Carson City's Casino Fandango 'Craft 55' bar offers local brew, unique pub fare

The Casino Fandango has opened its new “Craft 55” bar, which is dedicated to craft beers and a pub-style menu with a few unique twists, including Duck Wings served with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks, bangers and mash, and chipotle shrimp cocktail, along with traditional pub fare such as sliders, bacon mac and cheese, buffalo chicken wings and more.

“I wanted to do something different that hasn’t been done before,” said Court Cardinal, owner of the Casino Fandango in Carson City. “So having over 55 beers and keeping it fresh all the time was the plan. The food menu, I also wanted to be better and more eclectic than just your normal, pub food menu.”

One particularly unique offering at Craft 55 is a machine that scans a photo of the customer and "prints" it onto the dense foam of your brew.

Cardinal wants to highlight local breweries and artisans as a part of the new bar’s practice, he said. For example, the four beer tasting menu is served in custom-made wood holders which are painted silver and designed in the shape of Nevada.

In addition, the last Thursday of every month is a “Tap Takeover,” during which a local brewery will bring several of their beer selections to put on the taps in order to introduce people to their brews.

“We had our first one (showcasing) Great Basin Brewery and it was a huge hit,” said Cardinal.

Since the opening earlier this month, Craft 55 has already brought in a new audience to the local casino, said Cardinal, including sports fans, lured in by the new 16, 85” televisions, and so far, Cardinal says the community has responded very well and has been giving positive feedback.
 
“The place is packed on game days,” said Cardinal. “I brightened up a dark corner and it gives people that come to Fandango one more option of something to do.”

As far as any new future plans for the casino at this moment in time, Cardinal says the building is full up.
 
“After building and opening the new Grand Ballroom last fall and now re-modeling the sportsbook and creating Craft 55, I think we are pretty much out of room at this point, but you never know.”

Craft 55 is open 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

To learn more and view their food and beer menu, click here.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of Nov. 11-17, 2024. Closures and lane restrictions are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

After a relatively mild weekend, another storm system is expected to arrive Monday that will bring gusty winds, mountain snow and some valley rain, according to the National Weather Service.

The Tazmanian Boxing Club from Carson City is heading to the nationals and is actively seeking sponsors to support their journey.

Carson City Fire Department, sheriff's deputies and Nevada Highway Patrol were called Saturday evening to a crash involving three vehicles near the intersection of Highway 50 East and Fairview.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Douglas County TRIAD will hold a citizen’s law enforcement academy this coming Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 12-15.

Lane and shoulder closures will take place on U.S. 95 at Walker Lake beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12 as NDOT installs speed feedback signs.

On the heels of the recent dusting of snow, ‘Plates for Powder,’ the program that offers free skiing and riding opportunities to those who purchase a Lake Tahoe license plate, returns for the 2024-25 winter season.

Join Carson High Safe Grad for a Fun Run on the Carson River trail behind the Korean War Veterans Memorial Park for Veterans Day, Monday Nov, 11, 2024 beginning at 9 a.m.

Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, Inc. is excited to announce the 4th annual Veterans Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, Inc. in partnership with the Carson City Elks Lodge No. 2177.

We are proud to announce that the 10u Blue football team from Carson City Pop Warner won the Snow Bowl last weekend!

They now qualify for the regional competition in Santa Clara, Ca. We are asking for help from the community to raise funds for travel expenses and lodging.

Supervisors approved allocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the Mills Park Pickleball Courts Project.

The board was required to make a final recommendation and approval of funding for the CDBG projects to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) convened on Thursday, November 7, 2024, to hear presentations and approve several significant agenda items.

The Carson Middle School annual Veteran's Day Concert was briefly interrupted by a fire alarm this morning, but there was no fire and all students and community members are safe, according to the district.

"Carson Middle School had a fire alarm sound today during the Veteran’s Day concert. All students, staff and visitors were evacuated safely. There was not a fire. The fire department responded and gave the all-clear to re-enter the building. The school resumed the school day."

UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: On November 7, 2024, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies responded to the 1200 block of Pit Road in the Gardnerville Ranchos for a report of domestic assault involving a firearm. The caller informed Douglas County Emergency Communications that her son, identified as John Brown, had allegedly assaulted her with a handgun and then fled on foot.

This holiday season, experience the enchanting performance of The Nutcracker as Nevada Dance Company presents its 35th annual production, a beloved tradition that brings the magic of ballet to Northern Nevada. Set against Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, The Nutcracker transports audiences to a world of swirling snowflakes, heroic soldiers, and the enchanting Sugarplum Fairy.

The Carson High School Blue Thunder Band will perform in Chicago for the Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

Cleo got adopted after writing her own story two weeks ago, now her sister Juno insists she should be able to write hers as well. In Juno’s words:

The Carson City Fire Department (CCFD) would like to announce the start of the Fall 2024 Open Burn, with burning allowed from November 8, 2024, through January 1, 2025, dependent upon permit status and daily weather conditions. To make this a safe endeavor for those involved, the CCFD will require a burn permit.

The Friends of the Douglas County Library will host a two-day used book sale, Friday and Saturday, November 15-16, at the Minden Library, 1625 Library Lane.

Big Lots, Inc. (OTC: BIG) announced today store location 4215 S Carson St. Carson City, NV 8970, previously scheduled for closure, will remain open. The decision is part of the company’s ongoing restructuring process aimed at enhancing customer experience and refining its market presence.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) has won Nevada’s U.S. Senate race, fending off a challenge from Army veteran Sam Brown in a contest closer than polls had projected to represent the Silver State for a second term.

Join us for Carson City's High Water Mark Unveiling Ceremony next Thursday Nov. 14 from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Morgan Mill River Access. There will be interactive stations, guided walks, flood information and discussion and more.

Secondary school administrators at Carson MS, Eagle Valley MS, and Carson and Pioneer High School in Carson City chose a support called Check and Connect to implement a system of mentorship provided by school staff.

The intervention is a Tier 2 approach in the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for schools to address and support attendance and academic success in school.

Meet Katie, the sweetest and wiggliest pup you'll ever encounter! This adorable bundle of joy will have you smiling from ear to ear as soon as you call her name, because Katie has a unique way of showing her excitement—her whole rear end wiggles with delight!

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, here are the election results. We will continue to update the master election story which you can view here as results continue to be updated.

According to the Secretary of State's Office, 65.63% of registered voters in the capital city came out to cast their ballots, the majority of which utilized early voting (44.69%), followed by mail-in ballots (43.28%), and finally rounding out the last of the voters on election day (12.03%).

Carson Tahoe Health will host a Community Health Fair this Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, 1600 Medical Parkway in Carson City.

NV Energy is reporting power outages Wednesday afternoon in areas around Carson City. As of 2 p.m. there are 165 customers without power. The cause is under investigation. Go here for updates from NV Energy.

Carson City unofficial figures updated Wednesday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m. (Still awaiting updated Carson City numbers, which were last updated around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning)

While time is up for the polls, which were scheduled to close at 7 p.m., if voters were in line before the cut off they will be allowed to vote. We will update the results as they come in. Carson City polls could take a couple hours to turn in their results.

Please be aware that mail-in ballots are being accepted as long as they were postmarked by election day, today, Nov. 5. This means that we will continue to see more results in the days to come, which is anticipated and expected.

Carson City Symphony Assoc. presents "Cello Fest"

The Carson City Symphony Assoc. presents "Cello Fest: On and Off the Page with Sera Smolen" on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Eagle Valley Middle School, 4151 E. 5th Street, Carson City.

Join Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery in Carson City this Saturday, Nov. 9, beginning at 11 a.m. as we begin our celebration of the holiday season. the gallery will be filled with beautiful local artwork and amazing gift ideas.