Ken M.
Yelp
Finally got to experience this place. The first time I tried, it was closed for a private event, which wasn't disclosed on their website or social media. Both times, I parked at The Cosmpolitan and walked over the pedestrian bridge from the second floor. It was nice to enter without having to wait in line, have ID checked, or pay a cover charge.
There was a cover band playing on the downstairs stage, which had almost no spectators except for a small captive audience of people (including families) seated at tables having dinner, or drinks at the bar. This is because the majority of patrons were upstairs listening to the country band (The Beasley Brothers) playing on the upstairs stage. The second floor also has a patio with a limited view of The Strip. I'm not sure what the rationale is behind this setup of stages that compete for a limited amount of patrons in the same business. (This format is similar to Ole Red at Horseshoe, except they have their main act playing on the first floor.)
The food menu has no vegan options--not even an Impossible or black bean burger? C'mon! So, I walked across the pedestrian bridge to eat at Tacotarian, which recently opened (sixth location) in the Miracle Mile Shops (at Planet Hollywood), then came back.
There is no draft beer selection. Of the canned beer selection, the only craft beer is Atomic Duck IPA (by Able Baker Brewing), which is one of the most popular local beers. The bartender said the price was $13.25 for a 16-ounce can. I asked him to repeat the price to make sure I didn't hear $25 by mistake. I paid with a $20 bill and he gave me $7 in change (rather than $6.75). I left a $2 tip, so the imaginary $0.25 went to him. Silly that the stated price isn't rounded to a whole dollar in the first place.
Although this is a country music bar, the standing area in front of the upstairs stage is too small to be a dance floor. So, there was no country dancing (line dancing, country swing, two-step, etc.). Instead, the band is received like a small concert. The stage on the bottom floor had more room to dance, but still not enough to be a full-fledged dance floor unless they removed the dinner tables from that area. This makes for a tame crowd rather than one with reckless abandon.
Overall, if you're looking for a country music bar where there is a dance floor with country dancing, as well as mechanical bull riding, Aldean's and Ole Red are not it. Go instead to Gilley's at TI, or Stoney's at Town Square. Aldean's and Ole Red are good for folks roaming The Strip who stumble upon these places for their easy access to free live music, bar and casual dining. That's their business model.
Service here is friendly and attentive.