Disclaimer: No actual guitars were harmed during the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa on Thursday.

Instead, the wild guitar-smashing ceremony featured stage-friendly props, brought crashing down on stage by 20 officials and dignitaries, in sync with a countdown and a burst of pyrotechnics.

The guitar smash, in place of a traditional ribbon cutting, is a Hard Rock tradition, honouring the rebellious spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. It was preceded by live performances, including The Tenors’ epic rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, a pair of aerial artists suspended above the audience, and Ottawa Redblacks cheerleaders, who brought their A game.

The formal program, co-emceed by CTV Morning Live’s Rosey Edeh, opened with the Indigenous-led Ottawa River Singers.

It was hard to believe all these performances took place before lunchtime. It felt more like a night out in Vegas. The floor-length glittering gown worn by Christine Crump, president and CEO of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, made it clear that this was a celebration worthy of a special occasion.

“This is a big day for us,” Crump told CiTC. “We’re energized and excited about what we have to offer.”

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, she added, “is the place to be. This is going to transform the entertainment industry here in our city.”

Performers with Ottawa-based Aerial Antics at the grand opening of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Tenors delivered a stellar performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody during the grand opening ceremony for the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Redblacks’ cheerleaders performed on stage, surrounded by dazzling pyrotechnics, at the grand opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Never again will it be necessary to preface the Hard Rock in Ottawa with “Future”. That word can be dropped from our lexicon entirely, as far as this new destination is concerned.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has officially arrived, marking the company’s first integrated resort in Canada. The project had been in the works since 2017 but faced several years of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crump joined as president and CEO in November 2023. She remains a finalist for a WBN Woman of the Year Award. In a classy move, the casino executive invited the two other finalists for her category, Enterprise Leader.

The opening of the new Hard Rock marks Crump’s seventh major casino project. It’s “by far” her favourite, she said.

Christine Crump, president and CEO of new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa, at the grand opening held Thursday, July 3, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The new resort has been built on the existing site of Rideau Carleton Casino, located on Albion Road in the rural south-end of Ottawa. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the downtown core.

As part of Hard Rock’s commitment to giving back to the communities that it serves, Crump helped to present a $100,000 gift — in the form of a ceremonial cheque shaped like a guitar — to Ottawa Food Bank CEO Rachael Wilson. The issue of food insecurity (affecting nearly one in four households in Ottawa) was brought to Crump’s attention at the Gold Hearts Gala Mayor’s Ball held at the Château Laurier last January.

Hard Rock also asks its senior leaders to serve on boards of charitable organizations. “We like to say music is our heart, philanthropy is our soul,” said executive operations advisor Jon Lucas, who extended his well-deserved retirement to see the Ottawa project to completion.

Lucas was on hand with Hard Rock International COO Jeff Hook and leaders from the Florida-based Seminole Tribe of Florida. It acquired the Hard Rock brand in 2007, rescuing it from potential bankruptcy and changing the fortunes of the company. It was represented by Holly Tiger, vice chairwoman of the tribal council, which represents almost 4,500 members.

From left, Hard Rock International’s Jon Lucus, Ottawa Food Bank CEO Rachael Wilson, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa president and CEO Christine Crump and Hard Rock International COO Jeff Hook during a special philanthropic presentation held during the grand opening. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Today, Hard Rock boasts more than 300 venues across 77 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide. The first Hard Rock Cafe opened in 1971 in London, England, founded by two Americans.

The Ottawa project represents a $370-million investment by Hard Rock and the creation of 1,100 jobs, along with 2,000-plus jobs in construction. The new resort features a 150-room hotel with 22 luxury suites, more than 10 restaurants and bars — including Council Oak Steaks and Seafood — and an expanded gaming floor that will eventually offer over 1,500 slot machines and 40 gaming tables when the second phase is completed in late December.

Performance spaces include a 1,900-seat theatre for live music, comedy, and cultural programming.

Lucas spoke about initial meetings held with the government agency OLG some seven or eight years ago. “Back then, we promised to  deliver an amazing facility, a first-class facility with all these amenities and, hopefully, we have exceeded your expectations and given you a ‘wow factor’.”

Carleton MPP and former rural city councillor George Daruze called the day “a long-awaited moment” for his riding and for Eastern Ontario. “We don’t just celebrate a grand opening, we celebrate a vision that has been years in the making.”

The Hard Rock is filled with displays of authentic memorabilia from famous musicians, including many homegrown artists from a variety of musical genres. There’s also artwork celebrating Canadian musicians, created by Canadian talent. The Maple Leaf has been integrated into the decor, including in the giant ceiling guitar located at the front entrance.

