ON AND OFF THE STRIP

Tap Sports Bar

The Perfect Pairing For burgers and beer, Vegas has you covered

A juicy burger with an ice-cold beer is a classic summer combo, and there are seemingly infinite bars and restaurants that specialize in this terrific tag team.

An easy place to start on the Strip is MGM Grand: With a name like Tap Sports Bar (702.891.7239), it’s beyond obvious that this is the right place for soothing suds, and local Las Vegas brews from CraftHaus, Big Dog’s, Lovelady and Bad Beat brands are among the options. The bar has also partnered with one of the city’s most reputable breweries, Tenaya Creek, to create the exclusive Tap That Blonde Ale, perfect for summer sipping. Match it up with the Captain’s Burger, an all-beef creation with bacon, cheddar, fried onions, Captain Morgan rum barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. It’s a powerful duo.

Give your meal a decidedly British twist at Gordon Ramsay Pub (702.731.7410). The Caesars Palace tavern from the globe-trotting celebrity chef is a great place to raise a pint any time, with its 36 taps offering everything from Boddingtons to Guinness. Once you’ve paired

the perfect brew, sink your teeth into the grilled pub burger, a thick patty topped with sharp English cheddar and applewood smoked bacon with ideal fries on the side.

At The Venetian, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer (702.414.2337) has everything you’re looking for right in its name. But this casual destination also serves incredible chicken wings, sandwiches, onion rings, chili and milkshakes, too. Back to the main mission: All varieties of burgers are available, but we tend to gravitate to the decadent steak au poivre or tru e burgers, using amazing ingredients to take this simple American favorite to new heights. And the draft beer selection is equally versatile, including brews from California, Colorado, Mexico and Oregon.

You certainly don’t have to cruise a huge casino to fi nd the B&B of your dreams. South of the Strip at Town Square, Sickies Garage (725.735.5400) is a friendly indoor-outdoor destination where you can catch the game and indulge in your favorite fl avors, choosing from 50 di erent draft handles and 50 di erent burgers. Want to spice it up? Try the Hot Rod, with its jalapeños, spicy mayo, pepperjack cheese and Bu alo sauce. The new Mozzerati burger combines fried cheese, marinara and mozzarella for a fun Italian theme.

For a true locals favorite, check out Bar Code (702.294.2633) on East Flamingo Road, where you can get your beer by the pint, in a 25-ounce glass, or in pitchers or towers if you’re going big with a group. You’re going to need it to wash down these acclaimed burger creations, including the big-fl avored namesake with beer onion jam, bacon aioli, pickled onions and bell peppers and blue cheese. Bar Code’s barbecue burger packs on pulled pork, bacon, crispy onions, white cheddar cheese and a house-made blueberry barbecue sauce, a culinary combo you’ve never seen or tasted before. And this might be a burger-and-beer spot you’ll never forget. –Brock Radke

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

Gordon Ramsay Pub Sickies Garage