Sometimes after a long day of work, there’s nothing better than to sit down—maybe with a good friend, maybe alone, depending on your boss’ mood on that particular day—and relax with a soothing glass of merlot. But where should you go to get this relaxing one-of-a-kind experience? Here are the Haute 5 Vegas wine and charcuterie bars that shouldn’t disappoint.
Nora’s Wine Bar & Osteria
We begin with a local favorite, Nora’s Wine Bar & Osteria in Summerlin. This slick and modern wine emporium offers an authentic Italian dining experience within a comfortable casual atmosphere. Nora’s features more than 350 bottles of wine and 60 different wines by the glass, so you are guaranteed to find a favorite. But it’s not just about the wine here; the food is also stellar with dishes like Stuffed Lemon Leaves and Rabbit 5 Ways to tempt those taste buds.
Nora’s Wine Bar & Osteria is located at 1031 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.940.6672.
Aureole
Another wine favorite is Chef Charlie Palmer’s Aureole at Mandalay Bay. This stunning restaurant features a three-story, temperature-controlled wine tower right in its center. It’s the largest in the world, housing 50,000 wine bottles made accessible by an elaborate pulley system. And it wouldn’t be a buzz-worthy Vegas restaurant if there weren’t a show involved, so Chef Palmer makes sure not to disappoint. Once you’ve made your selection, “flying wine angels,” in black spandex, scale the tower, attached to pulleys, to find your wine selection. One thing is for sure, the demonstration of retrieving and delivering your favorite vintage is just as satisfying as the taste of the vino itself.
Aureole is located inside Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino at 3950 Las Vegas Blvd.; 702.632.7401.
Grape Vegas
One of the newest and trendiest wine bars to hit Vegas is located at Town Square. Grape Vegas is an indoor/outdoor restaurant that is the haute place to see and be seen this spring when doing happy hour with the girls. Its cozy environment quickly envelopes guests affording an at-home feel. The relaxation continues after the pouring begins, with Chef Scott Morrow’s menu selections covering everything one would think of to complement a fine bottle, include artisanal cheeses, charcuterie choices, signature small plates, flatbreads, and pork chop and grits with bourbon glazed peaches. Not convinced yet? Live music and a retail area are a few more reasons to dedicate one of your happy-hour traditions to Grape Vegas. Who doesn’t benefit from a bit of buzzed shopping?
Grape Vegas is located at Town Square at 6599 Las Vegas Blvd., B150; 702.220.4727.
Hostile Grape Wine Cellar, Bar, and Tasting Room
Everything in Vegas is cool and chic, so describing The Hostile Grape with something so nondescript would certainly not do it justice in comparison to so many other grand venues out there. Located inside of the M Resort, Spa, and Casino, this is one war bar that truly epitomizes all that a wine bar should be. This contemporary cellar features 160 wines by the glass with collections from Italy, France, Spain, South Africa, Germany, Napa, and many more. It is the perfect spot for a novice or for someone with a more refined palate due to the fact that you can try any of the boutique wines for a small price. The system uses pre-paid cards—let’s not be gauche, we’ll prefer the establishment’s own “tasting cards” label—for Enomatic wine-serving machines, allowing you to pour one, three, or five ounces of wine, so you can sample everything from a sip of deep-bodied red to a glass of sweet Riesling.
Hostile Grape is located inside the M Resort at 12300 Las Vegas Blvd.; 702.797.1000.
Grape Street Café Wine Bar & Cellar
Did someone dictate that cool Vegas wine bars include the word grape in their name? Whether mandated or for lack of something a bit more clever, our final selection for your next glass of exquisite vintage is the Grape Street Café. Designed to look like a wine cellar and feel like a Napa Valley tasting room, the Grape Street Café is another hidden secret in Vegas, but not so hidden that the locals line up, trailing out of the front door to get inside this trendy, party-atmosphere bistro. It is known for its large wine selection (75 to 90 by-the-glass options) and prides itself on pairing the best wines with their food.
Grape Street Café Wine Bar & Cellar is located on 7501 West Lake Mead Blvd.; 702.228.9463
