Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood

I stopped by to see the souvenirs and collectable pins. They had a good selection of pins, but there was nobody working in the store: no cashier, no one checking on customers, and no one to help with a purchase. At the bar on the casino side, the lone employee also showed no customer service. This wasn't the Hard Rock experience I expected.

The burgers and pizza were delicious, and the live music across the street added a nice bit of atmosphere, though it wasn't part of the venue. The food and setting still didn't make up for the heat or the lack of family-friendly seating. Indoors, there was only bar seating, and outside there were high-top tables in weather over 90 degrees. No booster seats were available, so we had to improvise to keep our small child from falling, which was especially hard with a grumpy little one. Even the iced tea tasted disgusting. We'd driven 45 minutes back to Deadwood to visit Hard Rock and catch the parade, expecting a traditional Hard Rock Cafe meal. Google Maps lists Hard Rock and Hickok's Tavern separately, but they felt intertwined, and neither gave us the family restaurant experience we expected. It felt more like a bar and casino. There may be more family-friendly options nearby with better value or a more traditional setup. The Hard Rock store was disappointing, too. It was surprisingly small and didn't have the range of merchandise we expect from Hard Rock locations, so we couldn't find what we wanted. Service was just “meh.” Our server seemed overworked, apparently managing the whole outdoor seating area alone in the heat. Families looking for a traditional restaurant with things for kids, or a full-size Hard Rock Cafe and merchandise store, may not find what they expect here.

We just finished four nights at the boutique Hard Rock casino and hotel in Deadwood, branded as Rocksino. The location is hard to beat, right on the main drag and close to everything. I booked by phone and used casino comps for a three-bedroom suite. The staff were fantastic: Kiara at the hotel desk was a gem, JohnnyB the slot attendant was hospitality at its best, and Billy behind the bar is supposedly the best in Deadwood. Our group of five did well at the casino. My brother hit an $800 major on Dragon Link, and I got the Grand Jackpot on Phoenix Link. Drinks, both alcoholic and soft, were generously offered while we played the slots. It's the only Deadwood property connected to a national players club, Hard Rock's Unity, but the system isn't fully integrated yet. For now, you can't earn Unity points or use a players club, and perks are handled manually. Rocksino has only been open about two years, so they're still working through technical and regulatory steps. The experience was fantastic, and I'd absolutely recommend it for a trip to Deadwood, SD.

It isn't a traditional Hard Rock, but the staff were quick and friendly, and the food and drinks were good. I didn't play the slots, though while having lunch at the bar I saw two people win money.