The 12 Most Beautiful Hard Rock Cafes in the World

 

Hard Rock Cafè is a chain of thematic bars and restaurants. Their brand has become one of the most famous over time thanks to its Cafès, which became points of reference for tourists from all over the world. From the beginning, the distinctive feature of these places has been the “relics” from the world of rock and music, in general.

To date, the collection boasts thousands of objects that belonged to historical personalities of the music scene: from the guitars of John Lennon, Elvis Presley, and Jimy Hendrix to the trousers and stage clothes of Michael Jackson, Jim Morrison, and Freddie Mercury.

Moreover, the brand has achieved a level of notoriety over the years, which helped it establish itself as a real phenomenon of merchandising: namely, the t-shirt with the famous Hard Rock Cafe brand is the best-selling souvenir in the world.

To give the attention this brand and its cafes deserve, we’ve created a list of the most beautiful Hard Rock cafes in the world each traveler must visit. From the largest to the smallest, from Italy and Europe to Asia and the Americas, we have selected the 12 cafes not only based on their beauty but also on their fame and the “souvenirs” they contain. So, let’s check them out!

12. Venice, Italy

Address: Bacino Orseolo, San Marco, 1192, I-30124, Venice
Contact: + 39-0415229665 / venice.salesmanager@hardrock.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hrcvenezia

We start our ranking with the Italian Hard Rock Cafes. The Hard Rock of Venice was opened in 2009 in the fabulous Piazza San Marco (eng. Saint Marco square). It is the smallest cafe of this brand in Europe and is furnished in typical Venetian style.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• the original contract signed by Metallica’s leader James Hetfield with Megaforce Records on the occasion of the recording of the band’s first album;
• a Fender Telecaster Deluxe guitar that belonged to Richie Sambora, the historic Bon Jovi guitarist;
• the stage dress used by the Colombian singer Shakira during the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which was purchased at a charity auction organized by the humanitarian foundation “Pies Descalzos”; all the profit was intended for poor children.

11. New York, United States

Address: 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, United States
Contact: + 1-212-343-3355 / NewYork.Rocks@hardrock.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafenewyork

We move to the Big Apple, to find the beautiful Hard Rock of New York.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a leather biker jacket that belonged and is autographed by the Ramones;
• a 75 ‘bass that belonged to John Entwistle of the Who, the one who recorded the first bass solo in history;
• the front door of Abbey Road Studios, the most important recording studio of the 20th century.

10. Barcelona, ​​Spain

Address: Plaça de Catalunya, 21, 08002 Barcelona, ​​Spain
Contact: +34 932 70 23 05 / Barcelona_Reception@hardrock.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafebarcelona

The Hard Rock Cafe in Barcelona takes the 10th place on our list. Being located in this wonderful Catalan city, you can expect nothing less of that beauty in this cafe.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a jacket that belonged to the king of pop Michael Jackson;
• a guitar Gibson Les Paul Jr. 55′ autographed by the homonymous musician and composer;
• an Epiphone guitar signed by Kurt Cobain, guitarist and singer of Nirvana, the leader band of the grunge music of the 90s.

9. Chicago, USA

Address: 63 West Ontario, Chicago, IL 60654
Contact: +1 (312)943-2252 / Kristy.Sullivan@hardrock.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafechicago

The Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago is among the most famous in the world due to the huge guitar-shaped sign on the outside of the cafe, which was opened in 1986.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a legendary guitar that belonged to Eric Clapton that was used to record the first album of his solo career;
• a jacket that belonged to the great Ray Charles, one of the most influential artists in the history of modern music as well as one of the pioneers of rock and roll;
• a touching love letter written by the well-known jazz musician, Charlie Parker, to his wife, Chan.

8. Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan

Address: 5-4-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 Japan
Contact: +81-3-3408-7018 / hrctokyo@wdi.co.jp
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafetokyo

The Hard Rock Cafe in Tokyo is particularly impressive. It has an absolutely magnificent environment inside, in a completely rock and roll style.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a jacket used during the Jackson Five “Victory tour” signed by the two brothers Michael and Randy;
• a bowling shirt that belonged to Freddie Mercury;
• a “Purple” ESP Stratocaster guitar signed by the Rolling Stones.

