Best Bloody Mary in Vegas? (1 Viewer)

[BiGGyT]

So it is time for my 4th annual brother and friends trip to Vegas this Sat-Tue, and much of the time is spent sitting at the video poker bar tops or in the casinos, and maybe a few tournaments or low stakes poker. The drink of choice until sundown is the Bloody Mary (BM for short, not to be confused with the other BM), and we have had really good ones at Bill's, and bad ones at Bally's (tabasco and vodka is not a BM). To be fair, also had decent ones at Bally's too, just depends on who is making them.

For killing some time, probably Monday morning/afternoon, I have proposed a BM Casino Crawl where we start at Bally's (home base) and work up/down the strip going to the bar, dropping in a $20 and get a BM, when the $20 or the BM is done, cash and go to next casino, rinse & repeat. If this happens, I will post pics and thoughts about the various BMs. The goal here is to find the best bar complementary BM, not the Hash House A-Go-Go $12 BM or the Ellis Island add a chicken breast BM.

Ellis Island "Stacked" BM from Anthony Curtis
http://vegasseven.com/2015/04/22/ellis-island-scores-hail-mary/

I might make this one, but doubt it. It is Sat & Sun until 2pm, I arrive at 12:30p and we have Sterling Buffett Sunday (they also pour BM as well as Perrier Jouet) so probably will be too stuffed/pie-eyed to make it.

If anyone knows of a good strip BM spot, or the best bar or bartender to get one from, please let me know. For two years, Bill's was the place we would start the day and had really good ones, last year they refused to even try Cromwell because they felt like it was over their bankroll to even step in the place (quarter VP is max for the friends). Tips are not a problem since we usually drop a $10 for the first round and follow ups are $5-$10 a round, they just don't have as much disposable income for all day gaming over those levels.

RowdyRawhide said "Also one of the better Bloody Mary's I've found in LV is in a little Tiki bar in the back of the mall at PH, also the best buy too."

It is on the crawl route, might have to stop in and give it a try.

Thanks!

BiGGyT

EDIT: They do not include Bloody Mary on the sterling buffet since it reopened at BLT, think the drink menu had 4-6 choices at $12+ each.

 

[BiGGyT]

The 2015 Bloody Mary Crawl

Center to South Strip Edition


Each year, my brother and his buddy go to Vegas and much of the time is spent drinking and playing video poker. Several years ago, I joined in as a third wheel and I think was accepted into their pack as I also enjoy some drinks and video poker. About 4 years ago, we discovered that we really enjoyed the Bloody Mary’s at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon (RIP) to start the day as it was a good liquor, a good mix, and a good view of the Strip so we could watch the pedestrian show. We have not stepped into the Cromwell out of respect for the dead, so we were missing that start of the day we had come to love. Some enjoy Starbucks, some a hearty biscuit or doughnut, for us, it is the spicy Bloody Mary (BM), and video poker.

For our 2015 trip, I floated a trial balloon that we needed to find a new spot that met our morning requirements, and that this would be a fun activity to take up the lull of day 2 (or 3 for 2 of us) where you are in the groove, but need a break from solid gambling. This was the birth of the Bloody Mary Crawl 2015 (BMC15). The rules were loosely decided that we would start at home base (Bally’s), put in $20, order a BM (all the same) and when the drinks were done, cash out and go to the next casino. We then added where we would have a secret ballot where we would judge each one and make notes as to mix and flavor. Well, I kinda made notes, some I cannot read now, and others just gave a score. The participants are BiGGyT, Bro J, Dr.F, and SB. Dr. F and Bro J go every year (and I 3rd wheeled), SB was an old friend of both of them, and I knew from high school that came out for the first time with us, so he enjoyed seeing all the sights along the way. This is not a scientific study and is our opinion, feel free to do your own homework.

BILL’S (RIP) for comparison.

BALLY’S

We stay here, and usually meet at the back bar next to the poker room to start the day. Funny how the same bartenders are there year after year. Unfortunately, even though we start here and finish here, and usually have plenty of drinks here, we all did not all grade this one.

