Hard Rock Continues To Dominate Atlantic City’s Casino Resort Industry

Hot on the heels of its rollicking sixth anniversary celebration last month and with summer 2024 in full swing, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City continues to dominate the gambling resort scene in the storied Jersey Shore escape, attracting throngs of revelers and music fans as the city’s go-to entertainment destination.

In its sixth season, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City continues to grow both profits and ... [+] market share while galvanizing the city's entertainment industry.

PhotoGraphics Copyright 2018

The numbers tell the story. While the collective gross operating profit of Atlantic City’s nine casinos fell 9.6% in the first three months of 2024 to $140.4 million (latest figures available), Hard Rock was one of only two properties that grew profits versus the same period the previous year, a robust 18.3% to $26.2 million. (Gross operating profit reflects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and other charges, and is a widely accepted measure of profitability in the Atlantic City gambling industry.)

And the resort’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Though Atlantic City casino revenue was flat year over year through the first six months of 2024, Hard Rock Atlantic City was one of just three casinos to boost its gross gaming revenue (GGR) over the same periodâ€"generating GGR of $262.2 million from in-person players, a 12% jump from 2023â€"as it gains ground in the luxury market and chips away at the lead of MGM Resorts’ Borgata, Atlantic City’s longtime top GGR generator. Hard Rock’s market share of the city’s brick-and-mortar casino industry increased to 19.3% through June 2024 from 17.3% in the first half of 2023, while Borgata’s decreased to 25.9% thus far this year, from 26.3% the year prior.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the property's 5,500-seat entertainment venue, has hosted world-class ... [+] artists like KISS and scores of others, helping to turn music fans into Hard Rock Atlantic City loyalists.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

The 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live at Etess Arenaâ€"the largest performance venue of any casino in townâ€"remains an unrivaled advantage of the 17-acre property perched on the city’s iconic Boardwalk, attracting music fans who might otherwise never set foot in a casino. Since Hard Rock’s hotly anticipated opening in June 2018, the venue has hosted scores of world-class recording artists in its singularly intimate setting, galvanizing Atlantic City’s music scene while elevating and dominating the city’s entertainment landscape in the process. Past performers include KISS, Guns N’ Roses, Andrea Bocelli, The Chain Smokers, Patti LaBelle, and the inimitable Stevie Nicks, who brought the sold-out house down last February. Buzzy upcoming shows include Gwen Stefani (August 17), Miranda Lambert (August 31), and Jane’s Addiction (September 7).

Unveiled this summer, The Balconyâ€"Hard Rock Atlantic City's newly reimagined nightclub ... [+] conceptâ€"offers a soignée late-night scene complete with top-shelf VIP service.

Kevin Owens

Against this booming backdrop, the Hard Rock has unveiled new venues and enhanced its F&B offering this summer to further entice long-weekend visitors, and give concert-goers even more reasons to stick around and explore the resort before and after a show. For night owls, The Balcony at Hard Rock Atlantic Cityâ€"the property’s newly reimagined nightclub conceptâ€"offers a pulse-pounding, soignée after-hours scene, complete with top-shelf, VIP bottle service, dazzling ocean views, and an ever-evolving line-up of DJs on Fridays and Saturdays (and Sundays of holiday wee kends). If you’re lucky, one of the property’s headlining acts might even make a guest appearance behind the turntablesâ€"like Snoop Dogg, who entertained the boisterous crowd in signature “DJ Snoopadelic” fashion following his roof-raising performance at Hard Rock Live last month.

Overlooking the Steel Pier, The Terrace, new this summer, offer an array of refined comfort fare in ... [+] a breezy al fresco setting.

Kevin Owens

A snazzy newcomer on the foodie front, The Terrace serves up elevated comfort fare like King Crabtotsâ€"crispy tater tots topped with scrumptious Alaskan King Crab mornay sauceâ€"world-class lobster rolls, and tasty grilled flatbreads (try the Grilled Peach with whipped ricotta, arugula, and balsamic) with plenty of inspired cocktails and cool sea breezes in a casually elegant setting overlooking the iconic Steel Pier.

The elegant Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, a particular standout among the property's more than 15 ... [+] inspired F&B venues, has unveiled a weekend late-night menu this summer.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Meanwhile, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort’s sleekly elegant steak house and a shining star among its more than 15 F&B venues, recently debuted a new happy hour from 5-7pm Monday through Wednesday, featuring wood-fired oysters and craft cocktails. For those who work up an appetite at the showâ€"or on the 2,425-slot, 130-table gaming floorâ€"the new late-night menu features rib-sticking favorites like the Oak burger, steak frites, and mussels posillipo from 11pm until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. An d it’s worth staying the weekend just to experience Sunday Champagne Brunch, featuring a carving station, decadent raw bar, à la carte options (don’t miss the Crab Cake Benedict with tomato hollandaise, served on a corn muffin), and a dessert room brimming with sweet treats galoreâ€"like colorful fruit tarts, mini lemon cheesecakes, and freshly baked coconut macaroons, to name just a few.

For more information on upcoming shows and to book, visit the resort website.