Aces & Ales

Domingo

Colorado

2.4/5  rDev -44.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 1 | selection: 2 | $$

Lots of talk about this place, so I figured I'd give it a shot.
Lots of beer signs and posters outside and in the entrance. Cool so far. Pool tables and TV's in a small room to the left upon entering. The main room has a large wooden bar in the center (with poker machines built in), a few scattered tables, some pool tables, and a chalkboard with taps. Beer posters are on the walls and I can clearly see a fair number of decent bottles there for the display.
I grabbed a table...and waited...and waited...and waited. I finally flagged a waitress and asked for the beer menu. She seemed nice at first and found one hiding somewhere in the back. She pointed out the draft list as well. It was mentioned that some of the bottled items weren't available due to a pending event in the coming week. Fair enough - no big deal.
The bottled list was pretty nice. Lots of items from Stone, DFH, the Bruery, as well as some Belgian and German imports. The tap list wasn't bad, too. Nothing amazing, but pretty good.
After making our decisions, I waited for another 10 minutes and again had to flag her down from talking to some other patrons. I'm all for keeping things friendly but c'mon. We weren't alone - other people were having to track her down as well...both at the bar and at tables.
After ordering I was informed that the items we wanted weren't available...and apparently haven't been for quite some time. In fact, almost nothing on the menu was available and 3 of the 10 or so drafts were also gone. They didn't have anything less than 6% ABV anywhere...and after copping attitude with us after placing 4 orders for items that they apparently might *never* have had, we just got 3 'Lil Sumpin Sumpin's and got out of there. It's probably worth mentioning that there were a whole host of dirty dishes at various tables and bar seats that were there when we arrived and still weren't cleared 1/2 hour later when we left. Service was a joke and the menu made the Falling Rock's seem up to the minute accurate. I didn't stick around long enough to eat, and the only signs I had of the food were dirty plates scattered around. Luckily my friend from the area was able to drive us elsewhere. The only real upside is that the prices on the menu appeared to be good/low in general. Of course that doesn't matter much when nothing on the menu is available and you can't find anyone to order from.
Not going back here and I don't recommend it...local or not.

01-16-2011 03:14:30 | More by Domingo

BigEBeer

California

2.44/5  rDev -43.5%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2.5 | service: 1.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

Well I really hate writing a bad review, but in this case I feel it was justified. Came out from California for a friends bachelor party. Made Aces and Ales one of our first stops, boy do I regret it. When we first walked in it seemed like a decent beer bar. Beer themed decor and dim lighting. We had been on the road for about 5 hours so we all needed to make a pit stop. We finally found the unmarked restrooms, and I'm sorry we did. One of the stalls was caked with vomit that had obviously been there for quite some time. That should have been my first warning. We then proceded to order some beers. One of my friends ordered a Kasteel Cuvee de Cheatu(sp?). After the bartender returned 3 minutes later she told my friend she didn't have that and she got him something else. When he asked what she poured instead she told him she wasn't sure, but it was something like the one he ordered. It ended up being a black butte xxi. While not a bad beer by any means but not even close to what was ordered originally. I then came up to the bar, and had to wait about 5-6 minutes for someone to take my order. Once the bartender showed up, I asked a question about one of the beers and she handed me a list and said "I don't know, look on here". She handed me a list with very minimal information. I ended up ordering the black butte xxi and got charged $1 less than my friend. Cool for me but sucks for him. Once she took my order she proceded to pick up ash trays, empty bottles, and wipe down the bar before she poured my beer. She didn't even wash her hands. About 3 minutes later she returned my with beer that was in an 8-10oz tulip with about a 3 inch head. She took my money and once again proceded to clean the bar, do dishes, and converse with other patrons before bringing me my change. We quickly finished our beers and left. It seemed like the bar was filled mostly with regulars, which is fine, but I didn't see one craft beer on the bar. Most patrons there seem to enjoy MGD, Heiniken, and Mixed drinks. Not that there's anything wrong with that but it doesn't seem to support their craft beer program. Safe to say I will never be back and will stick with the Freakin Frog when I'm looking for decent beer in Las Vegas. I really hate to sound like a dick but I really wouldn't recomend this place to anyone.

Edit: also wanted to point out that there were at the most 10 patrons there and 3 bartenders. No excuse for the slow and poor service.

