BTS members make surprise offstage appearances at Pioneer Saloon ahead of Allegiant Stadium shows

BTS members made an unbilled stop at the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada, on Thursday night, two days before opening a four-show stand at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the saloon’s owners confirmed the visit on Friday but declined to provide further details. The appearance came as BTS fan activity spread across Las Vegas ahead of concerts scheduled for May 23, 24, 27 and 28. Allegiant Stadium’s event page lists all four shows with 8 p.m. start times. ### Which BTS appearance in the Las Vegas area has been confirmed? The Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings was the clearest confirmed offstage stop ahead of the concerts. The Review-Journal reported that BTS visited during regular business hours on Thursday night while three country bands were performing, and described the stop as an unbilled pop-in. Pioneer Saloon’s own website describes the business as Southern Nevada’s oldest tavern, established in 1913. The bar is about 35 miles southwest of the Las Vegas Strip, making it a notable detour from the usual celebrity circuit of resort restaurants and casinos. ### What do we know about the Allegiant Stadium shows? Allegiant Stadium lists BTS WORLD TOUR “ARIRANG” dates for Saturday, May 23; Sunday, May 24; Wednesday, May 27; and Thursday, May 28. The stadium’s event information says the campus opens at 8 a.m., parking at 8:30 a.m., merchandise sales at 9 a.m., gates at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. John Katsilometes of the Review-Journal reported earlier in April that BTS had announced a citywide “The City Las Vegas” festival running from May 20 through May 31 around the tour stop. The same report said the four Allegiant dates were part of the group’s comeback tied to its “Arirang” album. ### How visible has BTS been around Las Vegas outside the venue? The Las Vegas Sun reported on May 23 that BTS was again turning the Strip “purple — and red — again,” with fan activity extending beyond the stadium. The newspaper said reports on May 23 cited street sightings and heavier foot traffic near Allegiant Stadium and downtown venues as visitors moved through the city around the concert run. The Review-Journal’s fan guide, published earlier this week, said BTS drew 199,697 fans and nearly $36 million in gross revenue during its 2022 multi-night Las Vegas run, citing Billboard Boxscore. That earlier visit provides the clearest benchmark for the scale of fan travel and related activity now building around the 2026 dates. ### Why did the Pioneer Saloon stop draw attention? Goodsprings is better known for mining history, live music and day-trip tourism than for major pop acts. The Review-Journal said Thursday’s stop happened during a country music night, which made the visit stand out even in a region used to celebrity sightings. The saloon’s age also added to the attention. Pioneer Saloon says it opened in 1913, and the Review-Journal described it as a famed Las Vegas-area bar, giving fans a concrete offstage location tied to the group before the first concert. ### What comes next after the Las Vegas run begins? Saturday, May 23, is the first of the four Allegiant Stadium dates, followed by shows on May 24, May 27 and May 28, according to Allegiant Stadium. The venue’s “know before you go” page says on-site merchandise opens at 9 a.m. on show days and warns of high temperatures. Monday, May 25, brings another scheduled BTS appearance in Las Vegas. The Review-Journal reported that the group is set for a “special appearance” on the American Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena, with the telecast beginning at 5 p.m. Pacific on CBS and Paramount+.