Is the price of bottles from casinos the actual price?

Question

Strange question but please hear me out. You see the drink offers advertised like Circus Circus Heineken at $2, Stagedoor Bud at $1 and so on.

But, is that what you actually pay? On my previous visits to Vegas I don't remember paying extra (other than a tip of course) due to tax, but I have seen a few images of receipts online for Stagedoor where a bud costs $1.08, so do you pay the sticker price, or is there still tax to pay on top?

I may just not have noticed on previous visits - maybe due to the booze lol. I know it's no biggy, just interested to know. Thanks.

Answer

Great question! When you see advertised drink prices like $1 for a Budweiser at Stagedoor or $2 for a Heineken at Circus Circus, those are typically the base prices for the drinks. However, there is usually an additional charge that gets added to the total, such as taxes and sometimes even fees or service charges.

The price on the sign or menu is the "sticker price," but most businesses in Las Vegas, including casinos, are required to add local sales tax on top of that base price. The sales tax rate in Las Vegas is generally around 8.38%, depending on the location. That’s why you might see small price differences, like the Budweiser costing $1.08 instead of $1.00 on the receipt—it's the tax being added.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’re likely to pay when buying drinks at casinos or bars:

Sticker Price: The advertised price (e.g., $1 for a beer) is what you’ll see on the sign or menu.
Sales Tax: Nevada has a state and local sales tax that’s added on top of the sticker price. In Vegas, this tax is around 8.38%, so a $1 drink would end up costing you about $1.08 when tax is added.
Tip: As you mentioned, tipping is customary, especially in Las Vegas. Bartenders often rely on tips for their income, and it’s customary to tip a dollar or more per drink, depending on the service and your generosity.

So, in short, the price you see is the base price, but taxes will be added on top, which can lead to small increases in the final cost of the drink. The prices are typically still very cheap compared to other parts of the country, but it’s good to be aware of those small additional costs. Many people, including yourself, may not notice the tax being added in since it’s usually just a few cents, but now you’ll know to expect it!

Enjoy your next visit to Vegas, and hopefully, you can enjoy some of those great deals at places like Stagedoor and Circus Circus without any surprises on the bill!