The Rock Shop: Hard Rock Café Is in KK

Yes, Hard Rock Cafe is coming to Kota Kinabalu. Soon you’ll find Hard Rock Cafe KK listed on Hard Rock Cafe website.  For the time being, let’s find out what that colorful box (above pic) is all about.

One thing I liked to do when I was young was hang out with friends and watch live bands in action. There were not many places that offer such entertainment during my time with most ‘rock kapak’ groups performing mainly at Funfairs or ‘Pesta’. Newly-formed bands will gain experience by playing at weddings or ‘kenduri kawin’.  As they get better, they can start looking for gigs at pubs or bars in KL and PJ. From there, they can try to impress the local music producers and who knows – get signed up as recording artist.

My favourite spot for ‘lepak-lepak’ watching live band was in Seksyen 17. Not too far from Kg Kerinchi where I stayed while studying at UM. During the weekend and if had extra money, we would ride to KL and experience better quality entertainment at Hard Rock Café. Artists such as Search and Blues Gang are some of the crowd favourite at that time. When they perform at Hard Rock Café, rest assure the place will get hot. People queued to get in. If you were late, ‘sori lah’ you won’t get inside.

Well those days are long gone. This blogger has committed to be a dedicate father and loving hubby Still, watching Search perform live at Hard Rock Café KK would be too hard to resist. Hey! After so many years, the most recognised café in the world has finally come to KK.  And they are not officially open yet! (Hard Rock Cafe KK)

I spent a few hours yesterday with the kids looking at the new Hard Rock Café shop aka The Rock Shop. They haven’t opened the café yet but as a promo and brand awareness campaign, they put up a small 610-square-foot  Hard Rock Cafe merchandise store just next to Anjung Senja.  The Kota Kinabalu Rock Shop offers both rock ‘n’ roll-inspired items, as well as classic collectible Hard Rock Cafe Kota Kinabalu merchandise. Kota Kinabalu-specific merchandise can only be purchased at this location, which offers an exclusive quality that enhances each item’s appeal. Fans are also able to collect Hard Rock’s much-coveted signature pins, including the new, limited-edition Kota Kinabalu pins, which reflects the spirit of the city and the authenticity of Hard Rock’s merchandise.

This store was opened on 15^th December 2012. Kota Kinabalu city mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir was its first customer and he bought a Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt during the official launch of the Rock Shop.

Hard Rock Cafe Kota Kinabalu is scheduled to open in late 2013 at Oceanus Waterfront Mall, Kota Kinabalu, and will be the first Hard Rock Cafe in East Malaysia. It is also will be the fourth in Malaysia, after Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Melaka.

The first Hard Rock Cafe in the country opened in Kuala Lumpur in 1991, and has been a successful venture. The cafe, which can accommodate 220 people, underwent a two-month RM3 million makeover early 2008. It reopened in November 2008 and is performing well.

This iconic new Hard Rock Cafe KK is poised to become the city’s most exciting new destination for fans, featuring diverse dining, nightlife and cultural offerings. The new outlet will see the investment to the tune of RM4 million to RM5 million, Hard Rock Malaysia Sdn Bhd director Tan Sri Syed Yusof Syed Nasir said.

Meanwhile, according to Hard Rock Cafe website, there are also few more Hard Rock Cafe is set to open around the world:

1. Hard Rock Cafe Nabq, Egypt (Dec. 2012)
2. Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans  (relocation) (28. Dec. 2012)
3. Hard Rock Cafe Jakarta (31. Dec. 2013)
4. Hard Rock Cafe Cozumel  (relocation)  (end of 2012)
5. Hard Rock Cafe Melaka  (shop is open)  (17./18. Jan. 2013)
6. Hard Rock Cafe Jakarta  (relocation) ( Apr. 2013)
7. Hard Rock Cafe San José, Costa Rica (2013)
8. Hard Rock Cafe Guatemala City (2013)
9. Hard Rock Cafe Colombo (2013)
10. Hard Rock Cafe Kota Kinabalu  (shop is open) (2013)
11. Hard Rock Cafe Santa Cruz, Bolivia (2013)
12. Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya  (2013)
13. Hard Rock Cafe Limassol, Cyprus (2013)
14. Hard Rock Cafe Doha (2013)
15. Hard Rock Cafe Tahiti (2013)
16. Hard Rock Hotel Abu Dhabi (2014)

- The Rock Shop: Hard Rock Café Is in KK