Rip-off restaurant warning: Smokey's Bistro Bar in Hawaiian Village

Just returned from our first trip to Vegas since 2019. We went to Smokey's Bistro for breakfast because it was close to where we stayed, but what a rip-off!. The food is mediocre and served on normal plates with disposable plastic utensils. They charge $18 for a cocktail, but unbeknownst to me a tiny sized mimosa counts as a hard liquor cocktail, even though it was just a splash of sparkling wine and orange juice. Almost anywhere else I could have had 3 mimosas for what they were charging for one. I complained but the staff was uninterested and borderline surly. I guess because they include a whopping 20% tip on the bill for a small table, they couldn't care less and neither could the manager. Also, the place is a dive with a poor appearance and too dark to tell if it was clean. We often stay in this area of the strip, but I will never go to this place again for anything.

 

Your review seems right in line with many other on-line comments about this joint.

 

Curb appeal means a lot. I mean, if the place looks like a dump, why eat there? I've made plenty of u-turns when a restaurant or bar made the voice in my head kick off a "whoa."

 

I disagree with this. On the 1-10 scale, dive bar food is either above an 8 or below a 3; there's few in the middle.

 

Bummer you had a bad experience. Was the price of the mimosa not on the menu?

 

LOL, I was not even aware that Hawaiian Village was still open. I'm surprised it survived the pandemic.

I was very disappointed with the so-called Hawaiian Village! I expected it to be something of a clone of the old International Marketplace on Oahu (which I understand may be closed) but instead I found the LV version to be sparse with the same old junk-junk sold elsewhere.

 

Totally agree - some dive bars are AWESOME (and I will def pick a local dive bar with a great reputation over a national chain any time) so I try not to let appearances make the decision for me. Though "clean" is a baseline for me. Plenty of clean dives!

 

Completely agree. I mean...you walk "around" (and I mean escape) there, they sell exactly the shitty stuff you should avoid in ANY tourist destination. Didn't even think about eating somewhere in that dump-mall

 

We never stop in that area, usually annoying music blasting out front.
Now stick to the other side of the street past Harmon.

 

I can't fathom how many times I've/we've walked by there, certainly scores, and never had an inkling to go in.

 

That building has had quite the history. Bar & grills open and close in that location seemingly every year. It was a Rock & Reilly before this, and several other things previously that never seem to pan out. Looks like from your experience and the Yelp reviews that this place won't last long either. Kind of a cursed spot, despite the golden location.

 

It'll be gone, soon, and you won't have to worry about it anymore.

 

It’s an area where I always think ‘blow it up, build something new like a new shiny resort’.

 

Okay, NOW I remember where it is. Several years ago I was doing a photo walk one evening and came upon this. It was strange, all the lights were on but it looked deserted and empty. It was apparently open but only a few people in there. This was like maybe 8-9 in the evening, and most places had customers.

 

Just an update, on "Another Network" they say that Hawaiian Village is now closed.

 

I miss R&R as they were 24x7, serve good food at a good price.
Only complaint is service was a bit sparse.
Used to get very good deals off of Groupon too.

 

I like this Yelp review:

This place gets two stars because of the karaoke. The drinks were poured as they should be. The inside was empty. I ordered a Tito's soda and a shot of fireball. I was SHOCKED that they both came to $45. Yes that's right. 4-5. For those two drinks. I will never come back here again and with how empty it was I am not surprised it's so empty. Karaoke is the only thing that kept people in the bar.

 

Good. Blow that eyesore up and put something meaningful in that space, I mean it is in between PH and MGM with A LOT of foot traffic...

 

The Travelodge also appears to be closed, as per Vital Vegas.

 

LOL, I guess this will now raise the threshold of what people refer to as a "dump".