Question of the Day - 15 July 2019

Sure there are. Plenty of them.

Actually, every major casino we can think of and many minor ones have at least one lounge, ultra lounge, or bar with music. The vast majority have no cover charge or drink minimum. Being free, of course, they fill up fast, especially on the weekends, but if you arrive early enough, you're in for an inexpensive and fun night out.

Note that gone are the days when up-and-coming acts -- singers, bands, comedians, even animal acts -- were booked into Las Vegas lounges on their way to stardom in the big showrooms; the Mary Kay Trio, Wayne Newton, Louis Prima and Sam Butera, and Don Rickles are just a few of performers who made it big during the heyday of the Las Vegas lounge.

However, sometimes surprises are definitely in store. Last month, after her "Jazz & Piano" show at the Park Theater, Lady Gaga and a few friends brought the party to the NoMad Restaurant and its after-hours lounge where trumpeter and Gaga's "J&P" bandleader Brian Newman was appearing in his own lounge gig, "After Dark." Gaga remained on stage for nearly an hour and a half, after her two-and-a-half hour show, to do six songs, including the standards “Call Me Irresponsible,” “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” The 100 surprised and delighted people in the audience reportedly gave Gaga 10-minute standing ovations after every song. 

Obviously, there are way too many casino lounges and bars to list in this QoD; we have 306 of them on our Casino Bars and Lounges pages. But here are a few of our favorite hangs for drinking, people-watching, and groovin' to DJ-spun tunes or even the occasional live music. 

Harrah's Piano Lounge has rotating acts, such as Big Elvis and the Dueling Piano twins Kimberley and Tamara Pinegar. 

The VooDoo Lounge is a glass-elevator ride up to the 51st floor of the Masquerade Tower at the Rio. It's free from 8 to 10 p.m.

Roxy's at Sam's Town is a great little venue with live music nearly every night of the week: classic lounge, country, Latin, rock, pop, disco, Top 40, soul, R&B; arrive early to get one of the 40 or so tables. It's always free.

We also like Lily Bar and Lounge at Bellagio (sophisticated), the Vista Lounge at Caesars (with high-res LED screens displaying observation-deck-style views of international hubs), O'Sheas Pub at the LINQ (50-beer selection, outdoor bar, Irish-inspired entertainment), Whiskey Down at MGM Grand (serving 100 types of whiskeys), 107 Sky Lounge at the Strat (no cover charge and no charge to take the elevator up, though drinks are, as you might imagine, very expensive), the Gaudi Bar at Sunset Station (one of the most interesting bars in Vegas; check out the 6,000-square-foot 12-ton mosaic glass ceiling), and the Bourbon Street Lounge at the Orleans (live music from bands big for lounges).

How about you? We're sure you have your own favorites to add. Chime in for everyone's benefit!