This research was originally done between 6/27/07 and 8/20/07, and then updated from there when new info is available.  I have lived in Las Vegas since 1999 so I have personal experience with some of these venues.

In addition to Las Vegas, this list also includes Mount Charleston (11,916 feet high at the peak and about 25 miles or 30 minutes northwest of Las Vegas on Hwy 157), Henderson (next to Las Vegas to the southeast), Boulder City (about 15 miles or 20 minutes southeast of Las Vegas on Hwy 93), and Primm (about 35 miles or 30 minutes southwest of Las Vegas on I-15).  I'm not including Laughlin, Mesquite, Pahrump, Yucca Mountain (although that might be a good location for a death metal or goth fest), or Area 51 venues in this list.

The venues with audience capacity figures are shown first, from largest to smallest, other venues are listed alphabetically at the end.  Reference links are shown at the very bottom.  Some venues show a range in audience size, there are several possible reasons: I found different numbers on different websites (same thing with contact phone numbers), some venues have different seating configurations for different uses (seated or standing), some venues can be curtained off for smaller audiences, or maybe they have remodeled recently and made the venue bigger or smaller.  Outdoor venues may be closed in bad or cold weather, on the other hand, they may have a cover and/or heaters.

Las Vegas has many live music venues, they do call it "The Entertainment Capital of the World" after all.  I have tried not to include piano bars, karaoke, venues with long running permanent stage shows, DJ only nightclubs, and "gentlemen's clubs," unless it looks like these venues can also be used for live music concerts and other similar events.  There are some meeting or convention rooms in the list if they have the capability of a stage and don't have any pillars.  Rehearsal & studio rooms are listed at the end of the live venues.  I have put stars * by the venues that seem to be more serious about live original music performance, regardless of size (more stars are better).

Please note, live music venues in Las Vegas, especially the indie original music venues, open and close like mushrooms.  Recent closings: The Alley closed again, Emergency Room Lounge, Barcode, University Theatre, Pink E's, Cooler Lounge, the Boston, Hurricane Bar & Grill, and Prince's 3121 nightclub at the Rio.  The Rainbow Bar (Vegas version of the LA original) closed last year and was rumored to be moving to the west side of town, but re-opened and then closed again in the same location.  Tommy Rocker's has turned into a topless club.  The Fontana Bar at the Bellagio, unfortunately, seems to be a poker room now.  The New Frontier (Gilley's Saloon) is closed and imploded.

Rumored future openings: The Hard Rock Cafe is planning on building another restaurant in Vegas, this one with a concert venue, in the Showcase Mall just north of MGM Grand.  Club V is proposing a capacity of 1,300 to 1,400 (http://www.clubv-lv.com/), half of this club may become Rockin' Ricks.  There might be a Venue of Vegas with a capacity of 2,500 in downtown's new Fremont East Entertainment District (http://www.lvrj.com/news/10993051.html).  Also in downtown at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Blvd is The Hive (Mormon?), a planned 5,400 square foot live music concert venue and bar (http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/content/nc/nightlife/single-story/article/mash-up-31/).  Boyd Gaming and AEG Live might partner on a 1,500 seat, $500 million performance venue at Echelon Place, a next-generation resort development on the Las Vegas Strip (http://vegasreportnewswire.com/ArchiveNewswires/20060831_VRN.pdf).  AEG and Harrah's Entertainment are talking about building a 20,000 seat arena on 10 acres in back of Bally's and Paris Las Vegas (http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2007/09/21/feature2.html).  The City of Las Vegas is trying to build a large arena downtown (http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Publications/11412.htm).  The Las Vegas Performing Arts Center foundation is building the Smith Center for the Performing Arts across from the Clark County Government Center in downtown Las Vegas.  There will be 3 performance spaces, including a 2,000+ seat hall (http://www.lvpacfoundation.org/).


* Venues that seem to be more serious about live original music performance, regardless of size (more stars are better).

LARGE VENUES (over 3,000 capacity)

Las Vegas Motor Speedway in northeast LV
7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas NV 89115
800-644-4444
http://www.lvms.com/
150,000+ capacity. 1,600 acre, $200 million state-of-the-art facility. For outdoor concerts or bigger events, the superspeedway seats 142,000 in permanent seating. The drag strip, particularly well-configured for concerts, seats 18,000 in the permanent stands. The 1/2 mile dirt track has an easily customizable infield and has 9,000 permanent seats. Each of these facilities can be configured with additional temporary seating in prime locations, allowing for variations of up to 16,000 additional fans in some cases.

