Where Are the Live Music Venues in Las Vegas

Live music in Las Vegas is pretty much second to none. The ticket prices for a live concert from any current top band will fetch prices higher than almost anywhere else in the world. Arenas at Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand of course host the largest shows, in addition to The Pearl at The Palms & The Joint at Hard Rock, but when it comes to live music in a Las Vegas bar, this is a treat all by itself. Due to the number of live music venues in Las Vegas, this story will come in two parts, 'Large Rooms' featured here and 'Smaller Bars' that will be featured in a follow up.

Live music in Las Vegas took a back seat to the huge corporate nightclubs in the casinos until recently. Station Casinos has resurrected the live music scene in Sin City with five of its properties hosting live music every weekend, and most of the time it is free. The first Station Casino is the most popular with the Las Vegas music scene, Green Valley Ranch Resort and its Ovation Showroom. Hosting the top 'Classic Rock Tribute' in the valley 'Yellow Brick Road' with their all star lineup every Wednesday night from 9pm to Midnight. There is never a cover charge for this show and drinks are a lot better priced than is found in most casinos on The Strip. Friday nights offer an adult-oriented performance by 'Steel Panther'. This amazing group of rockers from Los Angeles keeps crowds laughing and partying to their tweaked versions of 80's and 90's rock. Again, there is never a cover for this show. Saturday nights offer another free show with the Sin City Sinners, featuring former member of Faster Pussycat, Brent Muscat. Hard rockers performing great covers of 80's and 90's rock along with a few originals. Fridays and Saturdays normally fill up early, so it is a good idea to get there early. Show times are generally from approximately 11pm to approximately 2-3am, depending upon the show.

Right down the street is Club Madrid inside Sunset Station Casino. This live music venue features national acts on a regular basis even though only supporting approximately a 500 person room. Recent acts to cross this stage are Great White, Ratt, Slaughter, Dokken and Firehouse just to name a few. Local acts are featured on the weekends between national act shows and the place is almost always at capacity. During the summer, in addition to Club Madrid, Station Casinos host a 'Summer Concert Series' poolside and out under the stars. This series features top Tributes from across the country in addition to many national acts. Cover varies depending upon the show.

Heading north up the 95, next we come to Boulder Station, one of the older Station properties. The Railhead inside Boulder Station is another weekly venue for the Classic Rock Tribute Yellow Brick Road. If Wednesday night wasn't enough, you can enjoy the tremendous talents of Yellow Brick Road again here on Saturday nights from 11pm till around 2am. The Railhead also hosts many national acts and is also an additional stopping point for Vegas band The Sin City Sinners. After an approximate 10 month remodel, the new sound and lighting in The Railhead are second to none. The new Railhead is close to capacity each and every weekend so it is recommended that you get in line early. As with the other Station properties, drinks are a lot more reasonable that going to a live music venue on The Strip, which is pretty much nonexistent anyway. There is never a cover charge for Yellow Brick Road or Sin City Sinners, but cover does vary depending upon other shows.

Farther north is the brand new Aliante Station, featuring Access showroom with a state of the art light and sound system. Yes, you guessed it, Access is another stop for Yellow Brick Road on Friday nights. They are such a popular and exceptional show, they are constantly booked. YBR hits the stage at Access Friday nights, leaving Saturdays for what has to be the other most popular show in Vegas, Steel Panther, which fills Green Valley Ranch on Friday nights. This new showroom hit the ground running booking multiple national acts and filling the room nonstop. This venue is quite a ways up north, in the newly developed Aliante section of North Las Vegas, but is definitely worth the trip. Cover charge for YBR and Steel Panther is $5.00 unless you have your Station Casinos player's club card.

This is just the first half of live music venues and the larger rooms around Vegas. Check out the Las Vegas Bar Examiner pages for the follow-up and features on all of the exclusive bars and clubs throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Other stories of interest:

• Vince Neil rocks Vegas and opens a new Rock Bar
• Paul McCartney christens the new Joint at Hard Rock
• Las Vegas Nightclub Guide

Las Vegas nightly events can be found at Sin City At Night, updated daily with the hottest bars and clubs from across the valley.