First, many of the strip casinos got the new technology that monitors free drinks. Now, some of the local casinos are jumping on board. Gina Lazara reports. I've been to Vegas (from Wisconsin) 6 times, and got married at Caesars Palace. When you get your ass kicked, there is no shame in playing a 1 cent slot machine, 1 line at a time in order to conjure cocktails. The rule is 1 waitress = 1 drink, so make it good. They don't mind interaction, so ask what they have. I recommend Jaegermeister or a.
One of my favorite parts of Las Vegas is all of the comped drinks. Which is short for complimentary drinks. Which is casino jargon for free drinks.
You read that right: free drinks.
Need I say more? Probably not, but it wouldn’t be Viva Las Value without a long-winded geeky explanation, so let’s talk more about the best way to maximize your (drinking) value in Las Vegas!
Drinks are only free if you’re gambling (or look like you’re gambling).
And, as any seasoned gambler knows, Lady Luck is a fickle mistress. Which means that sometimes you will win, sometimes you will break even, and sometimes you will lose. Fortunately, free drinks can help offset the house edge and make it possible to come out ahead — or at least buzzed.
So, about those free drinks. Or should I say, “free” drinks:
Sometimes drinks are truly free in that you break even. Which is technically a win, since you would’ve paid way too much for it at the bar.
Sometimes you pay a LOT more than you’d pay for your drink at the overpriced bar 20 feet away. Learn from my mistakes… I’ve had a $51 Heineken before.
Sometimes, though, the stars align, and you transcend the odds to achieve the ultimate dream: getting paid to drink. Trust me, nothing tastes sweeter than a beer that you’re getting paid to drink.
The steps to getting a free drink are simple.
Gamble (don’t forget to use your players card!)
Listen for the siren call of “driiiinks? cocktaaaiiiiiills?”
Make eye contact with the cocktail waitress (or bartender)
Order your drink
Get your tip ready as you wait for the waitress to return
Collect your drink and tip the cocktail waitress
Protip: if you’re serious about your drinking, give a larger tip and ask her to bring another next time she comes around; do this, and you’ll never have an empty glass/bottle. Just remember that you can only have one drink in front of you at once, so drink quickly!
Repeat until you are sufficiently drunk
Beer, liquor, wine, and cocktail selection varies by property, so don’t hesitate to ask the cocktail waitress what they have in your preferred category. They will be more than happy to give you a quick rundown of what they can offer for bourbons or beers, but they won’t be amused if you ask the broad question “what do you serve?” since they’re effectively a roving bar, and time is money since they rely on tips.
Beer
Most places will serve bottles, but if you’re playing at the bar, you’ll sometimes get drafts.
Every casino will have the standard American beers (Bud, Miller, Coors, etc., and their corresponding light varieties) and popular imports (Heineken, Corona, etc.). Most casinos also have faux-craft beers like Blue Moon and Goose Island.
Craft beer selection varies by casino, so it never hurts to ask, but be prepared to be flexible if the server tells you they don’t have it. I recommend having a fallback domestic (mine is Bud Light, since I like to hydrate while I’m drinking) just to be safe.
If you’re a beer snob like me, your best bet is to play bartop video poker so you can see the taps they have and order accordingly. Ellis Island and Main Street Station both brew their own beer in house, which means you can get some nice pints fresh from the keg. The Vue Bar (upstairs at the D) and Bar Prohibition (at Golden Gate) also have a great selection of beers on tap.
Liquor
Every casino will have well liquors for all of the standard types of liquor (whiskey, vodka, rum, tequila, etc), as well as a large selection of premium/call brands (Jack Daniels, Maker’s Mark, Grey Goose, Captain Morgan, Patron, etc).
ALWAYS order a call drinkand/or ask the cocktail waitress what brands they can comp and order accordingly. If you order a “shot of whiskey” you’ll get a shot of gut rot. But if you order a Maker’s Mark, they’ll either bring you a glass of quality bourbon or tell you “we can’t comp that, but we can do Jack Daniels/Jim Beam/Crown Royal/Windsor.” Anything is better than gut rot.
