It’s been a year since local nightlife impresario Eduardo Cordova opened the Garden in the Downtown Arts District, and the bustling venue is really hitting its stride as one of the hottest gay bars in the city.
But when another opportunity came up, Cordova grabbed it, even though he loves the Arts District and wants to develop more business for the area.
“I love the neighborhood, and I think it’s going to be the place to be; the recent growth has been awesome,” he says. “But when this space came to me, I couldn’t pass it up. As soon as I walked in I knew what I wanted to do with it.”
Cordova opened Star Piano Cocktail Lounge on August 30 at the Strip-adjacent space formerly home to Sonny’s Saloon. Taking inspiration from the Rat Pack-era, he’s focusing on intimate live music presentations and refined craft cocktails, seizing on the current supper club craze and aiming to create the ideal before-or-after destination for locals heading out on the town.
“I see it as a cocktail lounge that happens to have amazing entertainment, and it’s different because we don’t have food,” he says. “There are so many amazing restaurants within a couple miles, so we don’t have to worry about that. Just come over and have a date night, whether you’re starting or ending with us. We want to be approachable and welcoming, a place you could go every night.”
The entertainment program is under the direction of the multitalented Chris Lash, who recently collaborated with singer Travis Cloer and on the new Downtown drag favorite Faaabulous! Familiar names from Strip shows and venues will be on the regular roster, and the Labor Day weekend lineup featured Ruby Lewis, Josh Strickland and The Moonshiners.
Las Vegas can always use another place for local talent to shine and another bar with great drinks, and Star is already on its way to connecting with the community, just as the Garden did.
STAR PIANO COCKTAIL LOUNGE 3449 S. Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, 702-476-5328. Daily, 4 p.m.-late.
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