Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol Opens with Iconic Guitar Smash
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.”