Bally’s uses a BM mix from their gun, and the vodka they use is also on the gun. The bartender did spice it up with Worchester , black pepper, tabasco. Served with an olive (no pimento), and a lime.

I scored this one a 5.5, since they tried to make it a bit better, but it is still gun mix.


PARIS

I arrived on Saturday, we did the crawl on Monday, so Bro J and I had a BM at the Paris Le Central bar and played some video poker.

The bartender was very generous with the grey goose, and added some for the side as well. $10 tip may have helped that a bit. The problem I had with this BM was it had chunks of something I could not figure out and it tasted kinda sour. Later on, I found out what it was from the bartender at MGM. Paris uses a mix called “Mary’s Double” (if I am reading my writing correctly) and it contains ground pickles and brine in it. Needless to say, it was bad, even with the grey goose, so we had one.

We skipped Paris on the crawl since it was known and not good, I would score it a 4.


PLANET HOLLYWOOD

This was our first official stop on the BMC15. I do not recall the name of the bar, it is right inside the north entrance off the strip.

The BM is made using a mix, “Finest Call”. It is pretty good, the bartender used Ketel One vodka (my favorite) and added some black pepper and tabasco. It was served with an olive (with pimento). Bartenders were very friendly, James and Wayne if I can read my writing.

Rankings:

Me 7.5 Bro J 7.5 Dr. F 9.0 SB 4.0

Best part of PHo was this

MGM GRAND

HOLY HELL it is a long dry haul from Planet Hollywood to the MGM Grand. I would not suggest doing this side of the street. We looked around for a minute and found Whiskey Down, seemed like a nice spot for official stop #2 on the BMC15.

We told Jen, the bartender, the story of the BMC15 and said “impress us”. She would not divulge any secrets of her made from scratch BM. She would not tell me the vodka, or what all she used, although I was able to get “clamatto” as one of the ingredients. So, if you are not a fan of a slight fishy smoky taste, then this one is not for you. Served with bacon, celery, olive (with pimento), and an in glass-squeezed lime.

Rankings:

Me 9.0 Bro J 8.0 Dr. F 9.0 SB 6.0



NEW YORK NEW YORK


Crossing the street over to NY NY, we settled on Center Bar for stop #3 on BMC15.

First things first, these screens were horrible. I thought I had had too many BMs already, but no, it was that the video screen was fuzzy as hell. Bartender was probably from NY because he did not have time for our story of BMC15. I was able to find out the vodka was Sky Vodka (good, because I don’t like headaches), and the mix was one they make themselves. It was a good medium spice, was a bit chunky but not in a bad way (like Paris’ nasty pickle mix). It was served with an olive (with pimento) and a lime. Plastic Glass was a negative.

Rankings:

Me 8.0 Bro J 5.0 Dr. F 7.0 SB 2.0

 

[BiGGyT]

PART 2

MANDALAY BAY

Thank you Baby Jebus for the tram. My first time at Mandalay Bay, never made it that far down the strip before, so picked up a few chips for the collection. We stopped at the Muzuya Lounge for the #4 stop of BMC15.

Once again, we met with “Finest Call” Bloody Mary mix, same as PHo. Bartenders said “sorry, well Vodka”, and added Worchester and tabasco. Guys were friendly, they joked about some guy who showed up for a minute and left. Evidently he was a regular and thought he was the next American Idol, we found him on YouTube, just awful. I think I had 2 BMs here.

Rankings:

Me 7.0 Bro J 6.5 Dr. F 8.0 SB 5.0


LUXOR

Stop #5, Luxor Play Bar. Been a while since I was here, so picked up a chip or 4.

Bartenders were curious about the BMC15, so we filled them in up to that point. They said they usually made their own mix, but did not have any already made so these were from scratch. Vodka was Absolute, they added Worchester, tabasco, black pepper. Served with an olive (with pimento) and lime. Think I might have had 2 here as well, was starting to get a good buzz by this time.

