Brimming with Western character and the permeating aroma of a good old fashioned steak grill, America's traditional restaurant bars are a truly laid back alternative to the cache of boutique fusion restaurants. Las Vegas lures with its own brand of wild west themed cowboy saloons – most have existed there since Bugsy Siegel built the first hotel resort in 1946. To all intents and purposes, a restaurant bar refers to any establishment offering a three course menu and beer on tap, although some of the more modern eateries like PBR Rock Bar and Grill tend to be better known for their outlandish cocktails and top shelf bourbons. Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Resort at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip defies the meaning further, offering a blissful semi-garden setting and plenty of lounge areas at Paradise Garden Buffet – but it doesn't forgo the vitals, with a fusion menu combining steakhouse favorites with continental and Asian cuisine. It probably comes as little surprise that restaurant bars began life during the height of Roman rule. Known as “thermopolia” the restaurant bars of ancient Rome were usually outdoor establishments featuring an L-shaped, open-plan bar overlooking the kitchen and drinks service area. They were a place for socializing and community get-togethers – some occasionally decked out with woven reed canopies to offer respite from the glaring sun. While you won't find spot on Roman replicas in the gardens of the Wynn Hotel Resort, Las Vegas, like every American city features a distinctive array of restaurant bars ranging from the Hard Rock and Stack at The Mirage Hotel, to Greek tavernas along the Strip – all serving a delectable variety of international cuisines and most importantly, dark amber nectars ice cold from the tap.