Mikey McNulty
Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010 | 11 p.m.
We’re talkin’ bulls, not beer. PBR Rock Bar & Grill ain’t your grandpappy’s country bar. “We tried to get away from traditional country,” owner/operator Jonathan Fine says during the Weekly’s tour of the Professional Bull Riding-branded venue, which will soft-open August 22. “I think the newer country fans don’t like being in traditional country venues.”
Think of PBR then as a little bit country, a whole lotta rock ’n’ roll. The 13,000-square-foot bar and grill inside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile shops has completely overhauled the former Hawaiian Tropic Zone, ditching tropical accents and adding reclaimed wood floors, faux-crocodile red paneling, two giant bull statues and restrooms (hey, we care about these things). It even has a façade of steer skulls, similar to the Dia de los Muertos wall at Dos Caminos. Fine describes the hybrid entertainment venue’s vibe as rock-inspired gothic, with cowboy belt buckle accents.
Fine was inspired by attending events at the popular annual PBR World Finals, which pours millions of dollars into the Vegas economy each year. “I’d see a lot of cowboy hats, but the floor during the start of the event would light on fire and 50 Cent would be playing.” Now, Fine brings that fire from the arena to the patio; firepits on PBR’s deck will overlook the Strip. Inside, a DJ booth and live-performance stage will branch well beyond classic-country fare. More than 100 flat-screens will broadcast sports, while a catwalk left over from the space’s HTZ days will invite hot female patrons to shake their stuff high above the main floor during peak party time. Staff will also literally swing from the ceiling playground-style, and the requisite mechanical bull will bring an extra dose of entertainment underneath a custom-made Jumbotron.
Open daily from 10:30 a.m. until late into the night, PBR’s modern comfort food will feature dishes like Dorito-crusted mac and cheese and giant hamburgers marinated in French onion soup, along with other choices concocted by Chef Billy, with menu help from Weekly fave Chef Sammy D of First Food & Bar. Desserts will be designed by local landmark The Cupcakery. “It’s more Kid Rock than Merle Haggard,” says Fine of the PBR experience. Can we get a “Yee-haw” to that? Or maybe, a “Hell yeah!” would be more appropriate.
Catering to the young and modern crowd, Planet Hollywood is a one-stop shop for entertainment with its massive shopping mall, slew of restaurants, spacious casino and clubs.
The ambiance of the casino is retro-chic meets high-tech with black granite floors throughout and colorful LED lights throughout the space. The theme carries into the 100,000 square-foot casino with 250 flat screens topping off slot machines. The casino is also home to 87 tables, a sports book and a poker room.
There's also the Miracle Mile Shops, one Vegas' largest malls, with 140 stores including BCBG Max Azaria, bebe, Urban Outfitters and The Discovery Channel Store.
Following an afternoon of shopping, guests can satisfy their appetites at one of the gourmet restaurants in Planet Hollywood, like the non-traditional approach to steakhouses at Strip House or check out the exotic Far East motif at KOI restaurant and lounge. And if guests are still looking for more, they can spend the after hours at Privé, Triq or Krave nightclubs.
Perhaps one of the resorts biggest attractions came in March with the addition of "Peepshow." The naughty twist on the story of Little Bo Peep is modern-day spin on the run-of-the-mill Vegas topless review. The "Peepshow" stage has seen visiting celebs like Scary Spice Mel B, "Dancing with the Stars" Kelly Monaco and Playboy's Holly Madison.
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