Oak & Ivy Should Be On Your Vegas “Must List”

Not only is Sin City a potpourri of activities, but its ever-changing nature ensures that you’ll never run out of new experiences. Fortunately, one of my favorite things about writing for Vegas Bright is being invited to try out places that I might have missed (or avoided, for whatever reason) as a conventional tourist.  And then I get to share them with you. Win win!

Oak and Ivy is a whiskey bar…one of those “not my kind of thing” things that turned out to be really, really cool. This small classy establishment inside Downtown Container Park is a discovery that the Vegas adventurer can relish, either alone or with a group of friends.

While it would appear to be a conventional bar from the outside, the lush decor (for a shipping container), shelves of ornate bottles and period staff uniforms will tip you off quickly that Oak and Ivy is anything but run-of-the-mill. Sure, you can pop in for a take-with, but the bartenders are well-skilled to entertain, enlighten and involve you in their favorite craft.

Behind a row of greenery are several tables as well as rooftop seating. All the better to take in the frivolity of Container Park‘s central playground…while giving you full opportunity to be a sophisticated grown-up. Note: hard liquor is required to stay within their perimeter before 9 pm.

For a whiskey newbie like myself, having a guide through the world of rye, barrels and bourbon is an absolute necessity. When I introduced myself as an invited guest to Katie (the lovely lady seen in the video below) her first question was “What do you know about whiskey?” Which brought a chuckle, as my ONLY knowledge of whiskey comes from the partial shots that my grandmother gave me when little Sammy had a cold or flu.

“No worries” she said, as she took me by the hand (so to speak) and guided me through a brief primer in the art of whiskey creation, distillation, and aging. With Katie’s assist, I learned how to properly sniff, sip, swirl and scrutinize. She suggested that I add a little water after the initial sampling to make individual flavors stand out, and coached me on analyzing what made each selection unique. The great thing was that she made it interesting and fun.

There are plenty of different ways to enjoy whiskey at Oak & Ivy. Newbies and connoisseurs alike can take flight by choosing one of five different “Journeys”. They come with cute names like Road Trip ($21), Rye Not? ($28) and Brown Bag Special ($18), which is a somewhat random flight based on your bartender’s whims. Katie recommended Kentucky Mash-Up ($19), a popular choice that offers the widest spectrum of flavors.

Kentucky Mash-Up

There is a lengthy list of American whiskeys to choose from, along with barrel-aged cocktails, craft bottles/cans, seasonal creations and an assortment from the keg. Kickin’ Mules ($11) feature a house-made ginger beer paired with suited bitters.

Manhattan aficionados can fashion their own unique Manhattan by pairing a favorite whiskey with one of several aperitif wines ($3) and over 50 bitters for thousands of possibilities (and the bartenders are eager to recommend great combinations).

You can view their entire menu by clicking here.

Apple Pie Harvest

If you’re on the fence about visiting, here’s one fantastic reason to give Oak & Ivy a try: the “Apple Pie Harvest” cocktail ($12). Made with infamous Bacherovka herbal liqueur, apple-scented Clyde Mays whiskey, Bar Keep Apple Bitters, a slice of Granny Smith, a touch of butter, caramelized brown sugar and a BLOW TORCH (!), this epic creation will have you talking about it all the way home.

Oak and Ivy is located at 707 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Hours vary by day, open until 1 am Friday and Saturday.

[Photos and video: Sammasseur]

sammasseur

A fitness buff and Vegas fan. Sam enjoys shows, bargains, and cheap healthy eats.