Hard Rock Cafe Opens In Newcastle

The very first Hard Rock Cafe in the north east has arrived. Mind you, if you want to visit to eat at the new rock inspired restaurant in Newcastle you will have to wait a while yet - available reservations are few and far between from now until mid-July.

Situated by the River Tyne with the famous Tyne Bridge overlooking the restaurant, the former Guildhall has been transformed into the latest outpost of the renowned music and eating brand.

Naturally there is a nod to artists who have come from the region with posters and artefacts from the likes of Bryan Ferry, Sting and Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits.

Surprisingly I could not see anything relating to the Channel 4 music series The Tube, which was broadcast from the old Tyne Tees studios in the city. I'm not sure either if Lindisfarne is represented.

Unless I missed it, neither was there anything about Brian Johnson the AC/DC singer who was born in Dunston, whereas if you take a ride on the city’s Metro system posters abound in the railway stations advertising the latest AC/DC Album!

Dresses worn by more contemporary artists such as Alicia Keys, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift are on show as well as the usual guitars from heavy rock acts.

As I walked around the restaurant, and aptly enough, Crazy Crazy Nights from Kiss was playing. I was fortunate enough to witness one of their Newcastle gigs 2 years ago. Band member Paul Stanley said he even remembered playing their very first gig in Newcastle at the City Hall! (my friend was less impressed, he thought that they had a log of where and when the band played.)

Naturally there is a gift shop selling the usual memorabilia - including T shirts with the Angel of the North along with the Hard Rock Cafe logo.

https://www.hardrockcafe.com/location/newcastle/