If you’re hitting the Grapevine and spotting a giant six-story guitar, brace yourself for the all-new Hard Rock Casino Tejon. Opened just this Thursday, it’s not your average casino. This place is all about serious Indian gaming paired with a touch of Hollywood glitz, sitting right in the heart of Mettler near the crossroads of Interstate 5 and State Route 99—only a quick drive from Los Angeles, as pointed out by the President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, Chris Kelley.
Cue the excitement! This venue represents a whopping $600 million gamble by the leaders of Hard Rock International and the Tejon Indian Tribe, aiming to claim their rightful place among California’s many Indian casinos.
What makes it special? Well, there’s a staggering 150,000 square feet of gaming area featuring 58 table games and more than 2,000 slot machines. That’s enough to compare it with the big names down on the Las Vegas Strip!
And of course, as this is a Hard Rock establishment, memorabilia from pop icons will catch your eye. From Sabrina Carpenter’s striking blue hooded velvet mini dress worn in her video “Please Please Please” to signed guitars from the likes of Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt, there’s something for everyone, including Beck’s tambourine and Natalie Cole’s flashy orange high heels.
The casino also caters to food lovers with four dining spots dishing out everything from Asian street eats to comforting Nashville hot chicken. Plus, for those looking for something a tad fancier, there’s a hidden gem called Deep Cut. This “speakeasy-style” restaurant will transform during select hours to showcase more elegant steak and seafood options.
Kelley took us behind the scenes just ahead of the grand opening, pointing out that this concept of a restaurant within a restaurant is unique to Hard Rock.
Looking ahead, the second phase of this exciting development plans to roll out a 400-room hotel and spa along with a 2,800-seat venue called Hard Rock Live. This spot is designed for hosting concerts and sporting events, aiming to make Kern County a hotspot for visitors and entertainment enthusiasts. While we await more details, the team has remained tight-lipped about the timeline.
The origins of Hard Rock International trace back to 1971 with a café in London, but they’ve been in Seminole Tribe of Florida’s hands since 2007. This native ownership definitely influenced the Tejon Tribe’s choice to collaborate with them, said Tejon Tribal Chairman, Octavio Escobedo III. This casino represents a partnership where the Tejon Tribe maintains ownership while turning to Hard Rock for management expertise.
For the 1,523 enrolled members of the Tejon Tribe, this moment is a notably bright chapter in their ongoing story, which has seen its share of struggles. The tribe was part of the formation of California’s first Indian reservation in the 1850s, which was later closed down, followed by their shocking omission from a recognized tribes list by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1979. Fortunately, after years, they regained federal recognition in late 2011, and plans kicked off for this gaming haven shortly thereafter in 2016.
According to Escobedo, the tribe’s vision includes developing a residential community—a luxury they haven’t had for over a century—as they look toward achieving financial independence. While the money involved is considerable, he noted, “it’s going to require immense financial discipline to get there.”
Currently, things seem optimistic; already, 52 tribal members have signed on for job opportunities at the casino, with hopes that number could double as the months roll on.
The Tejon Tribe’s venture into gaming came as they joined forces with the hard-earned legacy of the Seminoles, who’ve actually been pioneers in the Indian gaming sector since establishing a bingo hall in Florida back in 1979. This has led to a massive expansion of tribe-operated gaming across 29 states, contributing over $40 billion annually.
But the casino isn’t just a big break for the Tejon Tribe; it’s set to whip up around 1,100 new jobs for the greater Bakersfield area, especially after a beloved entertainment spot closed down last August, costing the town its precious Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace after 29 years of service. If you’re a fan, rest assured; Kelley plans to include some of Owens’ memorabilia to honor his contributions to the music scene in Bakersfield.
This report was originally published by Los Angeles Times.
