The immortal words sung by blues guitar genius Stevie Ray Vaughan are appropriately inscribed over the entrance of the Hard Rock Casino: "If this house is a rockin', don't bother knockin', come on in." On weekend nights, this house is definitely rockin'. It's packed with hipsters, rockers, and gamblers ready to hit the tables, drink fancy highballs, and socialize.

Fashioned in the vein of the chain cafes of the same name, the Hard Rock Casino is adorned with a plethora of rock & roll memorabilia, from Elvis to Guns N' Roses. (If you want the real thing, and a ridiculously expensive meal, there's a Hard Rock Café adjacent to the hotel.) Inside the casino are the usual displays like the leather jackets of rockstars and gold records, but you should take a moment to appreciate the small touches too. Some slot machines have guitar necks as handles, the Roulette tables are shaped like pianos, and chips have rock pictures and brand names on them. There also are some big touches, including a 90-foot neon Fender Stratocaster guitar petruding from the outside front of the casino. The gaming hall is complimented with two live music venues and a small museum.

Between the din of the crowd and the rock blaring out of hundreds of speakers, the noise level can get very high in the casino; but if you came to the Hard Rock that's probably what you're looking for. Rock fans can browse through some great rock artifacts like Greg Allman's jacket, James Brown's "King of Soul" cape and crown and guitars from Bruce Springsteen, ZZ Top, and Eric Clapton. There is also a tribute to the stars of the Lilith Fair tours.

The rooms at the Hard Rock are rather comfortable, with French windows that actually open, rock photographs, and 27-inch televisions. Guests can also enjoy one of the best outdoor pool areas in town. The pool has a sandy beach, a water slide, and underwater speakers so you can swim and boogie at the same time.