Bangkok Hard Rock Cafe - Lot Of Rockin' In 40 Years

[webfact]

Lot of rockin' in 40 years

By Manote Tripathi

The Nation

Bangkok's refurbished Hard Rock Caf้e adds to the success of its global anniversary

If you enjoy the buzz at the Hard Rock Caf้e in Bangkok's Siam Square, you'll be interested to know that chain is now (already!) 40 years old.

The first Hard Rock Caf้e opened in London in 1971, and its quirky funkiness drew customers like Eric Clapton, who befriended founders Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton and had a table always reserved for him.

The guitar god liked the place so much that he let them hang one of his Fender axes on the wall. That's how Hard Rock Caf้es got their start as museums of music memorabilia.

There are now 133 branches in 51 countries, plus 14 hotels and casinos, making the Hard Rock brand a success beyond anyone's imagination. Movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis tried to mimic that success with their Planet Hollywood chain, but it's struggled to survive.

That's the main reason why the Hard Rock Caf้e is making a big deal of its four decades, says chief executive Hamish Dodds, who was in Bangkok last Wednesday for the occasion.

"The 40th anniversary means a lot to us," he said. "Not many restaurant, hospitality or merchandise brands have been around for 40 years. For us it's a time to think about the next 40 years, how we can remain relevant to young people in Asia. It's a challenge to keep our brand fresh with young people."

Dodds oversaw the Bangkok outlet's recent revamp. Its interior design is now "more youthful, contemporary and synchronous with the city", he said, and replaces a layout that was just a copy of the branches found everywhere else.

"We want each caf้e to look different, so the one in Bangkok is different from the ones in Pattaya and Phuket." And the image-upgrading strategy extends to different experiences and tastes in music and dining.

Dodds is casting an eye over the many Asian cities that still don't have a Hard Rock outlet. He just opened a caf้e in Hong Kong last Tuesday and openings elsewhere are scheduled - including a Hard Rock Hotel in Bangkok.

"There are many cities in Asia we can go to, but we don't want to become McDonald's or Starbucks. Our goal isn't to have 40 outlets in every city - we want one outlet per city."

Asians have more purchasing power these days, especially younger people, Dodds pointed out, and globalisation has made Asian youths more outgoing and self-confident, though not necessarily more Westernised. Trends can move East to West as well.

"Asian consumers are more aware of their own environment and are looking for their own special locations and experiences. For us, that's good news," Dodds said.

Hard Rock's menu is food made from scratch, in-house, using fresh local ingredients, even if every dish is "American comfort food - familiar to people around the world.

"It's also an expression of American taste and American cuisine."

The chain is also committed to promoting local musicians, mainly through its global "Battle of the Bands" competition. And there's always that stuff on the walls. "Musicians trust us to look after their memorabilia - we never sell it."

The chain supports more than 25 good causes around the world as well, most recently the "Imagine There's No Hunger" campaign.

"We're an organisation that cares," Dodds said. "At Hard Rock it's a little special. We take it seriously. We have some global programmes. Locally we support a Thai charity [the Pattanarak Foundation] that responds to the needs of children on the Burma border."

It gives US$50,000 a year to the foundation.

"The situation on the border is good because most of the children are being fed - nobody is starving or dying," he said.

"But the people need funds for agricultural programmes. If they don't have support they'd be in trouble. We support them to grow vegetables and produce for themselves."

-- The Nation 2011-06-13

[BigBikeBKK]

Of all the Hardrock Cafes I've been to around the world, the Bangkok branch really is one of the worst... Terrible cover bands, mediocre food and surprisingly poor service...

[drdoom6996]

The original Hard Rock Cafe name and part of the tradmark came from a small coffee shop in Amsterdam, Holland. The original owner still lives in Naklua if I am not mistaken.

[khaowong1]

Of all the Hardrock Cafes I've been to around the world, the Bangkok branch really is one of the worst... Terrible cover bands, mediocre food and surprisingly poor service...

I agree with this completely. Lousy bands, poor service, and they really screw up a hamburger. How hard is it to make a decent hamburger? You have to use something besides a dead water buffalo, but jeez. The Hamburger gets a really bad name in Thailand. The only thing I really liked about the Bangkok Hard Rock, was I used to live just down the street about two blocks, and BEFORE I became a monk, I used to meet lots of university girls in there. Please notice I said BEFORE. I haven't been in there in almost 4 years now but I'm betting it hasn't changed.

