Bars Unknown: The Las Vegas Strip Bar Crawl

Las Vegas has plenty of casino bars, but this crawl aims for the places you might miss on your own: a 1920s speakeasy behind a barbershop, a tequila bar behind an exit sign, rooftop stops, cheap beer, and happy-hour deals. Jonathan Dez leads the walk and adjusts the route around the group.

I like the focus on low-cost drinks and local tips, especially if you want more than generic casino lounges. I also like the freedom to drink while walking between stops, a legal perk in Las Vegas that makes the three-hour route feel loose and social. The catch is that the plan is deliberately flexible, so you may not sit down at every bar, and many people do not reach the final stop.

Key points to know before you book

• About a dozen stops: Expect a mix of bars, speakeasies, rooftops, casino venues, food stops, and places that are simply pointed out for a future visit.
• Drinks cost extra: The $49 price pays for the licensed guide, not your beverages. The first stop is cash only, so bring some bills.
• Walking is the transport: You move on foot between Strip properties. Comfortable shoes matter more than dressing for a night club.
• The route changes: Jonathan chooses from many options, based on timing, group energy, and how long people linger.
• Bring the right ID: Guests must be 21 or older and carry valid government-issued identification.
• Best for social groups: Couples, bachelor and bachelorette parties, friend groups, work outings, and people who want a ready-made night out will get the most from it.

Why this crawl feels different from a casino bar tour

The Strip can make bar hopping feel simple. Walk into a casino, order a drink, repeat. The problem is that many of those bars look and feel alike, and you can spend a lot before finding anything memorable.

Bars Unknown takes a different approach. Jonathan Dez points you toward places with a story, a bargain, a concealed entrance, a view, or a very different mood. Some stops are full visits. Some are grab-and-go. Others are brief introductions so you know where to return later.

That format is useful because Las Vegas drinking is rarely just about the drink. It is about finding the right entrance, knowing which venue has a deal, and understanding how far one property is from the next. You get that local orientation while moving through several parts of the Strip.

The walk is also a social advantage. You are not stuck at one table for three hours. You meet the group, change surroundings, and get a steady stream of new choices. Jonathan has handled groups as large as 35 people, although the usual group size is not specified, so you should be ready for a fairly social outing rather than a private tour.

Meeting at Casino Royale and starting with a cash-only stop

The crawl begins at the main bar inside Best Western Plus Casino Royale, a central Strip location. That is a practical starting point, since the rest of the route can be covered on foot without arranging a taxi or rideshare.

The opening visit lasts about 10 minutes and includes a safety briefing. Drinks, snacks, and several beverage types may be available. The first stop is cash only, so do not arrive with only a phone wallet or credit card.

This is also the point to ask Jonathan about the evening’s likely route. The tour is subjective by design. He has many possible venues, and the exact order can change depending on opening conditions, group speed, and how much time people spend ordering or socializing.

99 Prince Bar and the first look at the Strip

A short walk leads to 99 Prince Bar, with about 10 minutes set aside. The stop can include beer, cocktails, and scenic views along the way.

Early in a bar crawl, a brief stop like this helps set the rhythm. You are not expected to settle in for a full round at every venue. You may have a quick drink, look around, and continue before the evening loses momentum.

The practical point is to pace yourself. If you order something at every stop, the advertised dozen venues can become a very long night. The guide clearly expects some people to choose only selected drinks or leave before the end.

The LINQ Promenade brings food and people watching

The route continues through The LINQ Promenade, where the focus expands beyond alcohol. You may find aperitifs, beer, cocktails, spirits, wine, street food, regional food, and local snacks.

This is one of the more useful parts for anyone who has not spent much time on the Strip. You get a sense of how the resort areas connect, and you have a chance to eat rather than rely on drinks alone. Food also makes the later stops more manageable.

