Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol Opens with Iconic Guitar Smash

Friday, November 15, 2024

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol officially opened Thursday morning with the iconic Hard Rock guitar smash ceremony. Virginia’s first casino, originally opened as “Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock” in July 2022, marked the next chapter of its journey.

The grand opening brought together Hard Rock executives, state and local officials, community members, and civic leaders. The celebration concluded with the casino opening its doors to the public at noon.

Situated at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol, the 620,000-square-foot resort features nearly 1,500 slot machines, over 50 table games, a sportsbook, 300+ hotel rooms, and seven unique dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe. Other highlights include a 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live, a Rock Shop, non-smoking and high-limit gaming areas, and an array of authentic music memorabilia.

“This is such a monumental moment for the Bristol community and Hard Rock,” said Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock International. “Hard Rock’s music heritage is a natural fit for Bristol, the ‘Birthplace of Country Music.’ We look forward to serving Bristol and the surrounding region with world-class gaming, dining and entertainment offerings.”

“This milestone brings great pride to Bristol,” said Jim McGlothlin, chairman of The United Company, and Clyde Stacy, president of Par Ventures. “Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is creating well-paying jobs and generating new tax revenue across Southwest Virginia, and local businesses in the Tri-Cities region are already seeing increased tourism and spending. None of this would have been realized without the support of Bristol’s residents and leaders.”

From July 2022 until November 11, 2024, the casino operated from its temporary facility, “Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock.” During this period, it welcomed over 3 million visitors, contributed more than $68 million in gaming taxes to Virginia, donated nearly $960,000 to local nonprofits, and paid out over $262 million in jackpots. The project created 900 to 1,000 construction jobs and is expected to generate over 1,400 full-time and part-time positions.

“This is such an amazing day for Bristol,” said Allie Evangelista, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. “The support from the Bristol community has been inspirational to our dedicated team, which has worked around the clock to prepare for today’s grand opening. We look forward to offering guests Hard Rock’s world-renowned amenities combined with Bristol’s legendary hospitality and service.”