You’d think the women wearing stilettos standing in line at Easy’s Donuts & Coffee were waiting on their expedited entry into nearby Jewel Nightclub. They’re certainly dressed the part, but there’s no party in sight. Or so it seems.
Just outside Proper Eats Food Hall at Aria, discreetly tucked behind the quaint and luminous exterior of the doughnut shop, sits Easy’s Cocktail Lounge, a speakeasy where Las Vegas musicians hold court, mixology looks more like alchemy and wrist-touching, elbow-grazing intimacy is part of the intrigue.
“When the conversation first came up to put a speakeasy inside of Aria … something that was really discussed and heavily thought about was it being an ode to Old Vegas, back in the days of the Rat Pack, when Vegas was really known for being extremely luxurious, exclusive and just absolutely fabulous,” says Brea Moore, marketing director for Proper Eats.
The decor of the space, accented with rich emerald greens, cozy love seats and tables bathed in candlelight, sharply contrasts with the bright storefront. People murmur here, until snatches of conversation become a chorus of connection.
But as singer Skye Dee Miles takes the stage, all eyes turn to her and her four-piece band. She’s slides seamlessly between genres and sounds—Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Frank Sinatra—reshaping each song or medley with her own unique soulfulness.
“The whole idea is that it’s a postmodern jukebox,” Moore says. “We can really have any band or solo artists that come in here transform a song. They could do Eminem music. They could do Dr. Dre. They can do rock ’n’ roll music in a jazz style. They can really pick up any sort of genre of music and make it fit the room and speak to the essence of Easy’s.”
A stacked rotation of Strip performers—including former American Idol competitor Mecca and Joseph Soul from The Voice—anchor nights at Easy’s, the latest project from Clique Hospitality. Clique’s industry-leading direction can also be felt in the imaginative cocktail menu, separated into three categories: show stoppers, speakeasy libations and specialty cocktails. Order the latter if you’re craving a well-crafted Manhattan or Negroni, but more adventurous palates will adore the rest of the menu.
“Our show stoppers are what we’re really known for, and they’re extremely over the top. They have that luxury spirit, that fabulous essence that old Las Vegas and current Las Vegas has,” Moore explains. “But the speakeasy libations are something that we wanted to ... be a little bit more easygoing.”
Easy’s Shroomin ($50) cocktail isn’t merely delicious; it’s a visual showstopper. Crafted with Botanist gin, matcha and lemon honey, the drink comes served on a carpeted tray of moss in mushroom glasses with dried herb sugar on the rim. Heart of the Ocean ($50), an elixir of Casamigos Blanco tequila, blueberry spirulina and “pink ocean air” arrives on a tiny island of microflowers, sand, a seashell and smoke.
“The bartenders and barbacks really put their heart and soul into these drinks every single night,” Moore says. “It’s really a labor of love, and I feel you can taste that with every sip and just from the beautiful presentation of each cocktail.”
For something cute but equally head-turning, try the 3 Lil Bears ($27), a cocktail served with watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe-flavored ice bears that soak up the Belvedere vodka like boozy icebergs. The Puss & Boots ($27) also delivers a bright and serious flavor shock, with its mixture of Patron, St. Germain, lemon and creamy egg whites.
Open since spring, Easy’s Cocktail Lounge is a great secret that’s hard to keep to ourselves.
EASY’S COCKTAIL LOUNGE Proper Eats Food Hall at Aria, easysvegas.com. Daily, 6 p.m.-2 a.m.
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