Downtown Cocktail Room vs Commonwealth Happy Hours — Which is Better?
Update (2026): Downtown Cocktail Room permanently closed. This comparison is for historical reference.
Two speakeasy-style bars on Fremont East. Both focused on craft cocktails. Both popular with locals. But only one is still operating.
Commonwealth remains one of downtown's best happy hours. Downtown Cocktail Room closed permanently in recent years.
This guide compares what each offered and points you toward Commonwealth and similar alternatives.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Downtown Cocktail Room | Commonwealth |
|---|---|---|
| Status | CLOSED PERMANENTLY | OPEN |
| Location | 111 Las Vegas Blvd S | 525 Fremont St |
| Days | Was Mon-Fri | Mon-Fri |
| Hours | Was 4pm-7pm | 5pm-8pm |
| Cocktail Price | Was $6 craft cocktails | $5 craft cocktails |
| Beer Price | Was $4 | $4 |
| Food Deals | Was $5-6 small plates | $3 tacos, $5 sliders |
| Vibe | Was moody speakeasy | Speakeasy downstairs, rooftop upstairs |
| Best For | N/A (closed) | Craft cocktails, rooftop views |
Commonwealth Happy Hour — The Winner by Default
Since Downtown Cocktail Room is closed, Commonwealth is now the go-to speakeasy-style happy hour on Fremont East.
Commonwealth Full Breakdown
Location: 525 Fremont St (Fremont East)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Layout: Two floors — speakeasy bar downstairs, rooftop bar upstairs
Drinks
Happy Hour Specials:
- $5 craft cocktails (normally $14)
- $4 draft beer
- $6 wine
The cocktails: These are legitimately excellent. House-made syrups, fresh citrus, proper technique. The bartenders are trained and they care.
Food
Happy Hour Specials:
- $3 tacos
- $5 sliders
- Half-off select appetizers
The Vibe
Downstairs (main bar):
- Moody, dim lighting, speakeasy energy
- Intimate seating, great for dates or small groups
- Cocktail-focused crowd
Upstairs (rooftop):
- Open-air rooftop with downtown views
- More casual than downstairs
- Great for sunset drinks
Why It's Great
$5 craft cocktails — This is the best craft cocktail happy hour deal in Vegas. Normally $14 cocktails drop to $5. Same quality, same bartenders, 65% off.
3-hour window — 5pm-8pm is longer than most downtown happy hours.
Two floors — If one level is full, go to the other.
Best For
- Craft cocktail enthusiasts
- Locals
- Date nights
- People who want speakeasy vibes
Pro Tips
- Show up at 5pm to claim a seat (it fills up fast, especially Thursday-Friday)
- Ask the bartender to make you something off-menu — they're good at improvising
- Rooftop is best for sunset (arrive around 6pm for golden hour)
What Happened to Downtown Cocktail Room?
Downtown Cocktail Room was a Fremont East staple for years. Moody lighting, intimate seating, creative cocktails, and a $6 happy hour that rivaled Commonwealth's $5 deal.
It closed permanently in recent years. The space is no longer operating as a bar.
What it offered (for reference):
- $6 craft cocktails during happy hour
- $4 beer
- $5-6 small plates
- Intimate, dark, speakeasy vibes
- Great for date nights and cocktail nerds
Why people loved it: The vibe. It was darker, more intimate, and quieter than Commonwealth. Perfect for conversation.
Alternatives to Downtown Cocktail Room
Since DCR is closed, here are similar options:
1. Commonwealth (Best Alternative)
Same Fremont East location, same craft cocktail focus, slightly more energy than DCR had.
Why it's similar: Speakeasy vibes downstairs, craft cocktails, locals-focused.
2. Velveteen Rabbit (Arts District)
Location: Arts District (10 min drive from Fremont East)
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri, 5pm-7pm
Drinks: $6 cocktails (normally $12-14)
Why it's similar: Creative cocktails, moody lighting, intimate seating. It's the Arts District equivalent of what DCR used to be.
3. ReBAR (Arts District)
Location: Arts District
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri, 4pm-7pm
Drinks: $6 cocktails, $3 beer
Why it's similar: Craft cocktails, off-menu drinks available, bartenders who improvise.
The Verdict
Commonwealth wins by default — it's open, it has the best craft cocktail happy hour in downtown ($5 cocktails), and it has two floors (speakeasy + rooftop).
If you miss Downtown Cocktail Room:
- Go to Commonwealth for similar vibes + rooftop option
- Try Velveteen Rabbit (Arts District) for creative cocktails
- Check out ReBAR (Arts District) for speakeasy-style off-menu drinks
Other Downtown Happy Hours
Final verdict: Commonwealth is the best speakeasy-style happy hour in downtown Vegas. If you're looking for what Downtown Cocktail Room used to offer, Commonwealth is your spot.