What’s cooler than The Rat Pack? While the men’s group dominated the Las Vegas Strip in both performance and gaming, it was also known for visiting a downtown bar: Bar Prohibition! at the Golden Gate.
According to Mark Brandenburg, former owner of the Golden Gate and now chairman of the Fremont Street Experience, Sammy Davis Jr. drank a lot at the bar, as did Dean Martin because he often traveled by train (he reportedly preferred taking the train than flying) . , and the train station was just down the street from the bar.
Bar ban! is over 100 years old because it was built at the same time as the Golden Gate was built in 1906. And while the property has expanded and renovated several times over the decades, the bar has stayed in the same spot and has stayed largely true to the original design. Guests can even see the original stucco ceilings and old switchboards from the 1940s (though certainly not in use!). In 2012 the bar was renamed to its current nickname. “We called it Bar Prohibition! – not Prohibition Bar – with a double play on ‘Bar’ to mean ‘Ban forbid’, ”says Brandenburg.
Here you can try the spirit recipes of the time with the cocktail specialties of the bar. Order the 1906 Spritz, mixed with Bombay Dry or Aviation Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Campari and Champagne, or try the Lady Luck with Skyy Infusions Blood Orange Vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juices and freshly squeezed lime juice. As an allusion to the boys there is the Rat Pack Manhattan, a mixture of Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Grand Marnier, sweet vermouth and a dash of Angostura Bitter.
Click here to learn about the Golden Gate’s 100+ year history, as well as a look at what other artifacts have survived and are on display throughout the property, as well as some hidden gems.
Golden Gate, 702.385.1906
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