Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
An arena known as Hard Rock Live (left), a Hard Rock Hotel tower (close to center), and casino with a Hard Rock guitar-shaped sign (right, close to center).
South tower and Hard Rock Live (March 2026)
Interactive map of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
Location
Opened
  • September 8, 2004 (September 8, 2004) (as Cherokee Casino Resort)
  • August 3, 2009 (August 3, 2009) (as Hard Rock)
ClosedNovember 2007 (2007-11) (as Cherokee Casino Resort)
ThemeRock and roll
No. of rooms454
Gaming space170,000 square feet (16,000 m2)
Signature attractions
Notable restaurants
  • Carvers on 19
  • HWY 66 Diner
  • The Eatery
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerCherokee Nation
Operating license holder
Cherokee Nation Entertainment
(Cherokee Nation Businesses)
Architect
  • EFG Design and Architecture
  • TBA Architects
  • WorthGroup Architects[1]
  • TriArch Architecture
Previous namesCherokee Casino Resort (2004–2009)
Renovated in
  • November 2007 – August 2009
  • 2011–2013
  • April 10, 2018 – February 7, 2019
  • May 2024 (McGill's Steakhouse, Carvers on 19)
WebsiteOfficial website
Building details
Another Hard Rock Hotel and guitar-shaped sign (close to center) and casino entrance (right).
North tower and casino entrance (March 2026)
Design and construction
Main contractorFlintco[1]

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is an integrated resort in Catoosa, Oklahoma, United States, just off Interstate 44 in the Tulsa metropolitan area on land owned by the Cherokee Nation and managed by the tribe's hospitality division, Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) under franchise from Hard Rock International.

The resort was formerly known as the Cherokee Bingo Outpost, which opened in September 1993. In December 2004, it was expanded into the Cherokee Casino Resort, and in late 2008, the Cherokees sublicensed the Hard Rock name from the Las Vegas property for the resort to undergo $155 million reconstruction and expansion, which opened in August 2009. Hard Rock International acquired the naming rights directly in September 2016, though the agreement still does not include a Hard Rock Cafe.[2]

History

Background

1993–2004: As Cherokee Bingo Outpost

After the success of the Cherokee Nation's first bingo hall in Roland, Oklahoma, which opened in November 1990 and profited over $1 million, they approved a $3.1 million expansion plan in February 1993 that allocated funds to build two additional bingo venues, being one strategically positioned near Interstate 44 in Catoosa, and the other in West Siloam Springs.[3] Cherokee Bingo Outpost opened on September 27, 1993,[4] with 41,000 square feet (3,800 m2) designed to seat roughly 1,400 players, and a modest staff of 80 employees.[5]

The Catoosa Bingo Resort focused on Class II gaming as a result of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA),[6] and under former Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, the venue evolved into an aggressive revenue driver designed to fund tribal infrastructure, healthcare, and education.[7]

2004–2009: As Cherokee Casino Resort

Plans for the resort started in January 2004.[8][9] On June 24 of that year, Cherokee Nation Enterprises (CNE) announced that the Cherokee Bingo Outpost would undergo a major expansion and renovation to become the Cherokee Casino Resort, with the last bingo games being held on the 4th of July.[10] On September 8 of that year, the $80 million casino, restaurants and amenities held a soft opening, followed by a grand opening on December 7, introducing a seven-story, 150-room hotel tower and convention center.[11]

2008–2013: Development, opening, and early years

On November 14, 2008, CNE announced that they would expand, renovate, and reopen the property as Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa following a sublicensing agreement with Morgans Hotel Group and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners affiliate HRHH IP, LLC, a subsidiary of Hard Rock Hotel Holdings, LLC, operator of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, which had licensed the name from Hard Rock International. It was expected to be completed in April 2009, and the first phase of the massive $155 million, three-phase expansion took place the following month, adding 800 gaming machines on a larger 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) casino floor, expanding the total to 2,300.[12]

Cherokee Nation Enterprises changed its name to Cherokee Nation Entertainment on June 18, 2009.[13] Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa had its grand opening on August 3 of that year, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the debut of a new, 19-story hotel. CNE used the sublicensing agreement to "distinguish itself" from other locations by being the "only Hard Rock in the Heartland." It was the seventh Hard Rock Hotel & Casino location in the world.[14]

In late 2009, the resort would debut the Hard Rock Pool, directly inspired by the Las Vegas location.[15] However, in February 2011, a blizzard that struck the Tulsa metro area led to heavy, dense snow of 12 to 15 inches causing a portion of the roof of the original casino floor to collapse. No one was injured, as patrons and visitors were evacuated before the roof fell. A new 10-story hotel and gaming tower was constructed on the site with a ribbon-cutting ceremony being held on its first two floors on September 28, 2012, bringing the gaming floor to 147,000 square feet (13,700 m2) total and the introduction of the Replay Sports Bar.[16] A full grand opening of the tower took place on March 25, 2013.[17]

