Coyote’s Den

I don’t go to Pahrump often, but when I do…
This is a nice little bar just off the beaten path that has a lot going for it.
The atmosphere is really great. You can really feel that everyone pretty much knows everyone, and they are good at welcoming strangers into the fold. No one seems to hang out to play the role of «Obnoxious Bar Jerk». It’s also a big enough venue that you don’t feel like that you are wedged in next to a ton of people. You can socialize and actually have room to move your arms (and be heard), or be trapped in an overly smoky area.
The staff (Shannon, Tracy) are top-​notch. They keep drinks (and refills) going so there’s never a lull in action. Busy, but never too busy to stop and make some conversation. The staff gets into the events of the bar, so they are as much a part of the action as the customers, which is nice because I can’t stand bartenders with «bored out of their skulls» attitudes. I’ve also seen them take care of customers that have had too much to drink, completely making sure that they get home safely. The people that run the place care, and it’s nice to know of a place that legitimately has your back.
Karaōke night on Saturday. The musical line-​up is pretty updated (a few song choices missing, but they have songs from the past to present day), and the rotation is laid-​back enough to ensure 2 – 3 worth of songs during a set. I sing more pop than a lot of the older or country music choices the people usually sing here, but the people are respectful, and get into it and dance. Speaking of which, the KJ (George) also allows of a few dance sets in between singing to allow people to dance, and the staff to have fun as well. It’s more of a party that you didn’t realize you walked into, but were invited anyway.
Also, for bar food, their kitchen is really good. I’ve tried a few choices, but their «Coyote Burger» (NOT made with actual coyote, by the way), is ridiculously good. It’s cartoon level big with all of the stuff piled on it, and the sampling I had was juicy and cooked to perfection. Also, the drink prices are stupidly cheap. Coming from Vegas, I love the more homey «dive bar» feel, and paying $ 4 for a beer that would cost $ 9 – 12 on the Strip… There’s incentive to stick around for more than a few minutes.
Pahrump (which my Google Talk on my phone curiously calls «Hot Rump», but that’s another story) is usually not on my destination list as an out of towner, but this is a little hidden place that is worth the visit for the cheap drinks, tasty food, relaxed and fun atmosphere, and a friendly and caring staff. At least when I do roll through town, I know that I found a little bar where everybody actually DOES know your name (minus the trivia-​laden mailman, of course).
Worth a visit.