‘Are you kiddin’?’ Las Vegas bar to open huge Emmett location with ‘model bartenders’

Toad Higginbotham knows all about the handwringing — the online mini-drama about an employment ad for a new bar coming to Emmett.

It seeks “outgoing model bartenders.” Photos required.

“Didn’t you read what Gem County posted on Facebook, and all the responses?” he says. “There was a lot of, ‘God.’ There was a lot of, ‘Are you kiddin’ me?’ ”

Higginbotham can only laugh. After all, he’s the marketing director for Stoney’s Rockin’ Country near the Las Vegas Strip. Where scantily clad bartenders prance on top of the bar and swing their choreographed hips. Where country fans stomp boots on the dance floor, cling to a mechanical bull and, pre-COVID, congregated to see touring live acts.

Hold on to your saddle, Treasure Valley. Stoney’s Roadhouse is on track to open in early November at 1050 Cascade Road in the redeveloped Boise Cascade Mill complex. The Idaho expansion will be the Nevada-based nightclub’s only other location for now.

“Our goal,” Higginbotham says, “is literally to come in with a bang.”

“Country boys like to have a good time,” he says in a phone interview, “and we know country girls do, too.”

Stoney’s in Vegas is tied by ownership to the Emmett sawmill property developer and the soon-to-open Blue Valor Speedway, located several lasso tosses away. An RV resort with hookups is coming to the area, too, Higginbotham says.

The racetrack and country bar create a symbiotic entertainment destination. If you get thirsty after the stock car races? A signature Blue Valor Whiskey will be waiting for you at Stoney’s.

“Have some fun,” Higginbotham says. “That’s what we’re all about. Have some fun.”

The Roadhouse will be a large space. How large? “Huge,” he says. And only partially covered. The flexible, open-air setup potentially could hold as many as 1,500 people, he estimates. The stage area and half the dance space are enclosed by walls in the back and stage left.

“We were just talking today, when the speedway starts, (about) closing out that other side of the wall,” Higginbotham adds, “because the sound from the speedway will be very loud.”

When the coronavirus pandemic wanes, Stoney’s Roadhouse will increase its focus on live country bands. In Vegas, Stoney’s had featured weekly acts. Those performers could be routed to Idaho, too. Although Stoney’s in Vegas normally is a 21-and-older venue, it allows patrons 18 and older during concerts. That’s also a possibility in Emmett, Higginbotham says.

“Our goal is to be open in the evening, like at 7 p.m.,” he says. “Do dance lessons, have a DJ, have live music once a week. Thursday, Friday, Saturday is when we’re looking to (be) open.”

A restaurant menu is planned, but it won’t be a traditional setup. “The kitchen is a food trailer that we brought here from Vegas,” Higginbotham says.

Stoney’s in Vegas offers specials such as a traditional “ladies night,” where well drinks, wine and beer are $2 for women. The same is planned in Emmett. “Where there is chicks, there’s dudes,” Higginbotham says.

In Vegas, sexy bartenders help attract those dudes. That’s the hope for Emmett, too.

“Our goal out there is to bring that same vibe,” Higginbotham says. “The bartender makes you think you’ve got a chance, but you really don’t. But come back the next night thinking you still have a chance.”

“Our bartenders pride themselves in good looks, good service, good drinks and the ability to dance,” he explains.

Higginbotham says he’s been getting random emails “like crazy” from Idahoans. Folks are excited, he says.

“Minus the people on the Gem County page,” he adds with a laugh.

Actually, plenty of those Facebook responses were positive.

“I learned something a long time ago,” Higginbotham says. “I’m never gonna make everybody happy. You can’t please everybody. But at the end of the day, people will go where they have a good time. Stoney’s has been around for 13 years in Vegas. I think in this market, that says a lot. If we can do it here, we can do it anywhere.”

This story was originally published October 22, 2020 at 8:54 AM.