2016–present

On September 30, 2016, Hard Rock International acquired all of the western territorial rights, informally the "Morton Territories," from Brookfield Property Partners affiliate BREF HR, LLC, which dissolved the sublicensing deal to have the Tulsa resort's name licensed directly by Hard Rock.[18] A spa and pool were added to the property in 2017. On April 10, 2018, another expansion was announced by the Cherokees, starting with demolition of the 18,000-square-foot (1,700 m2) western-themed portion of the resort built in 2002.[19] Construction wrapped up on February 7, 2019, with the opening of Track 5, a two-story dance hall and saloon with over 7,000 sq ft (650 m2).[20]

Features

Restaurants and entertainment

Toby Keith was at the Hard Rock's grand opening, though his restaurant, I Love This Bar & Grill, debuted at the resort on July 27, 2009, with 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) and a capacity of 350 people.[21] The restaurant closed permanently on July 22, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[22] On September 30, 2010, The Joint, a 2,700-seat concert venue, would open, based on the Las Vegas venue of the same name, with a performance by the Doobie Brothers.[23][24] The 45,000-square-foot (4,200 m2) arena would be rebranded as Hard Rock Live on April 26, 2020.[25]

Besides standalone restaurants, the casino also features its own food court with traditional eateries.[26] A 1,700-square-foot (160 m2) steakhouse known as McGill's opened in 2004, and moved to the top floor of the Hard Rock Hotel in 2010. By May 7, 2024, the steakhouse was undergoing a renovation, while Carvers on 19 would open later that month. McGill's temporarily relocated to the Sky Room, and construction on the renovation began in March of that year, designed by WorthGroup of Denver, Colorado and being done by local contractor Candor Building Solutions.[27] The resort plans to host the World Series of Poker tournament from August 26 to September 7, 2026.[28]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Hard Rock Casino and Hotel". Flintco. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Hard Rock-Tulsa". Public Radio Tulsa. August 3, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Cherokee Nation To Expand Bingo". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  4. ↑ Writer, MICHAEL OVERALL World Staff (September 14, 2014). "After phenomenal growth at Cherokee casino, there's more to come". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  5. ↑ Daffron, Brian (September 30, 2013). "Rock 'n' Roll: Cherokees Celebrate 20 Years of Gaming From Bingo to Hard Rock". ICT. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Oklahoma gambles big". The Washington Times. February 14, 2005. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  7. ↑ Reporter, CHAD HUNTER Senior (December 12, 2025). "35 years after launching CN gaming, Mankiller's vision continues to pay out". cherokeephoenix.org. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Cherokee casino in Catoosa set to open in September". NewsOn6. January 20, 2004. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  9. ↑ Thornton, Tony. "Cherokees betting on casino Tribe sees resort near Catoosa as a way to help the state". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Cherokee Casino in Catoosa saying 'goodbye' to bingo". NewsOn6. June 24, 2004. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Cherokee Casino Resort celebrates grand opening". The Journal Record. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  12. ↑ CHAVEZ, WILL (December 14, 2008). "CNE opens expanded Cherokee Casino Resort". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  13. ↑ "CNE changes name to Cherokee Nation Entertainment". Cherokee Phoenix. June 18, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  14. ↑ King, Patti Jo (September 5, 2009). "Cherokee Nation launches first 'Hard Rock in the Heartland'". ICT. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  15. ↑ Stutz, Howard (July 31, 2009). "Hard Rock Tulsa opens Monday". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  16. ↑ "New Hard Rock gaming, entertainment tower opens". Cherokee Phoenix. October 5, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  17. ↑ Staff, I. C. T. (March 25, 2013). "Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa Opens Third Hotel Tower". ICT. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  18. ↑ International, Hard Rock. "Hard Rock International Announces Global Rights Reacquisition". PR Newswire. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa to expand". Cherokee Phoenix. April 10, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Hard Rock Tulsa opens 'Track 5' honky tonk saloon". cherokeephoenix.org. February 7, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Slideshow: Cherokee Casino Resort renamed Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa". Cherokee Phoenix. August 6, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  22. ↑ staff, Makenzie Trotter, KTUL (July 24, 2020). "Toby Keith's I love This Bar & Grill closes permanently". KTUL. Retrieved August 3, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ Davis, Kirby Lee. "Hard Rock's Joint off to fast start". The Journal Record. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Hard Rock Hotel & Casino unveils 'The Joint'". cherokeephoenix.org. May 6, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  25. ↑ McDonnell, Brandy. "Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa to debut Hard Rock Live concert experience with spring Lenny Kravitz show". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Tulsa's Fastest & Tastiest Eats | Food Court at Hard Rock Tulsa". Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  27. ↑ REPORTS, STAFF (May 7, 2024). "Hard Rock Tulsa renovates steakhouse, introducing Carvers on 19". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Multi-artist yacht rock show sets sail for Hard Rock in Tulsa". Tulsa World. August 19, 2026. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
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