Sam Boyd Stadium and Star Nursery Field in southeast LV
7000 E Russell Rd, Las Vegas NV 89122
702-895-3725 or 702-895-3761
http://www.thomasandmack.com/ or http://www.samboydstadium.com/ or http://www.unlvtickets.com/facility/booking.php
40,000+ capacity. Formerly the Silver Bowl. The stadium's outdoor field has an 80,787 square foot retractable turf ground cover. Star Nursery Field is 30 acres. Hosts UNLV Rebels football and The Las Vegas Bowl.

Thomas & Mack Center Arena at UNLV in southeast LV
University of Nevada at Las Vegas
4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas NV 89154
702-895-3725 or 702-895-3761 or 702-739-FANS(3267)
http://www.thomasandmack.com/ or http://www.lvcva.com/meetings/meeting-venues/convention-centers/other-convention.jsp or http://www.unlvtickets.com/facility/booking.php
18,645 capacity. Located at Swenson & Tropicana. 104' floor to ceiling height, 20,000 square foot floor, 42,000 square foot concourse, and 4,500 on-site parking spaces with 6,500 additional on-campus parking spaces.

Fremont Street Experience in Downtown LV
425 Fremont St, Las Vegas NV 89101
702-678-5600
http://www.vegasexperience.com/
18,000+ capacity. 12.5 million LED lights in the 1,400' long Viva Vision canopy 90' above a pedestrian mall, 550,000 watts of concert quality sound pumped to speakers throughout the area, and live entertainment on two permanent performance stages.

The Drag Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in northeast LV
7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas NV 89115
800-644-4444
http://www.lvms.com/
18,000+ capacity. Has permanent stands which are particularly well-configured for concerts. This location also includes the superspeedway which seats 142,000 in permanent seating, and the 1/2 mile dirt track which has an easily customizable infield with 9,000 permanent seats. Each of these facilities can be configured with additional temporary seating in prime locations, allowing for variations of up to 16,000 additional fans in some cases.

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* Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-891-7777
http://www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/grand-garden-arena.aspx 
16,800 capacity. Excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting, and sound. Prominent events have included concerts by The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffett, and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. It is also home to the annual FOX Billboard Music Awards and the annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Benefit.

* Mandalay Bay Events Center at Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89119
702-632-7777 or 702-632-7580
http://www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/ or http://www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/venues.aspx
12,000 capacity. 55' ceiling. 30,218 square feet. This sports and entertainment complex is the setting for superstar concerts, major sporting events, and television specials. The Three Tenors, Ricky Martin, Juan Gabriel, Barenaked Ladies, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw, and the Eagles are some of the artists who have played here.

Cashman Arena / Stadium at Cashman Field Center in northeast LV
850 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas NV 89101
702-798-7825 or 707-386-7100
http://www.lvcva.com/meetings/meeting-venues/convention-centers/cashman-general.jsp or http://lvol.com/lvlc/cashman.html
11,110+ capacity. Has a fixed capacity of 9,260 with optional 1,850 additional seats. Has a 148,500 square foot natural grass field. Parking for over 2,500 cars. This outdoor stadium is part of the 50 acre Cashman Field Center complex which also includes a 100,000 square foot convention center with 16 meeting rooms, and a 1,954 seat theatre. Hosts the Las Vegas Area 51s baseball team, AAA affiliate of the L.A. Dogers.

Hills Park Amphitheater in northwest LV
9100 Hillpointe Rd, Las Vegas NV 89134
702-229-1087
http://www.artslasvegas.org/cultural_centers/hills_park_center.html
10,000+ capacity. Open-lawn outdoor amphitheater provides the perfect setting for jazz festivals, pop concerts, Shakespeare, and a variety of musical and theatrical productions, as well as outdoor art festivals. Event-goers are encouraged to bring picnics.

Hilton Ballroom and Hilton Pavilion at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel Casino just east of The Strip
3000 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-732-5111 or 702-732-5631
http://www.lvhilton.com/meetings/facilities.shtml
10,000 total capacity. 78,130 total square feet. Up to 23' high ceiling in the Hilton Pavilion. When combined, these two rooms form a pillar-free space approximately the size of two football fields.

* Orleans Arena at the Orleans Hotel Casino just west of The Strip 
4500 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas NV 89103
702-365-7469 or 702-284-7777
http://www.orleansarena.com/ 
9,037 capacity. 71,850 square foot concourse, 13,000 square foot interior staging and storage area with four ground level loading dock doors (two 30'wx15'h, one 22'wx15'h, and one 12'wx15'h). Additionally, there are two truck height loading dock locations. All total, events can load / unload up to 8 trucks at one time. Arena floor is 240'x120' for a total of 28,800 square feet. Has over 8,000 free parking spaces, of which 2,558 are located in a covered parking garage.

