Although it has garnered its share of hype and hope, Las Vegas’s 18-block downtown arts district has historically offered little in the way of full-service venues where organizations and events can tap into the vibe and sensibilities of the fledgling area.
That changed last month, when husband and wife photographer Wesley Isbutt and graphic designer Debra Heiser added the bar to their Bar & Bistro @ the Arts Factory, a 32,000-square-foot, 17-gallery structure at Casino Center and Charleston boulevards near Interstate 215. The venue late last year secured the first urban lounge district license the city has issued for the district.
When its grand opening takes place at the end of this month, the 1,600-square-foot, 45-seat bar will join the 2,200-square-foot, 85-seat bistro offering light, locally sourced fare. The industrial-meets-cozy feel of the complex includes bar tops and tabletops of treated steel, a vintage brandy-barrel wooden floor that Isbutt salvaged and installed himself, and two barn-style sliding doors that open onto a 6,000-square-foot courtyard. There's a boccie ball court, a stage, and fire pits. “People love the urban, rustic feel of it,” manager Tina Nahm said.
Larger groups interested in the space can access the adjacent gallery spaces, which connect to Bar & Bistro via a maze of indoor walkways. These spaces include the 2,200-square-foot 215 Gallery, which accommodates 200 standing or 70 seated guests; and Studio West, a 6,000-square-foot space large enough for 350 standing or 125 seated attendees, or 500 for an event with live band.
