Aces & Ales

Listen, Aces & Ales calling themselves "#1 Best Craft Beer Bar" isn't just marketing fluff—it's backed by actual OG beer nerd credibility. This place has been around since 2011, which in Vegas years makes it practically ancient. The original location on Sunset is the one that matters, the one that built the reputation, the one where the tap list actually rotates and the staff knows the difference between a session IPA and a double dry-hopped hazy bomb.

The Happiest Hour For Hop Heads

Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 3pm to 6pm, and this is where craft beer fans get religious. Select pints drop to $4-5, and they're not punishing you with the worst tap for the discount. You might find Local fan favorites like Able Baker, CraftHaus, or Revision on happy hour rotation depending on the week. Wines are $5, wells are $5, and appetizers drop to $6-8. But let's be real—you're here for the beer, and the pricing during happy hour is stupid good for the quality you're getting.

The Tap List Is Why You Come

Forty taps, all curated, none of that "we have Bud because someone might want it" nonsense. They rotate hard—what's on tap this week might be gone next, which keeps things interesting for regulars. The bottle and can list runs deep too, with rare stuff you won't find at Total Wine. The bartenders are actual beer people, not just warm bodies pouring. Ask questions, get recommendations, discover something that ruins your ability to drink macro lagers ever again. This is the education you didn't know you needed.

Food That Justifies The Drinking

You can't run a beer bar without proper bar food, and Aces gets this. The Garlic Parmesan Fries are legendary—crispy, garlicky, shamelessly excessive. The Pretzels come with legit beer cheese, not that neon-yellow goop from a bag. Wings are available in multiple styles, and the Burgers hold their own against dedicated burger spots. Vegetarians can actually eat here without settling for a sad side salad—the Veggie Burger and Cauliflower Wings aren't afterthoughts.

Strategy For Beer Pilgrimage

Get there at 3pm on a weekday to beat the after-work crowd and claim a spot at the bar. Start with whatever's on happy hour, then branch out as you warm up. The flight option lets you test multiple styles before committing. Bring a notebook if you're that kind of nerd (no judgment, I'm that kind of nerd). Weekends are madness—stick to weekdays for actual conversation and easier access to limited releases.

The Real Talk

Aces & Ales is for people who care about what they drink. The happy hour makes craft beer accessible, the atmosphere is unpretentious despite the expertise, and the whole experience reminds you why Vegas became a beer destination in the first place. If you're still drinking Coors Light, this place will ruin you—and I mean that as a compliment.