Posted on: October 23, 2024, 12:22h.
Last updated on: October 23, 2024, 12:22h.
The Nov. 14 grand opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol in Southern Virginia is fast approaching. Officials with the $515 million integrated resort are scrambling to fill hundreds of remaining job positions before the property opens with a headlining performance from country music superstar and The Voice judge Blake Shelton.
Hard Rock plans to open the casino’s doors on Thursday, Nov. 14. The resort’s restaurants and entertainment will commence operations on that day, but the 303 hotel guestrooms won’t be available until Sunday, Nov. 17.
Hard Rock reps told News Channel 11, a CBS and ABC affiliate in the Bristol region, that job seekers should get in touch with the resort as soon as possible.
As we approach the opening date, we are looking for a few more team members to join our band,” said Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol President Allie Evangelista.
The Hard Rock Bristol boss said the resort has hired “over 1,000 team members” but has “a couple hundred positions” remaining. Evangelista explained the company is specifically looking for experienced spa workers and bartenders. Security officials are also encouraged to apply.
Calling All Applicants
With only 22 days remaining before the permanent Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol opens, management says anyone who applied previously to work at the temporary casino who wasn’t offered employment should reapply. Hard Rock has run a provisional gaming space inside the former Bristol Mall since July 2022.
The temporary casino, which took the place of a Belk department store, as of September had 905 slot machines, 29 table games, and sports betting. The facility, along with a grab-and-go food counter, bar, and retail memorabilia Rock Shop, employs about 600 people.
The forthcoming permanent casino floor will offer approximately 1,500 slots, 50 live dealer table games, and a Hard Rock Sportsbook. The destination will include seven restaurants and bars, a 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live concert hall that will also be used for private events and conventions, and the hotel.
Hard Rock Bristol held a hiring event at a nearby hotel on Tuesday but continues to seek applicants. More information can be found here.
Shelton Sellout
Hard Rock Bristol will open with a performance from Shelton at Hard Rock Live. Tickets, of course, went quickly after they hit the market on Oct. 16.
With many tickets reserved for Hard Rock dignitaries and state and local government officials who will be on hand to open Virginia’s first integrated resort casino, just one listing is currently on Ticketmaster.
The “verified resale” listing is for two tickets, but only the biggest Shelton fans — and ones with deep wallets — will likely pony up the $2,400 asking price for the country music concert. With Ticketmaster’s fees and taxes, the all-in price comes to $2,955.95.
Shelton opening the Bristol casino makes sense, as the town that’s split by the Virginia and Tennessee border is considered the birthplace of country music. Shelton, an Oklahoma native, moved to Nashville at the age of 17 to pursue his country music career.
