With a new topless revue and a rock tribute act moving into a Strip venue this August, Las Vegas is leaning into adult-themed entertainment — while still keeping strict rules around actual nudity.
The Las Vegas Strip does not have any strip clubs. That may surprise people who associate Las Vegas with every manner of debauchery.
As someone who visits Las Vegas half a dozen times each year, you notice quickly that nudity is both everywhere and nowhere. There are billboards on trucks advertising both escorts and strip clubs, but you don't actually see either.
In reality, both Las Vegas and Nevada do have their fair share of rules. That’s why you will see showgirls — or at least women dressed as showgirls — on the Las Vegas Strip in provocative outfits, but everything will be legally covered.
Las Vegas actually has a pretty strict definition of nudity. Neither women nor men can openly show their genitals. You can show the vast majority of your butt, but not your anus.
There is also a law against men being visibly excited, although that seems like a hard one, so to speak, to enforce unless the man isn’t wearing very much in the first place.
Las Vegas may be Sin City, but regulates sins. Prostitution may be plentiful, but it’s not actually legal in the actual city.
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When it comes to strip clubs, there are very specific rules. Women can be topless, but not bottomless in a club that serves alcohol.
Full nudity, both for men and women, requires that the club be alcohol-free. It’s really hard to pay rent on the Las Vegas Strip on a club that does not sell alcohol.
Las Vegas does offer adult shows
While the Las Vegas Strip does not offer any actual strip clubs, it does have a history of racy shows. Back when showgirls were a thing, many of them were topless.
The Strip has also hosted countless burlesque acts where there is mostly toplessness and implied nudity. Various Caesars Entertainment (CZR) properties on the Strip also host topless revues.
Harrah's has long hosted Stabile Productions “X Country,” a show offering topless women singing country hits. It's a simple formula, but it appears to have worked.
Now, the company is bringing a rock and roll version, “X Rocks” to the former Back Room at Ballys, a small 125-seat venue at what is now called the “Horseshoe.” Here's how the producers describe the show.
Now at the Horseshoe Las Vegas:
- The minds behind the popular topless revue “X Burlesque” have unveiled the new sexy topless revue “X Rocks.”
- Husband-and-wife team Matt and Angela Stabile have created and produced striptease spectaculars on the Strip for the past 23 years.
- X Rocks has taken some of the most powerful rock songs of all time and combined them with erotic, high-energy choreography, unbelievable sets, props and costumes to create a show unlike any other in Las Vegas.
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This will be a change in venue for the show, which has been running at Horseshoe’s Imagine Theater through Aug. 2. X Rocks enters its new space on August 27 with shows at 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Caesars' Horseshoe adds Rolling Stones tribute
The Las Vegas Strip has actually been moving away from tribute acts. While there are still Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson acts being performed on the Strip, the long-running “Legends in Concert” shows were canceled in 2024 and have not found a new venue.
That's likely because Las Vegas now hosts many of music's biggest acts in long-running residencies. It seems silly to see someone dress up as Lady Gaga, for example, when Lady Gaga has had multiple residencies at MGM Resorts International (MGM) properties.
But since some acts have greatly curtailed their touring, a demand for tribute bands does exist, and “X Rocks” will share the former Back Room at Ballys with City Stones, a group that bills itself as the “world's greatest Rolling Stones tribute experience.”
City Stones will play Horseshoe at 7 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays beginning August 28.
The band has previously played pop-up gigs all around the city.
Related: Popular singer signs long off Las Vegas Strip casino residency
