Doberman Drawing Room — Restaurant in Las Vegas

I am not a member of the Doberman Drawing Room, nor, not having a spare $3000 per year to throw away, will I ever be. But the lounge, which opened officially on 30 April 2025, does take reservations from the unmonied masses via SevenRooms. Presumably so the members have the opportunity to witness the difference in service experienced, as touted by founder Ryan Doherty (“If a member sits down next to a non-member, you’ll definitely see more of a fuss made over the member,” says Doherty -interview with Eater posted 19 February 2025 by Janna Karel). All this to admit, I was not predisposed in Doberman's favor when I decided to try out the place.

The sign above the paw-shaped bell said Ring bell for entry; however, the solid wood door was cracked open. I split the difference, and pressed the bell then opened the door myself to enter. The young lady in the vestibule gave a very warm greeting, checked my reservation, advised me of the house rules e.g. no photos or videos, and escorted me to a bar seat. Will the bartender explained the menu structure (with one tiny detail omitted; more on that later), and a complimentary lychee "like" martini shot. I had to ask Will what made the shot not a true lychee martini and he reported that the drink was just pre-made rather than fresh as needed. OK. Shot was quite sweet; did not finish, but the thought was nice.

Caninha ($20): Was informed that the "herbs & spices" part was Drambuie. Very coconut forward, not much contrast. Lime quadrants shed pieces which made sipping not a smooth experience.

Tom Kha Fizz ($20): Wonderful garden tomato scent, with a good bite to the back of the throat at the start then settled into a more balanced spiced creaminess. Not entirely sure to what the "Fizz" referred, but I preferred this cocktail over the Caninha.

Both cocktails: Decent volume in their respective glasses (heavy rocks one for the Caninha, highball for the Fizz).

Service: Unpretentious and professional from everyone. Quite nice from Will; at some point I apparently was passed on to Eric(sp? the gent of the curled moustaches), who was also friendly.

Atmosphere: Interesting if a bit forced. Hunting box crossed with TGIFs, with a little Haunted Mansion. Dark wood beams, red velvet booths, drapery and embroidery, a tree loomed beneath a skylight, a piano hunched in an alcove beneath an altar-like wood carving, and (hopefully fake/ethically sourced) animal heads hung on the walls, along with random items like an antique bicycle. Cabinets stuffed with weirdness, and portraits got a bit of a Dali treatment, so portions were melted, stretched, or jagged. Music was low and somewhat hypnotic.

Value: Ah, here we go. Cocktail prices were...ambitious, for the quality, and location. But what really pushed the Doberman into audacious territory was the 22% auto-gratuity added to the check. Which was not offically mentioned (before/as of the time of this review) in the menu, online or physical in the Doberman's online FAQ by any bartender. Now, I will state that I WAS aware of this addition, thanks to prior reviews. Still, I was not very pleased when a (shall remain nameless) bartender, upon seeing my expression, said the auto-grat was listed as a separate line item to "avoid surprises". So,...

Monday night, made my way downtown, walkin' fast. faces pass. I'm Doberman bound..

it's Las Vegas, a desert in a drought. the day was dry, and so was my throat. I was thirsty for a drink.

lady at the door was super nice. the decor and ambiance was intriguing. I was excited to see what they had done with the old Artifice space.

one of the bartenders handed me a menu and went off to the corner of the bar. I've heard that there's a no phone policy, that probably only applies to guests. the bartender after giving me the menu proceeded to play on his phone. never turning around to see if I was ready. must have been in the middle of serious business. maybe he had a win streak on candy crush? maybe the fate of the candy kingdom was dependent on him.

the other bartender was thirstier than I was. too busy swooning some ladies to even notice he had a new guest at the bar. Romeo had priorities. none included pouring a drink.

there I am. starin' blankly ahead. just waiting away. waiting away..

a guy at the far end of the bar noticed that I had not been tended to. he asks me if I have been helped? I said no, and asked him what was his favorite gin cocktail on the menu? he was a bit startled and panicked. he said let me grab you someone. (I'm thinking maybe he was a barback?) he grabs the bartender who's trying to get his eggplant emoji wet and dude reluctantly comes over. I'm thinking to myself nah, son. I tell the other dude (probably barback) this dude didn't seem too eager to help me. I rather you make my drink. he tells me he can't, he's not bartending. I'm like ok, cool.. so, I saw myself out. (at the very least the barback guy was polite and responsive)

If you want to get ignored just like in the old space Artifice, this is definitely your place. they essentially just polished a turd. same crap service and everything is so wrong, and they make you feel like you don't belong. this place isn't about to be a precious memory..

I hope the one bartender on his phone beat his high score or finished reading whatever dissertation he was locked in on.

I'm also crossing my fingers the other bartender got his mission accomplished and took the two foxy ladies he was chatting up home and twisted them both into a pretzel.. at the same dang time!

I went off into the night. making my way back downtown. walkin' fast. faces pass. found myself at Berlin for Punk Rock Karaoke and sang some Vanessa Carlton.

but now I wonder... If I could fall into the sky. do you think a drink would pass me by? cause you know I'd have to walk a thousand miles just to get some service at Doberman that night... Pa dada da da dada......

A Masterpiece of Mixology: The Tom Kha Fizz and an Elevated Experience at Doberman Drawing Room

From the moment we arrived in the early evening, Doberman Drawing Room established itself not merely as a bar, but as a truly immersive, artistic experience. Seated comfortably at the bar, we were immediately welcomed by Steven, a bartender whose knowledge of craft cocktails was matched only by his genuine friendliness. The hospitality was instant and elegant, beginning with a complimentary welcome drink, beautifully served in a glass teacup—a simple, excellent touch that set a sophisticated tone for the evening.

The bar snacks were a perfect accompaniment, elevating simple grazing into a refined culinary experience. The Snack Trio—comprised of savory olives, incredibly crispy, spiced chicharrón chips, and sweet candied pecans—was nothing short of excellent, offering a brilliant balance of texture and flavor that complemented the complex cocktails.

The cocktail program is where Doberman truly transcends. We started with The Patriot, an outstanding interpretation of a classic Old Fashioned. It was ultra smooth, perfectly balanced, and not overly sweet, demonstrating a mastery of classic technique. However, the true revelation came with the Tom Kha Fizz. I can confidently say this was the best cocktail I have ever had—complex, exhilarating, and deeply memorable. The bright hints of lime and Asian spices blended seamlessly with coconut and cilantro, providing a perfect, refreshing balance that genuinely evoked the savory depth of a Tom Kha broth. My second choice, the Bird’s Eye View, continued the streak of excellence; it was light yet profoundly flavorful, combining Red Aperitif, passionfruit, coconut, and vermouth for an outstanding, tropical-edged riff on an Americano.

The atmosphere itself is flawless—elegant, moody, and deeply artistic, perfectly living up to its "Drawing Room" moniker. The decor, featuring fantastic surrealist paintings and thoughtfully curated pieces, creates a visual feast that encourages conversation and contemplation. We had the pleasure of meeting June, the visionary creator behind this fine establishment, whose passion, creativity, and expertise are evident in every detail of this elevated experience.

Doberman Drawing Room is a destination for the discerning, offering flawless service, inventive snacks, and a world-class cocktail list that is both deeply intentional and fun. This is not just our new favorite bar; it is, without a doubt, a must-visit for anyone seeking the pinnacle of the Las Vegas craft...