The listed time here is about 10 minutes, so think of it as an introduction rather than a full meal stop. If you want a proper dinner, do not assume the crawl will provide one. The food options are part of the route, not a guaranteed sit-down meal.

Flamingo Wildlife Habitat and The Cromwell

After another walk, the group pauses at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat for about five minutes. This is a photo and wildlife-viewing stop, not a bar visit.

That change of pace is welcome. A bar crawl can become repetitive, and the Flamingo stop gives you something visual to do while moving between properties. It also makes the route feel more like a Strip walk with drinks than a series of indoor purchases.

The next stop is The Cromwell Hotel & Casino, with beer, cocktails, spirits, and wine available during a short five-minute visit. This is another quick look rather than a long lounge session.

The short timing at both locations tells you something important about the tour. You are covering territory. If your ideal evening means settling into one bar with a carefully made cocktail, this may feel rushed. If you want to see many places in one outing, the pace works better.

Zanzibar and Fuel Bar add deals and a casual mood

The Zanzibar Tourist Information Centre appears as a 20-minute stop with drinks, street food, and a food-market visit. The name may sound unusual for a bar crawl, but the scheduled offerings make clear that this part of the route mixes refreshments and food rather than focusing only on cocktails.

You may appreciate this stop if you want a chance to browse, snack, and reset. It is also a reminder that the tour is not limited to polished casino interiors.

Fuel Bar Las Vegas follows with about 15 minutes for beer, cocktails, and wine. The experience is intended to include less obvious venues and low-cost options, rather than only famous resort bars. This is where the tour’s budget angle becomes more meaningful: Jonathan points out places with three-dollar beer, five-dollar drinks, two-for-one offers, and happy hours.

Those deals are not necessarily available at every departure, so you should treat them as route possibilities rather than promises. Still, the advice can save more than the tour fee if you use it for the rest of your stay.

Cosmopolitan views and the evening’s concealed entrances

After another short walk, the route reaches The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for a photo stop and sightseeing. You get scenic views along the way, and the property gives the group a recognizable Strip landmark before the more unusual bar locations.

The Cosmopolitan portion is not presented as a long drinking session. That is useful if you want to see the resort without spending another round’s worth of money. It also helps break up the smaller bar visits.

The next three stops are described as concealed or lesser-known venues. One may be a bar hidden behind a barbershop, styled around a 1920s speakeasy. Another may be a tequila bar reached through an exit-sign entrance. A third could involve local snacks, regional food, beer, cocktails, spirits, and wine.

These are the moments most likely to make the crawl memorable. The entrances give you something to look for, and the guide’s directions matter because you may not notice them while walking alone. At the same time, not every stop is guaranteed on every outing. Jonathan has many choices, and the group’s progress affects what fits into the three-hour window.

Some places are sit-down venues. Some involve grabbing a drink and moving on. Some are simply pointed out for a later visit. You should enjoy the element of surprise, but do not book this expecting a fixed tasting menu.

Block 16 Urban Food Hall and the final stretch

Block 16 Urban Food Hall offers another mix of beer, cocktails, barbecue, and scenic views. This is a strong practical stop because food helps balance an evening built around alcohol.

A later photo and drink stop includes street food and Strip views. Two further visits are listed after that, each lasting roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Their exact names are not specified, which reflects the flexible nature of the route.

The planned finish is BrewDog Las Vegas, although the tour may end at The Cosmopolitan, BrewDog, or wherever you decide to stop. Many people do not make it all the way to the end. That is not necessarily a flaw, but you should understand the format before booking.

A three-hour schedule gives you an outline, not a promise that you will complete every venue. If you want to keep going, pace your drinks and avoid long waits. If you prefer a shorter night, you can leave when you have had enough.

What the $49 price really covers

At $49 per person, the fee is reasonable if you value local direction and want to avoid spending your first night testing random bars. You are paying for Jonathan’s time, route planning, introductions, and knowledge of drink deals. You are not paying for the drinks themselves.

