FORGET THE fancy wine, the craft-brewery ales. At Las Vegas' old-school rockabilly festival, the party crowd knocks back cans of basic beer.

For them, the more than 150-year-old working man's beer — Pabst Blue Ribbon — is the drink of choice. It goes with the flow for an urban hipster couple, lounging in their vintage car, at the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, a four-day retro blowout celebrating 1950s-style rock 'n' roll with dozens of live bands, a big vintage-car show, pinup contest, burlesque showcase, bingo and bowling.

So put on your blue suede shoes and checked shirts, your pedal pushers and tight, cleavage-baring dresses. Just leave the good wine at home.

Kristin R. Jackson is The Seattle Times' NWTraveler editor. Contact her at kjackson@seattletimes.com.