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| - "Thank God Keanu Reeves was there to get us out!" -- Will & Grace: Season 4, Episode 18
So many hotels and casinos and bars in Vegas - so take your pick. But for me, being in a bar and hotel with NO smoking was truly refreshing. But beyond that, an actual bar and Vegas that did not look at me like I had two heads when I asked for a cocktail that contained Ginger Beer.
So I met with some friends who were staying at the Vdara and this is currently the only open bar at the hotel. It is just off the lobby and then they have a large patio (which I did not realize initially) and a good sized indoor area. I was just hanging out until the bartender, Michael, asked me what he could get for me - he said he could make anything. I laughed and asked if he had Ginger Beer and he held up a bottle. Doing his best Keanu Reeves impression (no seriously, he looks just like him), I asked for a Moscow Mule. He told me he had a version of one they feature using muddle strawberries and I said "sign me up."
I watched Keanu muddle the strawberries, a housemade simple syrup, Ginger Beer and Grapefruit Vodka all over crushed ice. They were so refreshing and delightful, I had two. I needed to head back over to my hotel for a bit to make a delivery, so after I came back and had 4 more (but who is counting?) When one of them did not taste right, Keanu took it back and remade it immediately and it was never on my bill. He apologized saying that the citrus bottles must have gotten switched. He tasted the offending cocktail and agreed it was too sweet - but the fact that they fixed it so quickly made for a better experience.
We ended our night spending a few hours on the patio and our waitress took excellent care of us - keeping the bar snacks and drinks coming - all expertly craft by Michael (aka Keanu). I tried to call him Michael, but what can I say, the guy preferred his new nickname.
I do love a bar that knows how to craft a quality cocktail and treat its patrons with respect and great service.
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