In it’s heyday, Fremont Street was the center of Las Vegas. Lined with hotels and casinos, the downtown street came alive with neon icons blazing in the desert sky. It was the hub of all activity, the hang outs for all the cool kids and entertainers like the Rat Pack. It was THE place to be.

And then it faded. The scene shifted south to The Strip where bigger casinos flew up faster than Marilyn Monroe’s skirt over a subway grate. Fremont Street’s shine faded and the high-end tenants were replaced by tacky souvenir shops and strip clubs.

Over the past 20 years, the city made efforts to restore the downtown district to it’s former glory, opening an uber-mall/theater complex (that failed) and installing an insane light display arching over the street (that was converted to a pedestrian-only zone). The latter became a very successful draw and, with the help of restored neon signage (better known as the Neon Museum), and events like First Friday, New Year’s Eve, and St. Patty’s day, nightlife is returning to Fremont Street and the cool kids are coming back.

Case in point…The Griffin.

Located on Fremont Street between Las Vegas Blvd. and Carson Ave., you’ll get past the bouncers and through the thick red velvet curtain to find a dark, luscious hideaway. Sit around one of the fireplaces in the center of the room, cozy up in a leather-lined booth, or chat it up at the bar. On busy nights they’ll open up the back room and host bands as well.

The bartenders are some of the nicest you’ll meet in town. Come a few times and you’ll be fast friends, sharing news about your kids and the new motorcycle in his garage.

While this watering hole is a great place to hang out for locals and visitors alike, don’t forget its primary function: the beverage. Sure, you can have a beer, or two, or four. You can even enjoy a nice martini (they have the best pomegranate martinis in town, if you ask me). But a place like this was made for the big bottles, on the rocks or straight up. Order one (whiskey, vodka, you name it) and you’ll quickly taste what they mean by a “Griffin Pour.”  It’s a generous serving at a decent price. Tip your bartender well and he or she may start to look like Santa Claus after a few.

Parking downtown can be a challenge, so save yourself the headache and just park in the Fremont Street Garage off Ogden and 7th. It’s a short walk from there. Check the calendar before you head out as well. First Friday-goers often flock here after the galleries close and it get’s pretty packed. Most nights they open at 5 p.m, but Sunday’s you won’t see doors open until 9 p.m.

Stop on by, order a bourbon and raise a glass to the grand days of Vegas hipness and it’s burgeoning renaissance.

[Photo by Nancy Syzdek]