Betting is now possible for guests in Bristol, as the construction of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol nears its final stages near the Tennessee border. The Bristol Casino, which is temporarily housed in the old Bristol Mall, proudly serves as the home of Hard Rock during this transition period. Simultaneously, the construction crews continue to make significant headway on the overall project. Notably, Hard Rock has recently made history by accepting the first-ever in-person bets in the state of Virginia.

The successful casino referendum on November 3, 2020, is to be credited for this milestone. On July 8, 2024, developers celebrated the grand opening of Hard Rock’s temporary casino with a ceremony. Their plans are set to include a ceremonial guitar smash to inaugurate the permanent casino in the spring of 2024.

The former Belk department store space at the Bristol Mall has been transformed into the Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock. Remarkably, this establishment has generated an impressive $95.4 million in revenue since its grand opening.

The permanent casino was ceremonially launched with a groundbreaking event on December 7, 2024.

Out of the four Virginia cities that held a casino referendum in 2020, Bristol witnessed the most uneven voting outcome. A significant majority of 69% voted in favor of the casino, while only 31% opposed it.

Bristol officials made their choice in late 2019, opting for Hard Rock International as their preferred casino collaborator. As a renowned global entertainment and hospitality company, Hard Rock is an ideal partner to commemorate the region’s vibrant country music heritage and breathe new life into the local economy.

Hard Rock Casino Resort Bristol

The Bristol Mall now houses a temporary establishment known as the “Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock”. This exciting new addition occupies one-third of the mall and offers a range of amenities and attractions.

• 30,000 of space
• 870 slots
• 21 gaming tables
• sit-down dining
• a lounge and sports bar
• grab-and-go brick oven pizza
• and a sportsbook.

In due time, the whole mall will transform into the enduring Hard Rock Casino Resort Bristol.

The former Bristol Mall is set to undergo a transformation into a world-class casino resort destination, with an estimated project cost of $500 million. Not only does this development bring a top-notch casino experience to the area, but it also conveniently places it within walking distance of the Tennessee state line. This is particularly significant as the neighboring state currently lacks any casinos of its own.

Eventually, the entire mall will be transformed into the permanent Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.

The main attractions at Hard Rock Bristol will include:

• There is a hotel with 350 rooms that is planned to double in size and expand to a total of 700 rooms in the future.
• 100,000-square-foot casino and sportsbook
• A conference and meeting center spanning 50,000 square feet.
• Live-music venue
• Amphitheater
• Eating establishments, drinking establishments, and stores that sell goods
• Spa and pool

The remodeling plans for Bristol Mall are currently in a tentative stage and include:

• The former Sears retail space will house the casino.
• The rear parking lot will be replaced with the construction of the hotel.
• The former J.C. Penney location will now serve as the conference center.
• The former location of Piccadilly Cafeteria within the mall will now house the indoor entertainment venue.
• A currently undeveloped land near the west side of the property will host the construction of an outdoor amphitheater capable of accommodating up to 20,000 attendees.

The economic impact of Hard Rock Bristol

Tax revenue and job creation are the primary advantages that a new casino brings to the City of Bristol.

The Bristol casino project anticipates generating over 1,200 new job opportunities in its inaugural year. Within a span of seven years, the number of jobs is expected to surge to 5,200. These positions offer an annual average salary of $46,500, significantly surpassing the current reported average of $37,844 for the region.

Each year, the economic impact of over 4 million visitors to Bristol and Southwest Virginia is estimated to surpass $1 billion.

The casino anticipates generating $150 million in revenue in its inaugural year and expects this amount to increase to $450 million annually by Year 5. Additionally, it estimates earning approximately $106 million in other revenues, including food, beverage, and retail, in the first year, with a projected eventual stabilization at around $289 million per year.

After Year 5, Hard Rock Bristol’s contribution to the city of Bristol will amount to $26.8 million. To provide context, this figure is nearly half of the city’s current operating budget, which stands at $56.8 million.

Hard Rock Casino Resorts Bristol as a destination

The new casino resort will benefit from Bristol’s unique position as the Twin City, situated precisely on the state line between Tennessee and Virginia.

The casino located in southern Virginia is projected to emerge as a prominent regional attraction, drawing visitors from multiple states, including:

• Tennessee
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia
• Kentucky

The team at Hard Rock Bristol Hotel and Casino predicts that approximately 80% of its guests will be from outside the state. This surge in tourism and the ability to retain local casino customers will have significant advantages for both Bristol and the state.

Celebrating Bristol’s music heritage

The Twin City has found the ideal partner in Hard Rock, known for its rich entertainment history. In a significant development, Bristol was officially recognized as the birthplace of country music by Congress in 1998.

Hard Rock is a company that excels in incorporating music into every aspect of its operations. It enhances its properties with unique musical encounters through rhythm spas and motions, DJ therapy, yoga sessions, live performances in lobbies, bars, cafes, concerts, and captivating dance shows.

Hard Rock acknowledged the significance of music to the region in their statement subsequent to the partnership declaration.

The Hard Rock Casino Bristol aims to pay tribute to the region’s rich musical heritage as the birthplace of country music. Our primary objective as an entertainment destination is to introduce novel restaurants and shops to the area, alongside spacious indoor and outdoor music venues, as well as a convention center.