Hard Rock Café to open first restaurant in Newcastle

The first Hard Rock Café in the north-east of England is to open in Newcastle this month.

The 180-cover restaurant will launch in Grade I-listed Guildhall building and feature glass cabinets filled with rock and roll memorabilia, with an on-site shop selling themed merchandise.

A special Whey Aye Burger has been designed for the restaurant, featuring Northumberland cheese, Newcastle Brown Ale onion compote and horseradish cream, with a spring onion, Cheddar cheese and pease pudding beignet.

Other dishes include a Black Angus steak burger, a club sandwich and boozy milkshakes.

The restaurant is being opened by Hard Rock International in partnership with local franchisees and healthcare entrepreneurs David and Penny Tilly.

"It's been quite a rocky road what with the obstacles that inevitably come with listed buildings and, of course, a global pandemic, but Hard Rock has been incredibly supportive," said Penny.

"[We] just want to see people's faces when they see it. I think they'll be blown away – and it's a great coup for the city to have the first-ever Hard Rock Café in the north-east of England."

The world's first Hard Rock Café opened near London's Hyde Park in 1971 and the brand now runs three London sites and one in Manchester.

Hard Rock International has venues in 248 locations across 70 countries including hotels, casinos, shops, cafés and concert halls.