I usually stick to beer in Vegas (since it’s not a sprint, and I have to carbo load for my all-day drinking marathons), but I’ve been impressed with the bourbon selection at The Cromwell (comped healthy pours of Woodford Reserve) and Main Street Station (I literally fished off a bottle of Maker’s Mark on Election Night 2016).
Cocktails
Every casino will have the standard cocktails (liquor + mixer, margarita, martini, cosmopolitan, mimosa, etc) and the ability to make most things. The cocktail waitress puts your order in at the bar, so if a bartender can make it, they’ll be able to deliver it.
Again, when you order your cocktail, be sure to specify the brand so you don’t get stuck with bottom shelf liquor. Most bars are fully stocked, so shoot for the moon (but be prepared with an easier backup just in case).
Many places have frozen cocktails, and I’ve also seen people order unique drinks like the Mississippi Mudslide, a Hot Toddy, or coffee-based cocktails.
Wine
Wine hits me with a brutal hangover when I overdo it (which is every day in Las Vegas), so I’ve never ordered it at the casino. However, I often see people drinking it. Unless you’re balling out in the high limit room, they probably won’t have specific brands, but they do seem to have multiple varieties of whites and reds covered.
Order by type (chardonnay, merlot, white zinfandel, etc.), and the cocktail waitress should be able to get you what you want (or something close to it)!
Other
Cocktail waitresses can also bring non-alcoholic beverages. Since not everyone is as irresponsible as me in Las Vegas, I’ll refrain from making a snarky comment and add my obligatory reminder to order water.
I’ve seen people order tea, coffee, hot chocolate, pop (not soda, pop damn it!), virgin drinks, juice, energy drinks, and much more.
Okay, calm down all you pedants… the drinks aren’t TRULY free in that you have to tip the cocktail waitress! This is a small price to pay for a bottomless glass of your favorite booze.
The standard tip is $1 per drink. This should keep the cocktail waitresses coming back frequently. I always give $1 for each drink they hand me (including waters). No need to break the bank here, however an extra buck or two occasionally will ensure that they come back even quicker. Additionally, if you plan to post up at a machine or table for a while, a larger tip at first will show the waitress that you’re serious about drinking, and will pay dividends.
You can tip in cash and/or chips. I recommend breaking a $20 at the cashier at the start of each day so that you always have tip money on hand.
Trust me on this one, tipping the cocktail waitress is the only sure-fire investment you can make in the casino. I deliberately said “investment” rather than “gamble” because it is guaranteed to return cheap/free drinks many times over. If that’s not a dollar well spent, I don’t know what is (especially when you see the exorbitant prices that casino bars charge)! If only I could get the same return on my gambling…
Playing Bartop Video Poker is the fastest way to get free drinks, since you can gamble at the bar while reaping the benefits of close proximity to a bartender. This is an especially valuable tip if you like draft beers and/or want to relax while people watching or watching a sports game.
If you’re taking advantage of comped drinks while playing at the bar, always insert at least a $20 and play max bet (on quarters) so that the bartender knows to comp you. If they ask you if you’re gambling, say yes. If you do this, it’s implied that the drink will be comped, but you can ask the bartender their comp policy to double check if you’d like.
The bartender will bring you your drink, tell you good luck, and place a receipt in a cup behind your machine. This receipt is only for accounting purposes, and not how much you owe; if you owe money, they will tell you the total. Otherwise, ignore the slip and place your tip in the cup.
Unfortunately, some casinos have implemented lights or ticketing systems to cut down on freeloaders at the bar. Under these systems, the first drink is usually free, but the next ones are dependent on consistent gambling. Fortunately, this only affects play at the bar, so if you aren’t prepared to gamble a decent amount, play a machine on the casino floor and slow-roll to your heart’s content.
