The Vault And Club Privé, Bellagio Resort And Casino, Las Vegas

[JohnS]

The next time you head over to Las Vegas, why not check out the Vault cocktail bar and Club Privé cigar lounge at the Bellagio?

The Vault And Club Privé, Bellagio Resort And Casino, Las Vegas

Jan 30, 2025 - By Michael Kaplan

Photos/Bellagio

Las Vegas loves cigars and the people who smoke them. But sometimes, even Sin City has its limits. On those occasions, crafty workarounds are in order. Such was the case during a recent visit to the Vault, a fabulously swank cocktail retreat situated just off the Bellagio’s gambling floor. 

The Vault, which guests enter through an unmarked golden door, across from the casino’s cage, used to be a nondescript office. But it has been transformed into an elegant cove with vintage cocktails, seasoned barmen who mess with infusions like one that contains saffron and sweet vermouth, lush surroundings–walls are upholstered, banquettes are covered in mohair, the lighting makes everyone look good–and selections of booze that are unlikely to be found elsewhere.

Photos/Bellagio

Heading up the Vault is cocktail master Craig Schoettler, executive director of beverage for MGM Resorts International. It’s not unusual to encounter him at the place, wearing one of his skinny suits and overseeing the action. “This is my kind of hangout,” he says when asked what inspired the Vault. “It’s quiet and cozy with great drinks.”

The latter is aided and abetted by the fact that Schoettler is not only adept at turning mundane cocktails into special ones–order an Espresso Martini, and you savor an upgrade that features rum and Cognac–but also top notch at procuring the kinds of bottles that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. The Gold Rush has Beefeater gin from the 1950s. The Cognac selection includes a bottle of 1930s Remy Martin, light in color because it was produced without the caramel that gets used today.

Go mod with a Whiskey Sour, and the drink features 1980s Four Roses, a blended whiskey rather than a Bourbon. “It is not as rich,” says Schoettler, “and it makes a proper Whiskey Sour.”

Photos/Bellagio

Presenting a taste of Cutty Sark from the 1950s, Schoettler proudly states, “This is the best Cutty you’ll ever have. There were less neutral grain spirits used back then. You’re drinking history.”

Food at the Vault is just as compelling: caviar served alongside fried potatoes, Iberico ham Cubano and a Japanese style sando starring A5 Wagyu. Having moved on to Schoettler’s cocktail of choice–a Daiquiri, made with vintage Bacardi, from back when the rum was produced in the Bahamas instead of Puerto Rico–the time seems right for a cigar.

But, due to food service laws, smoking is verboten at the Vault. Hence, the workaround: shifting drinks from pricy glassware that is part of the Vault experience to more mundane vessels, Schoettler–an avid smoker himself, who has been known to enjoy the Montecristo 80 Aniversario–steers guests some 100 feet away to Club Privé.

Photos/Bellagio

The environment there is cool enough to attract celebrities. Servers are skilled at cutting and presentation etiquette; ashtrays are suitably large and blackjack resides within easy reach. Cigars on the menu include offerings from Arturo Fuente, Cohiba and Romeo y Julieta. Or you can bring your own. Like everywhere in Vegas, accommodation is king.

Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/the-vault-and-club-prive-bellagio-resort-and-casino-las-vegas

[Cestis4]

I’ve lived in Vegas for 25 years. I’m happy to offer my suggestions or advice on what to see and do here as well as where to stay and eat. The spot in the article above is definitely worth checking out.  

[Redgoldband]

2 hours ago, Cestis4 said:

I’ve lived in Vegas for 25 years. I’m happy to offer my suggestions or advice on what to see and do here as well as where to stay and eat.   The spot in the article above is definitely worth checking out.  

Please do. Potentially heading to Vegas to celebrate a buddy's birthday at the end of the month. He and I both love cigars and would appreciate any recommendations. 

[Cestis4]

DM’d you