08-20-2010 04:24:13 | More by BigEBeer

ahq514

Illinois

2.51/5  rDev -41.9%
vibe: 1.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3 | $$$

Well I did have high hopes for this place, as everyone from Vegas was saying it was the best place in Vegas to grab a beer so I made sure to go here. Maybe I caught it on a bad night, but I was not impressed the second I walked in, charging us an $8 cover charge for some really bad rap music. Sat down and ordered a beer from there moderate selection of good beer. About 1/3 or their website advertised drafts were tapped out, so I settled for a Stone Cali-Belgique. Now I wouldn't consider myself real particular about glassware, but they served it to me in a plastic party glass. What the hell? At least serve it in a glass shaker or something. So I endured the awful rap music and drank my beer and got the hell out of there. Very disappointed. Actually the one good thing about my visit was that I saw Chumlee from Pawn Stars hangin out there.

01-10-2011 01:50:42 | More by ahq514

djeucalyptus

Oregon

3.6/5  rDev -16.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

i was looking for a good beer while in Vegas for a friend's wedding, and after reading the reviews, I figured I should give this a go. I strolled in on a slow weekend afternoon. Just two people who turned out to be regulars sitting at the bar playing video poker.

Interesting atmosphere, definite dark, somewhat dingy feel with uninteresting decor and lackluster design. Video poker in the bar. There are some nice big-screens above the bar, and the pool room off to the side looked pretty decent. But I was there for the beer. Had it been a different time, different/any crowd, it might have been a bit better.

The gal behind the bar was exactly what the reviews I'd read lead me to expect - service wasn't quite a first priority, but nothing offensive. Asked about a tap-list and got a finger pointing to the chalkboard off in the corner. After browsing, I asked for my top choice, which they didn't have any more. Second choice, same deal. Finally found something they still had that sounded good. Pour was solid, clean with appropriate glassware. Worked for me.

Chatted with a few of the locals for a bit while I enjoyed a good beer in an acceptable atmoshpere. Nothing amazing, but by Vegas standards, from what I've seen, pretty damn good. And the best tap selection I've seen in town.

05-13-2011 20:54:34 | More by djeucalyptus

downhilldrift

Arizona

3.84/5  rDev -11.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Stopped by Aces last night to watch the game, and for a Sunday night football night it was a bit empty. It did start picking up a little near the end of the game, but still a good atmosphere. They offered a good list, and were big on Deschutes beer, though they offered many more. They offer a flight of 6 tasters that were pretty generous for a good price, and had plenty of television monitors for a sports bar feel. By the looks of it, they have pool tournaments for time to time, or week? Good atmosphere, friendly service, and will probably be going back on my next trip to Vegas.

12-20-2011 09:46:39 | More by downhilldrift

KNORDSTROM

Washington

3.88/5  rDev -10.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Was excited when I found out there was a new beer bar in Las Vegas. Me and my wife went to check it out Last night. Huge sign out front cant miss. The front wall has a ROGUE AND STONE beer bottle poster that has to be 15-20 feet tall. Gets ya thirsty! Its a nice and pleasent typical Vegas gambling pool bar once your inside. At first the service was not good at all with the 2 girls bartenders. Very slow, almost like they didnt want you to spend $ on a beer. But everything changed once the owner Keri took over . He was fantastic. He was helpful and had no problem answering any questions. The night really took off when the CEO of STONE SHOWED UP Steve Koch. He was kind, He even signed the 12th anniversary bottle I purchased. They had around 14 taps some yellew fizzy beers. . 3 STONE, 2 ROGUE , SIERRA NV BELGIUM TRIPEL,YOUNGS DOUBLE CHOCO. those are what we tried. I think they had 30 bottle list to. Overall, we will go back. Thank you Keri for making us feel welcome.

09-15-2009 04:37:21 | More by KNORDSTROM

Hoptoss

Nevada

3.88/5  rDev -10.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Aces and Ales is a good well rounded beer bar. They always have a good variety of craft beer on tap, and usually have a rare or reserve on tap, like Abyss, Jubel 2010, Parabola, etc. Nice mellow to busy atmosphere, and decent prices. Decent Aps, however the hamburgers are surprisingly good. They're hand pressed, charbroiled, and delicious. They held a strong beerfest a few months back: They had a lot of beers that I wanted to try, but I only got to try a few because the selections were stagered throughout the three days due to limited taps, and I could only make it to one. They had great beers like sculpin, Black Butte XXII, Sami Clause, Red Chair, and about 20 others I cant remember off hand. A great place to eat and get beers that are either hard or impossible to find in Vegas.

