PBR Rock Bar to Close at Miracle Mile Shops After 12 Years

By Scott Roeben, on August 22 2022
4 min read 1 comment
Las Vegas Las Vegas Restaurants

PBR Rock Bar, a country-themed fixture on the Las Vegas Strip announced it will close after a 12-year run at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

PRB Rock Bar’s last day of operation will be September 30, 2022.

Yes, there’s drama! It’s Las Vegas!

What a ride!

The owner of PBR Rock Bar, Jonathan Fine, sent out a news release about the closure, saying, “It’s absolutely heartbreaking that after two years of negotiations with the Miracle Mile Shops, we were unable to reach a new deal with the landlord.

It gets juicier, though.

Fine continues, “Although we had 12 successful years of growth with an incredible staff, the landlord has determined a Country Americana brand is not a ‘fit’ for them at this time. As a company we are committed to our employees and the brand, therefore we are relocating PBR Rock Bar to a different location on The Strip. We look forward to the future as we transition away from the Miracle Mile Shops.”

This drink window has been the jumping off point for many, many Las Vegas adventures.

Unlike many claims by closed restaurants and shows, it appears the move of PBR Rock Bar is a done deal. We’ll get the new location soon enough, give us a minute.

For now, PBR Rock Bar is transitioning!

So much to love at PBR Rock Bar.

Of course, since the statement was from PBR Rock Bar, we’re only hearing one side of the story, but we honestly don’t care that much about the other side of the story. This is the most interesting one. (See end of story for the statement from Miracle Mile Shops.)

Speaking of interesting, we wrote an entire blog post about a bull statue at PBR Rock Bar equipped with disco balls. Hey, it was a slow news day.

PBR Rock Bar bull balls
You thought we were kidding?

PBR Rock Bar is a favorite watering hole for many Las Vegas visitors. It’s quite possibly those fans will follow the place wherever it ends up.

One of PBR Rock Bar’s distinctive features was a mechanical bull. A few years back, we spoke to a bull operator, Karie Miller. You’re welcome.


 

According to Karie, innumerable people have included a bull ride on their Las Vegas scavenger hunts. The mechanical bull was removed during the pandemic due to safety concerns, but was brought back for various special events.

The food at PBR Rock Bar & Grill has always been better than it needs to be given the prime location.

We are a big fan of pulled meat.

Lots of visitors have taken on the venue’s 100-ounce “Porch Pounder” cocktails.

PBR Rock Bar was definitely a hot spot during the Professional Bull Riders World Finals and National Finals Rodeo each year.

So many drinks shaped like guitars, so little time.

Until the move to a new location, it sounds like employees of PBR Rock will find gigs at other Jonathan Fine-owned restaurants and bars.

Fine Entertainment also operates ameriCAN at Linq, PKWY Tavern, Mint Tavern and others.

Miracle Mile shops will have big boots to fill now that PBR Rock Bar has been shown the door.

Many visitors have an emotional attachment to the place.

Miracle Mile Shops is in the middle of a multimillion-dollar renovation. It sound like the theme of the restaurant was no longer a fit for the mall, surprising since the rent is rumored to have been substantial.

The “nut” at these venues is immense, which is one of the reasons some places in the neighborhood stick guests with concession (called CNF charges) or other junk fees. Cabo Wabo is one of the culprits, not far from PBR Rock Bar.

We put the monthly rent for PBR Rock Bar at between $200,000 and $250,000, per another tenant at Miracle Mile Shops. We’re told PBR Rock Bar generates about $12 million a year in gross revenue. The guideline is restaurants should pay between 6% and 9% of its revenue to rent/lease. Some lease agreements are based upon performance, with the landlord getting a piece of the action.

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because we got you to visit our blog.

PBR Rock Bar has had a very visible presence on the Las Vegas Strip for more than a decade, so it will be missed.

Remember, the only constants in Las Vegas are: 1) change, and 2) being approached by sex workers at casino bars. But mostly that first thing.

Update (8/23/22): Miracle Mile Shops followed up with its own statement, flush with subtext. Robert Buchanan, Vice President and General Manager, said, “In conjunction with the ongoing transformation of Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, we confirm the departure of PBR Rock Bar & Grill and will soon announce a new and exciting replacement. Miracle Mile Shops is undergoing an extensive interior and exterior renovation complete with elevated finishes, upgraded technology and digital design elements. New state-of-the-art entertainment features will include immersive light, sound, and video experiences throughout. Miracle Mile Shops guests will also enjoy entirely new and significantly upgraded restaurant zones. The premier mixed-use project, located at the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip, is open during construction, which is set to be completed in spring of 2023.”

Update (8/23/22): Our sources say the lease not being renewed with PBR Rock Bar is part of a larger set of moves by Miracle Mile Shops, implied in the mall’s statement: “In conjunction with the ongoing transformation of Miracle Mile Shops…” Essentially, Miracle Mile Shops is shaking things up, and the PBR Rock Bar  brand wasn’t a fit for what’s envisioned for the next evolution of Miracle Mile Shops (think more F1 than Middle America). Our source says the lease will also not be renewed with Cabo Wabo Cantina. (This has not been confirmed.) Anticipate more announcements about tenant changes in the weeks ahead.

Update (9/19/22): An employee says PBR Rock Bar has closed, ahead of the previously announced closure date.