After eight years of waiting, Ottawa has a new casino and music venue, and it’s already bringing big names to Ottawa, such as Avril Lavigne. Apartment613 was invited to the venue opening, sampling what to expect in the concert hall.
Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo: Marc Lepage.
The opening showcased Canadian talents, such as The Tenors, Aerial Antics, and the Ottawa Redblacks Cheerleaders.
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- Aerial Antics at Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo: Marc Lepage.
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- Redblacks cheerleaders at Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo: Marc Lepage.
Following the performance and speeches by Hard Rock Executives, Mark Sutcliffe, George Derouze, and Stan Cho, the casino opened with a guitar-smashing ceremony, synonymous with the opening of a new Hard Rock venue, as the general public was granted access.
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- Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo: Marc Lepage.
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- Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo: Marc Lepage.
“Who said we can’t bring Vegas to Carleton?” says MPP George Derouze of Ottawa’s newest casino, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
With a very Canadian-focused approach to design, visitors and artists can expect all the bells and whistles of a trip to Vegas. Even upon entry, there is a maple leaf guitar imposed on the ceiling.
The memorabilia, a staple in all Hard Rock venues, is mainly Canadian or tells a Canadian story, such as the John Lennon display from his “Bed in for Peace” demonstration held in Montreal in 1969. The decor connects to Ottawa, explains the Vice-President of Memorabilia, Giovanni Taliaferro, as Lennon then visited Ottawa to speak with political decision-makers about his vision.
Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo: Marc Lepage.
Other Canadian memorabilia are present. It features artists such as Sum 41, Michael Bublé, Ottawa’s own Alanis Morissette, and Gordon Downie, and each of them is seamlessly integrated into the venue design with a short story about their relevance and history.
In the middle of the gaming floor, a classic Hard Rock Cafe is set up, including bar-side game machines and booth seating. Regular appearances from local talent across the Ottawa region are to play there regularly.
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- Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo: Marc Lepage.
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- Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo: Marc Lepage.
International Talent will perform in their larger concert area with extensive seating. The onsite restaurant, The Council Oak Steakhouse, seats 280 people, including a private, soundproof room, and will serve food that is as locally sourced as possible. Those looking to spend the night will also have the option of 150 suites, including 22 luxury suites. Valet and porter services are also available.
Speaking at the grand opening, Mark Sutcliffe said the $370 million investment in the City “sends a strong message when international brands invest in Ottawa and is a sign of confidence.”
The casino will create 1,100 jobs, making it the largest employer in the Carleton riding. They also hope to provide a positive impact on the local community, as shown by their $100,000 donation to the Ottawa Food Bank.
Currently, the casino offers approximately 1,000 gaming machines and 23 tables, with up to 1,500 machines and 40 tables in phase two, which is planned to be completed by December 2025. Players can expect a countless variety of slot machine games, Blackjack and its derivatives, poker derivatives, Roulette, and Baccara, with potentially more in the future.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa is located at 4837 Albion Rd. and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Upcoming performances will be posted on their website.
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