For all its flashing lights and ka-chinging slot machines, Mystic Lake was a longtime buzz kill. Literally.
The inability to catch a buzz at the Prior Lake casino dampened double-downs and dealer busts for decades. Instead of Champagne, jackpot winners have had to toast their luck with a Sprite. That is until last fall, when the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community lifted a casino-wide booze ban that lasted longer than Prohibition.
"Our guests have been asking for this for years," said John Kolander, Mystic Lake's director of food and beverage services. "Since we opened [21] years ago, it was the most requested item that we had — 'Can we get a drink?' "
Alcohol has been available for purchase at Mystic Lake since November in off-floor restaurants and service stations in what Chris Smythe, beverage manager, described as "little closets and out-of-the-way spaces." This month, those limited-selection service counters (which had as much charm as tollbooths) were supplanted by three new gaming-floor bars. They are being christened Saturday with a grand-opening party featuring live music, magicians, a DJ and the Budweiser Clydesdales from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Kolander said he wanted to establish separate identities for each bar. The largest and most auspicious of them is Drinx, a flashy 45-seater. Drinx and its trio of ice-sculpture-esque light displays sit in the heart of the casino, offering easy access for gamblers. "It's where the action is — it's the party bar, so to speak," Kolander said.
Those not feeling the louder Drinx or its ultra-fruity signature drinks might prefer the low-key Lobby Lounge, which slings assorted classic cocktails and the full Mystic Steakhouse food menu. Guests can grab a drink at the sleek, stone-wall-backed bar, while playing built-in video gaming stations or waiting for a steakhouse table. Come late October, Smythe hopes to roll out hand-whipped ice cream drinks exclusively at the Lobby Lounge.
The small, bare-bones Promenade Bar has a short list of local-leaning craft taps available in flights.
"When I came here [17 years ago], alcohol was supposedly right around the corner, so I've been working on this quite a while in the back of my head," said Smythe, who oversees the drink menus.