11-17-2010 07:55:19 | More by Hoptoss

Gavage

New Jersey

3.94/5  rDev -8.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

Decided to stop in here on around noon time on a Thursday. Place was very quite, only one patron there. It was very easy to find, but based on the feedback from the locals this isn't located in the best part of town.

The bar iteself is a weird shape and can seat about 20. There were beer lists of both draft and bottles. As I found out three of the beers I order were kicked, so the list was not really accurate. But the seelction was very good with offerings from Deschuttes, The Bruery, DFH, and some of the Vegas locals. The bottle list was very impressive despite some of the higher costs per bottle ranging from $15-$50 for some more of the one off beers like Abyss and Firestone Anniversary.

There is a large stage for live music, and plenty of beer related signs on the walls. Kind of a dive with a mix of upscale beers. And of course you can play video poker while drinking.

Service was prompt as I was one of two people there. The bartender seemed to know the beer selection.

This place definitely offers a nice beer selection, but it is off the beaten path so unless you have a car it will cost you. IMHO this place is good not great.

04-02-2011 20:10:38 | More by Gavage

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4/5  rDev -7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Got here by using the free shuttle bus from Downtown (back of California Hotel) to Sams Town and walked the mile or so from there.

Late afternoon on a warm, sunny May day. Couldn't see a thing when we walked in, it didn't get much brighter when our eyes adjusted to the darkness. As you enter there is a room off to your left, don't stumble into there because it is just a space with tables and chairs in, you want the square shaped bar which is straight in front, lite by a few neon beer adverts and sports screens, it is down a couple of steps or a ramp.

Lindsay looked after us and anybody and everybody else, about eight max during our three beer and meal stay. Rock music filled the room, not over loud, just enough so you couldn't hold a conversation without raising your voice up a few decibel levels.

I started with a pint of Rogue 'Dead Guy Ale' which was delivered in a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale glass. My wifes draught also came in the same branded glass as mine. My other two beers were just as good as the first, these coming from Joseph James and the Dogfish Head Brewery. Didn't take note of the wifes beers, but they tasted good too (I always check out her beer, just in case it is poison or something).

I ordered a basic burger and fries with everything, the wife a Garden Salad with Chicken, both were good, produced by an under worked (on our visit) cook.

Well worth the effort to get here (3 hour drive to London, 10 hour flight, half hour taxi ride, half hour shuttle bus and half hour walk).

It isn't cosy, nor over friendly, we didn't feel threatened or anything, it just seemed 'rough and ready' more than 'welcoming'. Lindsay was fine, worried about her young son taking some girl to the pictures and chatting to a couple of regulars who were drinking bottles of Lite something or other.

The draught beer selection however seemed very welcoming, the bottled choices challenging too, I'll revisit if I ever return to LV.

05-16-2010 02:02:31 | More by BlackHaddock

JSBerkowitz

Nevada

4.03/5  rDev -6.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

This is definitely the best beer bar that we have in Vegas, and while it is a lot of fun, it isn't perfect.

As far as the atmosphere is concerned, I have been told that it is going to be getting much better which I am greatly looking into. In the past, they have had live bands playing in a space much to small. As a result you have to yell to talk to anyone there which is just frustrating for me. I have been told that this will be disapearing in the near future.

They have some great kegs that they get in for Vegas, between the beer festivals and tap takeovers, there is always something unique on tap whenever I stop in. I have never had a problem with an unclean tap line, and the only times I have ever had a problem with the beer in general, the staff was quick to take care of it.

The staff is very nice once you get to know them (a very key factor for some), but their beer knowledge is sometimes lacking. Ryan (one of the owners), is very good, but the rest of the staff doesn't always seem to care (or they are more focused on other things). You do have to wait at the bar for a few minutes before you can flag anyone down to get a drink, especially when there are a lot of gamblers there.

The food is above average, nothing mind blowing. I do hope they put through some of their new menu items because those were amazing. I would highly recommend the Ahi Tuna Sandwhich.

(Editing because of atmosphere changes that I was made aware of)

05-04-2011 15:50:52 | More by JSBerkowitz