In places with a bartop ticketing system (like the Cosmopolitan), the machine will spit out a drink ticket every 15-20 minutes as long as you’re playing regularly. You will then redeem these tickets in exchange for a drink. Be sure to use them, because they often expire within 24 hours. If you’re at your limit, you can always redeem them for bottles of water or spread some good karma and give them to other players. One unexpected positive of drink tickets is that many places will allow you to combine multiple tickets for more premium spirits (like Johnnie Walker Blue) or specialty cocktails (2 tickets will get you specialty cocktails at the Cosmopolitan’s bars). Bartenders will happily explain
In places with a bartop light system (like Caesars Palace), there is a light on the back of the machine that will turn green when you’re betting high enough and frequently enough. If you’re not gambling enough and your light goes red, the bartender may tell you to play more. The threshold varies by property, so ask the bartender if you’re in doubt. I don’t have any experience with light systems since I prefer to gamble at places that are more supportive of my excessive alcohol consumption.
The Wynn and Encore do NOT comp drinks while playing bartop games, so don’t waste your time or money playing there; stick to the floor at these two properties.
Slow Roll
Slow-rolling is the best way to minimize your losses and maximize your BAC. A portmanteau of my own creation, it combines slow play with low rolling to game the system for the cheapest drinks possible.
Check out my slow-rolling guide for more on this simple technique!
Drink at the LINQ
The LINQ is my favorite place to rev up my drinking, since they will bring you a comped beer AND a shot of liquor with in same order. I discovered this through a happy accident when my table ordered a table shot of Jack, and I was drinking Bud Light; the cocktail waitress said she can’t serve two liquors, but she can do a beer and liquor.
As far as I know, the LINQ is the only casino that does this; I’ve also tried at Planet Hollywood, Flamingo, and Excalibur with no success.
Keep it Classy
Liquor selection tends to correlate with swankiness. If you’re a connoisseur, it’s worth checking out a classier establishment to see if you can get a marginal upgrade in your selection. The liquor cabinet at fancier casinos (think Cosmopolitan/Cromwell/Wynn/Bellagio) tends to be a bit more varied and premium.
For example, the Cromwell comps Woodford Reserve and Knob Creek… which is a such a good deal, it caused me to miss my departing flight once.
What’s your go-to comp drink? Let us know down below in the comments!
Gin and Tonic and Rum and Coke are the most popular Casino drinks in Vegas
Margaritas are an obvious choice - but they'll get you too drunk to bet
Wearing a tux? Put your money where your mouth is and go for a bottle of Dom Perignon Rose.
Gone are the days of old where Casinos were smoke-filled dens crammed with gamblers hoping to turn their last few dollars into a small fortune.
Modern brick-and-mortar Casinos are entertainment hubs where people from all walks of life meet to have a good time, play some games, and enjoy a few good-quality drinks.
From the live music shows at the Hippodrome Casino in London, UK, to the never-ending surprised you get at the Casinos in Las Vegas, today's gambling screams entertainment and fun.
And when you go out for a fun night with your friends, a good drink is in order.
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But - what are the best drinks to order at a Casino in Vegas?
Should you stick to safe and classic choices like a Gin and Tonic or should you be bolder and challenge the barman's knowledge?
And how expensive is a bottle of champagne at the Casino?
Your search for the best drinks to order while gambling in Vegas is over.
Build your drinking menu with this list of the 15 best drinks to order in Vegas while gambling and use it to look like a regular every time you hit the Casino bar.
Important Notice: Drink Responsibly
Drinking too much alcohol is neither cool nor healthy or safe. Take this list of the most popular Casino drinks like your tequila: with a grain of salt.
Don't get drunk. That's bad for your health and your wallet. If you feel you had one too many, don't gamble. Go home.
In this article:
ChampagneGin and TonicSlippery NippleBeerBloody MaryVodka MartiniMojitoMargaritaJack and CokeTequilaWaterTea and CoffeeSoft Drinks
Champagne
How not to love French bubbles?
James Bond movies made champagne look like every gambler's drink — as if everyone had Bond's unlimited budget to spend on drinks.
While might want to indulge in a glass of champagne or two in places like the Monte Carlo Casino or The Ritz, the Vegas Casino scene is somewhat a different story.
Although the sparkling wine from France's Champagne region is by definition the winner's drink, you might need more than the $50 bucks you scored at the penny slots to get yourself one bottle.
