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Guitar smash ceremony at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol – Image Credit Hard Rock
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol marked its grand opening with the brand’s iconic guitar smash ceremony on Thursday morning. The event was attended by Hard Rock executives, state and local officials, community members, and local business and civic leaders. Following the ceremony, the casino officially opened its doors to the public.
Located at 500 Gate City Highway, the 620,000-square-foot resort features 1,500 slot machines, over 50 table games, a sportsbook, more than 300 hotel rooms, and seven dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe. The venue also hosts a 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live, a Rock Shop, designated non-smoking and high-limit gaming areas, and a collection of music memorabilia.
Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock International, highlighted Hard Rock’s music heritage as a natural fit for Bristol, known as the ‘Birthplace of Country Music.’ The casino promises world-class gaming, dining, and entertainment to Bristol and the surrounding regions.
Jim McGlothlin, chairman of The United Company, and Clyde Stacy, president of Par Ventures, expressed their pride in the project. They emphasized that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol creates well-paying jobs and generates new tax revenue across Southwest Virginia. The project is expected to create over 1,400 full-time and part-time jobs.
The temporary facility, ‘Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock,’ operated from July 2022 until Nov. 11, 2024. It welcomed more than 3 million guests, paid over $68 million in gaming taxes to the Commonwealth of Virginia, donated more than $960,000 to local community nonprofits, and paid over $262 million in jackpots.
The grand opening celebration continues with concert performances by Blake Shelton and Soul Asylum. Both events will take place in the new Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, a 23,000-square-foot space that aims to be the region’s premier destination for live entertainment.
For more information about Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, visit the official website. For career opportunities with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, navigate to the careers section on the website.
