Blackjack, margaritas and gambling at MGM National Harbor
A day of bonding and inclusion with friends Carter, Kenny, Nabila and Will.
By WP Creative Group
Living and working in the D.C. area brought Carter Christensen, Kenny Thompson, Nabila Mahmud and Will Wood together five years ago. As friends, coworkers and, in Will and Kenny’s case, co-leaders of the LGBTQ+ resource initiative at their workplace, the group’s bond has grown stronger over time thanks to promotions that allowed them to work more closely and a commitment to regular wine nights, at least pre-pandemic.
While the four friends still chat on a weekly basis, it hasn’t been easy to coordinate a group get-together recently, especially outside of work.
“It’s difficult to find a time to hang out that works with everyone’s schedule,” says Kenny. “We haven’t seen each other in the same space for a while.”
MGM National Harbor proudly celebrates pride and acceptance throughout the year.
Malik Husser, Director of Brand Marketing and Advertising
As a proud corporate sponsor of this year’s D.C. Pride celebration, inclusion is at the heart of the experience at MGM National Harbor, says Director of Brand Marketing and Advertising Malik Husser.
“Whether visiting for a show, world-class dining, to try your luck in the casino or for a special celebration, MGM National Harbor welcomes you, just as you are,” he says. “MGM National Harbor proudly celebrates pride and acceptance throughout the year.”
See how the friends spent their day at MGM National Harbor.
Champagne toast to
celebrate the day ahead
Carter, Kenny, Nabila and Will start their day off in one of MGM National Harbor hotel’s stunning corner suites, raising glasses of Champagne to toast the time they’ll be spending together. They take a few moments to enjoy the sweeping views of the city and National Harbor from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“It was such a fun, exciting way to start the whole experience,” Carter says of the bubbly and views from the mid-century modern suite.
The friends snap a few pictures in front of the windows and then venture out to the casino.
For first-time MGM National Harbor visitor Nabila, expectations were high. “I’ve never been to MGM,” she says. “I’ve never even been to a casino period point blank, but I was going in with the crew and I was like, ‘It’s going to be fun regardless of what we’re doing. I’m up for it.’”
A few rounds of blackjack
at the casino
There’s palpable excitement in the air when the group enters the 160,000 square foot casino. With endless rows of slot machines, table games and poker rooms, it’s no wonder why. “There was literally something for every person that goes to play,” Carter says of the casino’s wide range of gambling offerings.
Conversation and drinks flow as the group plays several rounds of blackjack in Blossom Cocktail Lounge. The lounge gambling experience has a “whole different vibe” than playing on the floor, Will remarks. “It’s very clubby and cool.”
Although this isn’t Carter’s first time at MGM National Harbor, he’s still amazed by the casino’s expansiveness. “It’s something that, for folks that have never been there, I think would be shocked by.” He laughs, adding, “You’ll definitely close your rings and get your steps in at MGM.”
Bottle service at Blossom
Long after the last round of blackjack ends, the group of friends is still gathered around their table enjoying the intimate Blossom atmosphere and the unparalleled casino vibes. Blossom is located right on the casino floor offering a unique mix of lounge coziness and casino rush.
Will surprises the group with a bottle of tequila, and the friends craft their own cocktails using ice, mixers and limes set up right in front of them.
“Our waitress really took care of us,” Kenny says. “She had such great energy.”
From Northwest D.C., it took me under 15 minutes to get here.
Nabila Mahmud
“All the staff was incredibly friendly and nice,” Will adds.
He describes the entire MGM National Harbor experience as inclusive, especially the diversity within the staff. “Around Pride month, it’s really nice to see other people that are like you and it really makes me feel more comfortable as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Nabila also underscores the openness of the staff. She spoke in depth with every employee that helped the group that night, from the concierge to the bartender to the ticket staff.
An interaction with one woman particularly stuck out. “I specifically asked, ‘Do you enjoy working here?’ And she was like, ‘Yes, it’s a great job,’” Nabila recounts. “It makes you feel more welcome when you know that the employees there are having a good time and enjoying themselves.”
MGM National Harbor’s accessibility from the surrounding areas was another welcomed surprise to Nabila. “From Northwest D.C., it took me under 15 minutes to get here,” she says. “And so immediately in my head, I’m like, ‘This is a great post bar spot. This is a great after dinner spot.’”
Adding to the commuting ease is MGM National Harbor’s free parking. Whether it be two hours or two days, guests can stay as long as they like without worrying about parking fees, a rarity for the D.C. area.
Dinner at Diablo’s Cantina
With its ample seating, choice lighting and wide selection of south-of-the-border fare, Diablo’s Cantina is a popular spot for the group to share an array of entrees and drinks. This group of friends took full advantage ordering chicken quesadillas, tacos, taquitos and tableside guacamole to share.
“The quesadilla was fire,” Will says. “They were rolled and fried, crunchy and amazing. And the presentation of the food was incredibly beautiful.”
While the food earned rave reviews, it was the drinks—margaritas and tequila flights—that stole the show. “I will scream from a mountaintop how good the beverages were at Diablo’s,” Kenny says of his strawberry jalapeño margarita. To round out the Diablo’s Cantina experience, the group takes advantage of the incredibly flattering lighting in the restaurant by snapping selfies. “It was just too good to pass up,” Nabila explains.
The entertainment capital
of the capital
The 3,000 seat Theater at MGM National Harbor is famous for its state of the art sound, video and lighting. Despite its large seating capacity, the theater delivers an incredibly intimate experience. No seat in the theater is more than 150 feet from the stage.
Will is a fan of the setup at the Theater at MGM National Harbor. There are several entrances to the mezzanine, he says, and a long bar that goes all the way down the entrance. If guests want to buy a beverage during the show, there are several carts regularly wheeled throughout the theater.
“It’s huge,” he says. “But also beautiful and intimate.”
Wrapping up a perfect day
The day comes to a close and the group takes a moment to wind down and reflect on how their time at MGM National Harbor adds to their friendship.
“As the years go by, when I want to think about Carter, I’m going to think about him having fun at a table and ripping shots,” Nabila laughs. “When I think about Kenny and Will, I’m going to have this great, fun new memory of them trying to teach me blackjack.”
It’s definitely a place you can tell celebrates diversity and inclusiveness.
Kenny Thompson
It’s not just the memories they made together that resonate with the group. They also found a new spot to feel comfortable being themselves.
“Being part of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s easy to stay within the spaces we’ve created over time and stay in places that are familiar to us,” Kenny says. “So, it was really nice to expand where we went for a night out. And to have such a welcoming experience at MGM, it’s definitely a place you can tell celebrates diversity and inclusiveness.”
MGM National Harbor has something for everyone.
Book your trip today for a monumental experience
unlike any other.
Credits: By WP Creative Group