When it comes to Tampa Bay's midsize music venues, Hard Rock Event Center is a humble giant

It can be hard for a newcomer to get acquainted with their local live music venue, and in the new issue of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay on stands now, we mention must-visit rooms of every size from small, to large, and midsize like Tampa's Hard Rock Event Center.

The scene: The Hard Rock Event Center—located inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at 5223 Orient Rd. in Tampa—is a 1,500-capacity, indoor venue tends to draw a more mature audience, perhaps folks that would enjoy the casino’s amenities before the gig or book a hotel room after the show. Its carpeted floors give it a hotel conference room vibe, but the room’s sound system makes up for the expected lack of ambiance.

Sound: Rock, singer-songwriter, comedy.
The scoop: Hosting everything from MMA tournaments, popular comedians, TV personalities, and rock bands that dominated 20th century charts, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Event Center offers a wide range of year-round programming.

Legends like Alicia Keys and Rod Stewart have recently played intimate shows at the Hard Rock Event Center—the latter even calling it the “the smallest stage I’ve played on in a long time.” Because of the humble size of the room, the acoustics are great and there’s not a bad seat in the house.

Besides hosting nationally-acclaimed musicians and comedians, the casino-adjacent event center can be rented out for conventions, poker tournaments, trade shows and private events like CL’s upcoming Best of the Bay party this fall.

In addition to John Legend’s October show (that will most likely sell out in the blink of an eye), the Hard Rock Event Center is hosting a slew of popular comedians to round out its 2023 programming, including late-night TV host Seth Meyers, Jerry Seinfeld, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, “The Hangover”-famous Ken Jeong and Dane Cook.

While driving up to a hotel and casino may not ignite the same energy as a standalone venue, the Hard Rock Event Center’s great sound system and intimate setting definitely reel you in. And you can’t beat the comfort of free parking and a pre-gig dinner at the Jubao Noodle Bar either. For a more casual outing, you can always enjoy live entertainment by the Hard Rock’s pool, with a highly-anticipated outdoor party featuring Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and De La Soul slated for September.

Similar venues: Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center, Tampa Theatre

Upcoming shows at Tampa's Hard Rock Event Center include Hunter Hayes, The O'Jays, Seth Meyers, Needtobreathe, Wu-Tang Clan, and Jerry Seinfeld. Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

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