Question of the Day - 14 June 2011

Hmm, cocktails, snacks, and live music, all within walking distance of the Flamingo? That's a pretty tall order, especially as Las Vegas' classic old lounges are something of a thing of a past now (they exist, but not like the old days). Still, we racked our brains and here are a few suggestions we came up with:

• Kitty corner to the Flamingo, and definitely within walking distance if you take the pedestrian bridge, is Bellagio, home to the Petrossian Lounge. This genteel European-flavored venue opens every afternoon to serve traditional Afternoon Tea from 2-5 p.m., which includes sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream, Baxter's preserves, assorted miniature pastries, teas imported from around the world.

  In the evening, there's live music courtesy of a Steinway grand (and pianist), while you enjoy one of the house-made infused cocktails, or perhaps the vodka sampler, a premium cigar, or some smoked salmon and caviar, which are served daily from noon to midnight (1 a.m. on weekends).

• In the mood for something much less formal and a lot more lively? Check out Harrah's Carnaval Court, also within walking distance down the street from where you're staying, where you'll find top flair bartenders and live music (pop, jazz, and "beach music") daily, plus a full bar-food menu. On weekends, you can also play a hand of blackjack at the live outdoor table games.

In terms of venues that offer food and live music, and which are within walking distance of the Flamingo, that's all we can think of, and of these two, Petrossian is probably the only one that fits the bill for what you have in mind. If we're missing somewhere else, please let us know.

It's partly the "walking distance" stipulation that's making this a particularly tough nut to crack, but food and live music is also a tricky pairing to find these days. If you're prepared to be slightly more flexible in your criteria and skip the appetizers, or travel a little farther afield, we can throw out a few other suggestions:

• Napoleon's in Paris has that classic wood-panneled, over-stuffed leather chair-type ambience going on that we suspect you're looking for and, before the smoking ban took effect, this would have served you just perfectly. That was when they used to serve free gourmet appetizers nightly, which you could enjoy while sipping your cocktail and listening to the dueling pianos. But something had to give, and sadly it was the free food, although you can still enjoy live music and drinks here. With the smoking ban now reversed, perhaps the apps will be back... Paris is walkable from the Flamingo.

• The Indigo Lounge at Bally's, which is even closer than Paris, is a plush area set apart from the casino floor that features live piano music and top-shelf premium liquors, but no food.

• Another suggestion is the Book & Stage bar at The Cosmopolitan, which is a sports lounge that also features live bands (KT Tunstall recently played there for free) and other entertainment, plus an appetizer menu featuring dishes like Porchetta Sliders, Seared Tuna Nachos, Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail, and Crispy Paella Cakes, all in the $10 range. Click for a list of upcoming performers.

• An off-Strip possibility that's a short ride from the Flamingo is Bahama Breeze on E. Flamingo Rd., which serves a drink and appetizer happy hour menu from 4-6 p.m. nightly and features live music on the weekend (and some Thursdays) -- click for the upcoming entertainment schedule.

• One last option, during pool season, is to check out the Hilton's nightly Cool by the Pool happy hour, which offers complimentary admission, plus appetizer (shrimp cocktails, ceviche etc.) and drink specials, with a live band playing '80s tunes. It's not within walking distance, but both the Flamingo and Hilton are on the Monorail, so it's an easy journey.