[atyclb]

Nowadays the Hard Rock Cafe is the place to go to hear live Hip hop . pop, and rap.....

[EnhancePlus]

Good place for FL's Who the hell goes to a country of vast cultural heritage to sit in an over priced dump being bombarded by stale american rock???????????

[sticklee]

The Hard Rock on Yonge St. in Toronto was one of the first to open. Opposite the Eaton Centre, not sure if it's still there. It was just a small place, nothing special. We used to go in for lunch after record or clothes shopping probably sometime in early 1972?

[easybullet3]

Good place for FL's Who the hell goes to a country of vast cultural heritage to sit in an over priced dump being bombarded by stale american rock???????????

i 'partially' agree. (for a short-term visitor), But not everyone wants to eat local food every day when you have been in thailand for more than a few months/years.

There is nothing wrong in going to a familiar place.

have you been to a thai variety show? - so, maybe Hard Rock isn't such a bad place.

i agree that their menu is awful. they revamped it and removed all the Vegetarian options.

anyway - American (or international) Rock is what hard rock is based upon. its their image.

People go there to hear it. - its their choice.

Rap hip-hop and R&B deviating from their theme.

all the memorabilia on their walls is reflecting famous bands from yester-year. - again, another reason why people visit.

most thai people would eat at a thai restaurant while they are abroad for more than a few weeks. there's nothing wrong in seeking out your own culture while you are away.

[sprq]

Only one thing good ever happened in this over-priced and corny dump.

Buddy Guy played there one night in the early 1990s.

It was one of the best gigs ever in Bangkok -- a legendary musician of true quality right up close.

So well done, Hard Rock Bangkok, one good night in two decades of existence.

[DP25]

For us it's a time to think about the next 40 years, how we can remain relevant to young people in Asia. It's a challenge to keep our brand fresh with young people.

I thought their target market was older white people, not young Asians. The ones I've been to in Asia are full of western tourists and expats.

[GTG]

Only one thing good ever happened in this over-priced and corny dump.

Buddy Guy played there one night in the early 1990s.

It was one of the best gigs ever in Bangkok -- a legendary musician of true quality right up close.

So well done, Hard Rock Bangkok, one good night in two decades of existence.

Make that two. I saw Chris Isaak and his band tear the place apart in 1994 0r 1995. Chris and the sax player up on the bar, fantastic atmosphere. To be honest, one of the best gigs I ever saw, anywhere, and there have been many.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

For us it's a time to think about the next 40 years, how we can remain relevant to young people in Asia. It's a challenge to keep our brand fresh with young people.

I thought their target market was older white people, not young Asians. The ones I've been to in Asia are full of western tourists and expats.

Like decent business, they would be blind to any color but green (grey/ping/red/blue as well here 8-). Plenty of young locals burning through their parent or partner's money all over town, and some of the wealthier ones like to go slumming among the farang once in a while, (hey let's go check out Khao San Road freak show this weekend!).

Also any nightlife spot in Bangkok needs a decent quota of a certain category of young Asians (pretty ones) in order to attract a certain segment of the "older white people" market.

But IMO every aspect of that scene delivers poor value for the price. . .

[anterian]

The hard rock cafe marked the decline of the music scene in Soho, The Two I's, Nucleus, Gyre and Gimble (2 G's), Ken Collyer's jazz club, humphrey lyttelton jazz club (101 club) were its forerunners.

[ccarbaugh]

But IMO every aspect of that scene delivers poor value for the price. . .

Ditto here - stopped in a couple weeks ago and the "music" was horrible and waaaaaay to f***ing loud!!!

I didn't buy anything because my ears were getting blown out and everything seemed priced prohibitively high!

[EnhancePlus]

Good place for FL's Who the hell goes to a country of vast cultural heritage to sit in an over priced dump being bombarded by stale american rock???????????

i 'partially' agree. (for a short-term visitor), But not everyone wants to eat local food every day when you have been in thailand for more than a few months/years.

There is nothing wrong in going to a familiar place.

have you been to a thai variety show? - so, maybe Hard Rock isn't such a bad place.

i agree that their menu is awful. they revamped it and removed all the Vegetarian options.

anyway - American (or international) Rock is what hard rock is based upon. its their image.

