VegasChatter

There are hardly ever lines to get into the downtown bars (which include Downtown Cocktail Lounge, The Griffin, Beauty Bar, and Hogs & Heifers), and the drinks are cheaper than places on the Strip, too. Instead of $11 for a rum and coke, it’s $6 or $7 downtown. But if the nonexistent lines and cheaper drinks aren’t enough to convince you, these other three reasons should do the trick:

· 1. Better Music. If you’re sick of techno/top 40/dance remixes, the bars downtown play everything but. Lots of the bars, like Beauty Bar and Downtown Cocktail Lounge, have live bands or DJs that play or spin anything from alternative rock to punk to salsa.

· 2. Nonexistent Dress Code. If a guy downtown is wearing a flamboyant, logo/brand-tastic T-shirt, it’s a sure bet he’s lost. On the Strip, clubwear for guys often gets misinterpreted as graphic button-ups with skulls, roses and rhinestones (um...sorry, Christian Audigier and your Ed Hardy brand). Girls also feel the pressure to dress up more on the Strip – the shorter your dress, the faster you get in. But downtown, any style except that will do. Trust us, you’ll get funny looks.

· 3. Strong Drinks at The Griffin. If you’re still not swayed, you can’t go wrong at least ordering a mixed drink at The Griffin. No matter the bartender’s sex or yours, here they know a strong drink keeps the customers coming back. They get tipped well, you get drunk, everybody’s happy!

What are your favorite "low places" in Downtown? Let us know in comments below!

[Photo: Zengrrl]