Rankings:

Me 7.0 Bro J 5.5 Dr. F 7.0 SB 5.0


EXCALIBUR

Stop #6, good God, this is getting to be a bit much. Bartender was Tim, started with Ocean Spray Bloody Mary mix (which he said was made not too far from there). He added Worchester, black pepper, celery salt, and tabasco. I think he said 3 olives vodka, or maybe I got 3 olives, hell if I can remember. It was served with olives (with pimentos) and a squeezed-in-glass lime. Unfortunately by this point, I half forgot what I was doing and forgot what bar we went to, and I failed to take a picture of my drink. Fortunately, it looked a lot like this, tilt included.

Rankings:

Me 7.5 Bro J 6.0 Dr. F 6.0 SB 3.0


MONTE CARLO

Stop #7, WTF, we could not find a seat at a bar, it was Monday Night Football time, and we were pretty well hammered, so Stop #7 of BMC15 was a bust, and we opted for coffee. Here is where the official BMC15 ended, scores were tallied and the winner was declared to be:


MGM GRAND – WHISKEY DOWN Bartender Jen. Presentation and atmosphere added a lot to the really good made from scratch BM, and Jen was also kind enough to hook us up with Fiji waters for the remaining trek. Will it be the same if another bartender was there? Probably not, but I am pretty sure any other bartender that would be there would also do a fine job.

BMC16 is already planned, we will go North on the strip this time instead of South. I think we all liked PHo BM for closeness to Bally’s and the “Finest Call” BM mix with help was pretty good, and it was Ketel One vodka, which does not give me a headache.


Other Notables:


ARIA

Before they would give Bro J a 2nd BM, they made him get a MLife card. The made sure the drinks were 30+minutes apart as well, not too happy with ARIA’s bar, although it was Ketel one. The mix was not that good, too bland, don’t think they did anything to make it better.

UNITED FIRST CLASS

AWWWWW YEAH. Good way to start the trip, they happily brought me several, before and during the flight. Too bad canned BM mix and Tito’s, but hey, it has a lime.

Thanks for reading the ramblings and looking at my fuzzy pics and some stolen from bing images, will update when BMC16 happens. Until then, go see Jen at Whiskey Down and tell her you want her to impress you with her Bloody Mary skills. (She says she also works other properties, might find her at other places).

CHEERS!

 

[Forest@Farmington]

Can't wait for the update

 

[H|Q]

Head over to Lynq and to Hash House a go go for an epic BLT Mary. Not pictured is the piece of toast it comes with. Bacon really cinches it.

 

[RowdyRawhide]

Bang for buck is a little tiki bar in the back of PH like $3-$4 for a damn good bloody mary. I usually get one and drink it there and get another to go (every morning.....hey it's Vegas).

 

[BiGGyT]

Bang for buck is a little tiki bar in the back of PH like $3-$4 for a damn good bloody mary. I usually get one and drink it there and get another to go (every morning.....hey it's Vegas).

I read that somewhere.....

RowdyRawhide said "Also one of the better Bloody Mary's I've found in LV is in a little Tiki bar in the back of the mall at PH, also the best buy too."

It is on the crawl route, might have to stop in and give it a try.

I have had the HHAGG at Quad/Linq BM, gave the souvenir glasses to my brother's buddy. It was good, but the true goal is to get the best comp BM. However, I appreciate all suggestions so keep them coming.

Also, need to check out TAG lounge, I was reading they give comp Dogfish Head 90 min IPA as comp beer, as well as many other craft beer, so my intention is to verify this too. My liver will hate me after Tuesday.

 

[BiGGyT]

updated and bump.

 

[Racer96]

Each time I read this, I kept thinking of the other BM acronym.

Not exactly the best crawl to have.

Mike

 

[BiGGyT]

Yeah, it is unfortunate, but PIA to type it over and over and over. Think I may have crawled back to the room after....

 

[PhilLaFond]

Just a little side note to your great thread. I had amazing comped Bloody Marys at the Wynn poker room during my weekend there last Jan. Just delicious. I have no idea what they used, what bar was making them, or what they would cost at any of the hotel bars, but they cost me nothing but the tips to the lovely waitress. It was a generous pour in a large glass with lots of snacks. Celery, olives, lemon, spicy, but not too much. I seriously had to stop ordering them as it was affecting my play, but by the time I stopped I had been raving about them so much that four other players were now ordering and liking them. Can't wait to go back...

