Las Vegas has no shortage of sports bars and sports-themed entertainment venues; after all, this is a city that hosts the National Football League, National Hockey League and WNBA, among others. But even if you’re not a fan of the Raiders, Golden Knights or Aces, odds are you have a vested interest in some team, and if you’re visiting Las Vegas, watching your favorite squad duke it out while you feast on nachos, chicken wings and premium draft beers is practically mandatory. The newest entry in this strong Strip category, Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, is a must-visit, not just for its menu but for its atmosphere and overall sense of nonstop fun.
This man (and woman) cave, from the folks who also brought the Strip Carversteak at Resorts World Las Vegas, impresses from the minute you enter—perched just at the beginning of The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, it’s full of TV screens, comfortable booths, large tables for groups and much more. The real “wow!” factor comes courtesy of a video screen that stretches from one wall to another—30 feet by 9 feet. The baseball players we watched as we ate looked almost life-sized!
Sidle up to the TV screen of your choice and get ready for a jampacked selection of drinks and food. The cocktail menu is divided into “Cool & Refreshing,” “Fun & Flirty” and “Bold & Delicious,” and all your favorites are here, including a few original twists. We recommend the L.T.P. (Lemon Triple Play), made with Grey Goose Le Citron, limoncello, citrus and Lemon RimLicks.
The appetizer section truly has something for everyone. Vegetarians will definitely want to try the Tailgate Nachos, chips flavored with Tajin and smothered with Monterey Jack, pico de gallo, avocado and queso, while vegans will love the giant soft pretzel (served on a tiny goal post!). And yes, shrimp cocktail is available here, served with classic-style sauce and Old Bay dijonnaise, and the chicken wings here are crispy and flavored three different ways: salt and lemon pepper, Buffalo and spicy Korean gochujang.
The main courses here run the gamut from New York steak and fries and petit filet mignon to Atlantic salmon and half roasted chicken. Any of them pair wonderfully with country-style onion rings, roasted broccolini, corn off the cob “elote style” and sweet potato waffle fries.
Dessert lovers will want to save some room for selections like sea salt s’mores (marshmallows, almonds and chocolate ice cream) and Any Given Sundae (made with cookies and cream ice cream, chocolate brownies and crumble). But for large groups, it doesn’t get better—or bigger—than the Madden Bowl, a $99 beast featuring 10 scoops of mixed ice creams, caramelized bananas, brownies, clover honey and crispy bacon, all smothered with butterscotch and fudge sauce.
If you want to hang out late, the restaurant offers a late-night pizza party menu from 10 p.m.-midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Nosh on pepperoni or Italian sausage pies, country-style breaded chicken tenders or Flanker mix (chili-lime roasted nuts and dried fruit) while enjoying $8 pints or $28 pitchers of your favorite beers.
Mandalay Bay, flankerlv.com
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