By now, we’re all aware that Downtown Las Vegas is booming.  The biggest argument these days among the cognoscenti is whether the direction in which Downtown’s heading should mirror that of New York’s SoHo neighborhood or Portland’s Pearl District.  I’m not sure there’s a right answer, but what I do know is that on a brisk Wednesday night in December, I saw lines gathered at the doors of five different clubs and bars on one block of East Fremont Street; and that’s certainly something of note.

Much of the excitement can be chalked-up to the first of three consecutive nights of Grand Opening parties for Commonwealth, the pre-Prohibition-inspired watering hole brought to you by WENDOH Media honchos Justin Weniger and Ryan Doherty, Insomnia Events founder, Pasquale Rotella; hospitality wiz Kenna Warner (late of Brio); and local entrepreneur, Michael Parks.

Inspired by the century-old taverns on the cobblestone streets of Doherty’s native Boston, the bar features everything from the world’s most expensive beer-tap handle (a wooden plank from the floor of the hallowed-ground that is the famed Boston Garden, pulls the Guinness tap) and an eclectic albeit somewhat Addams Family-esque assortment of portraits; to a wonderfully warm golden-hued ambient lighting story and a fabulous 2,000 square foot rooftop.

If you know where to go, and you pass muster, get your tuchus into the 750 square foot in-house speakeasy, The Laundry Room.  With its specialty drinks menu and printed Rulebook featuring the “House Rules” with their tongue-in-cheek details that bring to mind famed ‘90s East Village after-hours joint Brownie’s (where they’d sell a variety of social lubricants with varying levels of legality at the bar, but kick you out for swearing).  My favorite – “NO PHOTOGRAPHY - You may pencil-sketch if you desire.”  I wonder what’s gonna happen when I show-up with my easel.

A larger-than-life image of Marlene Dietrich watches over the bar’s patrons with the protective gaze of a patron saint; while smaller framed portraits of Rita Hayworth, Clara Bow, and Theda Bara line the walls of The Laundry Room.

So, what’s the vibe?  Imagine the bar in Heineken’s “The Switch” commercial (post-transformation), with Dos Equis’ Most Interesting Man in the World occupying the corner booth, and you’ve got a pretty good idea.

Commonwealth
525 East Fremont Street
Downtown Las Vegas
Click HERE for info

Get into it!