If you're the kind of person who likes finding an edible flower in your cocktail, Lily Bar & Lounge is where you should go.
It's located at the center of the Bellagio, but curtained off from the casino. Even though the décor is elegant, the vibe here is still relaxed (at least until the late hours, when a DJ often appears and things become more clubby).
We like Lily's dimly lit, almost golden aura and some of its sleek design elements, like the Spanish-imported stone tabletops and antique mirrors. In the early part of the evening, you can sit wherever you want -- in the leather couches or at the brass high-top tables -- but as the evening wears on much of the seating is reserved for bottle service.
What's best about Lily is it's a place to enjoy some high-quality imbibing. If you're a beer drinker, take heed because your options will be limited to the bottled variety. But if you're a handcrafted drinks enthusiast, well, you'll feel like an explorer who's just stumbled upon a treasure -- a wonderful menu of specialty cocktails.
Classic drinks -- from the Manhattan (served in a giant tulip glass...and just wait until you see its cool carved ice cube) to the Bellini -- are done with aplomb. And if you've got several hundred dollars to spare, we recommend the timeless 1914 Sidecar, which is crafted with precious liqueurs and served in a sugar-rimmed martini glass.
It's fun to watch the mixologists at Lily prepare these drinks, which usually end up being as visually appealing as they are flavorful. Expect to see lots of patrons snapping pictures of them with their phones. (Tip: Post your photo online and your social media status will rise almost immediately.)