"BestOfVegas"
07/16/07 -see other reviews-
 Attitude - 3 Eye Candy - 3 Price - 3
"A Keeper"
From Las Vegas Life Magazine "Best of 2007" -- "10 Best Places to Imbibe"
"Maybe it's the long, long bar. Maybe it's the dark brick, such a perfect contrast from the spotlight brightness of the new East Fremont. Maybe it's the medieval vaulted ceilings, or the haunted landscape paintings on the west wall, or the mid-room fireplace, but the Griffin takes you out of the desert and damn near out of the 21st century. Any bar that can be simultaneously edgy and cozy, theatrical and laid-back is a keeper."
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We grabbed some reviews from several sources regarding this relatively new bar in downtown Las Vegas.
"After a few minutes spent in the newly opened Griffin on Fremont, the only thing that came to mind was, "Finally!" The soaring brickwork Gothic ceiling is spectacular. There's plenty of comfortable seating and two fireplaces. The jukebox is filled with older classic rock standards that everyone knows the words to (whether you want to admit it or not) and enough good alterna-indie to fill the hip quota. It's a good size - large enough to accommodate a good number of people without feeling crowded, but not so big that you feel lost in it.
The crowd seemed to be a generation ahead chronologically than the denizens of the neighboring Beauty Bar, which to this edging-up-on-30 chick is a relief and a delight. The music is loud enough to hear, but not so loud that you have to shout over it to have a conversation. The bartenders were friendly and quick, and the prices weren't too bad, especially considering you're downtown. ($5 got a vodka tonic, $4 a bottle of domestic, and $3 a draft PBR.) Our group of five doubled in size by the end of the night, and seating everyone together as they straggled in was easy. We left The Griffin that night - or probably more aptly, the next morning - knowing that we'd found our new place. I'd be lying if I said I didn't go back the next night. It might be love."
"The doorman is pleasant, the entrance is almost completely invisible until you're right in front of it, the drinks are poured well and the bartenders are hot.
And that's just the first ten minutes.
The aesthetic of the bar is one part dungeon, one part rustic and a healthy dose of trendsetting chic. This is one of the only bars I've found in Vegas that manages to be comfortable and dangerously sleek at the same time. The jukebox is stocked with a large enough variety to keep everyone happy, the staff is on the ball and the seating is just shy enough of plentiful to allow for new connections to be made.
Two large fireplaces set in the center of the room develop the dungeon-esque ambiance, while the deep earth tones and modern styling make it the perfect spot for intimate conversation.
The Griffin is located conveniently downtown off of Fremont, but far enough away from the garish glow of the Fremont Street Experience to keep the bulk of fanny pack clad tourists out. The average patron at the Griffin can range anywhere from Vegas entertainment veterans, to local college students."
"Been here a couple of times and have had a blast every time. It reminds me of a cool bar in Pac Heights although I can't remember which one. This is another one of those anti Vegas bars which means NO Gaming, No bullshit wood lodge themes and No Fuckin jerk offs! Well maybe there are a few jerk offs in there but the cool definitely outweigh them. The bartenders are very friendly and efficient and a few of them smokin hot too. The drinks are average, the music is cool and the place is dark so if you're scammin for the opposite(or same if that's your thing) sex you might want to take another look once you get them outside just to make sure that it's who you want to go home with. Other than that Th e Griffin is Aok."
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Attitude - 3 Eye Candy - 3 Price - 4