Stoney’s Rockin’ Country puts even city slickers at ease

Not every nightclub aficionado is seeking out palm trees, bikinied waitresses and a St. Tropez vibe.

Sometimes, even the most avid clubber just gets a hankerin' for a mechanical bull, blue-jeaned cowgirls and a vibe reminiscent of a Texas roadhouse, albeit an incredibly upscale one where even the most citified guest can feel right at home.

And, whenever the latter is true, there's Stoney's Rockin' Country, located at 9151 Las Vegas Blvd. South, about three miles south of Mandalay Bay.

The 21,000-square-foot club's roster of amenities includes a concert-sized stage, a VIP area and a 2,500-square-foot dance floor.

But city slickers needn't worry: Free dance lessons are offered from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., and those who prefer other forms of entertainment can partake of a four-lane bowling alley, four pool tables, 10 beer pong tables, a mechanical bull and, owner Stoney Gray says, "a slew of arcade games" that include punching bags and arm wrestling machines.

By the way: Although Stoney's is very definitely country-flavored, "we don't just play country music," Gray says.

Older country music does predominate early in the evening. Then, Gray says, "the music starts changing. The later the night, the younger the music. Right around midnight, we'll play dance music. We call it freestyle sets, consisting of rock 'n' roll and dance music, hip-hop and country all mixed together."

Friday nights usually are concert nights, for which "we draw entertainment from all over the world," Gray says. "We've had a lot of national acts come through."

And guests whose cowboy tendencies go no further than dressing up as Roy Rogers as kids can relax. Stoney's, Gray says, is "not just for cowboys. In fact, I'd say 50 percent of our crowd is noncountry.

"It's people having a good time. It's construction workers. It's CEOs and culinary workers. It's just a mix of everything. And that's what makes it successful."

Gray says guests' attire on any given evening ranges from cowboy boots and hats to "everything from formal evening gowns to flip flops and tennis shoes. It's a place where you can really feel comfortable in whatever you have on."

Stoney's Rockin' Country is open Thursdays through Mondays. Doors open at 7 p.m. and cover is $5. Weekly events include Thursday Ladies Night ($1 entry for women and $1 a drink), all-you-can-drink draft beer for $20 on Fridays and Saturdays, and free ladies' drinks Sunday nights. Special events can include anything from bikini bull riding to big belly competitions.

For more information, call 435-2855 or visit www.stoneys.com.

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.