Luke Combs Storms Into Las Vegas With Category 10

Luke Combs’ Category 10 Las Vegas officially opens the storm shutters today. The entertainment venue at Flamingo Las Vegas is the second artist-inspired venue, with a third planned for Orlando.  

“We’re going to do some big things here,” says General Manager Ryan Klaasen. “I’ve set some very lofty goals that I probably won’t share. But I think there’s an opportunity for us to make an incredible impact in the Las Vegas market and really set the stage, and set the bar, for the third installment of Category 10.”

Inspired by Combs’ RIAA Diamond No. 1 debut hit, “Hurricane,” Category 10 is owned and operated by Opry Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties, and designed in partnership with design and innovation firm, Journey. The original Category 10 opened Nov. 2, 2024, in Nashville with a third location scheduled to open at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk in early 2028. 

The three-story Las Vegas venue spans 34,000 square feet, has 800 seats with a projected capacity of approximately 2,000 and a 3,000-square-foot rooftop where guests have views of the Las Vegas strip. Category 10 features seven interior bars, two stages, a retail area and a hat wall that includes hats from Comb’s personal collection in addition to hats from his fans around the world.

The venue has Combs-inspired spaces throughout.

On the first floor, Hurricane Hall includes the main stage, three bars, central dining area and a dance floor, where they host free line dancing lessons. The performance space is outfitted top-line video, acoustics and lighting. Klaasen says they want to deliver a concert-quality atmosphere with curated artist line-ups performing daily.

“The simplest way to put it is that any artist – whether it’s a local artist or it’s Luke – can walk in with a guitar plug in and go,” says Klaasen. “It’s state-of-the-art equipment, state-of-the-art lighting, and it’s designed to produce a state-of-the-art show. Whether you’re the guy who plays here every Friday night, or you’re the national or international artist that’s passing through town and wants to jump up and sing a couple songs.”

Programming will be built around major events happening in the city like WWE, F1 and NFL games including a party Oct. 16 for Buffalo Bills fans in town for a weekend matchup at Allegiant Stadium against the Raiders. During F1 the venue plans to host a driver meet-and-greet and on-stage Q&A.

“We really want to take advantage of anything and everything,” Klaasen says. “Getting ahead of the calendar and working way ahead of time is the best way to do that. But as things pop up, we’re always looking for an angle to drive more business into the space.”

The Beautiful Crazy Women’s Lounge is located directly outside of the women’s restroom on the first floor. A champagne bar, soft seating, makeup counters and Hollywood-style vanity mirrors add to the lady’s-night-out atmosphere.

Tucked away on the second floor, The Still draws inspiration from Comb’s songwriting with an intimate and elevated setting with an extensive selection of bourbons, hand-selected by Combs, who Klaasen says is a “brown water guy.” The Still has a view of the first-floor main stage and also has an adjacent outdoor patio space with views of the city. 

“Something he does when he goes on the road is he puts a sign over his dressing room that says, ‘The Still,’ and we were able to capture the essence of what he enjoys day-in and day-out when he’s living his life out on the road,” explains Klaasen.

The Eye Rooftop on the third level features a DJ booth, dance floor and bar with views of the famed Strip.    

“Your 50-yard-line of the Las Vegas Strip at night, especially when all the hotels are lit up and you can feel the buzz and the energy from the city and enjoy great music,” says Klaasen of the prime spot. “We will do some live bands up there as well, and really maximize the space when the weather allows.”

The walk-up Hurricane Bar is positioned for visitors on The LINQ Promenade and Las Vegas Blvd. The bar features frozen and signature cocktails to enjoy in-venue or take away while walking around the city. 

F&B was a central focus. The venue’s made-from-scratch menu features items with a nod to Combs’ Appalachian upbringing. Entrees include Carolina Smoked Ribs and DeepSea Señorita Shrimp Skewers as well as hand-held items such as the Smoky Mountain Chicken Sandwich and the Carolina Bar-B-Que Chicken Flatbread.

“We have some really unique signature items, some great sauces, things that are easy to execute in high volume, but also really pack the flavors and the essence of where he comes from and the things that he enjoys,” explains Klaasen.  

Category 10 boasts an extensive selection of frozen alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, beer and wine and specialty cocktails are served in signature souvenir cups. Not surprising that the Hurricane (Bacardi Silver Rum, Ole Smoky Hunch Punch, passion fruit purée, fresh-pressed lemon and lime, orange juice and grenadine) and Beautiful Crazy Sangria (house red wine, Grand Marnier, Mr. Boston Blackberry Brandy, fresh-pressed lemon and lime and sangria fruit) are expected to be top sellers.

The multi-level venue was intentionally designed with a variety of spaces that can accommodate gatherings and private events. “In Vegas, there are so many different things happening throughout the year that you need to be what you need to be when you need to be it,” says Klaasen. “This company has done a really good job with this venue of creating different experiences throughout that appeal to maybe a convention goer one time, a country music fan another time, someone that’s here for F1 another time. It’s a really versatile space with a lot of different options, both indoor and outdoor.”