Las Vegas bids farewell to a legendary landmark as the Mirage Hotel and Casino closes its doors after 34 years of dazzling the Strip. Wednesday marked the final day of business for the 3,000-room Mirage, setting the stage for its transformation into Hard Rock’s new guitar-shaped marvel.
For locals and visitors alike, the closing of the Mirage evoked mixed emotions. As the hotel’s famous volcano erupted one last time on Tuesday night, sentiments of nostalgia and sadness filled the air. Edgar Tuttle captured the mood, commenting, “It’s sad to see Vegas destroying everything that made Vegas, Vegas,” echoing the sentiments of many who cherished the Mirage’s unique charm.
Others expressed disappointment over the choice of Hard Rock as the successor. “Who wants to see a large guitar over a volcano, really? What was the owner thinking?” lamented a Facebook user, reflecting on the clash between nostalgia for the Mirage and skepticism about Hard Rock’s plans.
This isn’t Hard Rock’s first venture into Las Vegas. Previously owning a hotel and casino that closed in 2020 and was later rebranded as Virgin Hotels, the company now aims to make its mark again with a bold new design.