Follow The Pink Monkey to The Grand Opening of La Mona Rosa, Corner Bar Management’s Newest Downtown Destination

A neon glow will lead to where the tequila flows for the grand opening of La Mona Rosa, the vibrant new addition to Corner Bar Management’s burgeoning Downtown Las Vegas portfolio, on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m.

During the grand opening, La Mona Rosa will embody the spirit of Mexico with a tasting of its craft cocktails, elevated cuisine and energetic entertainment programming.

Throughout the evening, a hosted bar will feature libations, as well as select botanas from the all-new menu, while local DJ Skye spins Latin house, world beats and funk tracks.

As with each Corner Bar Management property, Owner Ryan Doherty has intricately curated a space full of one-of-a-kind design elements and top-tier sound at La Mona Rosa. Dripping with lush plant life and soaked in dim lighting, the newly reopened space has undergone a transformative remodel.

Grounded by a Funktion-One sound system, the bespoke distressed oak and iron DJ booth will fuel nights filled with Latin and Afro house. Soon, La Mona Rosa’s exterior and interior walls will be adorned with works by San Diego- and Los Angeles-based artist Mr. B Baby. The Latina artist infuses elements of her Puerto Rican and Mexican upbringing into her whimsical art, including two characters who recognizably and regularly appear in her work: a colorfully fuzzy beast named “Chucho” and a Mexican rag doll.

Built to share, La Mona Rosa’s menu reflects Executive Chefs Isidro Marquez-Castillo’s and Daniel Arias’ travels throughout central Mexico, as well as family recipes, to introduce a refined vision of authentic, regional cuisines through small plates, tostadas, tacos and entrees.

A sampling of appetizers includes Poloze Rojo, pork guajillo soup with hominy, avocado, cabbage, oregano served with salsa macha spread atop an heirloom corn tostada; Gaspacho Mexicano, mango jicama, grapefruit and pineapple queso panela and morita citrus dressing; and more.

Among the tostada selections are Tuna Guajillo, ahi tuna dressed in a lime guajillo salsa, cucumber, red onion, avocado and topped with peanut salsa macha; Vampiro de Pulpo, charred octopus in adobo over avocado, chorizo and queso Oaxaca, topped with pickled onions and salsa macha; among others that include vegetarian options.

Featured tacos at La Mona Rosa include El Hongo and Epazote, sauteed mushrooms and poblano peppers with mole Amarillo and epazote; Las Carnitas, citrus-braised pork shoulder topped with chicharron, salsa verde cruda and pico de gallo; El Governador, sauteed shrimp with bell peppers, onions, queso Oaxaca, salsa Negra and cilantro; among others. Entrée highlights include Pollo a la Parilla con Mole Poblano, grilled chicken leg and thigh with garlic and epazote marinade, mole poblano and tortillas; Enmoladas, beef barbacoa enchiladas with cabbage, jocoque, pickled onion, queso fresco and mole coloradito; Cochinita Pibil, pork shoulder with achiote citrus marinade steamed in banana leaf served with pickled onions, habanero salsa and tortillas; and more.

To complement the chefs’ menu, Head Mixologist Dakota Granados has curated thirteen signature cocktails. Among them are the Aztec Old Fashioned, a blend of aged tequila, pear, panela and hoja santa; Al Pastor, a combination of smoked whiskey, pineapple, jalapeno, vanilla and lime; the namesake Pink Monkey, a mix of gin, mezcal, prickly pear, hibiscus and strawberry; Jaguar Blood, with mezcal cacao, coffee, cinchona bark and chipotle; and more alongside a range of chilled cervezas.

La Mona Rosa is now open for dinner from Tuesday to Sunday and for a weekend brunch Friday to Sunday. For more information and menus, visit www.lamonarosalv.com.