Country star Blake Shelton is partnering with Ryman Hospitality Properties to build Ole Red, a four-story entertainment and dining complex on the Las Vegas Strip that the singer hopes will serve as the city’s permanent home for country music.
Ole Red is located in the Grand Bazaar Shops in front of Bally’s and will have a main dining level, two floors overlooking a central stage and an additional live music experience on the 4,500 square meter roof. The menu features Shelton-inspired dishes and cocktails with a southern flair.
The 27,000-square-foot Ole Red Las Vegas is expected to open in 2023 at a cost of $ 30 million and has 686 seats.
Ole Red, inspired by Shelton’s 2001 hit “Ol ‘Red”, already has locations in Orlando; Tishomingo, Oklahoma; and Nashville and Gatlinburg, Tenn. Another one at Nashville Airport is slated to open next year. Ryman owns the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, as well as several convention-oriented resorts.
“As we expand this brand into tourist and convention markets, Las Vegas is a perfect fit, as many of its top feeder markets host high concentrations of rural-lifestyles,” said Colin Reed, Ryman’s chairman and chief executive officer.
A Vegas country music home
Dedicated to finding country artists, Ole Red offers lively showcases for emerging artists and established stars.
“I know what it is like to be a young musician who plays in bars and pubs and never knows what to expect,” said Shelton. “I’m proud that we’re building a network of places where artists can play live, which are so important to growing their fan base.”
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Shelton, who has performed in Las Vegas for two decades, lamented the lack of a country music presence on the Strip.
“Concerts go through and people play a venue here and there. But as for a home base … it’s not there, ”Shelton said. “[Ole Red’s] will be in the heart of everything. At some point after you’ve seen enough magic tricks and stuff, sometimes you just want to listen to fucking country music and have a beer! “
