BTS fans pack Las Vegas Chinatown as Allegiant Stadium shows begin

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) – As thousands of fans of the K-pop group BTS head to Las Vegas for Memorial Day weekend, many small businesses are filling up with fans following one phenomenon: the BTS Army Effect.

BTS will perform at Allegiant Stadium for four nights from May 23 to 28.

Throughout Chinatown, patrons will see queues outside restaurants and various establishments following a visit by one of the K-pop band members or groups.

While the members of BTS and the boy band have visited other popular establishments, especially in Las Vegas, they have been spotted along the Chinatown corridor at popular mom-and-pop shops for good Asian food.

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“Wherever they go, we know it’s going to be good. We know there’ll be crowds of people there, but at least it’s like our people,” said one fan, visiting from the Bay Area, who had already seen a prior show locally.

This morning, Urban Matcha got a line out the door when band member J-Hope came for the Shaved Ice Matcha dessert on Thursday; Millions of fans watched videos of the trip circulated on social media platforms.

Fans also visit establishments that appear on the BTS Army “live feed”; Other establishments hold BTS-themed special events with special menu items through performance dates.

“Our small businesses in Chinatown and the small businesses that are members of the chamber are very excited to have BTS come here for the second time. They bring a factor with them because they like to support small businesses – and just as they support small businesses, the Legion follows and supports small businesses,” said Katherine Francisco of the AAPI Chamber.

Business is up after a busy past weekend following the Electric Daisy Carnival in town; At all hours of the day and night thousands of attendees headed to Chinatown establishments in search of food and drinks.

Francisco said, “Everyone is really discovering Chinatown – and its great businesses and great products and food and drink. We really thank them for supporting small businesses.”

Francisco said establishments have increased staffing and preparations to accommodate the additional patrons in town during back-to-back EDC weekends and BTS performances.