Hard Rock Cafe

American restaurant · Pike Place Market

Hard Rock Cafe

American restaurant · Pike Place Market

116 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101

Highlights

Rock-themed diner with burgers & American classics, plus memorabilia

116 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101 Get directions

cafe.hardrock.com

$20–30 · Menu

@eater

Seattle’s Hard Rock Cafe Near Pike Place Market Is Closing Permanently - Eater Seattle

"A massive outpost of a major brand is burning out or fading away, your pick: On Monday, October 2, Hard Rock International confirmed that it plans to close the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Seattle. The last day of service will be December 1, reports King 5. Hard Rock, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, has shut down a number of locations in recent years, including its Denver and Memphis restaurants in 2023. The company said in its statement that it is “open to having another location within the Seattle market, if the right space can be identified.” The closure means that the cafe’s 66 employees will lose their jobs. As the Seattle Times noted, when the Hard Rock opened in 2010 it was seen as a good sign for the neighborhood. “Kate Joncas, then-president of the Downtown Seattle Association, said the restaurant would help transform a somewhat seedy stretch of Pike Street between the market and the downtown retail core,” wrote the Times on Monday. That section of downtown is struggling once more due in part to a high volume of property crime, as tracked by the city, as well as the area’s continued challenges around how to handle people using drugs in public. Other chain businesses have announced closures in Seattle recently, including two Target locations that were shuttered supposedly because of concerns over property crime and shoplifting. But Hard Rock did not provide any reason for the cafe’s closure. It’s unclear what will be done with the space, which includes 425 seats in the restaurant and a live music venue. Something should fill the void left behind by Hard Rock, though — the rooftop bar, with views of the Pike Place Market sign and the waterfront, was one of the neighborhood’s hidden gems." - Harry Cheadle

https://seattle.eater.com/2023/10/3/23901744/seattle-hard-rock-cafe-closing-downtown-december-1

View Postcard for Hard Rock Cafe

Laura Alexandra

Google

The service has greatly improved since the previous time I visited. Previously, I had so many horrible experiences where the service was so bad that I had to leave, but I came here, and they have been incredibly respectful and inviting throughout the last two months. Sadly this Hard Rock is leaving Seattle in one month, but what I really love of this place is the great baby BBQ ribs they have! They are so big and tasty! I wish they didn't close this location. They just need to have a better atmosphere outside and continue giving a great service, and that could help.

Sammy “Sammy” Orona-Hardee

Google

This was my first time at a Hard Rock Cafe or actually at any of them. It was a great place to visit and check out all the memorabilia they have on the walls like all the music equipment and pictures especially the guitars. The one thing I do not like about this place is they tell you they are charging at 22% gratuity before you even harder and ask if you have a problem with that as in if you do you better go somewhere else. And yes I asked what would happen if I said no and that was the response but I want to check it out so I did. As far as the service it was OK we were right in front of the bar and it still took like 20 minutes for us to get our drink but on the other hand our food came fast. All we got was the chicken flatbread and it was delicious I would definitely go back to get another one.

Fernando Martinez

Google

We are global Hard Rock Cafe visitors and this is our first time to Seattle. Before being seated we were told there is a 22% gratuity added to the bill, and asked if we object to that. Never experienced such a question when arriving at a restaurant. Greeters were welcoming and enthusiastic. We arrived around 4p for a late lunch. They were not busy at all, we were seated promptly, party of six. Cheerful waitress. Nice menu. Three of the meals arrived correctly as ordered. The other three, one had the wrong starch, one was missing the sandwich bread sauce which was supposed to be on the side, and one was dropped in the kitchen and had to be remade. So five of us were served our food and awkwardly ate while the last person sat and watched us. We also had to ask twice for condiments and for napkins. The staff talk and act a good game but they fall short in performance and delivery. The food overall was tasty. The bill for six people, with no appetizers and only one beer (everyone else had water) was $170, $50 of which was for service charges, gratuity and taxes. This is our first meal in Seattle, not sure if this is the norm here, but we find this outrageous. Worth visiting if you are a Hard Rock Cafe fan, so you can check the box, but at several levels this was a substandard experience. I don’t plan to return. The first and only time I have felt that when visiting a Hard Rock Cafe.

Hannah Wrigley

Google

I love hard rock cafe and always try to visit when I am in a new place. However this one left me feeling a little disappointed, we had a 45 min wait to be seated due to a function upstairs, we had to remind them that we were waiting. While waiting we visited the Rock shop where we were told most of the collectable Pins were sold out, while in there we overheard a conversation about the state of the restrooms, and boy were they not wrong. They were disgusting. After what seemed like an age we ordered our food, the starter arrived quickly. However before checking to see if we were ready for our mains they were placed down without clearing space. Overall the food was good, but the experience was lacking from what I have come to expect from the Hard Rock Cafe.

Dan Himes

Google

I understand that part of going to a theme restaurant you should have different expectations. That being said. I am very disappointed with this whole experience. Service was mediocre at best, the menu says they charge a 22% service charge because they pay a fair wage? Well I did not get 22% better service and food? Macaroni and cheese with 3.5 to 4oz of grilled chicken $21.70? Why? If it was the best Mac and cheese I have ever eaten, okay, but it wasn't. The burgers are less expensive with 2 patties on them? The strawberry lemonade is just sweet and sour with strawberry syrup. Sweet and sour is not lemonade?? There is more, but I see no reason to go on. I know I would certainly not recommend or go back.

Emma B

Google

This is the third Hard Rock we have visited while on vacation and unfortunately the least positive experience. We have visited Memphis, Hawaii and now Seattle. We visited as part of a group and were seated upstairs as we had a reservation. The server taking our order seemed a little inconvenienced by me ordering a cocktail as we were upstairs and the dive bar was not stocked appropriately. My mum was also informed that she could not have tea because there was none upstairs, I don’t feel this was fair. I ordered the ribs, when they arrived the middle was cold. Unfortunately by the time my food came back, my family had finished eating. My mums drink also arrived when she was halfway through her food. The food was expensive and not of a high standard and the service was not great either. I wouldn’t recommend unfortunately.

Sabino -Sal- Chavez

Google

If you are visiting Pikes Market and have a desire need of some good food, and you don’t want to travel to far. Hard Rock Cafe is right up the street. The restaurant is minutes from the market. I will admit, the front of the building is not too appealing (Definitely not an eye grabber), and there may be a slight chance you may walk pass it if you are not watching out for it, but once inside the view is appealing. The establishment has a lot of musical artifacts. The wife and I sat next to a lot of items that belong to Kurt Cobain. Across the room, I did noticed a LA Lakers jersey of Magic Johnson (Sports weird). As for the service, I was quite please with it. We had a server by the name of Farrah. She was very nice and bubbly. As for the food, I was a little concern about it. The food was good and most of it was hot except for my side order of fries. When my fries arrived , to my surprise they wasn’t hot (Luke warm). I know for a fact, that my order was not just cooked or was it sitting under a heat lamp waiting to be served. It just didn’t feel that way! Our drinks was good. The price was a little spendy. They do have a small gift shop but I did not go in there. Would I go back to this particular establishment — I don’t know! I am glad that I did go and experience eating at a Hard Rock cafe (first time), and I do plan on visiting other establishments throughout the country. I just got to see if I will have a different experience. I want to know what you think…

diznee gwen

Google

We were the first ones in on this day. It was pretty chill. I was able to walk around the entire restaurant, without disturbing other guests, and lol at all the memorabilia. Our waitress was very energetic.