HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO LAS VEGAS CLOSED ICONIC CENTER BAR, JUNE 28
Plans for a new bar concept as part of a larger casino remodel officially announced
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas bid farewell to the original and infamous Center Bar in true rock ‘n’ roll fashion on Sunday, June 28. The commemorative event signaled the end of an era for the property, but plans for a new bar concept were officially announced to open this fall as part of a larger casino remodel.
Locals and visitors alike came together to say goodbye to Center Bar as the “Final Toast” party kicked off at 7 p.m. Day one employees were behind the bar serving guests 1995-themed cocktails including “Surfer on Acid,” “Purple Hooter,” “Scooby Snack,” “Red Headed Slut” and “Cosmopolitan Shot” in honor of the year it opened. Throughout the evening, attendees were encouraged to leave their mark on the original Center Bar by signing the walls, floors and stairs. Stories were told all over the interior and exterior of the venue from people who had met celebrities such as Guns N’ Roses’ frontman Axl Rose and guitarist DJ Ashba there, how they met their husbands and wives there, how they learned life lessons there and so much more. Mötley Crüe’s lead singer Vince Neil also showed up to the event to say goodbye to a piece of Las Vegas history and leave his own mark on the side of the bar.
Shortly before 10 p.m., Hard Rock Hotel’s Assistant General Manager Gary Scott welcomed celebrity columnist Robin Leach on stage to give the final toast. Leach discussed the impact Center Bar had on casino floors throughout the city, told his own Center Bar story and encouraged everyone to raise their glasses for last time at trendsetting hub. He then led the crowd with a countdown and flipped the Center Bar power switch off, signaling the official close of a Las Vegas icon.
Center Bar became known for its panoramic views of Hard Rock Hotel’s casino floor, nonstop parties and as the trailblazer for center bars all around Las Vegas when it opened in 1995. It truly redefined the way gaming executives viewed their casino floors – nestled in the heart of tables and slot machines, the trendsetting bar created an infectious energy that other gaming companies adopted. Through its success, Center Bar was inducted into Vegas Seven’s Las Vegas Bar Hall of Fame in 2014, was voted “Best Place to People Watch” in the Best Dining & Nightlife Awards by the readers of Casino Player magazine in 2013, among many other recognitions.
Photo credit: © Patrick Gray
About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is Las Vegas’ off-strip playground, just minutes and less than three miles from McCarran International Airport. The premier destination entertainment resort is owned by Brookfield Real Estate Finance Fund II and managed by WG-Harmon, LLC, a subsidiary of Warner Gaming, LLC. Built in 1995, the property completed a $700 million expansion in 2010. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The property is known for its innovative nightlife and music scene where acts such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Incubus, Foo Fighters, Carlos Santana, Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses and KISS have all performed. Features of the property include an 11-story Casino Tower with 640 rooms and suites, 17-story Paradise Tower with 490 rooms and suites; the 15-story HRH All-Suite Tower with 359 suites, eight spa villas and seven penthouse suites; 60,000 square feet of casino space featuring Peacock High-Limit gaming and Asian gaming amenities; 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space; more than $4 million in rare music memorabilia; Body English Nightclub; Reliquary Water Sanctuary, Spa & Salon; 4.8 acres of tropical pool paradise, which was voted as the No. 1 “Best Hotel Pool” in the 2015 USA Today 10Best Readers Choice contest; the world-famous pool party REHAB; live music/entertainment venues The Joint and Vinyl; Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.; restaurants Culinary Dropout, Nobu, The Ainsworth, 35 Steaks + Martinis, Pink Taco, Mr. Lucky’s Café and 福Fú; a fitness center; and trendsetting retailers John Varvatos, Affliction, Love Jones and Rocks The Jewelers. For room availability and additional information call 800.HRD.ROCK (800.473.7625) or visit hardrockhotel.com. Follow Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and updates.
