Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1013885
108 / the tasting panel / august 2018 OPENINGS A s some of the gilded dust settles on the Palms Casino Resort's ongoing $620-million renovation, it appears it's succeeded in delivering the consum- mate Sin City experience to bright-eyed first-timers and veteran Vegas-goers alike. The plot twist? They won't even need to set foot on the Strip. A trio of new concepts—fine-dining steakhouse and whisky haven Scotch 80 Prime (read more on page 34), Camden Cocktail Lounge, and Apex Social Club—opened in mid-May, curating a one-size-fits-all night out on the town for Palms guests courtesy of Clique Hospitality's Andy Masi and nightlife partners Ryan Labbe and Jason "JRoc" Craig. As far as first impressions go, cocktail savants would be hard-pressed to find one more striking than the sleek and sumptuously appointed Camden, located near the casino's main entrance. Inside the intimate space filled with delicate light fixtures, velvet furniture, and visually arresting artwork, Executive Chef Lanny Chin and Lead Intoxicologist Eric Hobbie have teamed up to oversee a program of indulgent but approachable "table snacks," original cocktails, and shareable libations prepared tableside with dexterous flair. "I've invited people here to the property to see our spaces, and to see the awe on their faces because they haven't been to the Palms in over a year, it's been pretty incredible," Chin says. CAMDEN COCKTAIL LOUNGE AND APEX SOCIAL CLUB HELP USHER IN A NEW ERA OF HOSPITALITY AT PALMS CASINO RESORT IN LAS VEGAS by Kate Newton Bar's-Eye View Located adjacent to the Palms Casino Resort main entrance, Camden Cocktail Lounge (pictured above) serves table snacks, libations, and shareable "tableside mixology" cocktails in a sleek yet intimate space. Meanwhile, the view of the Las Vegas Strip from Apex Social Club's outdoor patio (below) ranks among the best in Sin City.