The newest restaurant in ilani’s arsenal, Rock and Brews, opened to the public with a bang on Tuesday, April 23, with rock and roll legend Gene Simmons of KISS performing with his newest band, Gene Simmons Band.
Simmons and fellow KISS co-founder Paul Stanley along with Adam Goldberg, Michael Zislis and Dave and Dell Furano, opened Rock and Brews Restaurant and Concert Bar at ilani last week. The restaurant offers a rock and roll atmosphere with live music and excitement, as well as an expansive restaurant menu with a variety of food options such as burgers, pizza, pasta and more. The brews experience will include a selection of 24 local and craft beers on tap, including the Jackpot Juicy IPA from La Center’s Exit 16 Brewery.
Simmons was excited to debut his new band, Gene Simmons Band, along with his new restaurant.
“In the end, if you’re blessed, it’s only the beginning,” Simmons said.
For Simmons, bringing a Rock and Brews location to the Pacific Northwest, especially ilani, was about the generosity and love he has felt from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s people.
“If you go to Paris, France, or London … or any place that’s got the big name and you’re surrounded by a**h***s, you have a miserable time. It’s not the buildings. It’s not the city. It’s always about the people,” Simmons said. “The Cowlitz Tribe right here, they’re the kindest, most gracious people who treat you as if you’re members of the family. And that’s the best reason to do it here. The rest is just hard work, money and all that, but imagine building this if the people in charge were a**h***s.”
Simmons added the people a part of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and ilani Casino and Resort team are exemplary and provide job training, philanthropy, allow people to pay their home mortgage, among other things.
The ilani Casino and Resort team renovated the previously named Muze Lounge, as well as the spot previously known as Rose and Thorn to create the 10,000-square-foot Rock and Brews restaurant space. Rock and Brews features 15 LED screens and a vast performance stage to host local artists and well-known national acts. The venue features two full-service bars, countertop gaming and plenty of room for dancing, as well.
“Sometimes, no matter what anybody says, you have to see it, feel it, taste it, to believe it. And this is just the beginning,” Simmons said of the newest Rock and Brews.
For more information, visit rockandbrews.com. Rock and Brews is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday in the ilani Casino and Resort.
