If you’re bored with eating alone at home, but are too afraid to sit down inside of a restaurant, head to downtown for a unique Las Vegas dining experience.
The City of Las Vegas has blocked traffic in two areas, just off Fremont Street and in the Arts District, to serve as outdoor dining areas.
More than a dozen canopies were put up recently on Sixth Street just south of Fremont Street. Each canopy has four folding chairs around a single table. An attendant armed with sanitizing equipment is stationed at one of the tables. A similar outdoor dining area was set up on California Avenue between Main Street and Casino Center Boulevard.
The details of the endeavor weren’t announced until May 21, when the “Dine Out Downtown” program was unveiled. The outdoor dining experience will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day through Phases One and Two of Nevada’s reopening schedule. It’s one good way to support local restaurants.
Just One Las Vegas Dining Option
The set up didn’t prevent people from using the Arts District area early in the evening; the attendant on duty affirmed that everyone was welcome to enjoy the food and drinks purchased at nearby restaurants including Tacotarian, Esther’s Kitchen, Therapy, VegeNation, 7th & Carson, CraftHaus Brewery, Garagiste Wine Room, Bocho Sushi, Flippin’ Good Burgers, ReBar and Vesta Coffee Roasters.
The city of Las Vegas said the program is designed to allow diners to enjoy their takeout from downtown restaurants in the designated areas. Furthermore, the city staff will be there to clean and disinfect the tables and chairs between each use.
Restaurant Owners are Grateful
“It’s a very cool, very responsible thing that the city’s doing,” remarked Esther’s Kitchen proprietor James Trees. Esther’s Kitchen is also serving diners inside the restaurant and at their own sidewalk tables. Trees was very happy to have additional space for customers to enjoy his takeout meals. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. But I’m glad they’re doing something. And just doing something is pretty cool.”
Just around the corner from the Sixth Street Las Vegas dining experience is Carson Kitchen. Proprietor Cory Harwell was also impressed, even though his restaurant has plenty of outdoor dining space.
“This is an effort by the city to try and get creative with what can they do to help local businesses,” Harwell said. “The fact that we have a city that’s willing to do this to give people a place to go to, I think is absolutely fabulous.”
Stefanie Jackel, co-owner of Three Sheets Craft Beer Bar feels the “Dine Out Downtown” program is a very welcomed part of the lockdown recovery. Three Sheets is scheduled to reopen on May 22 at 50% capacity. As well as the restaurant’s limited indoor dining options, Jackel is encouraging customers to buy bottles and growlers at Three Sheets and then feast at the city’s outdoor picnic area.
“We’re very excited,” Jackel said, pointing out that the outdoor dining is reminiscent of her California roots, where al fresco dining is popular and sometimes includes live music. “The City of Las Vegas has been fabulous to work with. They’ve been creative, keeping small businesses in mind, which has been great.”
The downtown restaurants are celebrating the city’s ability to increase the downtown restaurant’s into a communal dining space. That will give more people a reason to come downtown. If the city can get people to come downtown, park their cars and walk around, then the city is more likely to bounce back.
People are Pleased with This Las Vegas Dining Option
Local residents Jessica Castillo and Bianca Sosa nibbled gelato from Waffelato at the Downtown Container Park dining area at the 6th Street. They came to Downtown from the suburbs to explore and grab a bite to eat. The pair didn’t know about the new Las Vegas dining experience but stumbled upon it while walking around. “We saw this and we were like, ‘Oh, this is a nice place to have our ice cream and sit down and talk’,” Sosa said.
“I think it’s really cool,” Castillo added about the outdoor dining area. “We get to enjoy our Las Vegas Downtown without too many other people. And the weather’s just so nice.”
