BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW            Country Western Dancing

Gilley’s Las Vegas

3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV  89109

Same ol’, Same ol’…or is it?

Hi y’all, we have been country western dancing at Gilley’s several times in the past 4 years.  But, we were Not very impressed with it in the past. The bands were only so-so, the atmosphere with hay bales was old, and there was no energy, enthusiasm or excitement to be found.  The dancing was overwhelmed with loud disco/metal music and an out of control dance floor.

Something is NEW

But that has all changed!  Because, to our surprise, this night, we encountered a good country band, a much improved atmosphere and more country western dancing music than we ever heard in years past.  This time, we felt this country western dancing venue, Gilley’s, deserved a good review.  Better music, free dance lessons, cleaner restrooms, more dances called, and Oh, a Thursday Night bull riding contest with a mechanical bull!  Including a $200 pot for the person that could ride the bull for the longest time!  Ride’m Cowboys and Cowgirls!

INSIDE:

Cover Charge:  We visited on a Thursday and there was no cover charge

Age range:  Drinking age to 50+

Dress Code:  No dress code was displayed, but most wore jeans, gals wore rompers, dresses, jeans& casual tops, some cowboy boots and cowboy hats, of course.  We felt very comfortable wearing boots, hats, country western dancing shirts and jeans.  Woohoo!

Dance Floor:  Good size for dancing on a Thursday, but we have visited on the weekend and felt it was almost too crowded to dance. It was like dancing in a can of sardines!  This fall when we stop by Gilley’s again, we will check out the crowd size on a Friday or Saturday night, for sure.

Dance Mix:  Occasional two-step with band (most songs were very slow), and more dancable tempo with DJ.  We also danced swing and some slow dances.  We were surprised that most nights they have free linedancing lessons, but only  handful of linedances were called and played that night.

Dance Music:  The live music that night was Brian Lynn Jones and the Misfit Cowboys

Dancing:  We did a fair amount of dancing. Would’ve danced more if more of the songs had a good dance tempo.

Dance Lessons:  We didn’t take the lesson, but here is a dance lesson video of the linedance “The Electric Slide” that you can learn at home and have fun dancing at Gilley’s!  And as a bonus, here is a basic Two-Step dance lesson for the most popular type of country western dancing for couples!  Enjoy!

Food:  Salads, BBQ, Chilli, Nachos, Hush Puppies, Ribs, Brisket, Chicken and Burgers

Beverages:  Alcoholic, Tea, Sodas, Coffee

Restrooms:  Average size and average cleanliness.  Could use some work there!

Security:  Good security at Back door and Front door and inside.

ATMOSPHERE:  Changed from years past (the hay bales are gone and replaced with (I kid you not) saddle barstools and many more tables

NEWBIES: Good place to start out, probably with the free lessons. Talked to some newbies visiting from British Columbia and they definitely would’ve loved a lesson to get started on the dance floor.

Specifics: As always, earlier arrival is less crowded.

Final Thoughts:  We were very pleasantly surprised with the new makeover at Gilley’s, and we had a really good time Country Western Dancing, watching the bull riding contest, and the generally more open and relaxed atmosphere.  We will be visiting Gilley’s again soon.  Until then, See Y’all next time!