Wynn vs Encore Happy Hours — Which is Better?
Wynn and Encore are the same property—connected, same ownership, same ultra-luxury standards. But when it comes to happy hours, they take different approaches.
Wynn brings classic elegance with lake views and refined cocktails. Encore brings modern luxury with pool bars and upscale casual vibes.
Which side has better happy hour value? Let's break it down.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Wynn | Encore |
|---|---|---|
| Best Happy Hour Spot | Parasol Up/Down | Encore Beach Club (seasonal) |
| Days | Mon-Fri | Select days (seasonal) |
| Hours | 4:00pm-6:00pm | 11:00am-3:00pm (pool bar) |
| Beer Price | $6-7 | $7-8 |
| Wine Price | $8 house wine | $8-9 house wine |
| Cocktail Price | $8-10 | $9-11 |
| Food Deals | Limited bar snacks | Pool bar bites |
| Best View | Lake of Dreams (Parasol Down) | Pool deck |
| Vibe | Classic luxury, quiet, refined | Modern luxury, pool party energy |
| Crowd | High rollers, couples 40+, business travelers | Pool party crowd, younger demographic |
| Best For | Pre-dinner drinks, quiet conversation | Day drinking, pool parties, summer visits |
| Dress Code | Upscale casual | Resort casual / swimwear |
Wynn Happy Hour — Full Breakdown
Wynn doesn't aggressively promote happy hours (they don't need to—guests pay full price). But there are deals if you know where to look.
Parasol Up / Parasol Down (Best Happy Hour at Wynn)
Location: Wynn casino floor
Parasol Up: Overlooks the casino floor from above
Parasol Down: By the Lake of Dreams waterfall
Hours: Mon-Fri, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Drinks:
- $8 signature cocktails (normally $16-18)
- $6-7 beer
- $8 house wine
Food:
- Limited bar snacks
- Small bites available
The View:
- Parasol Down: Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Lake of Dreams (an indoor lake with a waterfall and light show)
- Parasol Up: Elevated view of the casino floor
The Vibe: Quiet, refined, luxury. This is where high rollers and business travelers have pre-dinner cocktails. It's not loud. It's not rowdy. It's elegant.
Best For:
- Pre-dinner drinks before SW Steakhouse or Mizumi
- Quiet conversation
- People who want luxury without paying full luxury prices
Pro Tip: Parasol Down (by the lake) is more scenic than Parasol Up. Request Parasol Down if you care about views.
Eastside Lounge
Location: Wynn casino floor
Hours: Variable (check with bar)
Drinks:
- Limited happy hour specials
The Vibe: Standard casino lounge. Nothing special.
Other Wynn Happy Hours
Allegro — Italian restaurant, no happy hour
Lakeside — Seafood restaurant, no happy hour
SW Steakhouse — No happy hour (upscale dining only)
Overall Wynn Vibe: Quiet luxury. The happy hour deals are modest (not aggressive discounts), and the food options are limited. You're paying for the ambiance and the Wynn brand.
Encore Happy Hour — Full Breakdown
Encore (the newer tower, added in 2008) skews slightly younger and more modern than Wynn.
Encore Beach Club Pool Bar (Seasonal, Summer Only)
Location: Encore pool deck
Hours: Select days, 11:00am-3:00pm (April-October)
Drinks:
- $7-8 beer
- $9-11 cocktails
- $8-9 wine
Food:
- Pool bar bites
- Limited happy hour food specials
The Vibe: Day drinking, pool parties, EDM music. This is Encore's answer to other Strip pool bars.
Best For:
- Day drinking
- Pool parties
- Summer visits
- People who want a party vibe
The Catch:
- Seasonal (closed in winter)
- Not every day (check website for schedule)
- Limited to hotel guests + day pass holders
Eastside Lounge (Encore Side)
Location: Encore casino floor
Hours: Variable
Drinks:
- Similar to Wynn's Eastside Lounge
The Vibe: Standard casino bar.
Other Encore Happy Hours
Sinatra — Italian restaurant, no happy hour
Andrea's — Asian fusion, no happy hour
Wazuzu — Asian restaurant, limited happy hour (call ahead)
Overall Encore Vibe: Slightly more modern and accessible than Wynn, but still ultra-luxury. The pool bar is the only real happy hour play, and it's seasonal.
Head-to-Head: Which Happy Hour Wins?
For Views: Wynn Wins
Parasol Down's Lake of Dreams view beats Encore's pool deck (unless you're really into pool parties).
Winner: Wynn
For Price: Wynn Wins (Slightly)
Wynn's Parasol happy hour is $6-10 vs. Encore's $7-11. It's marginal, but Wynn is cheaper.
Winner: Wynn
For Day Drinking: Encore Wins
Encore Beach Club's pool bar happy hour (11am-3pm) is perfect for day drinking. Wynn has no pool bar happy hour equivalent.
Winner: Encore
For Year-Round Access: Wynn Wins
Wynn's Parasol happy hour runs Mon-Fri year-round. Encore's pool bar is seasonal (summer only).
Winner: Wynn
For Party Vibes: Encore Wins
If you want a party atmosphere, Encore Beach Club beats Wynn's quiet luxury.
Winner: Encore
For Quiet Conversation: Wynn Wins
Parasol Up/Down is perfect for pre-dinner drinks with conversation. Encore Beach Club is too loud for talking.
Winner: Wynn
The Verdict
Choose Wynn If:
- ✅ You want lake views (Parasol Down)
- ✅ You want quiet, refined luxury
- ✅ You're visiting in winter (Wynn runs year-round)
- ✅ You want pre-dinner cocktails before an upscale restaurant
Choose Encore If:
- ✅ You want a pool bar happy hour (summer only)
- ✅ You want a party vibe
- ✅ You're visiting during pool season (April-October)
- ✅ You want day drinking
Best Strategy: They're Connected
Walk between them. They're the same property.
4:00pm: Start at Wynn's Parasol Down. Order a cocktail. Watch the Lake of Dreams light show.
6:30pm: Walk to Encore. Check if the pool bar is open (seasonal).
Total cost: $20-30 per person for drinks at two sides of the same ultra-luxury property.
Honest Take: Wynn/Encore Happy Hours Are Overrated
Let's be real: Wynn and Encore don't do aggressive happy hours. The deals are modest ($8-10 drinks vs. $16-18 full price). The food options are limited. And the happy hour windows are short (2 hours).
Why go at all?
- You're staying at Wynn/Encore and want to save $5-10 per drink
- You want to experience Wynn luxury without paying $18 per cocktail
- You're doing a pre-dinner drink before SW Steakhouse or Sinatra
Better Strip happy hour options:
- Cosmopolitan vs Aria — Better deals, better views
- Venetian/Palazzo — Two happy hours (afternoon + late-night)
- Best Strip Happy Hours — Full guide
Other Wynn/Encore Happy Hours to Consider
Wynn Red Card Program: Sign up for the Wynn player's club (free). Depending on your play, you may get comp drinks or happy hour discounts.
Allegro Happy Hour (Call Ahead): Wynn's Italian restaurant occasionally runs happy hour specials. Call (702) 770-3463 to confirm.
Final Verdict
Wynn for: Quiet luxury, lake views, year-round happy hours
Encore for: Pool parties, day drinking, summer visits
Honest recommendation: If you're staying at Wynn/Encore, hit Parasol Down for one drink. Otherwise, go to Cosmopolitan's Overlook Lounge for better views and better deals.
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