The new Hard Rock in Ottawa features a Maple Leaf-shaped ceiling guitar at the front entrance to the casino. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Holly Tiger, vice chairwoman and representative of the Florida-based Seminole Tribe — which owns Hard Rock International – attended the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

An artwork of the late Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip hangs in the lobby of the new Hard Rock Hotel while, in the background, is a display of one of the suits once worn by the late singer, songwriter and musician Prince. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The grand opening of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa honoured both the United States and Canada during the opening ceremonies. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dignitaries included Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho, who walked up to the podium as The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” played. “That is literally the first time I’ve ever had ‘walk out’ music, and that felt really cool,” the minister said with a smile.

“If you ever invite me back, Gangnam Style is my request,” he joked, making it all the more funny when it was played as his exit music.

Speaking about the new Hard Rock resort, the minister called it “a massive accomplishment — not just here in the city, but for the Province of Ontario.”

This year, Ontario’s gaming sector is expected to exceed $10 billion in revenue for the first time ever. That translates to hundreds of millions of dollars reinvested into the community, helping to fund vital public services like healthcare and infrastructure, Cho said.

The cabinet minister skillfully defused any potential tension over Canada-U.S. trade issues by reminding the Americans in the room that they are our friends — and that “they are welcome here, and always will be”, while earning a round of applause.

Cho took part in the guitar-smashing tradition — as did Michael Andlauer, principal owner of the Ottawa Senators. “I’m going full Pete Townshend,” Andlauer joked as he arrived at the theatre for the grand opening ceremony (The legendary guitarist from The Who was famous for reducing his instruments to splinters on stage.)

Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs busted his guitar on stage — without excessive use of force. He was joined by Ottawa Fire Chief Paul Hutt. Ottawa Tourism president and CEO Michael Crockatt was proud to take part, seeing the new facility as another draw to Ottawa for tourists.

Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho at the grand opening of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Senators principal owner Michael Andlauer, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino president and CEO Christine Crump, and Andlauer’s wife, Lucie Andlauer, a board member with the Senators Community Foundation at the grand opening. Photo by Caroline Phillips

CTV Morning Live’s Rosey Edeh co-emceed the grand opening ceremony for the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming), Ottawa Senators CEO Cyril Leeder, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino president and CEO Christine Crump, Carleton MPP George Darouze, and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho at the grand opening of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa Fire Chief Paul Hutt and Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs both participated in the grand opening ceremony for the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe delivered remarks at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Tourism president and CEO Michael Crockatt, left, and Ottawa city councillor Tim Tierney (Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward) at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa River Singers opened the grand opening ceremony for the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe not only participated but also praised Crump in his brief remarks, calling her a “community leader” and “invaluable” asset to the city (His entrance music, by the way, was Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run in recognition of his passion for long-distance running).

Melanie Brulée, executive director of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, told CiTC she got shivers when she first saw the new Hard Rock sign pulling into the property that morning. “It was exciting,” said Brulee, who attended the ceremony with her board president, Colin Mills.

Erin Benjamin, president and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association, said the new theatre and additional stages at Hard Rock will strengthen Ottawa’s live music ecosystem. “This is a next-level, game-changing opportunity for artists and fans.”

Steve Ball, president of the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association, expressed his excitement about welcoming a new hotel member to the OGHA. “It’s a great facility and a valuable addition to our community,” he said.

Rami Zok, vice president of hotel operations, believes the new Hard Rock will become the new heart of Ottawa. “We want to make sure that this place becomes a destination for everybody,” Zok told CiTC.

There was pride in Hard Rock Ottawa’s advertising manager Brian Beehler’s voice as he toured media around the place, prior to the opening.  “If you want a way to get away without having to get out of Ottawa, this is a great place,” said Beehler. “I walk in here every day and it feels like a dream, it feels like you’re in Vegas or Atlantic City.”

Brian Beehler, advertising manager at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, with its president and CEO, Christine Crump, at the grand opening ceremony, held inside the new Hard Rock Live theatre, which has standing room for up to 2,200 people. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) board president Colin Mills, Canadian Live Music Association president and CEO Erin Benjamin, OMIC executive director Melanie Brulée, and OMIC board member Shy Huang, founder of the Ottawa Chinese Musicians Association, at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Rami Zok, vice president of operation at the new Hard Rock Hotel, in the hotel lobby. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The grand opening of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa honoured both the United States and Canada during the opening ceremonies. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Board of Trade (OBoT) board member and Hydro Ottawa chief customer officer Julie Lupinacci, left, with Sharon Diamond, manager of membership and events for OBoT, at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Holly Tiger, from the Seminole Tribe, Wabano Centre CEO Allison Fisher, and Hard Rock International COO Jeff Hook outside the Hard Rock Live theatre, where the grand opening ceremony was held. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A lone Ottawa Redblacks cheerleader seen on stage while an aerial artist performs during the grand opening ceremony of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Steve Ball, president of the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association, Chris Kincaid, VP and COO at Mediaplus Advertising, and Don Masters, president and creative director at Mediaplus Advertising, at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Tenors singing O Canada at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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