Enjoy New Art, Good Vibes, and Great Cocktails at Artifice Las Vegas

Artifice Las Vegas is not just a bar, it is a performance center that supports all forms of local live art. From musical performances, to burlesque shows to live art demonstrations, the atmosphere at Artifice is as dynamic as its guests and shows. There are times Artifice is quiet and dim, a wonderful place to relax and watch a painter create beautiful visuals from a white canvas and black paint. Then there are times when it is completely dark cut deeply with flashes of lasers and strobe lights and where the music is so loud it takes on a physical attribution and slams against you, sliding like a thick fuzzy thing along your body. There are other days when the music from the speakers is a tad loud for conversation, but the voices just get louder with more alcohol and merriment is abound. Artifice is different each day and it is likely this is one reason for its wild success.

Due to its raging popularity, the crowds ebb and flow like breathing, from being empty to being slammed, over and over again. Occasionally it will take a while to put in an order, but only when the place is popping and only when the bartenders are running at full speed. They have never neglected to acknowledge us or let us know they would be with us shortly, this is the sign of a good staff. They also have a low turn over here, the same bartenders have been serving us drinks for as long as we can remember.

Artifice

For kids in the know, the Arts District was once referred to as 18b for the original 18 blocks that were set aside in the heart of Las Vegas for the development and encouragement of artistic creation and expression. If 18b is the heart of Las Vegas, Artifice is the heart of 18b and the now growing arts district that is no longer constrained within the 18 original blocks. Artifice is also connected to the actual Art Square Creative Complex and through the door in the back the Cockroach Theater and galleries await.

Artifice does have a regular well set up as well as a small but wonderfully enticing cocktail menu. We tried the Spicey Margarita and the Taming of the Shrew. The Spicey Margarita was unbelievably delicious, made with real and fresh sour mix not the stuff commercially sold. It was mild at first and with each sip the jalapeño made its way from the top down into the ice and the drink itself. Each sip was different and the heat rose, but the end we had to buy a Stella to cool off the spice and it was glorious. When you ask the bartender to make the Spicey Margarita spicy…it’s your own fault, but man was it good. The Taming of the Shrew was delicate and refreshing with the lime complimenting the licorice flavor of the absinthe and the mint as a cool herb on the nose.

Though Artifice offers a cocktail menu, they shine by the number and quality of beers they have on draft, in the bottle or can. From Stella to Boddingtons to Chimay Blue, their selection is impressive. There is not just one beer here for everyone, but multiple and you will likely need one after the Spicey Margarita like we did.
Artifice is in a prime spot of the Arts District but is also next to a few other bars. There is no doubt that the prices here make this a local not-so-secret secret. The cocktails on their specialty cocktail menu run $11, and for all premium liquors, this is a steal. Their beer list is much more dynamic with many of the beers and ciders available for $5, though depending on the brand can be as high as $12 like the Chimay Blue.

Artifice is the perfect location to start and end the events held here in 18b, from Vintage Bike Night to First Friday. It is perfectly easy to get to and right in the middle of everything. Artifice is indispensable to anyone that is visiting the Arts District. Come in for a cocktail, stay for the live painting, engage in the interactive burlesque, and dance the night away with any number of the bands that come through. For a quieter engagement, come earlier in the day and for a louder, more rambunctious crowd come around 10pm. There is always something going on at this place, and it is always a great time.