Blake Shelton Has a Thing for Blondes, But the One Next Door Might’ve Outsmarted Him
Why Bottled Blonde might quietly outshine its louder neighbor
A few weeks ago, I stopped into Bottled Blonde, that new spot sitting right next to (and honestly, looking suspiciously similar to) Ole Red in front of Horseshoe.
I’d heard mixed reviews, mostly about the traffic and chaos since it opened, but curiosity won. Let’s be real: it’s parked beside a Blake Shelton project, and that man’s brand tends to draw the “Yeehaw meets bottomless Bud Light” crowd and we’ve all been there, done that.
Now, being Team Miranda in the Shelton–Lambert divorce saga (and generally thinking Blake’s an overpolished jackass), I figured I’d check out what the competition next door was serving up, especially after getting those lovely little hidden “entertainment fees” that tend to appear on Ole Red receipts.
So, consider this a little field trip: one part curiosity, one part customer experience audit, and one part cold beer recon mission.
First Impressions: Mid-Day, No Watch, No BS
It was a random mid-week afternoon, don’t ask the time; I don’t remember, and we were just looking for a beer and a few bites.
We were greeted right at the door and sat on the lower level by the big open windows, staring out at the beautiful disaster that was the Bellagio F1 grandstands being erected.
Before we go further, let’s get my one gripe out of the way:
If your name is Bottled Blonde, I expect a beer list that makes me drool. Instead, I counted 13 total draft beers, and yes, I checked twice because I’m that guy.
They do brew their own Bottled Blonde lager with HUDL Brewing, which should be a stop on any Arts District beer crawl. That’s what I went with. Other local nods included Able Baker and more HUDL options.
Price check:
$15 a pint
$50 a pitcher
$80 a tower
Domestics (Bud, Busch, Kona, Michelob Ultra) ran a few bucks cheaper. Not tragic, but if your logo is literally a blonde with a bottle, lean harder into your beer identity.
Drinks, Food & A Pleasant Surprise
The Mrs. grabbed a “Capri Sin”—a tequila lemonade pouch served like an adult Capri Sun, and honestly, I’ll give them credit: that’s a fun idea. A little sweet for me, but she was happy. ( for $42 I would hope so)
They’ve got the expected cocktails and some fun additions like a Strawberry pump Vodka Lemonade served in a mini old school gas pump thingy, some of their own concoctions like a “Horny for Coconut" their marg twist with Hornitos Tekillya (drinks are $18 or $99 for a tower), buckets, seltzers, and a full bar, but the food lineup surprised me. Think elevated bar fare:
Hummus, tenders, burgers, pizza
Mixed in with truffle fries, tempura cauliflower, cornbread + fried chicken, lasagna, chicken parm, salmon
We ordered the pretzel board and a Pepp Roll (basically a giant calzone/pizza roll hybrid). Both were better than they had any right to be for a “sports bar.”
The Vibe: Brick, Neon, and Just Enough Vegas
Décor-wise, Bottled Blonde keeps things casual but sharp, exposed brick, Vegas-flair murals, oversized TVs, and cheeky restroom signage (King & Queen cards).
You’ll spot beer pong tables, a live-music stage, and just enough energy to feel alive without crossing into chaos. They have live music on most days.
The bands stick mostly to rock and pop covers, which feels like the right way to differentiate from Ole Red’s constant twang. It’s the same crowd, but this spot isn’t trying so hard to remind you they’re “country.”
And honestly? That’s what I liked most. Bottled Blonde feels like it’s having fun without forcing it.
Service: The Real Win & Their Patio
Here’s where they impressed me further.
Everyone, from the host to the manager, was genuinely friendly, attentive, and seemed to enjoy being there.
That shouldn’t be rare in Vegas, but lately it is.
After eating, the manager came by to check on us. The rooftop patio was closed, but when I asked about it, he didn’t hesitate; he walked us up himself.
That’s hospitality.
The rooftop view? Unreal. You get a panoramic of the Strip and Bellagio fountains, which will look even better once the F1 scaffolding nightmare disappears. It’s got a laid back but not trying to hard feel about it that can be both party, or chill. It kind of reminds me of Brew Dogs, but with a better view, better service, and a better all-around product. We were discussing their F1 plans on the rooftop in the videos above.
They do Golden hour and Afterhours, and this place stays open late, 2 a.m., Sun-Thurs, 4 am Fri-Sat.
The Opportunity They’re Missing
They do a brunch on Saturday and Sunday with bottomless mimosas for $40, which is fine, but this is where I think they’re leaving money on the table.
A brunch like that, with this view, should be the patio event of the weekend. Throw in a small buffet or “all-you-can-eat add-on,” promote it right, and this place would be shoulder-to-shoulder by 11 a.m. If you’re reading this, BB, a chicken and Bottled Blonde bacon & Egg promo would steal some thunder from next door.
About the Brand:
Bottled Blonde is part of Evening Entertainment Group (EEG), the Arizona-based company behind the original Scottsdale and Dallas locations. The Las Vegas venue reportedly represents a $50 million investment, and EEG has positioned it as a hybrid sports bar–nightlife experience designed to stand out on the Strip without trying too hard. Knowing the people behind the brand gives some context to why the service is so attentive and the concept feels refined yet approachable — they’ve clearly learned from their other locations, and Vegas might just be the perfect place for their next-level bar experience.
Final Take
Bottled Blonde feels like that friend who’s way cooler once you actually hang out with them instead of judging from across the room.
Yeah, the name sets big expectations, and yeah, they need a stronger beer lineup, but the combination of:
friendly, non-pretentious service,
solid food,
killer rooftop views, and
a laid-back vibe
makes this a spot I’ll definitely return to.
Vegas doesn’t need more “look at me” bars. It needs more places like this, where the team’s having fun, the food doesn’t suck, and you can actually hold a conversation without screaming.
So here’s hoping Bottled Blonde keeps finding its footing. Once F1 dust clears, I could see this place becoming a real sleeper hit.
Bonus CX Note (because it’s me)
When your next-door neighbor is pulling receipts with sneaky entertainment fees, being transparent and friendly might be your most profitable move.
-Jason
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