The Peppermill: A Late-Night Lounge Legend

You’ve probably passed it without realizing it’s a legend. Right on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, in front of Resorts World, is The Peppermill and Fireside Lounge. A late-night lounge legend that has seen everything from mobsters, movie stars, tourists, and endless locals who’ve wanted to experience eating at this historic diner.

While celebrating my birthday, I popped in for a bite but was transported into something that can best be described as a scene from the movie ‘Casino.’

The Peppermill’s Storied Past: Mob-Era Glamour to Movie Magic

This isn’t just a 24/7 diner with a lounge. It’s a living landmark of Las Vegas history. The first Peppermill restaurant opened in 1971. Then, in 1972, The Peppermill opened in Vegas while it was still steeped in mob influence. It was the golden era of smoky backrooms, velvet ropes, and Rat Pack regulars.

And while the city around it changed—casinos growing larger, neon replaced by LED—the Peppermill stayed true to its roots. It didn’t chase trends; it held onto its identity. That’s part of what makes it so iconic. Directors noticed too.

You’ll recognize the glowing lounge from scenes in Casino with Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone. It showed up in Showgirls, CSI: Las Vegas, and The Trust. This place has been cast in more roles than most actors in town.

Yet no matter how many stars pass through, it never loses its grounded charm. The Peppermill always feels like a place made for real people—with real hunger, real conversations, and a love for Old Vegas.

This old-school feel is also shown in the waitresses’ uniforms. All the waitresses wear blue dresses and white button-down shirts to create a retro diner feel.

On top of all that, the service is also amazing since servers and cocktail waitresses constantly walk the diner to take or give food and drink orders.

Inside the Lounge: Fireside Dreams and Velvet Seats

The Peppermill is separated into two sections, one being the lounge and bar, and the other, the restaurant.

The Fireside Lounge is a vibe. Step through its doorway and you’re immediately bathed in pink and teal neon, surrounded by plants, and hugged by mirrored walls that seem to stretch into infinity.

The velvet booths aren’t just decorative. They’re original, and they’re plush—still as soft as the day they were installed. Some wrap-around sunken couches, which literally drop below the floor level, cradle you into the seat like a velvet cocoon.

These unique couch designs are rare now, and sitting in one feels like you’ve landed on the set of a 1970s film, especially with the glowing fire pit flickering at the center of it all.

This is a lounge meant for slow drinks, long conversations, and people-watching under the warm light of neon trees. And if you prefer bar seating, the lounge offers a fully stocked bar where you can grab a stool, order a meal, and catch a game on one of the TVs hanging from the ceiling.

Retro Cocktails With Personality and Flair

The cocktail list at The Peppermill matches the atmosphere—colorful, bold, and never boring. You won’t just find your usual suspects here. You’ll discover creations like the Kiss My Cucumber, a crisp, garden-fresh blend of Hendrick’s Gin, melon liqueur, lime, mint, and cucumber.

The Bubble Bath mixes Dragon Berry Rum with watermelon liqueur, berries, mint syrup, and a splash of Butterfly Kiss Moscato for something fruity and daring. And if you want something playful, the Coronarita features a whole 7 oz. Corona flipped into a margarita, served with a wink.

Even classics like the Bloody Mary are treated with care, still made from scratch the way they always were. Each drink feels like it was made to be sipped slowly while soaking in the lounge’s signature glow.

Diner Nostalgia Served With a Side of Las Vegas

The restaurant side of The Peppermill is like stepping into a stylized dream of classic Americana. The same teal neon colors and floral decor from the lounge carry over here, with lush greenery decorating the walls and booths wrapped in that same vintage velvet. But this space is brighter, more open, and designed for feasting.

The booths are roomy, perfect for groups or late-night breakfast dates. And everything about it—the glass dividers, the mirrors, the softly lit ceiling panels—makes it feel like a location from a film rather than an everyday diner. That’s the beauty of it.

It’s not pretending to be something it’s not. The aesthetic has barely changed in decades, and that’s exactly what keeps it special.

A Menu That Covers Every Craving, Morning to Midnight

No matter what time it is, the kitchen is in full swing. The Peppermill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner around the clock. The portions are generous, and the flavors lean into comfort food territory—with just enough Vegas flair.

Try the Eggs Benedict, served with three poached eggs and grilled Canadian bacon, topped with hollandaise and plated with crispy hash browns.

The Conquest sandwich is a tower of roast beef, cheddar, peppers, mushrooms, tomato, and bacon, all pressed between grilled Parmesan sourdough.

The Reuben sandwich at The Peppermill is a hearty classic done right—stacked with warm corned beef, melty Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing on grilled marble rye. It’s a nostalgic, satisfying bite that fits perfectly with the diner’s retro vibe.

Their flagship Peppermill Burger is also worth the hype—half a pound of broiled beef, grilled to order, with your choice of cheese. Whether you’re nursing a hangover or looking to end your night on a high note, the menu never misses.

Unwind With Classic Comfort at Daily Happy Hour

If you’re not ready for a full meal but want a good deal, show up between 3 PM and 6 PM for happy hour. The Peppermill’s happy hour is quiet, simple, and exactly what it needs to be.

You’ll find select cocktails for just $6, which is a steal considering most dining prices.

These aren’t watered-down drinks either—they’re the same full-flavored, beautifully presented creations served at any hour.

There’s also a reduced-price menu of bar bites to snack on: crispy chicken fingers with fries, melty chicken quesadillas, sliders paired with fries, and classic chips and salsa.

It’s the kind of happy hour where you’re not pushed to turn over your table or get loud—just encouraged to settle in, enjoy yourself, and take a break from the Strip’s frenzy.

A True Vegas Experience, No Reservations Required

In a city that changes overnight, The Peppermill is one of the few places that’s never tried to be anything other than what it already is. That’s its charm. You don’t need to dress up, you don’t need a reservation, and you don’t need a reason.

You just walk in, find a booth, and let the glow take over. Whether you’re here for cocktails by the fire, a burger at 2 AM, or just to say you’ve sat where the stars once lounged, The Peppermill always delivers the same thing—timeless comfort in the heart of a city that never stops moving.