Vegas on Two Wheels: Vamp’d Rock Bar and Grill
It has been fantastic hitting the road and burning rubber around the Las Vegas valley, but I felt this week I should get back to the heart of the city. To a place where rock and rollers go to kick back, have a drink and jam out! I am talking about the famous Vamp’d Rock Bar and Grill!
It’s a simple and fast ride to get to this rock house! From the I-15 take the exit for Sahara and turn left (west). Follow it down just before you cross Rainbow Blvd and Vamp’d is on your right!
This place is a biker’s home away from home. Vamp’d is the creation of Danny (The Count) Koker, star of History channel’s Counting Cars series. Danny, a badass, motorcycle riding, tattoo loving, muscle car building, rockin’ roller was able to create a one of a kind bar and grill for locals, tourists, and bikers alike to come and enjoy.
My visit isn’t the first time I have been to Danny’s Vamp’d. I’m usually over here once or twice a month to grab a beer, some killer bar food and listen to one of the local rock bands hitting the stage. I love this place! It reminds me of Rock of Ages, both the movie and the show! Neon signs, choppers, guitars and drum sets make up the décor on the walls and lighting overhead with graffiti art sprayed in between each piece.
A retro glass panel wall separates the bar from the stage and dining area. Rock music from the 70s and 80s is playing along with their music videos on the TV’s lining the walls.
By 10 PM, it’s a packed house, and I mean nearly standing room only! Local bands from around the city come to test their skills on the Count’s stage! This weekend was Electric Dynamite! I was skeptical at first; hearing that these guys play some pretty old hippy 60s covers and being that there were only three dudes to the band, I ordered another round of the house beer thinking that I was going to need it. I, in fact, did need it but not to chug down as fast as I could to numb my ears and drown out the music. I needed that beer to raise high and toast these hardcore rockers!
The band was whaling away, people from all walks of life, young and old, t-shirts to suits, biker boots to loafers were at the front of the stage dancing, hooting, and hollering; screaming for more. The sexy 80s hairband waitresses were on
The sexy 80s hairband waitresses were on point having a good time and bringing in the booze fast and accurately! It was a site to see for sure. This place looked like utter rock-n-roll chaos but stepping back and really looking at how the place ran that night, it was a well-oiled and organized machine!
I sat down with the GM of Vamp’d who, by coincidence, is named Danny too! I asked him the serious questions, what is your time frame from open to close getting this place ready? How much do you control or manage on a micro level? How involved is Danny Koker with this place? What kind of traffic do you get in here? He stopped me mid-question and said…
“Listen, This is Danny Koker’s baby; his dream. I was lucky enough for him to pick me up to help him run this place but it’s a team effort. Danny, his wife (Who sets up the entertainment each weekend), and myself, we come together to make this place what it is and what it is is a well-oiled bitchin bar and grill for everyone to enjoy. I think of it as organized chaos.”
Before he took off to the back he told me one more thing that I will take with me for the rest of my life…
“Hey, loosen up, have another beer, and enjoy what we have to offer. Work is over just have some fun with us.”
I smiled, laughed to myself and flagged my waitress down for another cold one! Vamp’d is a Vegas gem and is on its way to becoming iconic! You want a good time whether you’re on two or four wheels, you want good bar food, killer/sexy service and bitchin live entertainment where the booze never stops flowing? Then Danny Koker’s Vamp’d is the best spot in town! As a biker it is a must when visiting Vegas, baby!
Greg Bennett is the morning meteorologist on KTNV’s Good Morning Las Vegas newscast. He is an avid Harley rider but also is a huge classic car fan and loves to work on both. In his free time, you can catch Greg riding his bike around town, working out at the gym, hanging out with his Pit Bull (DewPoint), or getting his hands dirty by volunteering across the city of Las Vegas.
2 thoughts on “Vegas on Two Wheels: Vamp’d Rock Bar and Grill”
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I’ve never been there, but I know it’s the go-to venue for some of the older rock bands that are playing the club scene these days. Way back in 2000 I saw the briefly reunited L.A. Guns at the old Pink E’s (the full classic line up). Vamp’d seems to be the place that is hosting such shows these days. I always check their concert calendar when I’ll be in town, in case a band I love happens to be in town. It hasn’t happened yet, but it’s only a matter of time.
I’ve always wanted to check this place out, but the last 2 times I’ve been were Sun-Wed trips. I’ll have to try to work it in the next time I’m there on the weekend.