A Night at the Laundry Room

Reader Robert Berry shares a night at The Laundry Room in Downtown Las Vegas…

“It was Wednesday night in downtown Vegas, a night not unlike most Wednesday nights. Using the secret knock that I managed to squeeze out of Sammy the Squirrel, I was able to get in the front door to the speakeasy known as The Laundry Room. Sammy was a low-level associate of the Outfit and not the physical type. All it took was the implied threat of the rubber hose I slapped in my palm to get him to sing. That and the nine millimeter in the shoulder holster peeking out of my suit coat. Of course getting past the goon that had let me in wasn’t gonna be so easy. I just hoped the lummox didn’t figure me for Johnny Law.”

Actually, other than the fact that it was Wednesday and I went to The Laundry Room, none of that is true or competently written. The Laundry Room is a modern speakeasy tucked in the back of the Commonwealth bar which is across from El Cortez in downtown Vegas. It’s by invitation only and the method to get an invite is not found on the Commonwealth website to make the experience feel a little more special. To get a reservation, you have to send a text to a certain phone number. I won’t include it here because that sort of seems like cheating. However, it is pretty easy to find in less than five minutes using an internet search.

Once you have the number, you need to text a polite request to the number with the number in your party and the date and time you would like to go. It’s best to give them several times that you are available to better your chances of getting in. I made my request in August for my October trip, and they responded that evening. We trade a few texts to work out the exact time and date which was 10:30 pm on a Wednesday night. They also texted me a quick version of the rules which included no photography and a business-casual dress code.

I got into Vegas very early on Tuesday morning, and as usual, one of the first things I did (after breakfast at Hash House) was visit the Golden Tiki for a few morning drinks. I mention this because I recognized the owner Branden Powers and introduced myself. I wanted to find out if his new Evel Knievel-themed pizza place was going to be open soon. I was hoping to visit it after my visit to The Laundry Room. Unfortunately, it won’t be open until early November, but my bartender Alfred told me that he also bartends at The Laundry Room though he wasn’t going to be there Wednesday night. By the way, if I got Alfred’s name wrong I apologize. I am terrible at names sober and at that point I was on my third mixed drink as well as a shot of rum.

Alfred gave me a great piece of advice which was: “don’t order off the menu.” He said it is more fun to let the bartender know what types of things I like and to let him create the drinks based on that. I understand that is true for any of the bartenders there but Alfred said that Wednesday night it would be Anthony and that he is superb at that. I was also given a quick tour of the Golden Tiki by Branden who pointed out a few things I hadn’t noticed before as well as tell me about their expansion plans. Branden also let me know that I would enjoy The Laundry Room and suggested that I check out Frankie’s Tiki Room his closest competition! I know I’m going off on a tangent, but the staff at the Golden Tiki is not in the drink business. They are in the hospitality business. They want you to have fun and experience the different things Vegas has to offer for your whole trip.

On Wednesday night I took my parents to see Million Dollar Quartet for one last time before it closes and then grabbed a cab to the El Cortez. The Commonwealth is catty-corner to El Cortez at 6th and Fremont Street, so it is a convenient place to get dropped off. In fact, The Laundry Room gets its name from the fact that it used to be the laundry room for the El Cortez. I had been to downtown only once before and hadn’t gotten to the El Cortez. From the outside, it still has that old-time Vegas vibe with its neon signs and Spanish Colonial architecture. I almost expected to see Benny “Don’t call him Bugsy” Siegel walk out. Of course back when he was part owner it probably didn’t have the Subway restaurant.

After I had looked around a bit, I headed over to the Commonwealth. I got there early in case there was a line at the door, but there wasn’t one, so the bouncer just waved me in. The first-floor bar was not crowded which was probably to be expected for a weeknight in October. I texted them that I had arrived, and they texted back to finish any drinks I may have, make my way to the end of the bar, and let them know when I was there. I did so, and in just a few minutes I was greeted by Dana who ushered me in and reminded me of the rules such as no photography or loud talking.

The actual room is fairly small. There were seven seats at the bar and probably room for another 18 people at the most either at tables or stools along the wall. There were only 12 people there altogether with one empty seat at the bar. Dana gave me a choice of a table or the seat at the bar. Since I was alone, I opted for the bar. I was glad I did because the vibe at the bar was very relaxed and friendly. Anthony, the bartender, was keeping the conversation going and mixing up some very elaborate drinks. Dana started me off with a glass of water and a bowl of cookies & cream popcorn (regular was also available). I say bowl, but it was actually more of an oversized crystal goblet to go along with the 1930s decor.

It took a few minutes for Anthony to take my first drink order not that I minded. He was busy crafting drinks that were esthetically pleasing, and I had no desire to try to rush him. When it was time, he gave me the menu and explained that hey had authentic era-specific cocktails or that he could make something based on things I like. I told him that rum is probably my favorite but that I wanted to try something different, and that gin is my least favorite alcohol. I was trying to be more specific but actually not a big drinker when I’m not on vacation. He must have been used to this because, after a few key questions, he was off making my first drink. It was a slightly sweet, lemony drink with a lemon peel he singed with a lighter. It was quite good, and I wished I had paid more attention to the types of alcohols used because I had not tasted a drink quite like that before and I wouldn’t mind ordering something like it again. I followed it up with two other completely other drinks, both of which I enjoyed thoroughly. He hinted that last one was made with gin (which he threatened to do when I told him I wasn’t a gin drinker), but I did not push for details. It didn’t seem important as I enjoyed my slight buzz and talking to the others at the bar.

Speaking of the ambiance, there is a piano and sometimes a live piano player, but that night it was prerecorded music. From what I remember, none of it was contemporary and was mostly from the late 30s through early 50s. I remember some jazz and some blues but nothing specific. The room was decorated in an interesting manner with period pieces, but it wasn’t overdone with every square inch of the walls covered. All the customers were lively but not rowdy. It also wasn’t expensive. The drinks were $15 each which included sales tax.

Since it used to be a working laundry room, the business cards are actually small clothespins. I asked for one to give to my niece and they give me five! Four of them made it back home in good condition. One has a slight piece broken off and is not pictured.

The only complaint that I had about my visit involves one of a large number of bottles of alcohol behind the bar. One of them was a jug with the word “Moonshine” printed on it. It is obviously fake because all authentic moonshine comes in jugs marked “XXX”! Has “The Beverly Hillbillies” taught us nothing?

[Photos: The Laundry Room Facebook page, Robert Berry]

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