The Jonas Brothers' millionaire parents have permanently closed their renowned Southern-cooking restaurant in Las Vegas, as the city grapples with a significant downturn in tourism. Nellie's Southern Kitchen, located at the MGM Grand, announced earlier this month that it would shut its doors on Monday, marking the end of a brief three-year run.
MGM Grand issued a statement indicating there are no immediate plans for the vacated space, and no further details were provided regarding the reason for the closure. 'We are grateful to our dedicated staff and loyal guests who filled that space with so many unforgettable moments over the years,' said Manolis Alpogianis, a spokesperson for the restaurant, in a statement to People. 'As our lease approached its expiration, we made a strategic decision about where to focus our long-term efforts.'
The spokesperson extended an invitation to visit the founding location in Belmont, North Carolina, which is now celebrating a decade of Southern hospitality. The Las Vegas restaurant, situated in the District opposite the MGM Grand Garden Arena, opened in 2022 with considerable fanfare. The Jonas family hosted a grand opening event, with the Jonas Brothers attending before their residency show at the Dolby Live theater.
'Our family's connection to Las Vegas has always been strong as we've performed here many times over the years, and it feels very special to now have a permanent piece of our family history in the city for everyone to enjoy,' Joe Jonas said at the time. Nick Jonas described Nellie's as a 'celebration of what people love about Las Vegas - amazing food, great vibes and entertainment,' while Kevin Jonas remarked that the timing 'couldn't be better' as it coincided with their first residency.
Nellie's is named after Kevin Sr.'s grandmother and honors the home-cooked meals he enjoyed while growing up in Belmont. The flagship location in North Carolina remains open. Kevin Sr. told People in 2021, 'I am really proud of our Belmont location and how we have survived through some obviously tough times. But the Las Vegas location has been a long time coming. We started talking about Vegas before we even opened in Belmont.'
Las Vegas is currently facing a crisis, with soaring prices and a shift toward luxury experiences moving away from what originally attracted millions of tourists. Visitor volume has steadily declined since 2016, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Annual trips dropped by 7.5 percent last year, the most significant decline outside of the pandemic since records began in 1970. Nonetheless, tourism revenue remains high, with average daily room rates and revenue per available room reaching their third-highest levels in 2025.
The changing landscape has led to several other closures. Guy Fieri's Mexican cantina, El Burro Borracho, inside the Rio Las Vegas, closed in mid-March. Champagne's Cafe, one of the city's oldest bars, shut earlier this year due to road construction and decreased visitation. The famous Heart Attack Grill has also permanently closed, with owner Jon Basso stating that customers have been priced out. The Daily Mail has contacted MGM Grand and Nellie's Southern Kitchen for comment.
