I’ve spent many a Vegas night inside Downtown’s Thunderbird Lounge. My early 20s were filled with rock shows inside the retro bar (the surrounding hotel was formerly known as the Aruba before its new orders changed it back to the Thunderbird Hotel in 2016). Fast-forward to 2018, and the lounge and hotel have been completely remodeled and reimagined.
Launched in partnership with hospitality vets Kelley Jones and Todd Parmelee, the new property-wide F&B program includes a new food and drink menu available in the Thunderbird Lounge. From 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., the Thunderbird rolls outs day-starting selections like the hangover breakfast burrito (scrambled eggs, sausage, scallions, cheddar cheese and salsa), two giant pancakes (seriously, they’re huge) with sweet cream butter and syrup, and a breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheddar and bacon.
Stop in for lunch, and you’ve got standard bar-food fare: wings, chicken fingers and mini corn dogs, plus some trendier finger foods like crispy pork belly bites and flatbreads and larger plates like fish and chips. Pro-tip: The grilled skirt steak salad is health-conscious without sacrificing flavor.
The Thunder Cheeseburger is a strong hot-off-the grill option, especially alongside a cold beer. Come in for $3-$6 domestic draft beers, well cocktails and house wines by the glass at happy hour. Jones says it’s all about being affordable and bringing in locals. Achievement unlocked.
THUNDERBIRD LOUNGE 1215 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-489-7500. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m-4 a.m.
