• Live Music by A Boy Named Sioux

• Balloon Drop at Midnight

• Champagne Toast at Midnight

• Masquerade Masks Available

• Party Favors

Music starts at 9:30, doors will be open at 11:00am. 21+ event. Tickets $20 for singles, $30 for couples, $50 for singles includes a select dinner menu.

Construction on the 20,000-square-foot space across from Cheesecake Factory has been ongoing since April, said Boomtown President Greg McClure.

“We can’t wait to get opened,” Capri said. “It’s going to be a big venue, state of the art. Great food, great music. There’s going to be nothing like it in Tucson.”

This will be the second Arizona location for Toby Keith’s; the first opened in Mesa in spring 2010. A third restaurant will open in Phoenix’s west valley – think University of Phoenix Stadium area – later this year, Capri said.

Keith launched the restaurant a few years ago with three locations in his native Oklahoma. Since then, another dozen have opened, 11 of them owned by Boomtown. A location in Las Vegas is owned by Harrah’s Las Vegas.

Toby Keith’s menu includes Southern specialties such as barbecue ribs, chicken and pork, burgers and chicken fried steak along with he-man sounding appetizers and state-fair worthy desserts. Appetizers include Toby’s Platter – a plethora of nachos, wings, mozzarella sticks, deep-fried jalapeno poppers and mac and cheese wedges, served with marinara, blue cheese and ranch dipping sauces. Dessert is highlighted by a fried Twinkie.

But the menu is not what lures country music fans to Toby’s table. It’s the chance to sit at the giant guitar-shaped bar – painted red, white and blue like the American flag – and watch a rising Nashville singer perform on a stage that’s close enough to see the sweat on his/her brow.

The bars host live music three or four nights a week – including every Friday and Saturday night, McClure said – with artists ranging from freshly signed Nashville newcomers to fan-favorite Texas red dirt singers.

Upcoming shows at the Mesa location: Scott Weiland, former frontman for Stone Temple Pilots (who includes country as part of his repertoire as a solo artist), on Sunday; Granger Smith July 27; and Mark Wills Aug. 17.

Boomtown officials are confident the concept will fly with Tucson’s strong country music fan base; Keith has a devoted following here that filled Casino del Sol’s AVA in 2004, the last time he played a Tucson show.

“It’s a great market for us,” said Capri. “We love the town, love the people. We’re going to be there for a long time.”

I Love This Bar & Grill is a restaurant named after Toby Keith’s single of the same title and owned by Frank Carpi. With Toby Keith’s personal touches in every aspect, the restaurant will win over its visitors hearts the same way Keith does with his music. These franchises are located nationwide, everywhere from California to Massachusetts. Before you know it, a location will be opening up near you if it has not already.

The name is not just derived from Toby Keith’s song, though — you really will love the bar! The atmosphere alone is incredibly unique and fun, featuring giant guitar-shaped bars from which all your favorite southern drinks are served. Whether diners are more privy to Southern Comfort or like themselves a nice Jack and Coke, there are southern cocktail specials every night to enjoy.

Country fans are in their element when visiting these unique restaurants because the country love manifests itself in every way possible. The servers are dressed as cute southern cowgirls and the twangy tunes are pumping constantly through speakers and TVs. There are even live country musicians hosted at the bars almost every night, and DJs to play country tunes on the nights without live music.

Even for those who are not big into country itself, the food is something that must be tried. Traditional southern-recipe ribs, fried bologna sandwiches, and chicken wings are done big in these locations, and diners will love the price tag, too. There are not many places around that serve their sandwiches on Texas toast anymore, and the home-style recipes are as mouthwatering as they are nostalgia inducing.

Southern sides are not skimped upon on these menus. Anything your mama used to make for family dinner can be found in the sides category. From creamed corn to mashed sweet potatoes, try not to be tempted to try them all! In addition, now that there are locations in Colorado and Michigan, even northerners get to experience what it is like to have southern roots through the food.

Toby Keith fans can certainly rejoice at the fact that diners cannot leave this restaurant without stopping in the Toby Keith memorabilia shop. Nowhere else can country fans find all the fun country-inspired gifts such as shot glasses, cowboy hats, and t-shirts…all inspired by their favorite musician! Stop by I Love This Bar & Grill while traveling or in your neighborhood to get a feel for the south.

 Many folks visit these restaurants for the sole purpose of hanging out at the bar. The walls are adorned with lots of Toby Keith memorabilia, ranging from t-shirts to rare artifacts. The bar itself is shaped as an enormous guitar off which you can sip your southern favorites. It is the perfect place to enjoy a whiskey sour and take in the unique environment that pays homage to Toby.

 The atmosphere is taken up a notch when nights and weekends roll around. These locations regularly serve as venues for live country bands and artists, so it is a great place to get out on a Saturday night for some fun. On nights that do not have live music, there is always country music pumping through the speakers or country DJ is turning out tunes. Shots are always served when “I Love This Bar” plays!

 Even if there was no live entertainment, the menu truly serves as a reason to make the trip. On it are heaping servings of the most delicious and authentic barbecue ribs you will ever try. There are also tons of traditional southern desserts, including pecan and sweet potato pie with a helping of vanilla ice cream. Moreover, what southerner doesn’t appreciate a good old-fashioned fried bologna and cheese sandwich?

 In addition to the sandwiches and entrees, the appetizers and sides don’t come up short. Go true southern by starting off with some pulled pork pockets or fried shrimp and crawfish tails. The southwest comes through by offering some spicy jalapeno poppers, tortilla soup, and even chili jalapeno corn muffins. Sides, of course, include country mashed potatoes, turnip greens, baked beans, and other southern favorites.

 Since it’ll be a meal you won’t want to forget — especially for Toby Keith fans — the perfect way to end the night is by stopping by the gift shop on the way out. There is everything from “Whiskey Girl” t-shirts and shot glasses to be bought, as well as sauces and other foods with recipes native to the restaurant.  In a nutshell, I Love This Bar & Grill has it all.