Las Vegas Weekly

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There are two types of people in Las Vegas: those who’ve been to the Beauty Bar and those who haven’t. If you have, you probably remember your first time hanging out inside the small bar on Fremont Street. (Mine: New Year’s Eve, 2009). It’s a hipster haven, home to funky First Friday afterparty the Get Back, and a live venue where some of the best touring and local bands play. So what do you think the O.G. Fremont East hangout did for its seven-year anniversary this past Saturday? Throw a party, of course.

“We were the first bar down here,” says Beauty Bar booking manager Ruben Rodriguez when I run into him during the celebration. “And I just see it getting better and better, you know?”

A lot has changed since the beginning. Now surrounded by successful neighbors like Le Thai, the Griffin and the Beat, the Beauty Bar has undergone a glittery new makeover that’s taken it from garage to glam—complete with disco ball!

And let’s not forget the sound. Just last year, the Beauty Bar’s shoddy system made it seem like you were listening to your favorite band on a Sony Walkman—underwater. Tonight, Close to Modern’s Joy Division-ish basslines and Miguel Martinez’s vocals (in the key of Paul Banks) sound crisp and clear. When the crowd continues to grow after midnight, you can officially call it a success. We’re just glad we didn’t have to stay for cleanup.