Frankie’s Tiki Room

Frankie's Tiki Room is a 24-hour tiki bar west of Downtown, and it is one of the most atmospheric places to drink in Las Vegas. The bar sums itself up as "Drink, Smoke, Gamble" and describes its style as a combination of south seas exotica and modern primitivism with a touch of Las Vegas kitsch. It feels a long way from the casinos.

The interior was built by Bamboo Ben, and the artwork and carvings come from a roll call of tiki artists, including Shag, Bosko Hrnjak, Crazy Al Evans, Tom "Big Toe" Laura, Doug Horne and Leroy Schmaltz. Every corner has something to look at, from carved posts to paintings, and fans of mid-century design and tiki culture will want time to take it all in.

The drinks are tropical tiki cocktails. Many tiki drinks are strong, so pace yourself and ask the bartender for guidance if you are unsure. The bar has also released souvenir mugs over the years, and its website has a page dedicated to retired designs. As the bar's motto suggests, there is gaming at the bar, and smoking is part of the atmosphere, which is worth knowing if you are sensitive to smoke.

Frankie's is open 24 hours every day, so you can visit at any time, though the room is at its most atmospheric late in the evening. It suits couples, small groups of friends and anyone who enjoys themed bars and cocktail history. It is not a family venue, and you will need photo ID to drink. Expect it to be busy at weekends.

Look out for the carved details and artwork around the bar, as many pieces are by the artists named on the bar's website, and take your time to explore the room before ordering. Because the bar never closes, it also works as a late stop after a show.

The bar is on West Charleston Boulevard, west of Downtown and the Arts District, and it is easiest to reach by taxi or ride-share. It makes a good stop on a night that also takes in the Arts District bars or Downtown. If you are a tiki fan, combine it with The Golden Tiki in Chinatown for a full tour of the city's tropical bars.