Check out Town Square, which isn't that far off the Strip - there are a few good bars there - mostly catering to locals. Also, all the PT's Pubs (again, off strip)

Also, there's a few bars (higher end on pricing) near Fashion Square mall, but not really "bars" per se.

Gordon Biersch isn't that far away, IMHO, for a bar feel. Not sure if the ESPN Zone is still at NYNY.

Also, maybe check out the sports book at Venetian - it's an Emerils. And lastly, there's the sports book at the Hilton, which is a suprsingly popular place to watch games from what I've heard.