It’s one thing to go to a bar. It’s another thing to go on a crawl. That’s why the Royal Crawl is an activity both locals and tourists can appreciate. The idea is simple: Visit five bars at your own pace, order a drink at each one, and present your phone to the bartenders, who reveal a digital poker card on the official app. The best hand at the end of the day wins a prize.
🍸 Local Business
“ Royal Crawl was created by Las Vegas locals as a fun nightlife alternative,” according to founder Kyle Markman. “I got the idea almost 10 years ago. I was sitting at a bar and jotted down the business plan on a napkin. I showed it to my buddy and he said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
The appeal isn’t just in the drinks, but giving locals an excuse to visit tourist spots they might generally avoid — you know the ones: the Strip and Fremont Street — with a fun activity that doesn’t break the bank.
🍺 Crawlin’ South
The newest Royal Crawl is now on the South Strip, 5-11 p.m., seven nights a week — primarily at Mandalay Bay with a brief detour to the Luxor. Like all Royal Crawls, the drinks are an excuse to get to know a slice of Las Vegas a little bit better. Begin at Swinger’s (a boozy indoor minigolf course), continue to House of Blues, then walk through the Shops at Mandalay Place before arriving at Play Playground.
“ The South Strip crawl includes unlimited game play for one hour at Play Playground,” Markman says, noting the jumbo-sized adaptions of childhood games. “It’s like an adult playground with a bar in the middle.”
Circle back for your final stop: The Foundation Room on the 63rd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel tower. “You end at perhaps the greatest view of the Strip,” Markman adds.
🍹 Two More Crawls
The Royal Crawl also has a presence at The LINQ (with stops at I Love Sugar, Off the Strip, ameriCAN, Tilted Kilt, and Flour & Barley) and the Fremont Street Experience (beginning with three bars at Circa, followed by two stops at The D). “Some bars have a specialty menu, but there's always something for everyone,” Markman says. “Spirts, cocktails, beer, and wine at every single bar.”
🤑 Drinkin’ Discount
The Royal Crawl is $75 for Fremont Street, $80 for The LINQ, and $119 at MandalayBay/Luxor (which includes that hour of games at Play Playground).
Those prices aren’t bad, but Markman likes to offer discounts and has a special deal for Hey Las Vegas readers. Download the app for iPhone or Android and use the code CITYCAST for 50% off any of the three crawls. That breaks down to $8 to $12 a drink … a great price for the tourist corridor these days.
