Hard Rock Cafe Penang Rockin’ Since 2009
I dropped by for a lunch date and just realized that it has been a whopping ten years as the Hard Rock Café Rockin’ Since 2009.
That’s a decade of great times, some fabulous music, and entertainment in Batu Feringghi, Penang.
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The Hard Rock Culture
Hard Rock is a brand, unlike any other hotel brand I’ve experienced. It’s been ten years since the brand took over the old and run-down Casuarina Beach Resort and made it a fun family hotel.
Hard Rockers tell me, it is their culture that defines them!
Working in a hotel is challenging for everyone, but when the Hard Rockers smile, I know it’s genuine as they are happy workers.
They belong to a culture that defines a mission – create authentic experiences that rock.
Hard Rock Motto
Love All – Serve All, All Is One, Take Time To Be Kind, Save the Planet
Above all, I think my favorite would be Love All – Serve All. Without distinction, the hotel serves rock stars, celebrities, and just regular everyday people who come back to the hotel year after year.
*When I step into a Hard Rock Hotel, it feels like – We become like a family.
Love All – Serve All
Hard Rock Service
Overall, the service is professional. I’m not saying this because the hoteliers know me or recognize me.
When I stayed in the hotel in 2010 (a few months into its opening), we had lunch in Hard Rock Café – that was a long time ago before I started blogging.
A waitress accidentally spills some orange juice on my friend. Most café and restaurants would apologize.
My friend had complained that they spilled the drink over her shoulder. Her shoulder and part of her hair were wet.
What the restaurant manager did was, above all, memorable.
He assessed the situation, and he gave my friend a voucher for a wash and blow-dry in the hair salon next to the Hard Rock Café.
The heartfelt assurance was the tipping point for us – the culture was different. The hotel values every guest.
It is no longer a motto but part of the company culture when a hotel staff takes personal accountability for delivering Deliver Amplified Service!
He turned an incident that wasn’t cool and made it memorable by connecting with people.
Excellent service at the Hard Rock Cafe Photo: Doris Lim
Rock to Rock Run
One of the major running events in Penang, the Rock to Rock Run’s registration closes within a day!
Penangites and other runners from Malaysia and even Hard Rockers from overseas make it a point to join in the run once every two years.
There are other imitators with a twist of the event name and Rock and Run 20XX, and even virtual runs on apps.
Guys, the real McCoy, the next event is Rock to Rock Run 2021. All others are well, and I don’t know.
Hard Rock Café
When I was working in KL, I spend Friday nights having dinner at the Hard Rock Café and enjoying the fabulous live music.
Why would you want to go to the Hard Rock Café?
Since 2009, Hard Rock Cafe Penang is well-known for its unique and upbeat concept that combines the beauty of legendary music, upscale genuine American cuisine, and authentic experiences that rock.
Quite simply.
Hot Live Music and possibly the best American food in Penang.
The newly refurbished Hard Rock Cafe Penang
After an extensive renovation, the café changed its color scheme and repositioned its two upscale, vibrant bars for better visibility.
You can see the iconic Hard Rock logo recreated in a delicate drop-light chandelier that dominates its live entertainment stage.
The Mezzanine Level. Photo: Doris Lim
The music-themed entertainment restaurant and bar sprawls two levels for entertainment and private events.
Seating wise, new tables, chairs, and new comfortable semi-circular nooks upstairs for hanging out.
The cafe seats up to 150 diners and is perfect for private events and parties.
Display of authentic memorabilia of legendary artists
The facelift offers diners better visibility of the collection of memorabilia from Hard Rock’s iconic collection from around the world.
Notable memorabilia on display
- A gray felt fedora hat worn by Prince during “The 1999 Tour” at Minnesota where the live tracks for “Purple Rain” were recorded.
- Jean-Paul Gaultier designed a black bustier with gold trim and black tassels for the Madonna for her “Who’s that Girl” tour in 1987.
- A pair of custom-made red robot shoes worn and signed by Sir Elton John on stage.
- An acoustic guitar and jeans were signed and donated by Malaysian rock queen Ella during the inaugural opening of the cafe in 2009.
I enjoy most when I have some time to browse and read the inscriptions of the countless priceless memorabilia from local and international celebrities that adorn the walls.
I saw the dresses that Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and Taylor Swift wore on display. These girls are tiny and have great physiques.
Just browse around the hotel, and in Hard Rock Cafe, the displays are changed periodically.
Brand New Menu
Hard Rock Cafe Penang is the first Hard Rock Cafe in Malaysia to serve a brand new menu launched globally in selected Hard Rock Cafe worldwide.
In conjunction with Hard Rock’s Founders Day on 14 June 2019, the newly engineered menu offers more than 20 new authentic American foods.
Two of the Instagram-worthy Boozy Milkshake comes in the classic flavors Strawberry Cheesecake and Cookies n’ Cream.
The world’s first impressive and indulgent is the 24-Karat Gold Leaf Steak Burger, where a portion of the proceeds supports a local charity organization.
What to order?
The new line-up of menu selections has mouthwatering lots of Sliders and Shareables.
We had the delicious One Night In Bangkok Spicy Shrimp; BBQ Pulled Lamb Sandwich, and a Fresh Beet Side Salad.
Salmon Chowder – creamy and hearty with stirred in salmon, evaporated milk, and cheese. Photo: Doris Lim
Fresh Beet Side Salad is my favorite for the right balance of tangy, citrusy crispy crunch. Photo: Doris Lim
One Night In Bangkok Spicy Shrimp, sweet, very creamy, and tasty. Photo: Doris Lim
BBQ Pulled Lamb Sandwich with a mountain of coleslaw. Photo: Doris Lim
The salad was for my brownie point in getting a health-conscious lunch. Yes, I ate most of the salad. Believe me, and it was excellent and refreshing.
Other items that I could dive for are the Double Decker Double Cheese Burger, Buffalo Style Sliders, and the Quinoa Burger.
I thought of the Quinoa in a jar at home that I will need to cook and eat soon. 😜
So if in search of a classic burger, a handcrafted cocktail, or even if you eat salads, this is the place to eat well.
Rock To Run
Rock to Run – Running in the Name of Rock is a popular running event held every two years.
Hard Rock Entertainment
The heart and soul of Hard Rock are in the nightly live concerts and performances.
Hard Rock Shop Bungalow
There’s a bungalow nearby where you can buy your favorite Hard Rock memorabilia and tee shirts.
The shops are all city-specific.
So you can only get Hard Rock Cafe Penang merchandise in Penang and nowhere else in the world.
If you can’t wait to get your hands on world-famous t-shirts, hats, pins, and other collectible merchandise, you can check out the Rock Shop.
There’s a small Rock Shop in the Cafe to browse. Photo: Doris Lim
RESTAURANT HOURS
Mon – Thu, Sun 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM
Fri – Sat 11:30 AM – 2:30 AM
ROCK SHOP® HOURS
Mon-Sun 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM
LIVE MUSIC
Live music nightly with Splitfire Band!
HAPPY HOUR
Buy 1 Free 1 from 11.30 am – 6.00 pm daily!
Where is the Hard Rock Hotel located?
The hotel and café are a 45-minute drive from the international airport and 30 minutes from historic George Town.
How to book a room?
You can book directly with the hotel. I use booking.com
Booking.com
* I have experienced Hard Rock Penang, Hard Rock Kuala Lumpur, Hard Rock Hong Kong, and Hard Rock Bali.
