Where To See a Show in Las Vegas That Isn’t in a Casino

Based in a warehouse in downtown Las Vegas, A Public Fit Theater Company’s repertoire ranges from site-specific pieces to classics of American theater. Productions have included a live adaptation of the film M, Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie and contemporary works such as When the Rain Stops Falling. The company also provides additional theatrical opportunities through staged readings.

Beauty Bar Las Vegas is a bar and nightclub chain that can be found throughout the city. Step into the pink salon-themed bar for a drink and you’ll find DJs playing the latest tunes and occasionally a manicurist. Combining different elements, Beauty Bar also acts as a music venue that hosts mostly alternative and hip-hop acts, such as the Blues Explosion or KRS-One in their backyard.

The Las Vegas version of Brooklyn Bowl combines food, drink and music in one expansive venue. While the food comes courtesy of Blue Ribbon (hello fried chicken), the highlight of the full bar is beer from Brooklyn Brewery. Offering live music, a visit to the Brooklyn Bowl means you’ll be able to attend concerts from local bands as well as tribute acts to big names that sell out the house, from Adam Ant to Gary Clark Jr. to the Roots doing multi-night stands.

In one incarnation or another, the Bunkhouse Saloon has been a part of the downtown scene since 1953, but the Western-themed bar was renovated and reopened a few years back with a new stage and sound system. Bands like the Breeders and Downtown Boys have graced the stage in the past, as have numerous comedy acts. If you’re in need of a break, step outside to the outdoor area for a quick walk to the food truck for a plate or two.

The Las Vegas Little Theatre celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018. With two separate stages, it almost always has something going on – from dark comedies and romantic musicals to classic dramas and shows for younger audiences. Situated in Chinatown, the Las Vegas Little Theatre is located in an ideal place for a post-show dinner or drink stop thanks to the endless options that can be found in the area.

Located in the Arts District, the Majestic Repertory Theater is one of the neighborhood’s busiest artistic institutions. Shows range from theatrical stalwarts like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Measure for Measure to the latest Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Majestic also offers off-center projects like Showgirls: The Musical, a version of the camp-classic film, and Reservoir Dolls, an all-female take on Tarantino.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts contains three performance spaces. Reynolds Hall is home to the Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Myron’s Cabaret Jazz and the Troesh Studio Theater host smaller-scale music and theater performances.

This beloved blues bar has been playing and pouring since 1976. The Sand Dollar Lounge is a hangout for those who work in the casino and nightlife industries, offering nightly music and a solid beer and liquor selection. It has long been a post-show stop for musicians after gigs in larger on-Strip venues.

Located in the shadow of the Strip, The Space is where many performers step away from the showroom to work on more personal projects. The long-running “Mondays Dark” event brings musicians together to have fun onstage raising money for a good cause. The cabaret-style room draws singers like Frank Sinatra’s granddaughter A.J. Lambert, as well as world music, jazz artists and one-man shows.

With a theater, art gallery, skate park, and garden, the Winchester Cultural Center is one of the cultural hubs of Las Vegas. Local artists’ work is frequently featured in galleries, and the annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration inspires an array of altars, sculptures, and other works. The theater showcases productions by Sin City Opera and regional music and dance troupes, as well as national touring artists.