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Atomic Liquors
Fremont East bar that calls itself Las Vegas' oldest freestanding bar, with 20 rotating draft beers, bar food and a history that has drawn film crews and Anthony Bourdain.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic bar
- Area
- Downtown (Fremont East), Las Vegas, United States
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- atomic.vegas
Good to know
- 20 rotating draft beers
- Bar food
- Open daily from noon
- Late opening
Why we recommend it
Atomic Liquors is the bar to visit for a drink with a sense of Las Vegas history. It describes itself as the city's oldest freestanding bar and says it has been serving Las Vegas since 1952. The building's story goes back further still: in 1945, Virginia's Café opened on the site, run by Virginia and Jack Barrett with their daughter Stella and son-in-law Joe Sobchick, and in April 1954 it became Atomic Liquors. The Sobchicks ran the bar for decades, and it closed in 2011 before new owners bought and renovated it in 2012.
The bar has a long list of stories attached to it. A bar stool marked with a star is said to have been Barbra Streisand's favourite seat, and the bar has appeared in films including The Hangover and Casino and in The Twilight Zone. In 2013, Anthony Bourdain filmed a segment of Parts Unknown here, and the Atomic Wrangler casino in the video game Fallout: New Vegas was inspired by it.
Today, Atomic Liquors is a relaxed neighbourhood bar with a focus on beer. There are 20 rotating draft beers alongside a full liquor selection and cocktails, and the kitchen serves what the bar calls elevated bar food, so you can settle in for an evening rather than just a quick drink. The menus are on the bar's website.
The bar opens at noon every day and stays open until 2am from Sunday to Thursday and until 3am on Friday and Saturday. Afternoons are quieter and good for a beer, while weekend nights get lively as Fremont East fills up. It suits beer lovers, history fans and anyone looking for a bar with more character than a casino lounge. Bring photo ID.
Its history is closely tied to Downtown's past, and spending an hour here is one of the easiest ways to feel the Las Vegas of earlier decades.
Atomic Liquors is on East Fremont Street in the Fremont East district, a few blocks east of the Fremont Street Experience canopy. It is close to El Cortez, PublicUs and Mothership's café at Fergusons Downtown, so it combines easily with a Downtown day or night out. Taxis and ride-shares can drop off outside, and the canopy and the casinos are a short walk west.
Atomic Liquors FAQs
Is Atomic Liquors the oldest bar in Las Vegas?
It describes itself as Las Vegas' oldest freestanding bar.
When did it open?
The bar says it has served Las Vegas since 1952; Atomic Liquors replaced Virginia's Café on the site in April 1954.
What are the opening hours?
Daily from noon, until 2am Sunday to Thursday and 3am on Friday and Saturday.
What drinks are served?
20 rotating draft beers, a full liquor selection and cocktails.
Is there food?
Yes, the kitchen serves elevated bar food.
Which films were shot there?
Films including The Hangover and Casino, and The Twilight Zone.
Where is it?
At 917 E Fremont St in the Fremont East district.
Who owns it now?
Brothers Kent and Lance Johns and Derek Stoneberger bought and renovated the bar in 2012.