STK Steakhouse vs Craftsteak Happy Hours — Which is Better?

Two of the Strip's top-tier steakhouses, both offering happy hour — but with completely different personalities. STK Steakhouse at the Cosmopolitan brings nightclub energy with DJ vibes and Instagram-worthy plating. Craftsteak at MGM Grand delivers Tom Colicchio's refined, farm-to-table approach to classic steakhouse fare.

Both have wagyu. Both have bourbon. But which steakhouse happy hour is actually better?

If you're choosing between party-steakhouse vibes at STK or culinary sophistication at Craftsteak, here's everything you need to know.

Quick Comparison Table

STK Steakhouse Happy Hour — Full Breakdown

STK is what happens when a nightclub and a steakhouse have a baby. It's loud, trendy, and designed for Instagram — but the food is legitimately good.

The Space

Location: The Cosmopolitan, main casino level
Hours: Mon-Fri, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Atmosphere: DJ spinning, moody lighting, white leather booths, beautiful people everywhere. It's a scene. The music is loud enough that you're leaning in for conversation. This is dinner + nightlife in one.

Drinks:

• $7 signature cocktails (STK Cucumber, Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita)
• $6 wine (house selections)
• $5 beer (domestic)

Food:

• $10 sliders (mini wagyu burgers, perfectly executed)
• $12 tuna tartare (sesame, avocado, crispy wontons)
• $15 wagyu bites (A5-grade, miso butter — yes, for $15 during happy hour)
• Other small plates and appetizers available

The Vibe: This is where millennials and Gen Z go when they want a steakhouse that doesn't feel like their dad's country club. There's a DJ. People are dressed up. Servers are attractive and know it. It's see-and-be-seen energy.

Pro Tip: The $15 wagyu bites are the move. You're getting actual A5 wagyu for happy hour prices. Order those, split $10 sliders with your table, and you've just experienced luxury beef for $50-60 total.

Best For:

• Date nights where you want energy and atmosphere
• Groups celebrating something (birthdays, bachelorettes, "we're in Vegas")
• Anyone who wants steakhouse quality without the stuffy vibe
• Instagram content creators (the plating is photo-ready)

Craftsteak Happy Hour — Full Breakdown

Craftsteak is Tom Colicchio's love letter to sustainable, farm-to-table steakhouse dining. It's the opposite of STK — refined, quiet, and focused entirely on the quality of the meat.

The Space

Location: MGM Grand, near Studio Walk
Hours: Mon-Fri, 3:00pm-6:00pm (3-hour window!)
Atmosphere: Warm wood tones, leather booths, wine displays. It feels like a serious steakhouse — the kind where business deals happen and bourbon nerds debate barrel proof vs. cask strength.

Drinks:

• $7 signature cocktails (Old Fashioned, Manhattan, classic whiskey cocktails)
• $6 wine (curated selections, often California reds)
• $5 beer (craft and domestic)

Food:

• $12 steak bites (dry-aged beef, chimichurri, perfectly seasoned)
• $10 oysters (fresh, East or West Coast depending on season)
• $15 bone marrow (roasted with herbs, served with toast — decadent)
• Other steakhouse appetizers and sides available

The Vibe: This is for people who care about where the beef came from. Colicchio built his reputation on sustainable sourcing and dry-aging. The crowd is older, more business-focused, quieter. Conversations happen at normal volume. You're here for the meat, not the scene.

Pro Tip: The $15 bone marrow is the hidden gem. It's rich, indulgent, and pairs perfectly with a $7 Old Fashioned. Arrive at 3:00pm to claim a booth and enjoy the full 3-hour happy hour window.

Best For:

• Bourbon and whiskey enthusiasts (great cocktail program)
• Foodies who appreciate dry-aged beef and sustainable sourcing
• Business travelers looking for pre-dinner drinks
• Anyone who wants classic steakhouse vibes without DJ noise

Head-to-Head: Which Happy Hour Wins?

Let's break it down by category:

For Atmosphere: STK Wins (If You Want Energy)

STK's DJ-driven nightclub-steakhouse vibe destroys Craftsteak's quiet sophistication — if you want a party. If you want conversation, Craftsteak wins.

Winner: STK (for fun), Craftsteak (for conversation)

For Food Quality: Tie (Both Excellent)

STK's wagyu bites are next-level. Craftsteak's dry-aged steak bites and bone marrow are equally impressive. Both kitchens execute at a high level. It's truly a tie.

