & menu →
Petite Boheme Happy Hour » Arts District Las Vegas
🇫🇷 A French bistro in the Arts District with the soul of a Paris boîte and a late-night happy hour that goes until 11 PM. The Raviole de Dauphine ($12) – short rib, comté, béarnaise gastrique is the kind of bite that makes you question every other happy hour menu you’ve ever seen. Oui. Full details & menu →
Estiatorio Milos Happy Hour » Venetian
🐟 One of the finest Greek seafood restaurants in North America runs a daily Mid-Day Happy Hour (3–5 PM at the bar) built around a raw bar that sources fish from the Mediterranean and Hawaii’s auction markets. The Bigeye AAA Tuna Tartare ($45) is the one. It has its own dedicated fan club on Yelp, and rightfully so. This is what “foodie happy hour” actually means. Full details & menu →
Why Foodie Happy Hours Matter
- You get access to chef-driven dishes at reduced prices
- You avoid the trial-and-error of ordering blind
- You experience better restaurants without committing to full dinner pricing
That’s the advantage—knowing where quality and value overlap.
👉 Explore more Foodie Happy Hours in Las Vegas
This free newsletter is your insiders guide to Las Vegas Happy Hours.
Every week, thousands of members get first-in-line access to happy hour deals, events, and giveaways. Plus, local experts tracking 500+ happy hours with updated menus, prices, links and tips for the week.
👉 Sign up for the free Happy Hour Vegas newsletter
The Hidden Happy Hour Gems of Las Vegas
Not all happy hours are obvious. Some of the best ones aren’t advertised on the door, aren’t packed at 5 p.m., and aren’t widely known unless someone tells you.
Those are hidden happy hour gems—restaurants with unassuming menus, off-hour specials, or insider-only deals that reward people who know where (and when) to look.
For Las Vegas Advisor readers, this is the sweet spot:
less noise, better food, and pricing that feels intentional.
Happy Hour Vegas tracks over 500 happy hours including these under-the-radar spots across the city and makes them available for you here at the new Las Vegas Advisor Happy Hours. Below are a few standout examples of Hidden Happy hour gems in Las Vegas that are worth trying for yourself.
D’Agostino’s Trattoria – Dolci e Bevande
Why it’s a hidden gem
D’Agostino’s doesn’t feel like a “deal” restaurant and that’s the point. It’s a family-run Italian spot with a growing local following built on seasonal ingredients, consistent execution, and a dining room that loves its regulars.
The hidden move here isn’t early evening—it’s late and it’s a real thing.
What makes it special
Chef Danny’s late-night happy hour, Dolci e Bevande (8:30–10:00 PM), is designed for people who already ate dinner or just left a show and want something better than a last call drink.
- Fresh-made limoncello tiramisu
- Creative cocktails like a strawberry gin fizz
- A relaxed, end-of-night pace that feels intentional
It’s the kind of happy hour you only find if someone points it out.
Why LVA readers should care
This is value without compromise. You’re not trading quality for price—you’re getting both, simply by timing it right.
👉 Full details on D’Agostino’s happy hour
Oak Room Grill – Cheeseburger Eggrolls
Why it’s a hidden gem
Tucked inside The District at Green Valley Ranch, Oak Room Grill flies under the Strip radar but is well known to Henderson locals who value space, atmosphere, and solid cocktails.
What makes it special
The happy hour hits a rare balance of upscale food and aggressive drink discounts.
- $7 cheeseburger egg rolls
- Crispy shrimp and shareable bites
- 50% off a wide selection of cocktails, wine (including bottles), sangrias, and beer
It’s the kind of place people linger—and the pricing encourages it.
Why LVA readers should care
Half-off drinks at an upscale neighborhood restaurant isn’t common. This is a low-stress, high-comfort happy hour that feels designed for regulars, not tourists.
👉 Full Oak Rom Grill happy hour details
Via Brasil Steakhouse – Angus Sliders & Beet Salad
Why it’s a hidden gem
Via Brasil is known for its all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse experience—but Summerlin locals know the smarter move is the happy hour.
What makes it special
Instead of committing to a full churrascaria experience, happy hour delivers standout value:
- $5 Angus beef sliders
- $15 filet mignon sliders
- $7 cocktails
- Solid wine options, including Malbec
A personal favorite: $5 sliders, the $8 balsamic beet salad, and a $7 Malbec—a complete $20 happy hour.
