High prices at Hard Rock Cafe
This weekend, a friend and coworker decided to head to the Hard Rock Cafe in the Inner Harbor for what he thought would be a fairly cheap meal with his fiancee.
Now, I think it's a little naive to expect cheap or even reasonably priced food and drink in the city's biggest tourist zone.
But I didn't think one Heineken served in a commemorative Hard Rock Cafe glass and one refill would cost almost $20.
You can go out all night in South Baltimore and not spend $20.
That's six carbombs at Crazy Lil's.
Or 20 glasses of wine at Charlotte's on Wednesdays.
Wow.
(Photo by Christopher T. Assaf/Sun Photographer)
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
Comments
If anyone could explain to me how Hard Rock Cafe stays in business, I would love to know.
Tourism can only be part of it. I mean, their prices are beyond crazy.
Posted by: Drew from Greektown | April 28, 2008 2:02 PM
ouch. that place is seriously one of the biggest tourist rackets out there. i question the authenticity of the items on display as well.
Posted by: bill | April 28, 2008 2:05 PM
I'm with ya Drew.
Are that many tourists really afraid (lazy?) to venture beyond the Inner Harbor?
Posted by: Courtney B. | April 28, 2008 2:21 PM
they are one of the busiest in the nation.
and actually, the glass thing isn't that espensive.
Beer-$5
Glass-$15
Refill -free
I can't stand the Hard Rock as I have some kitchen stories that would guarantee no one would eat there again.
Posted by: J.M. Giordano | April 28, 2008 2:53 PM
jm, i swore the place off a couple years ago so you might as well tell the stories.
Posted by: bill | April 28, 2008 5:05 PM
J.M. Giordano said,
"I can't stand the Hard Rock as I have some kitchen stories that would guarantee no one would eat there again."
I knew a guy who did repair of gas appliances, like stoves, char broilers, etc., who once said if you went into the kitchen of most restaurants, you wouldn't want to eat there again.
I think the Hard Rock Cafes in their own sweet way are just this era's hip Howard Johnson's with novel ambience. A standardize menu of popular favorites in a pop/rock culture museum.
Remember to buy your location specific printed tee shirt as a souvenir, collect them all from every place around the world.
Ciao
Posted by: GDA | April 29, 2008 11:40 AM
gotta catch em' all, eh?
on a personal note, I've always felt the food was bland everytime i've had the chance to go to one.
Posted by: Allan | April 30, 2008 9:52 AM
Used to be the location-specific beanie-baby style teddy bears. I have one, plus two shirts. They were ALL on clearance. >D
The food's only mediocre though and the prices are far too high to be worth it. I advise that everyone eat there once just for the "atmosphere" and then go somewhere better for the next date.
Posted by: Dawn | May 1, 2008 1:20 AM