7. Roma, Italia

Address: Via Vittorio Veneto, 62a/b, 00187 Rome
Contact: 06 420 3051 / rome.salescoordinator1@hardrock.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcaferome

Opened in 1998, the Hard Rock Cafe in Rome takes the 7th spot on our list. The design of this restaurant is truly unique, with references to historical Roman architecture.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a vest worn by The King, Elvis Presley;
• the bass used during the “Californication Tour” by Flea, a famous bassist of the Californian band Red Hot Chili Peppers;
• a jacket that belonged to John Lennon.

6. Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

Address: El Soultan Qabous Street Na’ama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt
Contact: +20-693-602-664 / sharm_marketing@hardrock-eg.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HardRockCafeSharm

The Hard Rock Cafe Sharm is located in the center of Naama Bay. Opened in 1998, this restaurant looks like a sort of rock temple and has many historical relics.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a jacket worn by Elvis Presley during the filming of the 1969 film “Change of Habit”;
• a cotton jacket worn and signed by Madonna;
• a guitar signed by all the members of the American band Aerosmith.

5. Paris, France

Address: 14 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris, Francia
Contact: +33 1 53 24 60 00 / paris_sales5@hardrock.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafeparis

In 5th place, we find the Parisian Hard Rock Cafe. Opened in 1991, the venue has one of the largest collections of souvenirs from the legends of music. Also, live music events are often organized inside.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a dress worn by Whitney Huston;
• a wonderful acoustic guitar that belonged to Johnny Cash, the legend of country music and one of the most important artists of all time;
• Tommy Lee’s bass drum head, used on Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil” tour.

4 Prague, Czech Republic

Address: Dům U Rotta, Malé náměstí 3, Praha 1, 110 00, Czech Republic
Contact: +420-224-229-529 / prague.salescoordinator3@hardrock.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HardRockCafePraha

The Czech Hard Rock Cafe is located in its capital, Prague, the economic, political, and cultural center of the country. With Prague being one of the most visited cities in Europe, this cafe grew to be a must-visit for every tourist.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a telegram dated 21/10/69 signed by Jimy Hendrix, Miles Davis, and Tony Williams and sent to Paul McCartney’s agent in which they invite him to take part in a “Jam” to be held in New York in a few days;
• a Yamaha keyboard/synth autographed by the members of the electro-pop band Depeche Mode;
• a pair of jeans that belonged to Bono Vox, the frontman of U2.

3. Hollywood Los Angeles, United States

Address: 1000 Universal Studios Blvd, Universal City, CA 91608, United States
Contact: +1 818-853-0600
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafecitywalk

The Hard Rock Cafe of Universal Studio in Hollywood, the very famous district of the “City of Angels”, takes the lowest step of the podium, winning the bronze medal.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a pair of leather trousers that belonged to the great Lizard King, Jim Morrison, which is considered one of the most sought after and visited relics by fans and Hard Rock Cafe “addicts”;
• a 66 ‘ Fender Jaguar guitar belonging to Carl Wilson, guitarist of The Beach Boys, the band that “invented” surf-rock;
• the historic “Frankenstein guitar” by Eddy Van Halen, the first virtuoso guitarist in history.

2. Orlando, United States

Address: 6050 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Contact: +1 407-351-7625 / orlando_sales@hardrock.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockorlando

Orlando’s Hard Rock Cafe is known to be the world’s largest Hard Rock Caffe. Opened in 1990 near Universal Studios, it has a structure reminiscent of the Colosseum.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a jacket worn by the “Godfather of Soul”, James Brown, during a performance at the Apollo Theater;
• a Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar used by Pete Townshend, guitarist of the Who;
• the famous black glasses worn by the great Buddy Holly.

1. London, UK

Address: 150 Old Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1QZ, UK
Contact: +44 20 7514 1700 / London_reception@hardrock.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafelondon

And, f course, in the first place on the list, we find the historic local where it all began. Opened in 1971, by the Tigrett-Morton duo, the Hard Rock Cafe in London wins the gold medal thanks to its history.

Among the most important relics, there are:

• a guitar Fender Lead II of Eric Clapton, the first true relic of history donated in the 70s by the guitarist to the local owners;
• the famous Flying V guitar that belonged to Jimi Hendrix;
• one of Prince’s iconic shirts.