A staple in Las Vegas for many, many years, Atomic Liquors stands as a reminder of a quirky era in Nevada history. The Atomic Age was an interesting time for the Silver State, that’s for sure (more on that below.) Today, this spot is considered the oldest freestanding bar in Vegas and it’s still serving up drinks and food. Visiting this historic bar in Nevada is bound to be a memorable experience, from the nostalgic atmosphere to the delicious dining menu. You simply can’t visit Sin City without a stop at this icon!
Opened in 1952, Atomic Liquors has always stood out from the rest of the bars. After all, it was given the first tavern license in Las Vegas, which means that it was the first bar to also sell liquor to-go.
With its status as both a liquor store and a bar plus the fact that it was open 24 hours a day, Atomic Liquors was a wildly popular spot during the height of the Atomic Age. In fact, the entire city of Las Vegas was booming with tourism because of "Atomic tourism."
Atomic Liquors took the opportunity to cater to tourists. They even added rooftop service so that customers could enjoy a cocktail while watching the nuclear blasts take place 65 miles away. Nuclear testing took place in the early morning, so you could end your night by watching the sky light up from the blast.
The bar has seen all types of famous visitors over the years. Some of the most notable people that have sat in these bar seats include the Rat Pack, Barbra Streisand, Hunter S. Thompson, Robert De Niro, and Anthony Bourdain (while filming an episode for his show Parts Unknown.)
You certainly can't watch bombs go off from the bar's rooftop anymore, but Atomic Liquors is still the place to be when you want a taste of vintage Vegas. The bar briefly closed after the original owners, the Sobchicks, died in 2010, but it has since re-opened and been restored to its former glory.
These days, you can walk into Atomic Liquors and enjoy some delicious pub food while soaking up the history. Of course, you can still purchase packaged liquor to-go!
An evening out at Atomic Liquors is always a "blast" - see what we did there? Experience this Las Vegas icon for yourself and stop for a cold one soon.
Have you been to this iconic bar in Las Vegas? Can you believe the crazy history behind this unique spot? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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