Secret Bars We Love: The Vault
Go Inside Las Vegas’ Bellagio Resort & Casino’s Secret Cocktail Lounge
The Vault interior at the Bellagio, MGM Resorts International photo credit Robert Flicker
Location
Bellagio Resort & Casino
3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Vault, a secret bar nestled discreetly behind the live gaming tables on Bellagio’s casino floor, transcends the ordinary casino bar experience. It stands as a rare gem, offering one of the most lavish and indulgent drinking experiences Las Vegas has to offer.
Inside The Vault
Concealed behind an unmarked door, disclosed to patrons on a need-to-know basis, lies a clandestine speakeasy-style lounge. The Vault, a former casino hosts’ office, has become a haven of luxury and intimacy. It’s a place that offers patrons an immersive experience with exquisite attention to detail while maintaining a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The Vault has approximately 10 intimate tables and a stunning onyx bar, which boasts some of Las Vegas’s most luxurious and sought-after spirits including a 1930s bottle of Rémy Martin Cognac and a bottle of Bacardi Rum dating back to the 1950s. You can secure access to this Bellagio hideaway by booking online through the link provided in The Vault’ Instagram.
The Drinks
1767 Coutanseaux Aîné Cognac photo credit Sothebys
The beverage program, led by Craig Schoettler, Executive Director of Beverage and Corporate Mixologist at MGM Resorts International, is a unique concept that allows sophisticated connoisseurs to sip classic cocktails crafted with ingredients from a bygone era. According to Schoettler, “The Vault carries a special collection of rare and unique spirit brands from a historical moment in time, [...] each guest has the opportunity to ‘drink history’ during their experience and enjoy cocktails made using spirits from throughout the 20th century.”
For example, on a first visit, a guest could enjoy a Captain’s Sidecar Cocktail crafted with a rare 1767 Coutanseaux Aîné Cognac, and on a return, visit discover the cognac has been replaced with an entirely new vintage. According to Schoettler the significance of this is that with each new painstakingly created cocktail “the characteristics of the era come to life, creating a new and unique experience with each visit.”
Complementing its outstanding libations, The Vault provides a superlative level of service. A team of dedicated and knowledgeable staff, fueled by a genuine passion for mixology, stands ready to curate a bespoke and unforgettable imbibing experience for each guest. With enthusiasm and expertise, they navigate patrons through the menu, ensuring a personalized journey that transcends the ordinary, making every visit to The Vault a truly exceptional and tailored adventure in indulgence.
The cocktail menu is accompanied by a small selection of high-end bar bites including French-style mini croissants topped with Caviar and mini-Cubano sandwiches accompanied by a pot of melted cheese.
Popular Cocktails
The Rose and Romance cocktail at The Vault photo credit Robert Flicker
Rose and Romance
A must-try cocktail perfect for starting or ending your night. The Rose and Romance is a refreshing, crisp, and approachable combination of dragon fruit, rosé Champagne, and Absolut Elyx Vodka. The addition of the not-so-common dragon fruit gives the drink an interesting characteristic as the tropical component plays well with the Champagne. The drink arrives in an exquisite decanter and is garnished with a Dragon fruit crisp.
The Vapor Trail
Vapor Trail from The Vault photo credit Robert Flicker
An interpretation of an old fashioned using Hibiki Japanese Harmony whiskey apple brandy aged maple syrup taking the place of simple syrup. The drink is finished with a sprinkle of chocolate bitters and smoked table side with maple wood under a glass bell. The aromatics of the smoke pair perfectly with the Japanese whiskey and the fruity components of the applewood-aged maple syrup combined with the darker notes of chocolate offer the imbiber multiple sensations.
The English Spy
The English Spy from The Vault photo credit Robert Flicker
A milk punch-style libation featuring Suntory Whisky Toki, that is clarified with milk and uses a citrus oil sugar, known as an oleo-saccharum, to boost flavor. According to Schoettler, hot milk is poured over the batched cocktail which causes it to break and the whey to separate. After 24 hours the whey clarifies and is strained. The result, Schoettler says, is “a beautiful clear cocktail.”