More than a year ago, the Hard Rock Hotel closed with a big party on a weekend in early February 2020, ending 25 years in Las Vegas. In its place, after a $ 200 million renovation, Virgin Hotels, opening at 6 pm, after several delays due to the pandemic. The renovated hotel goes with a lighter look, taking hints of the Mojave desert around with shades of cacti and desert everywhere, an open door with built-in ride sharing and light, airy colors echoing the Las Vegas vibe off the Strip .
Richard “Boz” Bosworth, president and CEO of JC Hospitality and owner of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, says he has hired 1,600 employees, with 1,300 employees at the Hard Rock Hotel returning. Another 400 to 500 will board in the next six weeks, when the new Elia day club and the resort pool open. The resort buried Rehab, the legendary adult pool party, and the lazy river to create a five-acre pool complex with a boardwalk featuring restaurants with outdoor cafes that feed the resort’s pool environment.
“You can hear the energy. You can hear the buzz. That noise, these are team members. These are the local Las Vegans that are back to work, and it’s probably one of the most exciting aspects of that journey for me today, ”says Bosworth as he prepares to open the resort.
Unlike other major casino openings, Virgin Hotels keeps a low profile with live entertainment, including DJs, street performances and more, instead of a VIP night, which will come later. Even with 50% of the capacity required by the state, Virgin expects crowds who want to explore the new resort and its 12 food and beverage outlets.
A 60,000-square-foot casino by Mohegan Sun, the first Native American tribe to operate a Las Vegas casino, offers 650 slot machines and more than 150 table games.
At the entrance to the resort, the famous Hard Rock Center Bar has disappeared, being replaced by what Bosworth calls an “out of center” bar, the Commons Club Bar and the more private Shag Room to the right of the entrance. “The Commons Club Bar and the Shag Room are really the heart and pulse of the vibe when you can step in from a drink perspective and an entertainment perspective,” he says.
Those familiar with the layout of the Hard Rock Hotel will not find a different footprint within the casino. Ahead, the Nobu of Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa returns after a renovation that opens the space with a new bar. Casa Calavera of the Hakkasan Group takes over the old Pink Taco space with Mexican food, a collection of tequila and mezcal, and Day of the Dead decoration really focused on selfies. A patio extends to the pool area.
Mr. Lucky now houses the Kitchen at Commons Club, a 24/7 restaurant with American food and a British accent. Next to it, the Forte Pizza from the Ferraro family returns.
Walking towards the Harmon Avenue parking lot, customers find Kris Yenbamroong’s Night + Market, a Thai restaurant with Californian vibes. “We didn’t bring Kris because he came from a Los Angeles location, because we don’t believe that it always translates to Las Vegas. Las Vegas has a tendency to be, to say what translates here and just because it is a Los Angeles headquarters, does not mean that it translates to Las Vegas. Kris’s food and service points are absolutely incredible, and I say this without hesitation, it will be the best Thai restaurant experience in Clark County, ”says Bosworth, who says he frequented the Venice Beach location in Yenbamroong.
What Bosworth calls “the first steakhouse family” also returns with Michael and David Morton’s One Steakhouse, taking over its former MB Steak space. The downstairs bar area now offers space for 100 people, open to the casino floor. The restaurant’s whimsical new lighting is a must, as it changes color as the night progresses. Upstairs, the lobby remains with swinging windows that open for an almost outdoor experience.
Not everything opens immediately. Todd English’s Olives, occupying the former space of 35 Steaks + Martini’s, arrives in May, while the Kassi Beach House with Italian food and a poolside patio, Afters Ice Cream and Money, Baby !, a sports bar overlooking the pool, plan to open in April.
• Everything to know about the opening of restaurants and bars at Virgin hotels [ELV]