Keith Urban called Las Vegas an "entertainment Mecca" and it seems that lately, he couldn't be more on par. While Nashville is known for being the ultimate all-encompassing country music destination, Vegas seems like it might be trying to follow suit, whether that's via country artist residencies or creating a honky tonk scene. Country music's comeback in mainstream media might have a little something to do with this, but regardless, the crossover is something for fans to get excited about. Here's how the "Entertainment Capital of the World" is choosing to broaden its horizons as of late.
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Just last week, country singer Luke Combs decided that he wanted a piece of the Las Vegas action, announcing that Broadway's Category 10 would be expanding to a location in Sin City. The restaurant has plans to set up camp at the Flamingo Las Vegas, and will feature bars, a dance floor, a women's only lounge, and more.
"We're bringing storm to the strip," Combs shared on social media. "Get ready for a 3-story bar, restaurant & live music venue inspired by "Hurricane." Live music. Line dancing. Fan-first mindset. You won't wanna miss this!"
The hope is that the success of the Ole Red's in Las Vegas will bleed into the new Category 10. Blake Shelton opened up this location in January 2024, and now, its Las Vegas' new honky tonk hot spot.
Jason Aldean's bar, which opened in December 2024, has also been giving Las Vegas tourists a little taste of Nashville while they're there. Angelica Clemmer, the vice president of ROI Commercial, shared excitement about the new developments. "People are looking for a more approachable level of entertainment, and that's where honky tonks come in. It's approachable to hear live music."
Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, and More
Honky Tonks aren't the only way that Las Vegas has been targeting country music fans. Although Las Vegas has been inviting country singers to hold residencies since the 1960s, recently, stars like Kenny Chesney have been making even a bigger mark on the Las Vegas map. In the spring of 2025, the "American Kids" singer started his first residency at the infamous Sphere, making him the first in the country genre to do so.
Since its grand opening in September of 2023, the all-immersive Sphere experience has boasted acts like U2, The Eagles, and the Backstreet Boys, but has never gone country until recently. The Zac Brown Band, known for their hit single "Chicken-Fried," has also announced that they will be hosting their own residency at the popular venue from December of this year through January 2026.
Chesney, who described the Sphere as a "whole other world," explained how impacted he felt after seeing a concert through the venue's multi sensory lense. "We stood on the floor as they ran the film of U2's show, and we were completely consumed... it was so much more than that. It almost took what they were doing and multiplied it by another dimension."
Now, it would seem that this dimension includes country music, which honestly, we can't be too mad about.
Photo by: Erika Goldring/Getty Images