1/2 Mile Dirt Track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in northeast LV
7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas NV 89115
800-644-4444
http://www.lvms.com/
9,000+ capacity. Has an easily customizable infield with permanent seats. This location also includes the superspeedway which seats 142,000 in permanent seating, and the drag strip which is particularly well-configured for concerts and seats 18,000 in the permanent stands. Each of these facilities can be configured with additional temporary seating in prime locations, allowing for variations of up to 16,000 additional fans in some cases.

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Mandalay Bay Ballroom at Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89119
702-632-7777
http://www.mandalaybay.com/conventions/
8,984 capacity. 100,014 square feet, 30' ceiling height.

Hilton Center at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel Casino just east of The Strip
3000 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-732-5111 or 702-732-5631
http://www.lvhilton.com/meetings/facilities.shtml
8,904 capacity. 70,000 square feet with 25' high ceiling.

Mirage Event Center at the Mirage Hotel Casino on The Strip
3400 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-791-7171 or 702-791-7111
http://www.mirage.com/meetings/meetings_events_center.aspx
8,650 capacity. 90,000 square feet of clear span space for major productions, meetings, and exhibits, as well as food and beverage events.

Paris Ballroom at Paris Hotel Casino on The Strip
3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas Nevada 89109
877-603-4386 or 888-669-3840
http://www.harrahs.com/groups-meetings/paris-las-vegas/plv-meeting-ballrooms.html
8,500 capacity. 85,200 square feet.

Henderson Pavilion at Liberty Pointe in Henderson
200 S Green Valley Pkwy, Henderson NV 89012
702-267-4849
http://www.cityofhenderson.com/parks/facilities/HMGC/php/HendersonPavilion.php
7,500 capacity. The facility features permanent seating for 2,500 with overflow lawn seating for up to 5,000. The largest outdoor amphitheater in Nevada is a state-of-the-art venue for the visual and performing arts, with a stage that can accommodate performances from soloists to full-scale Broadway productions.

Caesars Palace Pavilion at Caesars Palace Hotel Casino on The Strip
3750 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
866-227-5938 or 888-669-3840
http://www.harrahs.com/groups-meetings/caesars-palace/clv-meeting-eventscenter.html
7,200 capacity. 49,278 square feet. 60' ceiling height.

* Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Hotel Casino (formerly the Aladdin) on The Strip 
3667 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-785-5555 or 702-785-5055
http://www.aladdincasino.com/entertainment.php or http://www.aladdincasino.com/meetings.php
2,500 to 7,000+ capacity. Permanent staging, dressing / green rooms, lighting package, and the highest technical sound systems. For major concert tours, Broadway shows, top recording artists, and televised awards shows.

* Star of the Desert Arena at Primm Valley Resorts Hotel Casinos in Primm
31900 Las Vegas Boulevard S, Primm NV 89019
702-386-7867
http://www.primmvalleyresorts.com/pages/starofthedesert.asp or http://www.primmvalleyresorts.com/pages/meetings.asp#plan
6,000 to 6,500 capacity. 31,280 square feet, 230'x160', 39' ceiling height, JBL and Yamaha sound system, Intellabeam lighting, and a fully adjustable 40'x64' SICO stage. Known for concerts (like Brooks & Dunn, B.B. King, Reba, John Michael Montgomery, and Chicago), rodeo, and boxing.

Pavillion Ballroom at the Rio All Suite Hotel Casino just west of The Strip
3700 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas NV 89103
702-492-3960 or 877-MEET-702
http://www.harrahs.com/groups-meetings/rio/rlv-meeting-ballrooms.html
6,110 capacity. 55,488 square feet, 30 foot ceiling, adjustable ceiling grids, each ceiling grid rated for 1 ton (2,000lbs.), 3,300 square foot stage adjustable using hydraulic lift.

Grand Ballroom at the Bellagio Hotel Casino on The Strip
3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-693-7111
http://www.bellagio.com/
1,300 to 5,550 capacity. 45,000 square foot facility with stage, lighting, and 24' ceiling for theatre-style gatherings or banquets in rounds of 10 for large conferences, seminars, parties, and gala events.

Adventuredome Theme Park in back of Circus Circus Hotel Casino on The Strip
2880 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las vegas NV 89109
702-794-3939
http://www.adventuredome.com/groups.aspx
5,000 capacity. 5 acre indoor domed theme park for traditional company picnics or blockbuster corporate special events.

