Patrons used to watch atomic bomb tests from the roof. Barbra Streisand dropped by for nightcaps. Anthony Bourdain, The Hangover and Casino filmed here. Yet Atomic Liquors, the Stella and Joe Sobchik-founded Downtown bar and kitchen that turns 70 years old this week, still has the capacity to surprise the people who love it.
“The other day, I pulled up and we had marshals and deputies everywhere. I’m like, ‘What is going on?’ And they said, ‘Well, they’re having a party at the kitchen, and half of the Nevada Supreme Court’s in there, so we need to have security,’” chuckles Lance Johns, who has owned Atomic since2011, adding, “Look how far we’ve come.”
Atomic celebrates its 70th year June 17-19, with drink specials throughout the weekend, culminating in a Sunday night spaghetti dinner (for details, visit atomic.vegas). But the real attraction is, as ever, the bar itself, as friendly as the day the Sobchiks opened the doors.
“You can change with the times a little bit,” Johns says, “but you gotta stay true to who you are.”
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