Posted on: October 10, 2024, 09:13h.
Last updated on: October 10, 2024, 09:22h.
Hard Rock International is set to open its Virginia casino resort in November. The grand opening will feature a performance by a top country music star.
Hard Rock, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, has announced the opening of the $515 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol in Virginia. The resort will open at noon on November 14.
Situated near the former Bristol Mall at 500 Gate City Highway, the property will replace a temporary casino that has been operating inside the former Belk department store since July 2022.
The permanent resort will offer 303 hotel rooms, seven restaurants and bars, including Hard Rock’s signature Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, a 23,000-square-foot concert venue called Hard Rock Live, and a retail Rock Shop selling music-themed merchandise.
In terms of gaming, Hard Rock Bristol will provide nearly 1,500 slot machines, over 50 live dealer table games, and a Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.
Opening Headliner
Hard Rock executives, along with local businessmen Jim McGlothlin and Clyde Stacey who advocated for Virginia’s commercial casino legalization and Bristol as a host location, will be present at the opening. The casino will be inaugurated with a traditional “Guitar Smash” ceremony.
In addition to the guitar smashing, country music star Blake Shelton will be performing at the event.
The history of Hard Rock aligns perfectly with Bristol’s status as the ‘Birthplace of Country Music.’ With this new resort, Bristol and the entire region will have a major entertainment destination,” said Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock.
Bristol holds the distinction of being the birthplace of country music, with Fiddlin’ John Carson recording the first commercial country music track in the city.
Hard Rock’s Expansion Plans
Hard Rock International is optimistic about the U.S. gaming market. The opening of the Bristol property follows the recent launch of Hard Rock Rockford in Illinois.
While local business owners are the primary landowners of both the Bristol and Rockford properties, Hard Rock is focusing on a major project in Las Vegas with the renovation of The Mirage on the Strip.
Hard Rock is also collaborating with billionaire Steve Cohen for an integrated casino resort project at Citi Field in Queens, New York. The ambitious $8 billion venture aims to create a casino and entertainment hub next to the New York Mets’ home stadium.
Furthermore, Hard Rock is expanding its online gaming and sports betting operations. Hard Rock Chair Jim Allen expressed interest in partnering with industry giants like DraftKings or FanDuel for online gaming.