 

[BiGGyT]

Bump and reserve for Bloody Mary Crawl (BMC) Sept 2016 Center to North Strip Edition

 

[BiGGyT]

Reserved

 

[David O]

Two of the best Bloody Mary's in Vegas are..........


The first one and the second best is the next one!!!

 

[BiGGyT]

Reserved

 

[justsomedude]

I know it's far from the strip, but the Bacon Bar has damn good bloodys.

 

[BiGGyT]

Most of this trip is going to be via foot power. Since the Bacon Bar appears to be well NW of the Strip, while Uber is probably cheap, it would take away from the limited drinking and gambol time so probably not a trip they would want to do this year. Since the premise of the BMC was to find the best complimentary bloody mary to enjoy while playing video poker, I doubt we would be reviewing it for the BMC. BUT, I am intrigued by this and any other outstanding bloody mary suggestions so keep the recommendations coming.

BiGGyT

 

[NiceShot]

Flamingo had a good one. Wish I remember the guys name... it's in the corner of the casino past the lobby and past the bar by the lobby. He told me he used clamato and various other things... It was tasty.

 

[BiGGyT]

Reserved for 2017 BMC - maybe. Still have to fill in the 2016 Crawl info and tasting notes. Leaving this Saturday !!!!

 

[BiGGyT]

Reserved

 

[Rhodeman77]

I didn't read the entire thread, but I really enjoy the BLT Bloody Mary at Hash House, it goes great with the chicken fried streak to settle a hangover.

 

[Joe E.]

if you make it down town (Freemont St.) the Denny's has the best Bacon Bloody Mary I have ever had.

 

[Trihonda]

Not a BM guy. But just had my new fav beverage... of all time. The "verbena" from the cosmo.

We went on Wednesday this week and it's amazing. Literally the best drink in the world.

http://blogs.kcrw.com/goodfood/2014...s-your-tastebuds-and-makes-you-a-supertaster/

 

[BiGGyT]

intrigued. Flower Power??


First, your salivary glands activate. Then your tongue begins to tingle. That tingle turns to a prickle, and suddenly your whole mouth is numb. An icy sip of verbena scented margarita accentuates the experience.

No your drink was not laced with Icy-Hot, this situation in your mouth is actually part of the Verbena experience. Concocted by Mariena Mercer, lead mixologist at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the Verbena cocktail is a lemon verbena and ginger infused margarita garnished with a Sichuan flower. Order the drink, and your bartender will instruct you to eat the flower first. Sometimes called a “buzz button, Mercer says the garnish “speeds up all your salivary glands and makes you what’s called a super taster.” The active ingredient is an alkaloid called spilanthol which is the catalyst telling your salivary glands to spring forth. The result? “Like standing under a waterfall,” said Good Food’s Evan Kleiman.

You can try the Verbena at the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan. While the cocktail is no longer listed on the menu, it remains the best selling drink on the property.

While you’re there don’t miss Mercer’s other concoctions like boozey dippin dots at the poolside Neapolitan bar and flirty bottled cocktails at Bond. Mercer and her team make all of the syrups, bitters and infusions in house in the hotel’s dedicated cocktail kitchen.

 

[Potsie1]

Hands down Osheas. I always make a special trip there for the bloody mary.

 

[courage]

Love this kind of Vegas doin'-it-right story. Hash House bloody mary confirmed awesome.

 

[Trihonda]

@BiGGyT the Verbena's flower not only makes the margarita taste amazing, but your taste buds are intensified 1000%. Everything tastes better. Even the air tastes amazing.

Um, so doing that drink on every future trip to Vegas. We sat at the cosmo chandelier bar, played video poker, and the first drink was comped, then the machine spat out free drink coupons every 10 minutes. Got three free drinks. Burned through $20. My buddy came out ahead $20.

 

[timsta007]

Fantastic tradition. Have fun this year, looking forward to the TR!