James Beard Award-winning Chef Shawn McClain and chef/partner of Sage at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas teamed up with Studio Munge’s Principal Interior Designer Alessandro Munge and Modern Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim to develop the concept and food and beverage menus for Libertine Social, a new, high-end pub inside Mandalay Bay.
Inspired by the chic dive bar atmosphere in Venice Beach’s hip Abbot Kinney neighborhood, the 7,500-square-foot, wide-open space allows guests to move through the space freely and mingle with others.
Voyeur Lounge
Guests enter Libertine Social through Voyeur, an eclectic lounge filled with unexpected yet comfortable furnishings, quirky artwork and a party vibe. The Voyeur Lounge is highlighted by a retro jukebox with an unrivaled catalog of music that lets guests take center stage as they pick a song and set the tone for the night.
Anchoring the lounge is the 95-seat bar, layered with rich textures and eye-opening decor such as a large, antique glass arch centered over the bar and a "Stay Wild" neon light that bathes patrons in a purple glow.
Hidden within Libertine Social is a secluded bar-within-a-bar featuring décor filled with dark-paneled walls and deep leather chairs that make the bar feel like it was plucked out of a home library.
Libertine Social dining room. Photos courtesy of MGM Resorts International.
Libertine Social’s open kitchen and chef’s table is a central hub between the lounge and the 100-seat dining area. Exposed grills and prep areas offer guests a chance to interact with chefs and become a part of the culinary process.
The social dining room space balances traditional tables and chairs with more lounge-style seating decorated with a collection of personal photos on the wall along with murals featuring a large-scale jackalope with rainbow colored wings and other creatures commissioned by street artist Alex Diaz.
Libertine Social’s outdoor patio, layered with soft lighting from the exposed string of bulbs and intimately placed furnishings, creates the experience of an enviable rooftop terrace. The essence of Abbot Kinney is brought to the space through large graphic statements and colorful lighting. Also outside, guests are greeted with a food truck inspired to-go counter, equipped with sidle-up seating and lighting inspired by street lamps.