THIS GAY-OWNED ADULTS-ONLY BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS IS A SAFE HAVEN FOR QUEER TRAVELERS — HERE'S WHAT IT'S LIKE TO STAY

Bent Inn is the only gay-owned LGBTQ+ boutique hotel in Las Vegas.

Several months after its launch, the Bent Inn, the only gay-owned LGBTQ+ boutique hotel in Las Vegas, is hitting its stride at the peak of pool season. It’s been a long road for its owners — four years, to be exact — just to get the place up and running.

On the day I arrived, a lively crowd gathered and settled around the circular bar, which also serves as the reception desk at this small 33-room hotel. When my partner and I checked in, we were each offered a welcome cocktail to take at our leisure during our stay. Why not right now? So we settled in at the bar, ordered tequila sodas, and chatted with the owner and bartender to get acquainted with the property and find out their favorite downtown spots. (We already had ours.)

For us, our evening plans were to make the short walk to see the fire-breathing mantis at Downtown Container Park, then head over to Atomic Liquors, which was the first free-standing bar in Las Vegas, for some people-watching, a local brew and the phenomenal pan pizza.

When we returned to the Bent bar later that Saturday evening, it was packed. The lights were low and the energy level was sky-high. Instead of sports, the televisions were playing music videos that bounced between Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Troye Sivan. It created a more clubby vibe that led to some dancing, mingling, and perhaps a bit of flirting among the guests, who were a smattering of out-of-towners and locals looking for a casual, accepting place to grab a drink and meet like-minded people. And at a bar that’s open 24 hours, it’s become a popular gay hangout.

Bent Inn

The Bent Inn blends mid-century Palm Springs with industrial Las Vegas making it a true fit for its downtown location.
The rooms are cozy and comfortable with the best ones overlooking all the action at the pool.
A community — a Bent brotherhood of welcoming regulars — has developed. They gather for pool parties and beer busts at the bar.
The retro resort is close to the downtown bar and restaurant scene.

Bent Inn is the brainchild of Palm Springs hoteliers Greg Kafka and Mark Hunter. The couple owned two hotels in Palm Springs before they brought their vision to Las Vegas. Their timing, however, was unfortunate. They purchased the complex, then an apartment building, in January 2020. Six weeks later Covid hit and froze the world and all of their plans. “Everything came to a screeching halt,” Hunter recalled to Travel + Leisure.

It would be 18 months before they would even be allowed to touch the property, nevertheless start the extensive renovations, and just short of four years before the Bent Inn opened its doors. “It was definitely a challenge to get it wrapped up and done,” Hunter said.

The couple sold their two Palm Springs properties, Escape Resort and Desert Paradise, to move to Sin City, with a vision to create a culture and gay gathering spot in downtown Las Vegas. When I popped in, it was exactly that. The guests and staff were friendly, giving the hotel a clear welcoming vibe that’s led a crowd of regulars there to frequent it often.

The postage stamp property isn’t meant to be a luxe resort. Instead, it’s a safe haven. An inclusive “straight friendly” escape where locals and visitors interact over stiff margaritas while on inflatable pool floats. After all, the Bent Inn is about the people and the atmosphere. That’s what makes this hotel special. You’re here to make friends and go out and explore downtown Las Vegas and the Arts District.

The Rooms

With just 33 rooms, the property footprint is not all that large and the rooms reflect this. I found our room with its Juliet balcony overlooking the pool to be cozy and comfortable with just enough space to relax before mingling at the bar or lounging poolside. After all, the Bent Inn is all about its social scene and not hibernating in the room.

The hotel has four room types. The top category is the poolside patio rooms, each with a sliding glass door that leads to a small, private patio and sitting area adjacent to the pool. Other room categories include the balcony rooms, an atrium king (without a view), and the bunkhouse–individual hostel-style rooms with twin-size beds and shared amenities for solo travelers.

The amenities are basic. There was no refrigerator in my room, but it did have a 65-inch television and Bluetooth-enabled radio, charger, and speaker. In a nod to kitsch, custom pulp fiction artwork of imaginary book covers decorated the walls. These risque, tongue-in-cheek romance novel wannabees show shirtless men in compromising positions with titles such as “Locker-Room Lovers,” “Gay Safari” and “Moonlight Motel.”

Hunter described the artwork as being a fun diversion and conversation starter. “We found a lot of humor in old 1950s pulp fiction book covers so we paid homage to them, recreating them in the same style but we tweaked them just enough to fit our environment,” he told T+L.

The Location

The Bent Inn sits on a pocket of land surrounded by vacant, undeveloped lots. It’s not a sexy neighborhood by any means. But while the location may be gritty, most visitors make it their primary stop, utilizing the free parking. It’s also a short walk to the Container Park. From there, you’re in the middle of a string of bars in East Fremont.

I’m a big fan of downtown Las Vegas. Over the past several years, a culture and vibe has developed. Walkable neighborhoods, like the Arts District, about a mile and a half away from the hotel, have a number of boutiques, galleries, restaurants, bars, and brewpubs. Guests staying at the hotel are just a quick Uber ride away from it all.

Food and Drink

The bar is lively and there are nearly always two-for-one well drinks or certain draft beers on special. Only the primetime hours from 7 pm to 2 am seem to have regular pricing. And Sunday mornings feature bottomless mimosas or Bloody Marys for a tidy $20.

On the dining side, it’s pub food. Fat, juicy burgers, buffalo-style grilled chicken sandwiches, tacos, and flatbreads like a Texas BBQ-style naan with grilled chicken, bacon, and red peppers.

I found the brunch to be fun and inviting and the dishes echoed that. A ham and cheese quiche croissant and carne asada toast are unique takes on normal brunch classics as are the three crispy chicken and waffle sliders that come served with a homemade bitter blackberry bourbon jam.

Activities and Experiences

The heated pool, oversized hot tub and bar is where everyone goes. The Bent has become downtown’s gathering spot for the gay community and weekly events keep the locals coming back. From the pool parties and beer busts to karaoke, comedy and trivia nights, there is always something to do.

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2024-09-02T14:51:01Z dg43tfdfdgfd