A couple of short-lived name changes aside, the 44-year-old Sand Dollar Lounge hasn’t really changed much over the years. It’s been revered as a place for live music, specifically the blues, and a favorite post-shift watering hole for casino industry workers fleeing the Strip.
In recent years, the current owners made some moves to keep the Sand Dollar surging, continuing the music and friendly vibes while upgrading cocktail quality and adding terrific pizza. In January, it went all-in and became a nonsmoking bar.
And now, as local bars struggle to survive during the pandemic, the Sand Dollar has temporarily transformed into a pop-up restaurant called Revelré, where you can make a reservation, dine on pizza, calzone, salads and small plates, and still catch live music most nights. It’s an exciting and creative stroke, and it’s hard to believe such a well-rounded experience was assembled in such haste.
Mediterranean-inspired bites like pickled roasted peppers with anchovies, balsamic mushrooms and smoked whitefish rillettes are among the snacks. You can also build your own cheese and charcuterie plate (3 for $9.75, 5 for $11.75) with Spanish jamón, Hudson Valley duck salami, aged manchego and many other options.
Dive into a classic Caesar ($5) with white anchovy and crispy garlic before exploring the pizza menu. The Little Red Rooster ($12), a sauceless masterpiece with spicy chicken, tomatoes and jalapeños, is on its way to legendary status. Another great poultry-based pie, the Free Bird ($12), splashes on the red sauce with red onion, cilantro, blue cheese crumbles and barbecue sauce. Meat lovers will want the Boars on Parade ($13) with cup-and-char pepperoni, sausage and fennel salami, while veggie heads will enjoy the three-cheese blend (ricotta, mozzarella and Pecorino) on the Night in White Satin ($13), topped with asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, chileno peppers, fresh basil, lemon zest and extra virgin olive oil.
Even under impossible circumstances, the Sand Dollar is a great bar to meet for drinks. Now it’s a great place to eat, too.
REVELRÉ AT THE SAND DOLLAR LOUNGE 3355 Spring Mountain Road #30, 702-485-5401. Wednesday-Saturday, 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 8 p.m.-2 a.m
