The return of big Las Vegas entertainment at arenas, showrooms, theaters and clubs is still a ways off. But there’s plenty of smaller-scale live entertainment—mostly music—programmed every week in the tourism corridor along Las Vegas Boulevard. Here’s a resort-by-resort breakdown of all the live entertainment currently scheduled on or near the Strip.
Keep in mind that anything and everything is subject to change—and reservations are strongly encouraged, if not required—so get in the habit of calling ahead.
Aria has one of the most dramatic lobby areas on the Strip and its modern Lobby Bar (702-590-8638), open around the clock, welcomes Vegas visitors with a pianist Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7 p.m.
Ever the center Strip titan, Bellagio emerged as one of the most entertaining destinations upon June’s reopening, thanks to the iconic fountain show and the equally magnetic conservatory. And the incredible musicians, singers and dancers that make the show go at Mayfair Supper Club (702-693-8876) have created plenty of buzz, too. Take it all in along with dinner and drinks Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. Bellagio also has live DJs at Lily Bar & Lounge (702-692-5615) and the legendary pianists at the recently renovated Petrossian Bar (702-693-7111).
Circus Circus recently extended its summer discounts for locals (20 percent off) at the Adventuredome theme park through September 7, but there’s family-friendly live entertainment available as well in the form of the classic and free circus acts on the second-level Midway (702-734-0410), beginning every day at 11:30 a.m.
One of the Cosmopolitan’s newest venues, the Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails (702-698-7434) is serving up live bands from its intimate stage at 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. That’s been a bit of a Strip secret because of the place’s speakeasy-style of operations, but less under-the-radar is the modern supper club experience at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. (877-893-2001), which offers a variety of acts during dinner and operates Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. You can also catch DJ performances at the casino-level Clique Lounge, Friday through Sunday at 9 p.m.
It’s a poor substitute, but you can get a taste of what the Flamingo’s new RuPaul’s Drag Race Live show was like by watching TV spinoff Vegas Revue on VH1 Friday nights. Back in real life, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville (702-733-3302) offers music from a live soloist Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.—relaxing tunes to go with your margarita and cheeseburger in paradise.
Closing and opening, opening and closing, casino bars have been going around and around for months. But two popular Strip spots for free, live music are back to life at Harrah’s: the Piano Bar (702-369-5000), which has indoor and outdoor seating and hosts “Big Elvis” Pete Vallee and other lounge acts, keeps it rolling Friday and Saturday nights; and the open-air Carnaval Court (702-693-6138) between Harrah’s and the Linq brings bands and DJs to its stage those same weekend nights.
With DJs spinning nightly at 10 p.m. on the 63rd floor Foundation Room lounge (702-632-7631) and regular live music in the restaurant space at the House of Blues (702-632-7600), Mandalay Bay has one of the busiest entertainment programs on the reopened Strip. Bonus pick: The rollicking Irish pub Rí Rá (702-632-7771) at the Shoppes at Mandalay Place continues to host beloved Celtic rock duo the Black Donnellys Thursday through Monday at 7 p.m.
Sitting at the gateway from the casino to MGM Grand’s restaurant row is country-themed watering hole the Losers Bar (702-891-3003), and it continues to offer live music nightly at 6 p.m. in its cozy saloon environment.
Sadly, the beloved dueling pianos act at the Bar at Times Square at New York-New York was re-shuttered when the governor directed bars to close again in July, but until its return, you can find live bands rocking out Thursday through Monday at 9 p.m. at another long-standing Strip music bar, Nine Fine Irishmen (702-740-3311).
The Orleans brought live tunes back to its music haven, restaurant and bar Bailiwick (702-365-7111) on July 31. Bands and solo acts perform Friday through Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.
You have to hunt around Paris a bit to find it, but the piano bar Napoleon’s Lounge (near the parking garage between the Paris and Bally’s walkway) and casino bar Le Cabaret (both venues can be reached at 702-946-7000) are offering live music on weekends.
Gilley’s Las Vegas (702-894-7111) has been back in action serving barbecue and brews since Treasure Island reopened in June, but more recently, the saloon relaunched live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The dancefloor is closed, but if you get up and dance at your table, no one’s gonna bother you.
Just a few blocks east on Flamingo Road lies one of the liveliest lounges in Las Vegas. The staff and musicians at Tuscany’s Piazza Lounge (702-893-8933) have been working hard to maintain a robust weekly schedule of music that currently includes Laura Shaffer on Mondays, Ashley Fuller on Tuesdays, Kelly Clinton on Wednesdays, Michael Grimm on Thursdays, Kenny Davidsen on Fridays, Rita Lim on Sundays and a slate of rotating performers on Saturday nights.
Over at the Venetian and Palazzo, there are singers and musicians entertaining during the day at St. Mark’s Square inside the Grand Canal Shoppes, and the twin luxury resorts are amping up the atmosphere with live DJs at nightlife spots the Dorsey (702-414-1945) and Electra Cocktail Club (702-607-1950) during weekend evening hours.
