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Hard Rock

Nov 29, 2024

Hard Rock Bristol goes all-in for grand opening

The bright lights of Bristol shine considerably brighter following the opening of Virginia’s second full-fledged casino. The Nov. 14 grand opening of the $515 million-plus Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, Virginia’s first hotel/casino combo, was grand indeed. Symphonies of sounds, from music to slot machines, indicated the site’s time for business had arrived. “This [&hell[...]

Hard Rock executives and partners participate in the company's "guitar smash" during the grand opening of the permanent Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy Hard Rock
Nov 14, 2024

Permanent Hard Rock Bristol casino opens

The bright lights of Bristol shine considerably brighter now following the opening of Virginia’s second full-fledged casino. Thursday heralded the grand opening of the $515 million-plus Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, Virginia’s first hotel/casino combo. Symphonies of sounds, from music to slot machines, indicated the site’s time for business had arrived. “This brand is [[...]

Rendering of the permanent Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol
Oct 9, 2024

Hard Rock Bristol to open permanent facility Nov. 14

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol will open its approximately $515 million permanent facility on Nov. 14, with country music star Blake Shelton making an appearance at the ceremony, its development team announced Wednesday. The temporary Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock opened July 8, 2022, making it Virginia’s first operating casino. Since then, […]

Jun 27, 2024

Bristol casino ups the ante for opening

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol‘s development team has pushed back the opening of the permanent casino, previously expected in July, and will instead open the approximately $515 million permanent casino resort in late fall. The team — a joint venture between Hard Rock, Par Ventures President Clyde Stacy and The United Co. Chairman Jim […]

Jun 10, 2024

Hard Rock Bristol delays permanent casino opening

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol‘s development team has pushed back the opening of the permanent casino, previously expected in July, and will instead open its approximately $515 million permanent casino resort in late fall. The team — a joint venture between Hard Rock, Par Ventures President Clyde Stacy and The United Co. Chairman […]

Aug 30, 2023

Hospitality | Tourism 2023: JIM McGLOTHLIN

McGlothlin has always had an innate sense for a good business opportunity. He built a fortune from coal mines and then pivoted to hospitality as the coal business began to recede. A William & Mary alumnus, McGlothlin has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a law degree. He started out as a lawyer in Grundy, […]

Aug 30, 2023

Hospitality | Tourism 2023: CLYDE STACY

A former coal mining executive who headed Rapoca Energy, Stacy is a prominent developer and investor in his hometown of Bristol. He purchased the vacant Bristol Mall for $2.6 million in 2018 and partnered with longtime friend Jim McGlothlin, chairman of The United Co., to build Virginia’s first casino. The two friends were instrumental in changing state […]

The first permanent casino in Virginia, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, opened in Portsmouth in January. Photo by Mark Rhodes
Feb 27, 2023

Virginia hold ’em

The slot machines are already ringing out in Bristol and Portsmouth, where Virginia’s first commercial casinos opened during the past year. The state’s first permanent casino, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, opened its doors on Jan. 23. Operated by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming, the resort has 1,148 slot machines, 57 table games and 24 poker tables, as […]

Dec 1, 2022

$400M Bristol casino to break ground Dec. 7

Virginia’s first casino, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, is getting closer to moving into its permanent home. Officials will break ground at the casino’s permanent home at the former Bristol Mall, at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol on Dec. 7, the casino announced Thursday. The $400 million permanent casino, set to open […]

Nov 29, 2022

2022 Virginia Business Person of the Year: Jim McGlothlin

Jim McGlothlin had never really thought much about paintings. He was more of a music guy, a fan of Elvis, whom he saw in concert six months before the King’s 1977 death. But the art of the deal — in this case, winning a valuable artwork at an auction — was a familiar feeling.  “That’s […]

Jul 8, 2022

First Va. casino opens in Bristol

Virginia’s first casino, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, held the grand opening for its temporary casino space Friday. “We are excited to open the temporary casino in Bristol,” Hard Rock International Inc. Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas said in a statement. “Hard Rock’s rich and storied music legacy is a perfect fit for Bristol, […]

Apr 27, 2022

Va. Lottery Board awards first casino license

The Virginia Lottery Board has issued its first license for a casino in Virginia to Hard Rock Bristol, the board announced Wednesday. With its permanent casino still on track to open at the former Bristol Mall in July 2024, Hard Rock International Inc. is preparing to open a 30,000-square-foot temporary casino with 870 gaming slots […]

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