The Locals’ Guide to Las Vegas

EDC Week is upon us! Check the complete list of events, and also peruse a few options a little off the beaten Strip—about 2 million people live in Vegas, after all. From karaoke dive bars to secret pizza parlors to hidden art installations, we’ve selected the best local venues and can’t-miss hotspots to help you discover the best of pre- and post-EDC Las Vegas.

The Peppermill

What’s Good: Come for the hearty diner fare; stay for the kitschy décor and complimentary group photo. This 24-hour eatery on the north end of the Strip is a rare bit of Vegas that proudly refuses to change—complete with fake trees, stained-glass flamingo lampshades and mirrored walls. The generous portions of dishes like the Maserati omelet and French toast ambrosia are matched only by their quality. If you’re feeling saucy—or just need a drink—be sure to pop into the Fireside Lounge in the back for an oversized novelty cocktail and ambiance that would make Ron Burgundy feel right at home.
Address: Somerset Shopping Center, 2985 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 735-7635

The Tank at the Golden Nugget

What’s Good: From Wet Republic to Marquee Dayclub to Encore Beach Club, there’s no shortage of killer dayclub events this week where you can splash around to your favorite EDC artists. But if you’re looking for a more classic poolside experience to get that daytime R&R, be sure to the stop by the Tank pool at the Golden Nugget downtown. This little oasis is complete with waterfalls, cabanas, a poolside bar and, oh yeah, a 30-foot waterslide that runs through a 200,000 gallon aquarium filled with live sharks and other amazing sea creatures. Hotel guests can also enjoy the Hideout, a secluded spot on the Tank’s third floor complete with its own infinity pool and daybeds. Oh you fancy, huh?
Address: 129 East Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101 Phone: (702) 385-7111

Dino’s Lounge

What’s Good: A visit to Dino’s is kind of like walking into a David Lynch film, if David Lynch made a film about a Las Vegas karaoke dive bar whose signage boasts “Getting Vegas drunk since 1962.” Pool tables, trippy ceiling art and vintage porn in the background make Dino’s a worthy watering hole any night of the week. But it’s the karaoke (Thurs–Sat) that demands attention, drawing a motley crew of patrons ranging from bikers to bachelorette parties to devoted nightowl regulars. Beloved KJ Danny G will live-mix you to perfection—provided you remember to tip—but whether you can sing well is usually beside the point.
Address: 1516 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104 Phone: (702) 382-3894

Lotus of Siam

What’s Good: Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold once deemed this off-Strip eatery the best Thai restaurant in North America, and with good reason. Lotus serves up the real-deal versions of classic like pad thai and green curry, but the extensive menu’s gems are its Northern Thai menu and signature creations (we recommend the nam kao tod, or crispy rice with sausage). Don’t let its humble strip mall location fool you—crowds flock to Lotus ‘round the clock, so be sure to set up reservations if you want to avoid a wait.
Address: 953 East Sahara Avenue, Suite A5, the Commercial Center District, Las Vegas, NV 89104 Phone: (702) 735-3033

Chandelier Bar

What’s Good: Want to hang out inside a giant, three-story crystal chandelier? Yeah, we thought so. The Cosmopolitan’s Chandelier Bar includes over 2 million crystals enveloping three bars, each of which features a distinct atmosphere and seasonal cocktail menu offering some of the best drinks you can find in Las Vegas. The first floor often features performances from swing and jazz bands, while the third floor makes for a perfect spot to grab drinks after dinner or before a visit to Marquee next door.
Address: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 698-7000

James Turrell’s Akhob

What’s Good: Art can happen in the most unexpected places—like, say, the fourth floor of a Louis Vuitton store. That space inside the Crystals luxury mall is home to Akhob, a conceptual installation by artist James Turrell. The piece emulates a ganzfeld, a German word describing the phenomenon of a total loss of depth perception, such as in a white-out. Turrell’s version, however, comes in a cycle of bright colors that envelope you as you stand in a cylindrical chamber that looks like a lost set piece from 2001: A Space Odyssey. It’s about as close as you can get to the feeling of entering a void, and we can’t recommend it enough. Visits are free and can accommodate up to six people at a time, but reservations must be made in advance through the store.
Address: 3720 Las Vegas Blvd South, Suite 103, Las Vegas, NV, 89109 Phone: (702) 262 6189

Light/Daylight

What’s Good: Consider this Cirque du Soleil-partnered club your Vegas two-fer, combining the theatrics of their famed stage shows with the energy and spectacle of a Las Vegas mega-club. It’s an immersive, over-the-top experience made all the better by programming that favors up-and-coming artists like Disclosure and Duke Dumont—while still keeping heavy-hitters like Carl Cox and Fatboy Slim in the fold. All four play Light and its daytime counterpart Daylight in the next few days as part of EDC Week.
Address: Mandalay Bay, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Phone: (702) 693-8300

The Velveteen Rabbit

What’s Good: This cozy bar nestled among vintage stores and antique shops on the edge of Las Vegas’ Arts District has quickly become a favorite among locals since it was opened by sisters Pamela and Christina Dylag in 2013. Its adventurous beer and seasonal cocktail offerings are as tasty as they are creative (tequila with avocado-wasabi cream, anyone?), and its industrial-Victorian decor is perfect for kicking back and having intimate chats. If dancing’s more your thing, you can count on sets of house, indie and more from local DJs and bands to get you moving.
Address: 1218 S. Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89104 Phone: (702) 685-9645

Secret Pizza

What’s Good: Whether it’s lunchtime or the end of a long night, this nameless slice spot inside the Cosmopolitan has got you covered. The restaurant’s semi-hidden location tucked down a modest hallway on the casino’s third floor has made it a favorite among locals and Vegas aficionados alike, though its reputation for sumptuous, NY-style slices has made it a little less secret these days. With cheesy album covers lining the walls and Stone brews on tap, it’s the perfect on-the-go spot for kicking off or rounding out an awesome day.
Address: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89109 Phone: 702-698-7860

Mob Museum

What’s Good: Housed in a former federal courthouse built in the 1920s, downtown’s Mob Museum is one of the most fascinating places you can spend an afternoon in Las Vegas (and not only if you’re a history buff). The 41,000-square-foot space brings together audio, video and artifacts to give a comprehensive inside look into organized crime’s impact on not only Las Vegas, but the United States and the world. The building houses three floors of interactive exhibits designed by the same team that created the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and includes items belonging to the likes of Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel, as well as the actual courtroom used in the Kefauver hearings, the first mob-related event to be televised.
Address: 300 Stewart Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101 Phone: (702) 229-2734

LiFE Nightclub

What’s Good: One of the newest additions to Las Vegas clubland, Life at SLS offers a breath of fresh air—literally. Its top-notch layout and design helps buck the sardine-can conditions that have become the norm in town. Combined with great visuals and an ace sound system, Life makes a point of keeping the experience focused on the music. Its programming features more house and trance than your typical Vegas fare, including the likes of Erick Morillo, R3hab and Gareth Emery. All three play Life this week as part of EDC Week.
Address: SLS, 2535 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: (702) 761-7000

Andrea Domanick is a journalist who lives in Las Vegas. Yes, people really live there. She’s on Twitter and Facebook.