The Palms Casino Resort’s $620 million renovation is kicking off with a bang. While many of the projects are still in the works (the main pool is still under construction, for example, so we hit the Palms Place pool instead), the Las Vegas hotel’s newest restaurant and nightlife trifecta just opened its doors…and it’s exactly what you need for your next Sin City vacay.
(Photo by James Anger)
Although Vegas is a debauchery-packed party town, we found the perfect medium of chill and turn-up vibes as we checked out the grand openings of the incredible steakhouse Scotch 80 Prime, hotspot rooftop club Apex Social Club, and the chic Camden Cocktail Lounge during Memorial Day weekend.
Each spot had an enticing aura that lured us back in night after night. Here’s our full breakdown on why your next trip to Sin City should include all three.
(Photo courtesy of Scotch 80)
Scotch 80: $3 million worth of whisky on the menu, Japanese KOBE beef steak, and a restaurant that could double as a lounge with its chocolate tufted booths, and artwork by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Meet Scotch 80 – a restaurant that jumped to the top of our fave Vegas restaurants list as soon as we stepped inside the steakhouse’s doors. Then, we tried the food. As plate after plate of seafood, steaks, and sides dropped on our table, we nearly lost our minds as we tasted the incredible flavors in the Kookoo crispy gulf shrimp, the hint of lemon in the lump crab cocktail, and the shrimp-packed Spazz salad.
Then, it was on to the entrees, as we munched on the Kobe Beef steak, sea scallops topped with shrimp, and creamed spinach. Everything we nibbled on was beyond tasty, but the creamed spinach was hands down the best creamed spinach I’ve ever had in my life.
(Photo courtesy of Scotch 80)
In addition to the grub (also don’t miss the lobster bisque, Tristan Lobster Tail, and lamb chops), you can’t leave without sipping a cocktail. The restaurant features one-of-a-kind Old Fashioned or Manhattan cocktails that mixologists will whip up for you tableside based on your spirit choice and flavor profile, or made-to-order cocktails like the Johnnie Walker Black ‘Buol Mule’ and Veuve Yellow Label ‘Birch Street Blues’.
Guests can also sip whisky from the restaurant’s huge scotch collection – one of the largest retail collections of scotch in the country.
(Photo courtesy of Clique Hospitality Group)
Apex Social Club: “When you have a view like this, you can’t help but feel like you’re on top of the world!,” Rick Ross said as he sipped rose and performed Sunday night with panoramic views of the Las Vegas skyline in the background. We felt the same way, as we danced the night away at the grand opening weekend of the rooftop club, taking in performances by Ricky Rozay, Nas, and a hot DJ set by Questlove while we were at it.
We sipped crafted cocktails on the outdoor patio of the 8,000 square-foot open-air social club, chatted with guests along the graphite and sapphire bar, and kicked back in the covered lounge surrounded by glass-encased art sculptures. Every night we partied there, we lived.
(Photo courtesy Clique Hospitality Group)
Located on the 55th floor of the Palms Casino Resort, the Clique Hospitality nightlife venue is the brainchild of nightlife owners Andi Masi, Ryan Labbe and Jason “Jroc” Craig, and is one of the most unique nightlife experiences we’ve had in Vegas, particularly when it comes to taking in performances. Guests can view their fave artists up close, whether the music stars are performing near the DJ booth (like Nas did) or in the center of the patio (a la Rick Ross).
Camden Cocktail Club: They had us at Instagrammable handcrafted cocktails. This cozy laid-back lounge, which opens up at 4 p.m., made for the perfect stop post-dinner and pre-club, with its cocktails whipped up tableside with over-the-top presentations by torch-wielding mixologists.
We opted for the Hef, a smoky and tart cocktail served in a cigar-shaped glass and topped with a toasted marshmallow that our mixologist fired up in front of us in a cigar box full of dry ice. Aside from The Hef, the Scorpino 2 Ways topped with edible flowers and the Magic Show served with honeydew melon soaked in kahlani are also two cocktails not to miss.
During our nights there, we hung out in leather booths and chatted with friends as a neon sign emblazoned ‘All I Want Is Everything’ glowed in the background. It was the quintessential pick me up.
Big Tip: The handcrafted cocktails can take a while before they are presented at the table (around 30 minutes), so make sure to order those way ahead of time – and enjoy another beverage while you’re waiting.
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