Why LVA readers should care
This is premium protein at happy hour prices. It’s a strategic way to enjoy a steakhouse-level kitchen without the steakhouse bill.
👉 Via Brasil happy hour menu and details
The Parlour Happy Hour – Freckled Red Head Burger
Why it’s a hidden gem
Downtown Vegas has plenty of buzz—but The Parlour remains a true neighborhood secret. It’s casual, social, and quietly one of the best weekday happy hour values in the area.
What makes it special
The pricing is straightforward and generous:
- $7 cocktails
- $3 beers
- $8 empanadas
- $7 “Sexy Single” burger
The insider order: the $9 Freckled Red Head burger, $3 fries, and a couple $3 beers—one of the best ways to spend $18 after 2 PM on a weekday.
Why LVA readers should care
Downtown value without chaos. This is a repeatable, reliable happy hour that rewards locals who know the timing.
👉 The Parlour happy hour details and menu
Weera Thai Happy Hour – Cocktails & Crab
Why it’s a hidden gem
Five locations across the valley tell you everything you need to know: locals are paying attention. Weera Thai is a family-run operation delivering authentic Thai food with consistent happy hour pricing.
What makes it special
The $7–$8–$9 happy hour menu is deep and dependable:
- Thai Chicken Curry Puff
- Fried Calamari
- Kung Sarong
- Crab stick
- Fresh, well-balanced cocktails
The bar itself is a comfortable hang—ideal for lingering beyond one round.
Why LVA readers should care
This is authentic food at accessible prices, backed by consistency across multiple locations. That combination is rare—and valuable.
👉 Weera Thai happy hour menu and prices
Hidden Happy Hour Gems Matter
These aren’t places you stumble into. They’re places you remember, share, and return to. And, by visiting and sharing your experience, you’re supporting local business and the community. Hidden gems are often locally run and family-owned businesses that offer:
- Better pacing
- Less crowd pressure
- More thoughtful menus
- Pricing that rewards timing, not hype
That’s what makes them valuable and, if one of these spots surprised you, that’s the point. Now, go discover, try and share one (or all ) of these local favorites or explore more hidden happy hour gems here.
Want to be the first to know about new Happy hours and hidden gems?
Happy Hour Vegas sends curated, verified happy hour deals including new finds and quiet standouts straight to your inbox. Every week, thousands of members get first-in-line access to happy hour deals, events, and giveaways. Plus, local experts tracking 500+ happy hours with updated menus, prices, links and tips for the week.
Blue Orchid Thai Kitchen
One cannot live on Lotus of Siam alone.
Lotus is definitely the best Thai restaurant and one of the best restaurants, period, in Las Vegas and beyond, but it can be a tough reservation, it’s always something of a madhouse, and we’ve been waiting for the original location in the Commercial Center to reopen for nearly 10 years and the new venue in Henderson for nearly three, so we look for alternatives. When Blue Orchid opened earlier this year on Las Vegas Blvd. at Cactus Ave. across from South Point, we thought it might fill the bill.
Blue Orchid is the third Las Vegas restaurant from the Cheung family, which opened the first Pin Kaow Thai restaurant 25 years ago on North Rainbow; the second is on Eastern Ave. south of the Beltway. In fact, in 2023, we wrote about it after a brief visit: “We may finally have found a challenger for Lotus of Siam in the Thai restaurant Pin Kaow. We’ve been hearing about it for a long time and our first taste was exceptional.”
So was our first taste of Blue Orchid and its innovative take on classic Thai dishes. Our go-to for quality Thai is always tom yum ($32 for two), prepared tableside with the base broth, all the bowls of fresh ingredients including the shrimp we ordered, and the portable burner. The process was impeccable and the result, well, exquisite would be an understatement.
Our number-two tryout is larb (pronounced “laab,” $18), a Laotian minced-meat salad that’s popular in northeastern Thailand. We’ve had it with pork, chicken, beef, even duck, but we’d never seen a shrimp ceviche larb on a Thai menu. Since we’re ceviche fanatics, we had to try it; in fact, it was what got us interested in Blue Orchid in the first place. It was fine, though nothing like we expected, and we won’t order it again.
Not so for the tamarind sticky ribs ($16), no sir! The next time we want ribs of any kind, we’ll make the drive down to Blue Orchid.
In fact, this is the quality of restaurant to which you want to return again and again to sample everything the fantastic kitchen dishes up. It’s not Lotus, but it comes close enough for our taste.
Our bill came with tax came to $80.