Earlier this month, the 57th annual Academy of Country Music Awards show returned to Las Vegas, celebrating the best artists in a bigger-than-ever way at Allegiant Stadium. But country music is a year-round fixture in Las Vegas, and so is complementary country cuisine, casual and soulful fare found at some of the most fun bars and restaurants all across the city.
Dawg House Saloon & Sportsbook
You can get your fix at the massive Dawg House Saloon & Sportsbook (702.676.6964) at Resorts World Las Vegas, a venue that combines live entertainment, sports betting and watching, terrific food and a lively and welcoming party bar experience. Start with a Southern Belle Smash or Drunken Arnie from the bar, share some smoked chicken wings or tater tot nachos with your friends while you consider hitting the dance floor, then satisfy your appetite with the bacon jam-topped Rottweiler Burger or the chile cheese Turbo Dog.
Scooting your boots has always been part of the experience at the seminal Strip spot Gilley’s (702.894.7111) at Treasure Island, which guides the way with line dancing lessons four nights a week and offers live music six nights a week. All that action tends to overshadow some truly great barbecue and southern-style plates, including some of the best beef chili available anywhere in Las Vegas. Only the hungry should sign up to take on the Cowboy Burger, topped with pulled pork, pepper jack cheese and Jack Daniels barbecue sauce, and the baby back ribs and apple juice-braised brisket are also big-time menu favorites.
Looking for elite Southern fried chicken? Hit Yardbird (702.297.6541) at The Venetian, the Strip specialist for juicy, crispy perfection. Order it with cheddar cheese waffles and bourbon maple syrup or on its own with honey hot sauce. Explore this dish in its various forms off the Strip at the recently expanded Mama Bird Southern Kitchen (702.570.6135) in the Southern Highlands neighborhood, which serves fried chicken sandwiches and tenders topped with macaroni and cheese in addition to great barbecue plates and Texas-style breakfasts; or at the iconic Southern diner Cracker Barrel (702.474.1120) which has locations on Craig Road and Dean Martin Drive (near the Silverton Casino-Hotel). Of course, the Barrel also boasts chicken-fried steak, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, and sugar-cured country ham on its menu.
Another neighborhood favorite is the Black Bear Diner (702.243.3575), headquartered in California but spread around the Vegas valley with three restaurant locations known for serving big breakfasts all day. Steak and eggs or sweet-cream pancakes always hit the spot, but this diner has plenty of lunch and dinner dishes that satisfy, including tri-tip French dip sandwiches, roasted turkey dinners and slow-cooked pot roast with savory gravy that tastes like home.
When you’re ready to amp things up again—perhaps while the rodeo is in town this year?—it’s time to check in at PBR Rock Bar (702.750.1685), located Stripside at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort. Whether you’re watching the big game of the day or fueling up before a concert or event, this is the place to play while dining and drinking, thanks to a supercharged cocktail menu and a vast array of draft beers. Pass platters of grilled shrimp in black pepper sauce and tostada steak nachos around the table, but consider keeping the smoked brisket, bacon mac and cheese or T-bone steak with mashed potatoes front and center and all to yourself.
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