The wait is over. The Hard Rock Café has opened in Milan, the first club under the US chain’s Madonnina to celebrate rock in all its forms. The Milanese restaurant is located in Via Dante number 5, a stone’s throw from the Duomo.
The menu, assure the owners, is “among the largest and richest in the history of the brand, bringing all its proposals to Milan”: it ranges from the legendary burger to all the other iconic dishes such as wings, classic nachos, sliders and appetizers , including famous fajitas and tupelo chicken tenders.
The Hard Rock in Milan is 809 square meters, arranged on two levels and has two stages for live music with the possibility of hosting 250 people indoors. “At the entrance on the ground floor, guests can visit the Rock Shop and then enter the restaurant area, which includes the bar and a live music stage visible from every corner of the cafe. On the first floor instead a VIP area that can be reserved for small private events,” says a statement from the group.
Rock memorabilia lining the walls is clearly not to be missed. Michael Jackson’s gold jacket, Madonna’s underwear worn by the Queen of Pop during her 1987 Who’s That Girl world tour and featured in her video Ciao Italia!, and Cher’s lace bra will be on display in Milan , along with the gorgeous lime green velvet jacket custom made for Elton John by legendary designer Stephen Sprouse. Guests can also admire the sparkling red strapless swimsuit worn by Rihanna in Maroon 5’s ultra-glamorous 2008 video ‘If I Never See Your Face Again’ alongside those of Italian rock stars like Ligabue, Lacuna Coil, Negramaro and many more ” explain Hard Rock.
In the shop, on the other hand, you will find items that have become true style icons: from the T-shirt with the Milano lettering – a premiere – to mugs and gadgets through to the coveted pins. “Milan, the city of fashion and the main financial center of Italy, is the fifth Italian city to host a Hard Rock Cafe, after Rome, Florence, Venice and Verona. We promise to uphold the spirit and philosophy of the brand and deliver experiences that surprise,” said Anibal Fernandez, Hard Rock International’s Vice President of Franchise Operations.