{"id":249705,"date":"2026-03-04T14:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T14:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=249705\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:35:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:35:36","slug":"sidecar-centurion-las","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/amex-membership-rewards\/sidecar-centurion-las\/","title":{"rendered":"American Express Opens First Sidecar Dining Concept at Las Vegas Airport \u2014 Here’s a First Look Inside"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first big evolution of The Centurion\u00ae<\/sup> Lounge is a lot smaller than you'd think.<\/p>\n

Nearly 13 years to the day after opening its very first Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), American Express returned with something different. On March 4, 2026, it opened the doors to a compact new concept called Sidecar by The Centurion\u00ae<\/sup> Lounge.<\/p>\n

But what makes this tiny lounge special are the upscale bites and big flavors it offers travelers on the move.<\/p>\n

Here's a peek inside Amex's bespoke new Sidecar concept \u2014 and how this new concept came to life.<\/p>\n

Inside the Amex Sidecar Lounge at Las Vegas Airport<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Las Vegas airport is now home to not one but two Amex lounges. And the newest one \u2014 Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge \u2014 sits just around the corner from the issuer's first-ever proprietary airport lounge.<\/p>\n

You'll find the branded entryway in the atrium of Terminal 1's Concourse D \u2014 opposite the Las Vegas Capital One Lounge<\/a>. The space is open daily between 8 AM and 10 PM.<\/p>\n

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But what's behind the speakeasy-style entryway to the Sidecar lounge is quite different from what you'll find inside the Centurion Lounge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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For starters, the Sidecar lounge in Las Vegas is small. Very small.<\/em> As for the square footage, well, Amex hasn't publicly disclosed it.<\/p>\n

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And in many ways, it's hard to even call it a lounge. Because it's not really a lounge so much as an exclusive restaurant whose primary purpose is to give the growing majority of Card Members \u2014 those who spend an average of 90 minutes or less in an Amex lounge \u2014 the opportunity to enjoy an upscale dining experience.<\/p>\n

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Exclusive is the key word here. Sidecar has space for just 33 travelers. But if you're able to get in (which might be the biggest hurdle for Card Members), you're in for a treat.<\/p>\n

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The space itself is gorgeous. Amex's interior design team created what it calls an “oasis in the desert.” Throughout the space, you'll see deep hues, intricate tile work, foliage, and warm lighting.<\/p>\n

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But the Sidecar's primary calling card is its menu, which rivals the aesthetic.<\/p>\n

Related: Amex Centurion Lounges: Locations, Rules, and Guest Policy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Food and Drinks at the Sidecar Lounge in Las Vegas<\/span><\/h2>\n

Less than a year ago, American Express announced plans to launch The Culinary Collective<\/a> \u2014 a partnership with several James Beard Award\u2013winning Resy chefs to create a revamped lineup of dishes and cocktails for U.S. Centurion Lounge locations.<\/p>\n

For Sidecar, Amex tapped those same chefs \u2014 along with mixologist Harrison Ginsberg and The Culinary Collective's new sommelier Helen Johannesen \u2014 to assemble elevated offerings for its first dining-focused concept.<\/p>\n

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And just about everything you'll consume in the Sidecar lounge builds on what's designed to be a bespoke, upscale, and speedy experience.<\/p>\n

That's why you'll find thoughtful small plates, like made-to-order crushed cucumber salad with crispy rice pearls inspired by Chef Kwame Onwuachi.<\/p>\n

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Or \u2014 a personal favorite \u2014 Chef Michael Solomonov's avocado toast with schug labneh and black sesame seeds.<\/p>\n

\"Avocado
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To keep things fresh, Amex plans to rotate menus fairly frequently. That means you might see Chef Sarah Grueneberg's (Centurion-branded, I might add) Chicky Chicky Parm Parm sandwich one day, but something different when another specialty sandwich takes its place. So, there's your incentive to come back often.<\/p>\n

\"Chicken
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And part of any elevated dining experience is pairing what's on the plate with what's in the glass. At the Sidecar lounge, sommelier Helen Johannesen plans to offer seven small-batch Old World wines at any given time, rotating selections roughly every six months.<\/p>\n

Wines are intentionally chosen to complement items on the menu, and bartenders are happy to help guide you toward the right pairing.<\/p>\n

They'll also happily mix one of Harrison Ginsberg's cocktails curated specifically for the space \u2014 like the Sidecar (cognac, Cointreau, lemon) or the Mojave (tequila, jalape\u00f1o, peach, lime).<\/p>\n

\"Bar
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Unlike other Centurion lounges, there's no buffet at Sidecar. Everything you order \u2014 via QR code, a roving attendant, or directly from the bartender \u2014 is delivered to your seat.<\/p>\n

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Amex aims to have each plate delivered within eight minutes of ordering. After all, it's meant to be a quick-service lounge.<\/p>\n

How to Access the Sidecar Lounge in Las Vegas<\/span><\/h2>\n

Like any good restaurant, you might find it a bit of a challenge to get a seat at Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge.<\/p>\n

But let's start with the basics. You can access the space if you're a primary Card Member with an Amex Centurion Card or a Platinum-branded card, such as:<\/p>\n