People go there to hear it. - its their choice.

Rap hip-hop and R&B deviating from their theme.

all the memorabilia on their walls is reflecting famous bands from yester-year. - again, another reason why people visit.

most thai people would eat at a thai restaurant while they are abroad for more than a few weeks. there's nothing wrong in seeking out your own culture while you are away.

Dude I've had an enough of my culture - I AM my culture. I'm an american and have heard those freakin' songs one billion times too many. I play rock music too. I'd rather go to Khan Isaan.

Don't you wish they had a Wal-Mart and another mall too?

[lannarebirth]

Only one thing good ever happened in this over-priced and corny dump.

Buddy Guy played there one night in the early 1990s.

It was one of the best gigs ever in Bangkok -- a legendary musician of true quality right up close.

So well done, Hard Rock Bangkok, one good night in two decades of existence.

I wish I had a time machine I could step into. Yeah, it pretty much is below par on all counts but my kids love the ice cream sundaes there.

[TomTom55]

''I agree with this completely. Lousy bands, poor service, and they really screw up a hamburger. How hard is it to make a decent hamburger? You have to use something besides a dead water buffalo, but jeez. The Hamburger gets a really bad name in Thailand. The only thing I really liked about the Bangkok Hard Rock, was I used to live just down the street about two blocks, and BEFORE I became a monk, I used to meet lots of university girls in there. Please notice I said BEFORE. I haven't been in there in almost 4 years now but I'm betting it hasn't changed. ''

If you are a monk, I am guessing that you would be aware of everything with regards to it's transience?

[andrewn]

Only been there once, a couple of years ago to see Da Endorphine, Halloween I think. That was a good night, to see a big name act in such a small venue, so they do get it right once or twice.

Food was mediocre at best though.

[sausageandmash]

Yes, a lot of those girls hook on the side.

Of all the Hardrock Cafes I've been to around the world, the Bangkok branch really is one of the worst... Terrible cover bands, mediocre food and surprisingly poor service...

I agree with this completely. Lousy bands, poor service, and they really screw up a hamburger. How hard is it to make a decent hamburger? You have to use something besides a dead water buffalo, but jeez. The Hamburger gets a really bad name in Thailand. The only thing I really liked about the Bangkok Hard Rock, was I used to live just down the street about two blocks, and BEFORE I became a monk, I used to meet lots of university girls in there. Please notice I said BEFORE. I haven't been in there in almost 4 years now but I'm betting it hasn't changed.

[sausageandmash]

Khao San is a bit of a freak show, but freaky Thais as well as Farangs.

I've "slummed it" as you so respectfully put it in Thai venues, and it tends to be boring and far too straight. A Thai couple I know came to see my band play at the Sheraton last week and preferred the music we play to the stuff the Thai band plays at Holland Beer Bar in Rama 2.

Thais like to poke their heads into Farang venues out of curiosity, and of course the occasional heart-broken Thai girl who won't go near Thai men again and doesn't quite know how to approach farang guys, will go to places like Bangkok Beat and Climax to check out the scene. It doesn't happen a lot, but it's on the increase.

For us it's a time to think about the next 40 years, how we can remain relevant to young people in Asia. It's a challenge to keep our brand fresh with young people.

I thought their target market was older white people, not young Asians. The ones I've been to in Asia are full of western tourists and expats.

Like decent business, they would be blind to any color but green (grey/ping/red/blue as well here 8-). Plenty of young locals burning through their parent or partner's money all over town, and some of the wealthier ones like to go slumming among the farang once in a while, (hey let's go check out Khao San Road freak show this weekend!).

Also any nightlife spot in Bangkok needs a decent quota of a certain category of young Asians (pretty ones) in order to attract a certain segment of the "older white people" market.

But IMO every aspect of that scene delivers poor value for the price. . .

[brianb1944]

Why is a blatant advertisement posted here as a news item?

[SomTumTiger]

Why is a blatant advertisement posted here as a news item?

Been waiting all day to write that zinger I bet lol

[rockdoc]

Only one thing good ever happened in this over-priced and corny dump.

Buddy Guy played there one night in the early 1990s.

It was one of the best gigs ever in Bangkok -- a legendary musician of true quality right up close.

So well done, Hard Rock Bangkok, one good night in two decades of existence.

