At FEATURE, we celebrate the places that define the heart and soul of our community. In this Hidden Gems feature, we explore The Sand Dollar Lounge, a Las Vegas institution with a rich history and a rock-and-roll spirit. Owners Nathan and Jamison have transformed this iconic blues bar into a modern hub for great music, unforgettable cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like home. Join us as they share the journey of preserving The Sand Dollar’s legacy while infusing it with fresh energy and timeless charm.

FEATURE  

What inspired you to take ownership of The Sand Dollar Lounge?

Nathan Grates

What inspired us was finding something that was not only a historic part of the community, but just in a beautiful location in Las Vegas that we thought would draw a lot of people, and ultimately, be a place that would last a long time, and we'dbe able to create a lot of memories here.

FEATURE

How has the local community responded to The Sand Dollar Lounge since you've become the owners?

Nathan Grates

Well, I would describe that as a slow trickle. I think it took a lot of convincing. As well as people acknowledging that we wanted to provide the right place for people to be themselves. I think the city needed a place where you can create a lot ofmemories and have a good time, and nobody cares what you look like or how you dress, you can simply wind down after a long day of work, or even wind up if you see fit.

FEATURE

How do you keep the history and charm of the venue alive while adding your own ideas?

Anthony Jamison

You know, The Sand Dollar Lounge is known as a historic blues bar, very dark, with a lot of biker influence historically. We didn't want to differ too much from that. We just wanted to update it to the modern era of beer and cocktails, where it's not just $3 swill. And I think we stay true to that, you can get the best Negroni in town, or you can get bottom-of-the-barrel hot gin, if you like, and still have a good time.

FEATURE  

What’s one of your favorite memories at The Sand Dollar Lounge since you took over?

Nathan Grates

My favorite memory of The Sand Dollar Lounge I think, was the first time we had a till in this bar, and it was Anthony, myself and our former business partner, running around trying to make drinks for the first time, and really realizing we had a lot of work to do. And it felt like, you know, 10s of hours worked just to make a little bit of money. That's probably my favorite memory. Climbing from the very bottom and gutting it out just to make it work for the very first night.

FEATURE

What's next for The Sand Dollar Lounge? Are there any exciting plans for the future?

Anthony Jamison

We're slowing down and getting back to our basics of providing the best customer service you can find in a dive bar, and focusing on this baby because we have the second location, and we've just opened a restaurant. So we've got a lot going on, and I think now it's time to get back to the basics and focus on what we started out doing.

FEATURE

How would you describe what makes The Sand Dollar Lounge so unique?

Anthony Jamison

The Sand Dollar Lounge really offers the best of both worlds. It has that classic dive bar, rock-and-roll vibe mixed with the elevated experience of high-end cocktails you’d usually find at upscale spots on the Strip—all at dive bar prices. Plus, we’ve had live music every single day of the year for almost 10 years now. I don’t know of any other bar on earth that does that, and that’s what makes it truly one-of-a-kind.

The Sand Dollar Lounge remains a cornerstone of Las Vegas nightlife, blending its storied past with a forward-thinking approach. Nathan and Jamison’s dedication to preserving its history while enhancing the experience with elevated cocktails and live music embodies the essence of what makes this bar truly unique. Like FEATURE’s mission to honor creativity and community, The Sand Dollar Lounge stands as a testament to the power of staying true to your roots while evolving to meet the moment.