Warsaw, rock city

Hard Rock Cafe, the chain of restaurants famed for its American-style food and rock-n-roll atmosphere, is to open its first Central European location in the Złote Tarasy complex in central Warsaw this autumn. The developer of the center, ING Real Estate, signed a contract with Hard Rock Cafe for the lease of 800 sqm in the central section of the complex.

Occupying two levels of the Złote Tarasy structure, Hard Rock Cafe will have separate entrances from the street. The main part of the restaurant will be situated adjacent to the open Piazza below the street level and the upper floor will be directly accessible from ul. Emilii Plater. There will be two beer gardens and a VIP room. The interiors will be designed by Utopia Studio, cooperating with foreign interior designers.

"We chose Warsaw because this is the most proper location in the region. Złote Tarasy is the most original architectural project in the center of the capital. Hard Rock Cafe very quickly becomes a tourist attraction and this is why it can only be situated in the vicinity of the most prestigious place of a city," said Łukasz Stanicki, the president of Barista, the local partner responsible for launching the Warsaw Hard Rock.

Hard Rock Cafe was first opened 35 years ago in London by Peter Morton and Isaac Tigrett. Today, Hard Rock Cafe is perceived as a rather luxurious brand, attracting people with its collection of memorabilia, such as Bono's trabant, the Beatles' bus or Madonna's bra. The opening of each Hard Rock Cafe is accompanied by a star concert. Stanicki says that it has not been decided yet who is going to play in Warsaw.