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| - The Laundry Room was hands down the best thing we did in Vegas. The drinks were impeccably made, the ambiance was intimate and well-crafted, and the experience overall was simply divine.
Reservations are made in advance by texting them, and while there reportedly can be walk-in availability, I wouldn't count on that since the entire space seats no more than 22 people. Make sure you tell the bouncer outside Commonwealth that you have reservations at The Laundry Room so you don't have to pay cover.
The entire space hides behind two doors in the back of Commonwealth. Stepping inside is like taking a trip back to the 1920s, and it is so well isolated that, upon leaving, we were shocked by the club-level music blasting just on the other side of the wall. The ambiance was impeccably curated, from the piano in the corner (used as a table) to the intimate wooden bar lined with shelves of the most interesting liqueurs you have never heard of. And this review wouldn't be complete without a shout out to the fancy cat statue hiding in the corner of the bar: he was a hit among our group!
The true magic comes from the mixologist (or, more aptly, your new best friend). The current mixologist is Anthony, and you'll have no trouble exchanging witty banter with him or being entertained by his stories. Anthony has a diverse working knowledge of all of his liqueurs and spirits (probably 40-50+), which is impressive, to say the least. And after you've watched the painstaking detail that goes into each and every cocktail, you'll never want to leave. The best thing about these cocktails is that they are impeccably made, whether you choose a classic like a Manhattan or a creation that has no name and probably isn't replicable by anyone else.
The Laundry Room operates differently from any other bar I've ever been to. On arrival, you are instructed to think of your favorite flavors (not liquors, not specific drinks, but just what flavors you like and dislike). This may sound easy, but it is incredibly difficult in practice. For example, I know I like an old fashioned, but trying to describe what I like about it goes deeper than saying that I like bourbon (or sweet drinks or boozy drinks). That being said, if you can identify a few basic flavors, it will allow Anthony to probe deeper and ask you questions you never thought would be relevant in a bar. Being able to say "I like cucumber and mint" might lead Anthony to ask if you like spicy things, and before you know it you are drinking an incredibly refreshing cucumber cocktail that finishes with the most surprising (and pleasing) burn from habanero bitters.
If that's not up your alley, there is an extensive menu (broken down into flavor families), but for the most part, it's more fun to have a conversation with Anthony and then watch the master work. That being said, end the night with a Whisker Rub. Just trust me. It's amazing.
Another great thing about The Laundry Room is the pricing. Every cocktail is $15, no matter the ingredients. This is a welcome reprieve in a town like Vegas where bland poolside margaritas can run $18-20 apiece and be served in a boring plastic cup. And while to some people $15 that may seem expensive for a single cocktail, these are a bargain for how well-crafted they are.
If you get munchy during your visit, ask for some popcorn. This isn't that gross tin of stale "multi-flavored" popcorn you ate as a kid; this stuff can induce a craving. The company they get their popcorn from is doing good work, and you'll feel fancier than ever eating it out of an intricate crystal dish on a pedestal.
Also, be sure to go to the bathroom while you are there! The decor is great (the walls are plastered with old newspapers), but the centerpiece is the coiled copper faucet that must have been made by hand. You'll want to take it home and shower with it, that's how great it feels.
Even other well-respected cocktail bars don't stack up against The Laundry Room. If you're ever in Vegas, this could easily be your only stop. Hell, I'd probably make a special cross-country trip just to have an experience like that again.
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