Canada’s First Hard Rock Resort in Ottawa Starts with a Celebration

More than two years after its groundbreaking, Canada now has its first fully integrated Hard Rock resort, and it opened with a bang—literally. Instead of a ribbon cutting, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa kicked things off Thursday with a guitar smash ceremony, staying true to the brand’s rock-and-roll image.

Good to know

• The $350 million resort has already created more than 600 local jobs.
• Hard Rock Ottawa includes a 2,200-seat performance venue and expanded casino floor.
• Community launch included a $100,000 donation to the Ottawa Food Bank.

Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen called the launch in Ottawa “an iconic milestone,” while Ontario Tourism Minister Stan Cho emphasized the economic benefits, from job creation to future infrastructure support. Ottawa’s mayor Mark Sutcliffe also showed up for the celebration, joining police and fire chiefs, sports figures, and local business leaders.

The new resort brings together several major attractions under one roof. There is a 150-room hotel, with 22 suites, alongside dining spots like the Council Oak Steakhouse & Seafood and the iconic Hard Rock Cafe. Guests can also check out the expanded gaming floor and a Rock Shop filled with band merchandise and memorabilia.

To mark the occasion, the Canadian Tenors sang “O Canada,” and the company handed over a $100,000 donation to the Ottawa Food Bank. But the entertainment is just getting started. David Foster and Katharine McPhee are lined up for a July 3 performance, and Avril Lavigne will headline a show on July 5.

Christine Crump, president of the Ottawa location, summed up the vision:

“We’ve built a destination that will attract guests from inside and outside our borders, helping to drive the local economy. It truly is the new place to be.”

The casino resort is now officially part of Ottawa’s growing entertainment scene. It joins a list of Hard Rock properties worldwide that combine hospitality, live music, and casino gaming all in one location. The brand is betting that Canadian visitors—and international ones—will find plenty to like in this newest addition.

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