Proof positive: Liquor Library opens at McCarran Airport

It was a soft opening for hard liquor.

The Liquor Library invited in its first customers on Monday evening, bringing to life a concept that first surfaced in early 2010. With about 350 different brands of beer, wine and the hard stuff, it’s not much different from many other liquor stores except for the location – the baggage claim area of McCarran International Airport’s Terminal 1 between escalators from Concourses C and D.

In their search for more concession revenue, McCarran management came up with the idea of a package store for the tourists who can’t wait to start the party. The first winner of the bid for the space eventually defaulted, so it was awarded again in February to a partnership between construction executives Christian Haase and Richard Worthington.

McCarran hopes to collect $300,000 to $400,000 in annual rent from Liquor Library as at least a small contribution to holding down the rents and fees charged to the airlines. A handful of other airports have already gone this route.

Because the Liquor Library is in outside security, passengers won’t be able to take bottles with them on a plane.

A ceremonial opening is expected in the coming weeks, but no plans have been set.

Contact reporter Tim O’Reiley at
toreiley@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290.