Virginia: Hard Rock Bristol delays grand opening of permanent casino to later this year

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol has announced a delay in the grand opening of its permanent casino and resort space, originally scheduled for July. The property's debut is now slated for later this year.

“Instead of opening the permanent casino in stages beginning in July, the partnership team prefers to have a grand opening with a fully operational casino and amenities for an overall better guest experience,” the casino said in a statement.

According to a news release, recent legislation allows operators an additional six months to complete projects if they have a temporary casino on-site and have met required financial commitments. The new timeline follows this legislative change.

“The response to our temporary casino has been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating the excitement for Hard Rock’s permanent presence in Bristol. While we are eager to unveil the new resort, this extension allows us time to ensure the finished product exceeds the expectations of our guests and the community,” said Allie Evangelista, President of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.

The casino is still actively hiring for various positions as over 600 construction workers are on-site daily to complete the permanent structure. The project includes a 303-room hotel with a spa and indoor/outdoor pool, and a casino featuring over 1,500 slot machines and 75 game tables.

Construction progress has been visible, with the hotel’s skyline emerging in September 2023. The foundation was laid and steel structures began to arrive in July 2023.

The Hard Rock Bristol did not specify an exact opening month or date for the new facility.