MGM Casino National Harbor Will Open Dec. 8

There’s a date: December 8 will mark the opening of the MGM Casino National Harbor.

Beyond its entertainment and gambling offerings, the property is working to become a dining draw as well. There are celebrity chef-driven restaurants from José Andrés, Marcus Samuelsson, and the Voltaggio brothers. There are several in-house restaurants like the Belaggio Patisserie (featuring a 26-foot fountain), an Asian restaurant and a sports bar. There’s even an entire food hall with nine additional offerings. That food hall will have everything from banh mi to bento boxes. There are two nightlife lounges as well.

The $1.4 billion project will start housing overnight guests Dec. 10.  Other draws to the casino: a Live Nation entertainment venue, a dedicated raft collection, a conservatory, meetings space, a spa and salon, a pool, and several retail shops. There is more than 125,000 square foot of casino space, too.

Though it has several restaurants, like Edward Lee’s Succotash and New York import Bond 45, National Harbor has yet to establish a reputation as a dining destination, something this project could be poised to change.