Lounge
The Orleans
THE ORLEANS
4500 W. Tropicana Ave.
That was quick. Readers who enjoy an evening away from the crunch of tourists wasted no time in giving the newly arrived Orleans its first award in this category. Blues and even an occasional zydeco band give this lounge an air of New Orleans' authenticity that helped boost it above free-music outlets at the MGM Grand Hotel and Luxor.
Our Pick:
RAILHEAD SALOON
Boulder Station
4111 Boulder Highway
This locals-oriented lounge is a repeat winner with us despite a problem with noise leaking through the curtains that separate it from the casino floor. However, the prices are right and the entertainment lineup of mostly one-nighters has ranged from jazzman Chick Corea to Italian crooner Jerry Vale. And on Wednesday nights there's a resident improvisational comedy troupe (Mutiny) on hand to take away our midweek blues at no charge.