Every big star seems to come to Las Vegas.
A few, including Taylor Swift and BTS, opt to come into town and take it over for a few days as they play multiple shows at Allegiant Stadium. Fans then flood the Las Vegas Strip -- but those people might not be the customers that the casinos target.
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Those two artists -- especially BTS -- have younger fanbases. And yes, anyone under 21 who visits Las Vegas probably has a parent or chaperone along. But acts that draw younger crowds, even stadium-filling crowds, might not be the ones from which the big casino operators make the most money.
When it comes to residencies, MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment (CZR) -) choose acts that draw more casino-friendly audiences. That's why Caesars's headline venue, the Colosseum, hosts Adele, Garth Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, and Rod Stewart -- performers who appeal mostly to fans of a certain age.
Even Las Vegas Strip headliners like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga may be a bit more contemporary, but they still largely draw fans old enough to spend money in casinos and restaurants along with buying concert tickets.
Bruno Mars, who has long headlined at MGM Resorts' (MGM) -) Park MGM Theater, fits that bill exactly. He's a current superstar, but he also appeals to an old enough audience to be a perfect performer for Las Vegas.
The singer has committed heavily to Sin City, having played at the MGM venue solo and with his Silk Sonic duo since 2016. Now, he has confirmed an extension to that residency and long-rumored plans for the singer to open a bar/lounge appear to be moving forward.
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Bruno Mars adds to his Las Vegas run
Mars has quietly put new dates on sale for his ongoing (but off and on) MGM Park Theater residency. The extension takes him through the end of the year.
"Mars has announced he will add five December performances, including two New Year’s Eve weekend shows, at the Park MGM Theater. Dates are Dec. 22-23; 28; and 30-31 (tickets start at $99.50, not including fees, available to the general public 10 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com)," the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
The singer has also been working on opening his own spot on the Las Vegas Strip at another MGM property. It's a project that has been in the works for more than a year, though it's never been fully confirmed by the singer or MGM.
Mars is expected to open his new venue, The Pinky Ring by Bruno Mars, in the space in Bellagio currently occupied by Lily Bar & Lounge. Lily Bar closed in early July.
“The venue will transition into a new concept with an anticipated opening this winter. Additional details will be shared in the coming months” is all the company has said about the transition.
Non-chef celebrities come to the Las Vegas Strip
While Las Vegas has become the land of the celebrity chef, a number of people not known for their cooking have opened (or will open) branded Las Vegas Strip bars.
Lisa Vanderpump, a reality-television star, has multiple high-end lounges located in Caesars properties.
Country singer (and reality-TV star) Blake Shelton plans to open his own Las Vegas Strip bar. He will bring his Ole Red Las Vegas country-music club to the Horseshoe's Strip-facing Grand Bazaar Shops, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
“I’ve never felt like there was enough of a country music presence,” Shelton said, according to the Review-Journal. “Obviously, there’s concerts that roll through; people play a venue here and there. But as far as just a home base of presence … I’m not saying it’s not there, (but) we’re gonna have this place and it’s right in the heart of everything.”
The 27,000-square-foot venue will have a 685-person performance space.
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