Hard Rock Cafe

Guitars thrash & tourists queue at the original branch of Hard Rock Café’s global homage to fast food & music memorabilia. While the food isn’t all ‘fast’ – ribs & chicken are smoked on site, BBQ sauce bubbles away in the kitchen – it’s surely Eric Clapton’s guitar, Pete Townsend’s jumpsuit & Madonna’s pink bustier that punters flock to drool over, rather that its far-from-‘legendary’ burgers or frequently garish desserts (how about chocolate sauce in a crème brûlée). In the end, the food plays a minor supporting role here – kids revel in the opportunity to run wild, & the enthusiasm of bubbly staff make cynicism tough to muster. Those still refusing to join the party will find ample encouragement in a wacky cocktail list peppered with rock-speak – &, hey, they’ll even let you keep the glass.