The swimming idea of a swim-up bar

It seems one of the most sought after features for a hotel or casino pool these days is their swim-up bar. And, now for a lot of millenials, it’s one of the most sought after features for their own private backyard pool as well.

But, when exactly did people decide they wanted to sip a dirty martini with their legs submerged in water?

Where else? Vegas baby. As architect Stefan Al explains in his recent book The Strip: Las Vegas and the Architecture of the American Dream, the primary goal of Las Vegas developers was “to seep gambling into a suburban vacation.” Swimming pools were increasing by the numbers in America during the early1950s not just at hotels, but homes as well and it was only a matter of time before some genius decided it’d be a great idea to combine legalized gambling and swimming. Who knew?

In the 1950s when the Tropicana opened, the pool area quickly added “swim-up” blackjack tables and tiki drinks to try to off-set the loss of summer revenue from guests hanging out in the pool as opposed to the casino floor. And it worked.

At first they were a novelty, but now families and singles alike are installing them in their own backyard pools. Creating an area not just for drinks as it was first inspired to do, but for family dinners, cool non-alcoholic drinks and even games. And everyone wants to be the bartender du jour.

Swim-up bars have quickly become a memorable part of the chill culture, spreading well beyond exotic vacation resorts.

It’s caught on to all areas of the country too. From Iowa to Nebraska to Wisconsin, the Jersey Shore (of course) and even Manhattan, hotels across the country are getting in on the fun. So, why shouldn’t you?

And, don’t worry… if you can’t afford the built-in kind you can spring for the inflatable kind. Just be careful…one broken martini glass and it’s a goner. Beyond that, drink up and happy dining.