Orlando, Fla., November 18, 2008 – Hard Rock International today announced it will open a Hard Rock Cafe in Venice, Italy near the historic Piazza San Marco. Scheduled to open on December 18th, Hard Rock Cafe Venice will be in located in what is known as the city’s “central gathering place” and is poised to become one of the areas premier dining and entertainment venues.
The cafe comprises 350 square meters of space over two floors, a 120-seat restaurant, vibrant bar, Rock Shop featuring Hard Rock’s limited-edition merchandise and a beautiful view of the main Gondola meeting point. Memorabilia from Hard Rock’s iconic collection will adorn the walls of Hard Rock Cafe Venice complementing an interior design which preserves the historic Venetian feel of the space. A patterned terrazzo floor and a red Murano glass chandelier, handmade for Hard Rock, adhere to Italian tradition. The second floor dining room is set beneath a domed Venetian plaster ceiling with dramatic uplighting, while the mezzanine dining area is surrounded by custom patterned uplit handrails to provide dramatic views of the canals below. The Venice cafe will be the second Hard Rock Cafe in Italy, joining the successful Rome location, which opened in 1998.
“Venice is an extraordinary city that boasts spectacular scenery, amazing architecture and a rich history and culture,” said Hamish Dodds, president and CEO of Hard Rock International.
“We are pleased to bring Hard Rock’s unique offering and our rock ‘n’ roll experience to locals and visitors alike.
“The opening of Hard Rock Cafe Venice represents an important element of the puzzle that the Local Administration is creating in order to modernise people’s approach to this ‘ancient’ city,” said Vice Mayor of Venice Sindaco Michele Vianello.
“Hard Rock is one of the symbols of renewal for our City. As Local Administration representatives, we are sure that this new business will offer satisfaction and enthusiasm for both locals and tourists, who, accustomed to the traditional tour of the Venetian museums, will appreciate also finding this ‘museum’ of contemporary music.”
For more than 37 years, Hard Rock has offered guests classic American fare in a rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere. Hard Rock Cafe Venice will be the ideal location for the brand’s world-famous cuisine, featuring Hard Rock’s Legendary Burgers and Smokehouse items, as well as classic Italian favorites, such as Caprese Salad and Tiramisu. In addition to its food, Hard Rock offers unmatched specialty drinks from its award-winning bar menu, from Hurricanes and Margaritas, to its Alternative Rock menu (non-alcoholic beverages), featuring favorites like Wildberry Smoothies and Crushed Velvet “martinis. And, of course, the cafe will be serving its version of the cocktail of Venice – the “Hard Rock Spritz.”
Hard Rock Cafe Venice will also feature memorabilia from Hard Rock’s collection, which includes items from many of the world’s most beloved and recognizable musicians, such as Shakira, John Lennon, Metallica and many more. Additional key memorabilia items on display include handwritten lyrics from Oasis lead guitarist Noel Gallagher and a black zippered jacket once worn by Sex Pistols front man Johnny Rotten.
The Venice cafe’s Rock Shop will offer favorite collectible Hard Rock Cafe Venice merchandise, along with a new selection of rock ‘n’ roll-inspired items in its exclusive retail location. This city-specific merchandise, which can only be purchased at this location, offers an exclusive quality that enhances each item’s appeal. Fans will also be able to acquire Hard Rock’s signature collectible pins, including the new, limited-edition Venice pins, which reflect the spirit of the city and the authenticity of Hard Rock’s merchandise.
Since it was established in 1971, Hard Rock has been committed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes and activities around the world, and Hard Rock Cafe Venice will carry this causal commitment to the market. In every Hard Rock city, the staff makes it a priority to become a valuable community partner. In the form of funds, food and beverage, merchandise and man hours, Hard Rock Cafe Venice will give back locally, as well as participate in global corporate philanthropic initiatives, ranging from breast cancer awareness programs, to rock icons’ favorite causes through the annual Signature Series program.
About Hard Rock International
With 123 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and nine Hotels/Casinos in 48 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya and Bali. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau and Penang, both scheduled to open in 2009; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2010; Dubai, scheduled to open in 2011; and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2012. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit
www.HardRockHotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit
www.HardRock.com.