Las Vegas’ Mirage Hotel and Casino closes down after 34 years – fans slam replacement and say it’s ‘destroying’ Vegas
LAS Vegas locals aren't looking forward to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino that will be built over the remains of the historic Mirage Hotel.
Wednesday is the official closing day for the iconic Mirage Hotel and Casino, with Tuesday having been its last day of operation.
The 3,000-room hotel will be demolished and replaced with one of Hard Rock's iconic guitar-shaped buildings.
As The Mirage's famous volcano erupted for the last time Tuesday night, locals felt bittersweet about the moment.
"It's sad to see Vegas destroying everything that made Vegas, Vegas," commented Edgar Tuttle on a video of the final eruption.
"It's so sad to see a part of Vegas go," agreed another viewer.
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Others were upset that Hard Rock was the chosen company taking over.
"Very bad choice...who wants to see a large guitar over a volcano, really? What was the owner thinking," commented another Facebook user.
This is the second time the Hard Rock attempts to become a staple on the strip.
The company previously owned a hotel and casino in the city, but it closed in 2020 and was rebranded as Virgin Hotels by Las Vegas.
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"Why get rid of the first Hard Rock Hotel and then tear down the beautiful Mirage so they can build another Hard Rock hotel?" questioned a local.
On Monday, employees from the present and past celebrated the hotel's history.
Dozens of Mirage cocktail waitresses gathered in front of the volcano to take final pictures and say goodbye to the hotel.
"It breaks my heart, you know it does, it breaks my heart. It’s history in Las Vegas," Tonia Rocheleau, a Mirage cocktail waitress since 1998, told local ABC affiliate KTNV.
“It’s not just coworkers, they’re family. We know all their kids, we know each other’s families, husbands, wives, our whole life’s story."
In December 2022, Hard Rock International bought the Mirage from MGM Resorts in a cash deal worth nearly $1.1 billion.
"We'd like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for warmly welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying 34 years of The Mirage," Jim Allen, the chairman of Hard Rock International, said in a statement.
"We look forward to the beginning of an exciting journey into a new era as Hard Rock Las Vegas will ignite the Strip with entertainment, innovation, and world-class hospitality," The Mirage said on its Facebook account.
FINAL PAYOUT
Per Nevada law, The Mirage had to make a plan to pay out the remaining progressive jackpots to players before closing.
The company created the Progressive Finale Cash Giveaway to award the remaining $1.6 million the casino had to eliminate.
There was $1.2 million up for grabs for those slot players and $400,000 for the tabletop games.
State law also required a certain amount of money to be given away daily.
For example, the Progressive Finale Cash Giveaway offered $200,000 guarantees from July 9 to July 11.
But that amount increased to $250,000 for July 12 and 13.
Several industries have been facing closures over recent years.
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Even Walmart has been forced to close stores despite customers begging for them to stay open.
And grocery store Stop & Shop announced 32 closures.