Beauty & Essex at Cosmopolitan

Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas offers a mix of shareable American dishes with global influences, set in a speakeasy-inspired space that transitions seamlessly into the resort’s nightlife pulse. Located off the casino floor on the second level, this restaurant draws groups for dynamic meals that complement plans for shows or club outings. For dinner reservations at this Las Vegas restaurant, myrsvp.com handles VIP table bookings, ensuring smooth arrangements for events like bachelor parties or celebratory gatherings.

The concept originated in 2010 when chef Chris Santos partnered with TAO Group to open the first Beauty & Essex in New York’s Lower East Side. Santos, known from Food Network’s Chopped, crafted a menu blending comfort food with bold flavors, housed in a former furniture store reimagined as a glam lounge. The brand’s success led to expansions in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with the Cosmopolitan location opening in 2016 as part of the resort’s dining evolution. Designed by AvroKO, the space channels vintage allure with modern polish, earning praise in Vegas Magazine for its “retro-chic” vibe and a 4.5 OpenTable rating from over 6,000 reviews. Under Santos’s oversight, executive chef John Johnson adapts the menu for local palates, incorporating Vegas-exclusive plates while maintaining the group’s focus on social dining. The brand, now part of Tao Group Hospitality’s portfolio, thrives on creating immersive experiences that bridge food and entertainment.

Guests enter through a mock pawnshop facade, a nod to the New York original, passing vintage trinkets before stepping into a 10,000-square-foot expanse with 250 seats. The interior unfolds across two levels: a main dining room with velvet booths, crystal chandeliers, and gold accents, and a lofted lounge overlooking the action. A pearl-adorned staircase connects the areas, while a central bar serves craft cocktails amid mirrored columns. Live DJs spin low-key tracks from 7 p.m., escalating to club beats post-9 p.m., fostering a fluid shift from dinner to late-night mingling. Private rooms for up to 20 suit secluded events, and a casual dress code—favoring stylish attire over athletic wear—matches the upscale yet relaxed tone. Open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with extensions to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the schedule aligns with Cosmopolitan’s pool parties or Marquee nightclub follow-ups.

The menu emphasizes small plates for sharing, alongside heartier mains and indulgent sweets. Standout starters include the grilled cheese, smoked bacon, and tomato soup dumplings at $22, a playful bite blending creamy cheese with savory broth. Tuna poke wonton tacos, with avocado and spicy mayo, cost $24 for a set of four, balancing crisp shells with fresh fish. Mains feature the blackened sea bass with miso glaze and charred broccolini at $48, its caramelized crust offsetting delicate flakes. The 48-ounce bone-in rib eye, grilled with herb butter for $145, serves two to three, sourced from Double R Ranch for robust marbling. Vegan options include a cauliflower steak with romesco and chimichurri at $32. Sides like truffle mac and cheese or crispy Brussels sprouts with maple glaze run $14-18. Desserts shine with the donut ice cream sandwich, pairing warm cinnamon donuts with bourbon vanilla ice cream for $16, or the towering chocolate layer cake at $20. The 300-label wine list, leaning toward Napa Valley reds, starts pairings at $70, while cocktails like the Essex Mule with vodka, ginger, and yuzu ($19) or the tableside-prepared Smoked Old Fashioned ($22) add flair.

This setup caters to bachelor parties, with myrsvp.com securing loft tables or bar-adjacent spots for group momentum. The shareable plates and evolving music keep energy high, reflecting Las Vegas restaurants’ role in multi-stop evenings. Within The Cosmopolitan, Beauty & Essex links to rooftop pools for daytime plans or nearby STK for varied dining. Ultimately, it delivers Santos’s vision of bold, approachable fare in a setting that amplifies connection and spectacle.