A year-long celebration of the figures who shaped modern cocktails debuts with
‘King of Cocktails’ Dale DeGroff on January 16
LAS VEGAS, NV (January 5, 2026) — The Vault, Bellagio Resort & Casino’s intimate cocktail destination dedicated to drinking liquid history, announces Liquid Legends, a year-long guest series honoring the bartenders, writers, and historians who helped define modern cocktail culture. The series reflects The Vault’s culinary approach to the bar and its broader mission of honoring the past while continuing to push cocktail culture forward. Liquid Legends brings these influential figures to The Vault to collaborate on limited-run menus inspired by pivotal moments in cocktail history, with each legend appearing in person for a two-night special event, along with exclusive menus available for a limited time.
“It is an honor to collaborate with renowned beverage leaders and visionaries for Liquid Legends at The Vault,” said Craig Schoettler, Executive Director of Beverage at MGM Resorts International. “We are grateful for the knowledge, guidance, and inspiration these professionals have provided throughout their careers, which in turn laid a strong foundation for the future of cocktail culture in the United States and around the world. Our team is thrilled to welcome and work alongside these industry icons for a one-of-a-kind series that is sure to be fun, educational, and memorable."
The series will launch Friday, Jan., 16, 2026, with Dale DeGroff, widely regarded as one of the architects of the modern cocktail renaissance. Often referred to as the “King of Cocktails,” DeGroff helped revive classic cocktail culture during his tenure at NYC’s legendary Rainbow Room and has spent decades shaping bartending education, mentorship, and technique worldwide.
DeGroff’s opening menu draws directly from his own history, revisiting cocktails that appeared on his Rainbow Room menus across decades. Selections include the Negroni and Between the Sheets from his 1988 menu; the Fitzgerald, an original creation from the late 1990s; and enduring classics such as the Boulevardier and King’s Manhattan, featuring spirits from his current DeGroff Spirits project. Together, the menu reflects how classic drinks endure, evolve and continue to inspire new generations.
Following DeGroff, the series continues with the following beverage professionals:
- March 5–6, 2026 | Robert Simonson
Robert Simonson is one of the most respected voices in cocktail writing and history. A longtime New York Times contributor and author of multiple definitive books on spirits and cocktails, Simonson has played a central role in deepening public understanding of cocktail culture, its people, and its place in modern hospitality.
- August 6–7, 2026 | David Wondrich
David Wondrich is widely regarded as the foremost historian of cocktails and spirits. He is the author of Imbibe! From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, which uncovered the legacy of Jerry Thomas and 19th-century American drinking culture, followed by Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl, tracing cocktails even further back in history. His work inspired bars worldwide to revive forgotten spirits such as Old Tom gin and crème de violette, and to reintroduce lost techniques like oleo saccharum. In 2021, he edited The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails, a nearly 900-page definitive reference that stands as one of the most authoritative works ever published on global cocktail history.
Each Liquid Legends collaboration pairs the visiting bartender’s perspective with The Vault’s archive of rare vintage spirits and modern interpretations of historic recipes, offering guests the opportunity to experience cocktail history through taste, technique, and storytelling.
Liquid Legends will run through 2026 at The Vault, and reservations are required. For more information and to make a reservation, visit @thevaultbellagio on Instagram.
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ABOUT THE VAULT
Hidden discreetly behind a gilded door inside the Bellagio Resort & Casino, The Vault is not just a cocktail bar; it’s an experiential archive to liquid history. Every detail, from the meticulously sourced spirits to the storytelling behind each cocktail, is designed to transport guests across eras and cultures through the lens of the glass. The menu, curated by MGM Resorts’ Executive Director of Beverage Craig Schoettler (formerly of Alinea and The Avery), showcases vintage spirits from the past century – bottles so rare that once a pour is served, it may never be poured again. Additional beverage offerings feature modern interpretations inspired by historical recipes and techniques, inviting guests to experience the evolution of cocktail culture with a contemporary twist. Signature drinks such as the Gold Rush Martinez, which traces the transformation from Manhattan to Martini over time, embody The Vault’s mission: to preserve the past while shaping the future of a refined and elevated beverage experience.
Anchored by a commitment to first-class hospitality, immersive service, and an ever-changing collection of rare spirits, The Vault is both a destination and a journey, a place where every sip tells a story, and no two visits are ever the same. Designed by acclaimed interior designer Alessandro Munge of Studio Munge, the 50-seat venue is housed in the resort’s former casino cage and reimagined as an intimate, immersive environment where every detail invites discovery.
ABOUT BELLAGIO
Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, Bellagio Resort & Casino overlooks a Mediterranean-blue, 8 ½-acre lake in which fountains perform a magnificent aquatic ballet. Award-winning dining including CARBONE Riviera, Prime Steakhouse and The Mayfair Supper Club; a world-class art gallery; the exquisite Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the stunning performance of “O” by Cirque du Soleil, a sumptuous spa and salon, and exclusive luxury shopping all work together to compose the symphony that is Bellagio. Bellagio is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit bellagio.com, call toll free at (888) 987-6667 or find us on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Press Contacts:
Mona Creative, on behalf of The Vault at Bellagio
thevault@monacreative.co
MGM Resorts International Public Relations
publicrelations@mgmresorts.com
