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.
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