Drake-Backed Dave’s Hot Chicken Sizzles Late Into the Night at its Newest Location

Celebrity-backed Dave’s Hot Chicken, which started as an East Hollywood parking lot pop-up in 2017, unleashed its waiver-required hot chicken; mac and cheese; kale slaw; and shakes on New Year’s Eve at 3623 Las Vegas Boulevard in the Grand Bazaar Shops in front of Bally’s. It’s the second Las Vegas location of the fast-expanding fried chicken chain.

The newest location keeps the fryers sizzling late into the night, with hours that stretch to 4 a.m. on the weekends and 2 a.m. other days of the week. (The first Las Vegas location, which opened this past summer at 9040 W. Sahara Avenue only stays open until 1 a.m.)

The fast-casual chain specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders that come in seven different spice levels ranging from mild to “The Reaper.” The hottest version requires customers to sign a waiver before they dig in.

Arman Oganesyan and former Bouchon chef Dave Kopushyan, along with brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan, launched the wildly popular Dave’s Hot Chicken as a pop-up in 2017. They debuted their first brick-and-mortar nine months later. The four teamed up with Wetzel’s Pretzels co-founder and former CEO Bill Phelps and movie producer John Davis in 2019. Several celebrities have a stake in the brand, including rapper Drake, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner.

Dave’s Hot Chicken at the Grand Bazaar Shops takes the place of Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken, which closed in the same location in July after a four year run.

Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

• Another Hot Chicken Venture To Open Friday on the Strip [Las Vegas Review Journal]
• Drake-Backed Dave’s Hot Chicken Continuing San Diego Expansion [Eater San Diego]
• Sound the Alarm, Dave’s Hot Chicken Has an Opening Date for Fiery Tenders and Sliders [Eater Vegas]
• Drake Is Now a Major Investor in LA Chain Dave’s Hot Chicken [Eater LA]
• Dave’s Hot Chicken: Putting the Heat on Expansion Plans [Nation’s Restaurant News]
• Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken Closes Permanently on the Las Vegas Strip [VegasChanges.com]