Agree with ya there spr&Q....I too was at that Buddy Guy concert all those years ago and it was a memorable gig. We were on the balcony above the stage (no room left on the main floor) and all I could see looking down was the top of Buddy's big 'fro with a guitar neck sticking out under it.

Other good concerts in Bangkok from around that era were BB King, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder and the late Robert Palmer. Good times those.

Apart from that, I agree with most of the other posts here: as a restaurant venue HRC's are pretty naff!

[thrilled]

I was there in dec of 09.The food was ok,but I thought it would be bigger for the band.Ya know A big floor and plenty of seats to watch the band.But that wasn't the case.Just restaurant size.It was ok.

[bluecheesefan]

I went in there a month or so ago.... apparently right before they were going to reopen. I was shocked at how small it seemed. I remembered the original design feeling bigger. Maybe it was the U shaped bar in the middle. Now there is a short bar at one end. No more wood... just black marble... doesn't feel like a Hard Rock to me. I agree it is way overpriced too. I bought a drink for my girlfriend (some fruity type) and it was like 400 baht. That is somewhere between Atlanta and NY prices. I don't remember how much the beer was that I drank, but it was a simple pint draft and I am sure it was over 120 baht. I won't be going back anytime soon.

[newtronbom]

Nowadays the Hard Rock Cafe is the place to go to hear live Hip hop . pop, and rap.....

So the gossip has it right - they really don't have music there any more..............

[newtronbom]

Only one thing good ever happened in this over-priced and corny dump.

Buddy Guy played there one night in the early 1990s.

It was one of the best gigs ever in Bangkok -- a legendary musician of true quality right up close.

So well done, Hard Rock Bangkok, one good night in two decades of existence.

Agree with ya there spr&Q....I too was at that Buddy Guy concert all those years ago and it was a memorable gig. We were on the balcony above the stage (no room left on the main floor) and all I could see looking down was the top of Buddy's big 'fro with a guitar neck sticking out under it.

Other good concerts in Bangkok from around that era were BB King, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder and the late Robert Palmer. Good times those.

Apart from that, I agree with most of the other posts here: as a restaurant venue HRC's are pretty naff!

Tina Turners gig here was excellent as was the atmosphere. So good in fact, that I followed her to Japan for the one she did with M Jackson. That was unforgettable too. She has one of those rare, true, "smokey voices" that send the chills up my back. A great lady.

[easybullet3]

Good place for FL's Who the hell goes to a country of vast cultural heritage to sit in an over priced dump being bombarded by stale american rock???????????

i 'partially' agree. (for a short-term visitor), But not everyone wants to eat local food every day when you have been in thailand for more than a few months/years.

There is nothing wrong in going to a familiar place.

have you been to a thai variety show? - so, maybe Hard Rock isn't such a bad place.

i agree that their menu is awful. they revamped it and removed all the Vegetarian options.

anyway - American (or international) Rock is what hard rock is based upon. its their image.

People go there to hear it. - its their choice.

Rap hip-hop and R&B deviating from their theme.

all the memorabilia on their walls is reflecting famous bands from yester-year. - again, another reason why people visit.

most thai people would eat at a thai restaurant while they are abroad for more than a few weeks. there's nothing wrong in seeking out your own culture while you are away.

Dude I've had an enough of my culture - I AM my culture. I'm an american and have heard those freakin' songs one billion times too many. I play rock music too. I'd rather go to Khan Isaan.

Don't you wish they had a Wal-Mart and another mall too?

After a few years of "getting away from American culture", eventually you will want some American food to satisfy some old appetite.

they sell plenty of English brand snack bars and chocolates in the supermarkets in Bangkok, so its nice to buy and eat them... an English Fish & Chip Shop etc.. (i dont necessarily want to go to the UK and live there right now, but nothing wrong in having some things which I grew up with). unless of course you really hated american that much and hated your childhood and adult life back home? if thats the case, then fine, I sympathise with your past and wish you good luck

again, I dont like Hard Rock that much either...

(but saying that, I like the swimming pool of the Hard ROck hotel.. there is a trampoline in the middle of the pool and the staff have plenty of fun activities. so they get 'points' for trying (in the hotel).

also: the 'competition' out here for themes restaurants/bars is not so high (like back home), so they obviously dont need to spend as much money on making it as good as the ones back home.