Vegas high rollers and (rich) socialites used to do most of their Vegas champagne drinking at the Fizz Las Vegas (Caesar's Palace) — too bad their $2,500 champagne cocktails never got popular enough to keep the place open.
What's in a $2,500 Champagne Cocktail?
The signature cocktail of the Fizz Las Vegas was an outrageously expensive blend of some of the finest alcoholic drinks on the planet.
While it might not be your obvious choice as the best drink to order in Vegas while gambling, it included these ingredients:
Grand Marnier Quintessence
Hennessy Richard Cognac
A dash of Dom Rose
Don't be an idiot. It doesn't matter how much you won at the Roulette table: don't spray the bottle around like you won a Formula 1 race.
That's not funny, and it will get kicked out from the Casino. Instantly.
Gin and Tonic
People have been drinking Gin and Tonic since the early 1700s when the British East India Company came up with this evergreen classic.
By mistake. Because the creation of Gin and Tonic happened when researchers were working on much more noble goals than get you drunk at a Vegas Casino.
As history goes, it was discovered that quinine could be used to prevent and treat malaria, although the bitter taste wasn't to everyone's liking.
So the officers began mixing it with water, sugar, lime and gin to mask the quinine taste.
While tonic water today contains much less quinine than it used to 300 years ago, this is still a pretty cool drinking story to kick off a conversation at the bar.
If you like Gin, Gin and Tonic is a perfect choice. It's refreshing, and it makes you look like a modern drinker.
The Best Gin and Tonic in Vegas
The Jaleo at the Cosmopolitan is the best spot in Vegas to taste a top-quality Gin and Tonic.
To drink like a local, try the new Citrus Gin Tonic ($20) introduced by chef José Andrés only a few months back. It's an impressive drink featuring Oxley English dry gin.
When you are done with the drinks at the Jaleo, head to the Petrossian Bar and Lounge at the Bellagio and the Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan to try other world-class variations.
Slippery Nipple
Want something that will make you sound completely ridiculous when you ask for a drink at a Vegas Casino?
Are you too shy to ask for Sex on the Beach?
Try the Slippery Nipple.
This funny-sounding shot is a potent mix of Sambuca and Irish Cream with a pinch of grenadine to create 'the nipple effect.'
Some Casinos also offer some different variations like the Slippery Nipple N.3 (with Kahlua liquor) and the Dirty Nipple.
Be careful, though. A few dirty nipples are enough to send you KO.
Beer
Yes, you don't need to behave like Mr Fancy Pants every time you hit the Casino bar in Vegas.
Drinking beer at the Casino is cool and acceptable, and a few Vegas Casinos feature great collections of hoppy drink coming from top quality small breweries.
The Banger Brewing (Fremont & Las Vegas Blvd) is known as the best brewery in Las Vegas.
Choose one of the ten options in their draft beer lists and get ready to enjoy a drink that they say is a reflection of Las Vegas: 'sexy, classy, and one of a kind.'
The Best Craft Beers at a Vegas Casino
Don't fill your stomach with a random lager while you gamble in Vegas.
The TAG Lounge and Bar at the LINQ is a GREAT choice to gamble and savour some of the best craft beers in the world at the same time.
Bloody Mary
Some hate it, some consider it the best hangover cure, and others love it like a good tomato soup: the Bloody Mary is another classic that's never wrong.
As long as you can tolerate vodka.
This refreshing cocktail is a mix of Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcester Sauce, and Tabasco.
Unless you find drinking tomato juice revolting, give it a shot (pun intended). It is an excellent Hair of the Dog cure if you've consumed too many drinks the night before and it's a tasty one when you want to try something different.
According to the Vegas section of Eater.com, the finest Bloody Mary in the whole Vegas is served at the Virgil’s Real Barbecue (the LINQ).
Their variant is made with Tito’s vodka and garnished with jerky. If your stomach is strong enough, you can also add a barbecue chicken wing, bacon and a shrimp and brisket skewer.
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Vodka Martini
A list of popular Casino drinks isn't complete without the mention of a Martini, the classic vodka-and-vermouth cocktail made famous by James Bond.
