Game day in Vegas generates its own kind of electricity, and nowhere is this more apparent than at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar. Located at the entrance to the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, you’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot the larger-than-life Muhammad Ali statue out front.
Photo by: Anthony Mair
Step through the doors and your retinas light up from the glow of more than 50 LED screens strategically positioned throughout the expansive space, anchored by the star of the show: a 30-foot-by-9-foot LED wall. We popped in recently during the NFL’s season kickoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. Every touchdown, replay and highlight blazed across the screens while fans in team jerseys clinked beer glasses and whooped it up between bites. The energy was infectious, with cheers erupting from different corners of the room as plays unfolded.
Speaking of bites, Flanker’s menu is stacked with elevated game-day favorites. Start with crispy wings prepared three ways: salt and lemon pepper, Buffalo and spicy Korean style. The Tailgate Nachos—a heaping mountain of chips, Monterey Jack cheese, black beans, pickled jalapeños, sour cream and pico—can feed a small army. Shareable sides include indulgently creamy mac and cheese, sweet potato fries and a tall stack of golden onion rings.
The MVP of the menu is the bacon smash burger, a wagyu double-patty masterpiece topped with bacon-onion jam, garlic aioli and American cheese. The beef is juicy, flavorful and smashed to perfection and arrives with a pile of shoestring fries—hot, salty and dangerously addictive, the kind that disappear faster than you realize while you’re engrossed in the game.
You never what you'll unbox at Kawaii Things at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas
You never what you'll unbox at Kawaii Things at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas Photo by: Courtesy
Come early for weekday happy hour (4-6 p.m.) and score serious value on both food and drinks. Street tacos bursting with authentic flavors, Korean lettuce wraps with braised short rib and gochujang aioli, and pretzel bites served with mustard all clock in under $10, alongside $8 margaritas and Old-Fashioneds made with Jack Daniel’s straight rye whiskey. For heartier appetites, the dinner menu delivers with expertly prepared salmon, fall-off-the-bone smoked spare ribs and a ribeye filet that gives other steakhouses a run for their money. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Flanker is hosting a Nielsen’s Frozen Custard pop-up through fall, a refreshing finish to any meal.
If all that cheering makes you thirsty, there’s plenty of beer on tap in pint, pitcher or tower quantities. The mixology game is strong here with signature cocktails, while an impressive wine and champagne selection round out the beverage lineup for victory celebrations (or consolation drinking, depending on how it goes for your team).
Flanker goes all in on the Vegas sports bar vibe. There are private dining rooms (with karaoke!) that let you host watch parties. Themed football events throughout the season keep the energy high. And if you’re heading to Allegiant Stadium for a Raiders game, you’re just steps from the walkway that connects directly to the venue.
Whether you’re pregaming before a Raiders matchup, catching up with friends or hunting down a next-level happy hour that delivers on atmosphere and quality, this is the kind of spot that beats staying home on the couch.
Mandalay Bay. flankerlv.com
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