Founded in 1962, Hard Hat Lounge is one of Las Vegas’s oldest dives. The bar has just gotten a new owner, passing into the hands of Robby Cunningham, who owns Guerilla Pizza—which offers Detroit-style pizza inside Hard Hat Lounge—in partnership with Las Vegas musician Frank Sidoris.
What’s the new owner’s vision for a brand with such a long and storied past?
“Our vision for the brand’s future is to tap into its storied history and play into its strengths,” Cunningham told What Now on Wednesday. “This is a classic dive that housed many local bands and performers in the past, in a small intimate space. We plan to deliver similar experiences while maintaining a great vibe.”
And what will change? Regulars will be happy to hear the answer: nothing radical. Think “preservation” and “restoration.” Cunningham describes a “retrofitted coat of paint on the exterior honing back to its original color in 1962,” plus upgrades to the lighting.
“The one question we’re asked is, ‘Is the mural staying?’” Cunningham said. “And the answer is yes. The original 1962 painting by Frank and Vickie Bowers will never be going anywhere as long as we have anything to do with it.”
Recent coverage in Eater Las Vegas adds that the plan is to introduce live music.
“We hope to engage more with the downtown arts community and be a proud member of the 18b Arts District,” adds Cunningham. “It’s a great community that I’ve been a part of for several years now, and to be a fun little place off of Main St is a vibe.”
