Losers Bar at the MGM Grand Books First Act

The transformation of MGM Grand’s sleek Rouge Lounge into a honky-tonk dive bar is right on schedule and might even debut ahead of time.

Nashville’s Losers Bar is now hoping their Las Vegas expansion will be ready by "late-November," but will definitely be serving by Dec. 4, when their first scheduled live act takes the stage, just in time for the National Finals Rodeo.

Created in 2005, the original laid-back bar includes Erv Woolsey, manager of country legend George Strait, as a co-owner. That association has its privileges and from Dec. 4-10, the Texas Jamm Band will be performing nightly on the small Vegas stage. The group prominently features members of Strait's Ace In The Hole Band.

The 3,097-square-foot MGM space allocated an estimated $550,000 for construction costs back in August. In Las Vegas they hope to continue to the Nashville tradition of enticing well-known country acts to jump up and perform impromptu concerts and their recent job posting for a general manager lists an ability "to recognize notable country music performers" as an essential skill.

Losers Bar's no-frills attitude extends to their drinks menu, explaining "our house wine is Jägermeister." Already confirmed is their signature frozen "Bootwacker" concoction, created with "rums, Patron Coffee, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Kahlua liqueur, ice cream, milk, Bootwacker bottled French vanilla syrup, Bootwacker non-dairy based powder, and water."

There are currently no plans to offer the original’s casual bar food menu.