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When you talk about airport lounges, size generally matters. The bigger the space, the better. But American Express is flipping that concept on its head and showing competitors that smaller, more intimate lounges with well-executed, restaurant-style bites might actually be the trend of the future.
Earlier this month, American Express introduced its first Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. With just 33 seats, it’s small. At 1,500 square feet, the speakeasy-like bar setting is a far cry from the massive spaces that have opened of late and generally find themselves on best airport lounge lists.
But while Sidecar might be mini, it’s set up to become a big brand. And although American Express won’t tip its hand on exactly where the next one will be located, they say we can expect to see future Sidecars pop up at airports across the country—especially in space-challenged or less-traveled airports.
American Express was the first credit card company to open an airport lounge, which coincidentally, was in Las Vegas where the very first Centurion Lounge opened in 2013. So it’s not surprising that the company is getting creative and piloting its Sidecar program here.
But what is Sidecar?
Developed for solo or business travellers who are pressed for time, Sidecar is ideal for a brief pit stop for a quick bite and a drink before boarding your flight. Card members with an Amex Platinum or Centurion card can enter the Sidecar lounge within 90 minutes of their flight’s departure time.
My first visit came just days after Sidecar’s March 4 opening. I arrived for breakfast right as they opened at 8am and was the first guest to arrive. I was welcomed at the reception desk, checked in and then, much like a restaurant, walked in and ushered to a table where I was explained the ordering process.
Everything here—all complimentary, of course—is ordered by scanning a QR code. Simply select the dishes you wish to try, add a drink and hit send. Within minutes my order was delivered to the table. My first impression was the speed at which the food came out and how it looked. The fluffy egg bites were plated with three dollops of black garlic aioli. The oats in the acai bowl were drizzled with honey while fresh blackberries and raspberries stood upright near the side of the bowl against slivers of sliced banana. And they didn’t skimp on the avocado topping the toast slathered with tangy schug labneh.
The menu is curated by the James Beard Award–winning Resy chefs from The Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge. Notable chefs include Mike Solomonov, Mashama Bailey, Sarah Grueneberg and Kwame Onwuachi, who is opening Maroon, his first standalone restaurant in Las Vegas on May 1 at the Sahara resort.
Cocktails—like the Platinum Mule and the Mojave, a mix of tequila, jalapeño, peach and lime—come from the mind of bar director Harrison Ginsberg from New York City’s Overstory, while the wine program is curated by Helen Johannesen. During a late afternoon or evening visit, Sidecar feels like a buzzy cocktail lounge that would fit nicely in the city’s Arts District.
The menu will rotate regularly and continue to feature small plates, while each month will bring a new specialty sandwich to the board. Sidecar launched with Grueneberg’s Chicky Chicky Parm Parm Sliders. Lunch and dinner items will include items such as crushed cucumber salad, mini lobster rolls, and parmesan truffle fries.
With the opening of Sidecar, American Express is the only credit card company with two lounges (there’s also a Centurion Lounge) in the Las Vegas airport. Chase Sapphire and Capital One also operate lounges at LAS.
Sidecar in Las Vegas is located near gate D1 in Terminal 1. Opening hours are 8am–10pm. American Express has announced plans to open new Centurion Lounge locations at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).