Do you know why Bond likes his Vodka Martini 'shaken, not stirred?'
Like the sophisticated drinker he is, Bond knows that the rapid movement of the ice cubes in the shaker helps to melt more ice and dilute the drink better.
Also, stirring would make the drink too clear — and real Vodka Martini drinker want theirs to be cloudy, not transparent.
Remember this: the next time you go to a Casino bar in Vegas, order a Vodka Martini and ask for it to be 'shaken, not stirred.'
Mojito
Some say a Mojito is the perfect summer drink and nothing is more refreshing than it's a mix of alcohol and fresh mint.
Made of white rum (four parts), fresh lime juice (three parts), six leaves of mint, soda water, and two teaspoons of sugar, this is a classic that everyone loves and never look wrong.
Be careful though — a good Mojito tastes much like a soft drink. The mint and the sugar can hide the alcohol very well, pushing you to have one too many.
If you care about your bankroll, don't exaggerate. Best gambling games to win money. Enjoy only what your body can tolerate and don't drink too much.
Margarita
Here's one popular Casino drink we might have never enjoyed if US President Donald Trump succeeded in his plan to build a wall around Mexico one century ago.
Created by Carlos 'Danny' Herrera at his now legendary Rancho La Gloria restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, the Margarita is a true icon in the world of cocktail drinking.
From its inception in 1938 to today's success as one of the most ordered Casino drinks in Vegas, this potent mix of Tequila, Cointreau, lime, and salt is a genuinely delicious choice.
2-for-1 Drinks on Margarita Day at the LINQ
According to Thrillist, the LINQ is home to one of the best / fanciest Margarita in Vegas, as their Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila has proven to be a real hit.
Johnny Vegas Drink
The drink is made of Cazadores Silver Tequila, fresh lime, fresh strawberry & Moscato d'Asti. Oh, and it's 2-for-1 on Margarita Day.
Jack and Coke
Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey and Coke is by far one of the most popular mixtures in the world, and it's not surprising it is also one of most popular drinks at Vegas casinos.
Served in old-fashioned or Collins glass, this is one of the most obvious choices.
Put it this way: ordering a whiskey and cola while gambling in Vegas is never wrong. It's just a little boring.
Did you go all the way to Vegas to order the same cocktail you can make by yourself at home?
Tequila
Aka. The cause of so many regretful mistakes that I'm almost sure the old saying 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' came after a night of drinking Tequila.
Tequila might not be the best choice to drink while gambling at a Casino in Vegas, but I know it's a hard one to resist.
An authentic Mexican classic, Tequila has found a new home in Vegas, where you can enjoy some of the best Tequila bars on the planet.
If you know nothing about it (except that it will knock you down), head straight to the Tacos and Tequila at the Luxor.
They have irresistible flights of tequila already selected for you to help with your education.
A curious fact: you can use tequila to make diamonds
Yes, Tequila has been used to produce nanometer-sized synthetic diamonds. If you don't believe me, have a look at this article on how scientists use this drink to make artificial diamonds.
Water
Okay, it's not the most glamorous of drinks to have, but it's always good to keep your water levels topped up, especially if you're sampling some of the drinks coming up in this list!
Despite being tasteless and odourless, water is vital to us humans and drinking it regularly while in the casino will help keep your concentration and energy levels higher.
Tea and Coffee
Another couple of non-alcoholic drinks to get your lips around are tea and coffee.
Tea is the hot drink of choice in the UK (52% preferred it at the last count), with coffee in second-place (35%). Usually, coffees and teas are free - so they are a perfect choice if you are on a budget.
Be careful with how much of either you consume because both contain caffeine, which can dehydrate you even in small quantities, and have some side-effects in larger amounts, including anxiety.
Soft Drinks
Soft drinks are almost always free at Vegas Casinos, and it's a good idea to help yourself to the occasional one.
Be aware that some Cola products have a lot of caffeine in them, and that the non-diet versions of these drinks are often packed with sugar.
And too much sugar is not good for your health.
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Best Drinks In Vegas
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Best Drinks To Order In Vegas Casinos
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Best Drinks To Order While Gambling In Vegas
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