American Express opens "Sidecar" in Las Vegas: speakeasy-style mini Centurion Lounge designed for those with limited time
Those passing through Las Vegas (LAS) know this: between distant gates and tight connections, the question is often not "where [...]
LAS
United States of America
Those who pass through Las Vegas (LAS) know: between distant gates and tight connections, the question is often not "where do I relax?" but "where do I stop on the fly without losing half an hour in line?" American Express tries to answer that with a new (and very "Vegas") idea: it's called Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge, and it is a "boutique" lounge, small, fast and with almost restaurant-like service.
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It does not replace the Centurion official, pretty and often crowded and does not even take the seats of those who want to try their luck before boarding the plane.
What is Sidecar and why is it different from the classic Centurion
Sidecar is a new format within the Centurion network. It was not created to make you stay hours working or "camping" in the lounge, but to give you a premium pit stop when you have a short window before boarding. Amex reports that a significant portion of visitors to Centurion Lounges stay one hour or less: hence the idea of a more intimate, fast-paced environment designed for solo travelers or small groups.
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The most important difference is the access rule: you enter only within 90 minutes of flight departure. Translated: it is a place to come in, eat or drink well, recharge and go to the gate.
Where it is located and hours
Sidecar is at theHarry Reid International Airport (LAS), Concourse D, near the gate D1. It is also a short distance from LAS's "main" Centurion Lounge, so you can choose based on time and crowding. Hours: everyday 08:00 - 22:00.
Access is free For holders already eligible for entry into the Centurion Lounge Network (e.g. the Platinum), with the key rule: within 90 minutes of departure. Those who are eligible still continue to have access to LAS's "classic" Centurion Lounge as well.
How to eat (and drink): order via QR and table service
The setting here is more "restaurant" than "lounge buffet"-you sit at the counter or table, orders via QR code (Toast technology) and then the food and drinks arrive served. The goal is to reduce friction and downtime: fewer lines, fewer people running around in circles, more speed.
The menu rotates regularly and is curated by project chefs The Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge (Resy), with "small plates" and dedicated cocktails. Among the examples announced:
- Crushed Cucumber Salad with Crispy Rice Pearls (Kwame Onwuachi)
- Avocado Toast with schug labneh and black sesame (Michael Solomonov)
- Egg bites with mushrooms and mustard greens + black garlic aioli (Mashama Bailey)
- Sidecar Cocktail (Cognac, Cointreau, lemon) signed by bar director Harrison Ginsberg
In addition, each month there will be a Chef Signature Sandwich different, starting with Sarah Grueneberg's "Chicky Chicky Parm Sliders."
Amex also adds a "wine" piece: the sommelier Helen Johannesen will curate Sidecar's wine list, and his selections are expected to arrive in All Centurion Lounges in the U.S. from spring 2026.
Why it matters (even outside of Vegas)
Sidecar is a clear signal: demand for lounges is growing, but space at the airport is limited. So we are moving toward formats smaller and more efficient, designed for short stops and to relieve pressure on traditional lounges. The real test will be one: whether, at peak hours, this format will really reduce queues and crowding or whether it will become just "another pretty lounge" that is difficult to use when needed.
