The vessel is adjacent to the main pavilion, with multiple food outlets, including Jack Binion’s Steakhouse, as well as a gift shop and ballroom/meeting facilities.

Though the standard setup is 2,500 theater-style telescopic seats, the seats can be pulled back to create a full general-admission room that can be set up for more contemporary rock shows, as well as function as a banquet and tradeshow facility.

The Venue opened with the casino on August 8, 2008, with a midnight Asian show featuring Andy Hui and William So, and held several more grand opening concerts that same weekend, including Bette Midler, Alicia Keys, Smashing Pumpkins, Mo'Nique, and James Blunt.

More than 200 acts performed in The Venue in its first three years and additional events have included The Great Midwest Smokeout and the Chicago Circuit Championship of the World Series of Poker.

[citation needed] Horseshoe is home to the most significant poker room in the Midwest, featuring 34 tables at all limits and a private poker area, Benny’s Back Room — named for the founder of the original Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas, Benny Binion.