Winner: Tie

For Happy Hour Length: Craftsteak Wins

Craftsteak's 3-hour happy hour (3:00pm-6:00pm) beats STK's 2-hour window (5:00pm-7:00pm). More time = more flexibility.

Winner: Craftsteak

For Drink Selection: Craftsteak Wins (Slightly)

Both have solid cocktail programs. Craftsteak's focus on whiskey and bourbon gives it an edge for spirits nerds. STK's cocktails are trendier but less classic.

Winner: Craftsteak (for whiskey lovers)

For Instagram Moments: STK Destroys Craftsteak

STK is built for Instagram. The plating, the lighting, the DJ, the crowd — it's all photo-ready. Craftsteak is beautiful but traditional.

Winner: STK

For Value: STK Wins (Slightly)

Both have similar drink pricing ($5-7 range). STK's $15 wagyu bites are the best deal — you're getting A5 wagyu at happy hour prices. Craftsteak's $15 bone marrow is equally indulgent but less of a "steal."

Winner: STK (wagyu bites are unbeatable)

For Culinary Credibility: Craftsteak Wins

Tom Colicchio's reputation speaks for itself. Craftsteak is built around sustainable sourcing and dry-aged beef. STK is excellent, but it's a nightclub-first concept. If you care about provenance and craft, Craftsteak wins.

Winner: Craftsteak

The Verdict

Choose STK Steakhouse If:

• ✅ You want nightclub energy with your steak
• ✅ You're on a date night and want a trendy, lively vibe
• ✅ You want Instagram-worthy plating and atmosphere
• ✅ You're celebrating something and want a party steakhouse
• ✅ You want the best wagyu deal on the Strip ($15 A5 bites!)

Choose Craftsteak If:

• ✅ You want classic steakhouse sophistication
• ✅ You're a foodie who cares about sustainable sourcing and dry-aging
• ✅ You want a 3-hour happy hour window (more flexibility)
• ✅ You're a bourbon/whiskey enthusiast
• ✅ You prefer conversation-friendly atmosphere over DJ vibes

Best Strategy: Visit Both (Different Occasions)

These steakhouses serve different moods. Here's when to visit each:

STK Strategy: Weekend date night or group celebration. Show up at 5:00pm for happy hour, order wagyu bites and cocktails, then transition into dinner or hit the Cosmopolitan nightlife. Budget: $60-80 per person for happy hour + drinks.

Craftsteak Strategy: Weekday afternoon pre-dinner drinks. Arrive at 3:00pm, order bone marrow and an Old Fashioned, enjoy the 3-hour window before dinner at another MGM restaurant. Budget: $50-70 per person.

Ultimate Move: Do both steakhouses on different trips. STK for party nights, Craftsteak for culinary appreciation.

Other Strip Steakhouse Happy Hours to Consider

If neither STK nor Craftsteak works for you, check out:

• Stripsteak (Mandalay Bay) — Michael Mina's modern steakhouse with happy hour specials
• Gordon Ramsay Steak (Paris) — British twist on steakhouse classics
• Prime Steakhouse (Bellagio) — Classic high-end steakhouse (check for happy hour specials)
• Best Strip Steakhouse Happy Hours — Complete guide to steak and bourbon on a budget

Pro Tips for Both Venues

For STK:

• Dress up (upscale casual minimum, dressy is better)
• Arrive at 5:00pm to beat the dinner rush
• The $15 wagyu bites are the best deal — order them first
• Loud music means leaning in for conversation — plan accordingly
• Great for transitioning to nightlife (you're already at Cosmo)

For Craftsteak:

• The 3-hour happy hour window gives flexibility — no need to rush
• Ask about the dry-aging process (servers are knowledgeable)
• The $15 bone marrow pairs perfectly with bourbon
• Quieter atmosphere = better for business drinks or serious conversations
• Located near MGM Grand's Studio Walk (easy to find)

Final verdict: STK for party-steakhouse energy and Instagram moments. Craftsteak for culinary sophistication and bourbon-fueled steakhouse tradition.

If you want wagyu with a DJ, go STK. If you want bone marrow with conversation, go Craftsteak.

Both are excellent. Neither is wrong. Your mood decides.