Shaken, Sparkled, and Stirred in Vegas

True confession: I’m a sucker for anything sparkly. Not tacky-bedazzled sparkly, but the classy kind — the kind that drips from a crystal chandelier or dangles elegantly from an earlobe. I firmly believe every day deserves a little sparkle, a dash of pizzazz. (My closet? Equal parts tennis shoes with glitter, rhinestones for flair, and a few “real ones” for street cred.)

Which brings me to one of my favorite sparkly escapes in North America: The Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. I was there the year they opened in 2010 — full disclosure, I stumbled across it during a work conference, and it’s been love at first sip ever since.

While I’m a wino at heart, sometimes I like to mix it up with a proper martini, Bond-style. Shaken, not stirred, with Belvedere vodka — my ride-or-die since 1998 — and a crisp lemon twist. Unless, of course, I’m at a steakhouse where the bartender swears he started his shift hand-stuffing Spanish queen olives with Maytag blue cheese. (Pro tip: always ask when they were stuffed. Freshly stuffed olives? Life-changing.)

And the people-watching? Pure entertainment. There’s something about sipping a martini while cocooned inside a glimmering chandelier that makes Vegas feel like your stage. Whether it’s a girls’ trip, a post-conference cocktail, or a solo glam moment, this bar is a must for anyone who appreciates a mix of luxury and sparkle.

As one of the many James Bonds said, “To your health.” And to a little sparkle, always.