Everyone seems to have an idea of what they’re looking for in bar grub — yummy food. Yes, and though delicious food is clearly a huge factor, when determining the best bar food in Sin City, other variables come to mind: who’s serving it, the room you’re in, the lighting, the music, the price and the attitude. So before you saddle up to the bar in Las Vegas, take a look at these spots that take bar food up a notch.
– Marco Medrano

PT’s Pub

3470 East Sunset Road
Las Vegas, NV 89120
(702) 434-4150
www.ptstaverns.com

The ultimate Las Vegas institution, PT’s Pub on Sunset Road is only about a 10-minute cab ride from The Strip, but as you step in, it’ll feel like you’re a million miles away. No glitz or pretension here, just friendly locals, sports on the TVs and amazingly good pizza. Come casual and stay awhile. Hours: 24 hours.

Munchbar

Caesars Palace Resort and Casino
3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 731-7778
www.caesarspalace.com

The single best spot for gourmet comfort food on The Strip, Chef Bryan Ogden’s incredibly popular bar (particularly late, late night) is perhaps best known for his signature breakfast sandwich served with french fries and sausage gravy or even his fancier Maine lobster roll with herb mayo. There’s a reason everyone’s here. Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.

First Food & Bar

The Shoppes At The Palazzo
3327 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 607-3478
www.firstfoodandbar.com

OK, you’re starving, your buddies are taking a nap and you don’t know where to eat, hang out and kill a few hours? No worries. First Food & Bar, inside The Shoppes at the Palazzo, is the single best answer to your dilemma, with its super friendly (and chatty) staff, mouth-watering burgers and strong drinks. Come alone and make a friend, or three. Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Republic Kitchen & Bar

9470 South Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 463-3500
www.republickitchenandbar.com

Though a bit off the beaten path (it’s in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, some 20 minutes from The Strip), Republic Kitchen & Bar has instantly established itself as the place to be for the best drinks and most inventive twists on home cookin’ anywhere in town. TV dinners — either meatloaf or turkey — served on porcelain trays with garlic mashed potatoes and apple cobbler, the Kobe Sloppy Joe or Vermont Cheddar Grilled Cheese will make this one worthwhile stop in your Las Vegas must-hit spots. Hours: daily, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Chicago Brewing Company

3201 Fort Apache Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 254-3333

Throw on your baggy sweatshirt, call your friends and head to Chicago Brewing Company for a night of cheap beer and delicious pizza. Casual, local and quintessentially Las Vegan, it doesn’t get any more real (and festive) than this. Hours: 24 hours.