That distinction matters in Las Vegas. A dozen stops can sound like a bargain until you imagine buying a beverage at each one. You do not need to order everywhere, and you should not feel pressured to do so. The value comes from selecting the stops that suit your budget and keeping the rest as useful information for later.

Jonathan states that he receives about half of the money you pay for drinks, so you should budget for beverages separately. Bring cash for the opening venue and possibly one or two other cash-only locations.

The crawl can save money compared with wandering into high-priced resort lounges, especially if you follow the advice on three-dollar beer, five-dollar drinks, two-for-one offers, and happy hours. Those savings depend on what is available and what you order, so I would not treat them as guaranteed discounts.

Walking, clothing, ID, and responsible pacing

This is a walking experience. The route includes repeated 5 to 10 minute walks between properties, plus time spent moving through large resort areas. Wear comfortable shoes and dress presentably.

Shorts are not allowed. Smoking and pets are also not allowed, although assistance dogs are permitted. The tour is English-language only, with no translation service.

You must be at least 21 and carry valid government-issued identification. For Americans, a state ID or driver’s license is requested, and a passport is not always accepted. International participants can use a passport.

The instructions also advise bringing water, avoiding the tour if you have medical issues, and drinking responsibly. You can legally drink while walking outside in Las Vegas, but that does not mean you need to drink at every stop. Eat when you can, pace yourself, and remember that the route may continue for three hours.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend Bars Unknown to you if you are new to the Strip, prefer casual bars to standard casino lounges, or want someone else to handle the evening’s basic planning.

It fits friend groups, couples, bachelor and bachelorette parties, girls trips, boys trips, team outings, and recently divorced people looking for an easy way to get out and meet others. The guide’s friendly, social approach also suits groups that want a host who can blend into the party rather than deliver a formal lecture.

Jonathan Dez is especially well suited to groups that want local stories along with the drinking. The strongest praise associated with the tour focuses on his fun, personable manner, his ability to fit into a large group, and the sense that he helps people learn more about Las Vegas while showing them good places.

I would be more cautious if you dislike walking, need a fixed timetable, want guaranteed seating, or prefer quiet cocktail bars. It is also a poor fit if you want every stop named in advance. The route changes, and some locations may be passed without a full visit.

Should you book Bars Unknown?

Book it if you want a social, on-foot introduction to the Strip’s less obvious drinking spots and you are willing to buy your own drinks. The price is fair for a guide who can point you toward bargains, unusual entrances, rooftops, food stops, and future-night options.

Skip it if you want a polished tasting tour with drinks included or a guaranteed finish at every venue. Bring cash, carry the correct ID, wear comfortable shoes, and pace yourself. If you do that, Bars Unknown can give your Las Vegas nights a useful head start instead of leaving you to wander from one generic casino bar to the next.

FAQ

How much does Bars Unknown cost?

The tour costs $49 per person. Drinks and food are not included, so you should budget extra for anything you order.

How long does the bar crawl last?

The scheduled duration is three hours. The route may end earlier for you if you choose to stop, and many people do not reach the final venue.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at the main bar inside Best Western Plus Casino Royale, located on the Center Strip.

Where does the tour finish?

The planned finish is BrewDog Las Vegas, but the tour may end at The Cosmopolitan, BrewDog, or wherever you decide to stop.

Is transportation included?

No. The tour is entirely on foot, and the listed venues are reached by walking.

Are drinks included in the $49 price?

No. You buy your own drinks. The first stop is cash only, and one or two other venues may also require cash.

What identification should I bring?

Bring valid, legal, government-issued identification. Americans should bring a state ID or driver’s license. International participants can bring a passport.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

No. The live guide speaks English only, and translations are not provided.

Can people under 21 join?

No. The tour is not suitable for anyone under 21.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes and dress presentably. Shorts are not allowed. Smoking and pets are also not allowed, except for assistance dogs.