Grande Ballroom and Royale Pavilion at the Riviera Hotel Casino on The Strip
2901 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-734-5110 or 702-794-9561
http://www.rivierahotel.com/conventions.html
5,000 capacity each. Features include a portable stage, ceiling tech booth, direct street level access for trade shows, and a 132 space underground parking facility with direct elevator access.

Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station Hotel Casino in Henderson
1301 W Sunset Rd, Henderson NV 89014
702-547-7777
http://www.sunsetstation.com/entertainment/amphitheater/
5,000 capacity. Spectacular outdoor venue that is host to frequent headliner entertainment.

Whiskey Beach Amphitheater at Green Valley Ranch Hotel Casino in Henderson
2300 Paseo Verde Pkwy, Henderson NV 89052
702-617-7777
http://www.greenvalleyranchresort.com/?section=entertainment&page=whiskey_beach or http://www.greenvalleyranchresort.com/?section=meetings
5,000 capacity. 8 acre playground with a sand beach, vineyards, and an amphitheater for outdoor concerts and events.

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South Seas Ballroom at Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89119
702-632-7777
http://www.mandalaybay.com/conventions/
4,930 capacity. 48,594 square feet, 26' ceiling height.

Equestrian Arena Complex at South Point Hotel Casino in south LV
9777 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89183
702-796-7111
http://www.southpointeventscenter.com/information.php
4,400 capacity. Features a 250'x125' show arena floor with an overlooking bar. In addition to the 1,200 climate controlled horse stalls, it also includes 80,000 square feet of exhibit space and 20,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space.

Premier Ballroom at MGM Grand Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-891-7777
http://www.mgmgrand.com/meetings/facilities-overview.aspx
4,344 capacity. 49,234 square feet, 26'6" to 28' ceiling height.

South Pacific Ballroom at Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89119
702-632-7777
http://www.mandalaybay.com/conventions/
4,282 capacity. 44,900 square feet, 26' ceiling height.

Tower Ballroom at the Bellagio Hotel Casino on The Strip
3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-693-7111
http://www.bellagio.com/
985 to 4,175 capacity. 30,800 square foot facility with stage, lighting, and 24' ceiling for theatre-style gatherings or banquets in rounds of 10 for large conferences, seminars, parties, and gala events.

* The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3750 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
866-227-5938 or 888-669-3840
http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/caesars-palace/casino-entertainment/index.html or http://www.harrahs.com/groups-meetings/caesars-palace/clv-meeting-specialvenues.html
4,149 capacity. State-of-the-art entertainment venue built for Celine Dion. Two balconies and a half-acre 120' wide stage with one of North America's largest LED (Light Emitting Diode) screens. The facility is adaptable to varied types of entertainment when the permanent shows are dark.

Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3750 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
866-227-5938 or 888-669-3840
http://www.harrahs.com/groups-meetings/caesars-palace/clv-meeting-specialvenues.html
4,000 capacity. 4.5 acre outdoor pool area.

Roman Plaza at Caesars Palace Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3750 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
866-227-5938 or 888-669-3840
http://www.harrahs.com/groups-meetings/caesars-palace/clv-meeting-specialvenues.html
4,000 capacity. Open-air amphitheater offers an enticing array of dining and entertainment experiences.

Grand Ballroom at the Mirage Hotel Casino on The Strip
3400 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-791-7171 or 702-791-7111
http://www.mirage.com/meetings/meetings_grand_ballroom.aspx
3,600 capacity. 40,000 square foot pillarless ballroom with recessed stage.

Cox Pavilion at UNLV in southeast LV
University of Nevada at Las Vegas
4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas NV 89154
702-895-3725 or 702-895-3761
http://www.thomasandmack.com/ or http://www.coxpavilion.com/ or http://www.lvcva.com/meetings/meeting-venues/convention-centers/other-convention.jsp or http://www.unlvtickets.com/facility/booking.php
3,372 capacity. Located at Swenson & Tropicana next to the Thomas & Mack Arena. Its 23,000 square feet is also used for academic functions, concerts, keynote addresses, trade shows, and parties. In-house services include catering, audio / visual, production, event-staffing, advertising, video production, public relations, and talent booking.

Islander Ballroom at Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino on The Strip 
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89119
702-632-7777
http://www.mandalaybay.com/conventions/
3,074 capacity. 31,800 square feet, 26' ceiling height.

Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace on The Strip
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89109
702-731-PURE (7873) or 702-853-4357
http://www.purethenightclub.com/ or http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/caesars-palace/casino-misc/pure-nightclub-detail.html
547 to 3,010 capacity. 2-story, 4-room, 40,000 square foot nightclub, with 14,000 square foot terrace four stories above The Strip. Rock, Hip Hop, House DJs; Live Burlesque; occasional live music.

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