Budweiser Beer Park celebrated its grand opening Jan. 30, replacing the former Chateau Beer Garden at Paris Las Vegas—and Weekly was on-site to take in the new digs. Our initial observations of the Strip's newest rooftop party patio:

• The 10,000-square-foot rooftop space actually looks like a park. From the Astroturf on the ground to the wooden picnic tables (with sunken wells in the center to hold beers on ice) to the plates and glassware fashioned to look like Solo cups and Dixie paper plates, it almost felt like I was down the street from my house at a really cool park kegger party.

• And about the kegs—Beer Park has 36 brews on tap, and bottles and cans push the selection to more than 100. While I consider myself somewhat of a beer snob, I passed up the craft beers on the menu to instead taste the Bud Light that was flown in just hours after it was finished brewing at Anheuser-Busch’s brewery. Fresh with a crisp finish, it was probably the best Bud Light I’ve ever had (seriously). Plus, I was at Budweiser Beer Park—when in Rome, right?

• The grand opening party (which featured Budweiser’s iconic Clydesdales trotting down the Strip to commemorate the occasion) started at 10 a.m.—and what goes best with day drinking? Grubbing on some tasty treats, of course. Beer Park features a menu of classic bar bites, from sliders (the chicken beats the pulled pork and smoky brisket options) to pork verde nachos with tangy beer cheese and crunchy, sweet peppers. There’s also a hot dog stand and carts hocking ice cream and a variety of chips and dips. My plus-one dug the egg salad dip, but my suggestion is to go for the creamy and flavorful onion dip, served with crispy, perfectly salted homemade potato chips.

• While the center-Strip party patio will surely be a hit with tourists walking the Boulevard, I’m thinking locals will come to frequent Beer Park, as well. With decent price points (a 16-ounce will set you back $6.50, which is a steal on the Strip), attentive and friendly staff, a buzzing energy and entertainment options including billiards, shuffleboard and giant versions of Jenga and Connect Four, Beer Park is a perfect weekend afternoon hangout.

Budweiser Beer Park Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Paris Las Vegas, 702-444-4500.