Gastropub-inspired bar serves selection of craft beers

Inspired by the gastropubs of London and infused with a rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere, Aces & Ales, 3740 S. Nellis Blvd., caters to beer lovers with its selection of more than 20 craft beers on tap.

Owners Ryan Johnson and Keri Kelli, former guitarist of Alice Cooper, opened the bar four years ago to share their passion for craft beer in the Sunrise neighborhood.

“For years, it was one of the few destination spots for rare beers,” said Jennilee Frederiksen, general manager. “People come here for the variety and uniqueness of our beers.”

There are 20 rotating taps, which include pilsners, porters, imperial stouts, reds, hefeweizens and India pale ales, or IPAs, according to Frederiksen.

“We normally switch them when we have an empty keg,” Frederiksen said. “We like to keep things new.”

In addition, there are 150 vintage and limited beers in bottles that range from $6 to $75.

Frederiksen said the bar attracts an older and more local crowd but has recently been gaining a younger following.

“The customers here are really friendly and laid back,” said bartender Melissa Ridenour. “There’s a good mixture of men and women that come to the bar. We also get a lot of local gamblers.”

Televisions surround the bar, with channels showing professional and college sports.

The bar includes personal sound boxes for customers who have difficulty listening to their favorite games.

Not everyone comes to watch games and drink craft beer. Some people come exclusively for the food, according to cook David Russell.

“The food is never frozen. We make it from scratch,” Russell said. “If people want something that’s not on the menu, we can accommodate them, as long as we have all of the ingredients.”

With eight types of macaroni and cheese plates ranging from buffalo chicken to jalapeno, Russell said it was the bar’s most popular menu item.

The menu also includes lunch items such as burgers, pizzas, soups and salads, as well as breakfast and dessert options.

Those with a sweet tooth can order deep-fried Oreos with vanilla ice cream or Cap’n Crunch french toast served deep-fried with powdered sugar and jalapeno-infused maple syrup.

Frederiksen said many of the food items are infused with craft beer for added flavor.

The bar hosts hoppy hour, an event that pays tribute to the hops in craft beers, from 4 to 6 p.m. and from midnight to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. Specialties include $4 draft beers and macaroni and cheese plates.

The bar also offers a broad selection of scotch and whiskey, tequila, wines and signature drinks.

For entertainment, the business has karaoke every Monday starting at 9 p.m., hosted by disc jockey Kool Katz. Rock bands also perform occasionally.

In addition, there are four competition pool tables and shuffleboard.

The bar also hosts Tuesday night tasting, otherwise known as TNT, at 6 p.m. It includes a different food specialty each week with a beer sampler for $20.

Phil Banker has been coming into the bar since it opened. He said before Aces & Ales, the bar was known as Big Dog’s and then the Village Pub.

“The employees here know me really well,” Banker said. “If they see I need help getting home, they will drive me to my house. It’s a good place to socialize and gamble.”

There are eight bartenders, five cooks and a head chef who operate the bar.

Throughout the year, the bar hosts beer festivals where people are invited to taste up to 60 different beers. In the summer, the bar hosts the Stone Domination festival and the Strong Beer festival. In January, the venue hosts the Winter Strong Beer festival.

The bar’s success inspired the owners to open a second location at 2801 N. Tenaya Way, which offers 50 craft beers on tap and 150 specialty bottled beers.

The mostly local neighborhood bar has started attracting tourists staying on the Strip, said Frederiksen.

“We get people from all over the world,” Frederiksen said. “The beer we serve here is similar to wine. People enjoy smelling it and tasting it. This is the type of place where people can really enjoy a variety of beers.”

For more information, visit acesandales.com.

Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686.