When the bull's not a rockin' you can come a knockin' to some country-themed bars spread across the Las Vegas Strip. Sidle up to the bar for some suds or specialty cocktails and get into the late-night revelry with your fellow NFR fans.

Over at Gilley's at Treasure Island the famous bikini- and chaps-clad Gilley Girls bring the Southern charm to the dance hall and saloon—they might even step out on the floor to help lead the line-dancing. You can even catch some late-night live music, including Reckless Kelly (Dec. 9-10), Kevin Fowler (Dec. 11-12) and the Rob Staley Band (Dec. 13-14).

Try your grip on some mechanical bull-riding action at PBR Rock Bar at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort—there's even a nightly midnight bull riding contest. When you've done your eight seconds of buckin' on the bull, head out to the venue's 3,000-square-foot Stripside patio for DJs and drink specials like $20 beer buckets or an $8 beer and a shot. Plus, there's live music each night during NFR.

For some shots poured directly into your mouth, head on over to the rowdy fun that's Coyote Ugly at New York-New York. Here, the bartenders, dressed in Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots, jump up on the bar and put on some daring and delightful dance routines. The intimate saloon-meets-dive bar offers free line-dancing lessons daily from 6-9 p.m., and there's an awesome happy hour at the same time with $6 brews and cocktails.

They call it the "no-frills venue," but we reckon you'll have plenty of thrills and frills at the Losers Bar at MGM Grand. Known for having country music artists stop on by and hop onstage, you never know who you might see perform, especially with NFR in town. Besides the live country music, enjoy some pretty darn tasty specialty cocktails like the Southern Belle Smash with Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey, peach purée, lemon juice and Sprite, or go for the popular shot and a beer, your choice of Jameson Caskmates whiskey or Código 1530 Blanco tequila and a draft beer of your choice.