The Hard Rock Cafe has been ramping up its activities, promotions and products recently as it enters its second year as a Chiang Mai entertainment landmark.
Set in the heart of the bustling Night Bazaar, the iconic franchise is gaining a reputation for its ability to attract and support quality local bands which get the party going each night. There are events and concerts held throughout the year and some serious national and international talents have also been featured since it opened. The menu is also a massive pull, featuring huge portioned all-American dishes of big juicy burgers, ribs, spring rolls, crispy onion wings, big fat fries and rich and decadent brownies. While some dishes are on each and every Hard Rock Café menu worldwide, there is also some local flavour, and you can enjoy a variety of Thai and Lanna dishes like northern Thai sausage. Then there are the drinks; a fun and funky cocktail menu of all sorts of exotic sips, slurps and shots as well as a solid selection of beers, wines and spirits.
A new general manager, London born Matthew Carley recently arrived to kickstart the New Year, promising to add more fun to the Hard Rock experience. A veteran of the franchise, Carley spent seven years running the Vientiane, Pattaya and Bangkok Hard Rock Cafes and says he is looking forward to his Chiang Mai experience.
“I hope to bring some fun to the Hard Rock Cafe,” said Carley, who certainly looks the part, with his cadmium-red dyed hair, acting like a beacon for anyone who needs his attention, as he navigates the bustling venue. “And as I am also a musician, I am super excited about the bands we will be featuring,” said Carley who says he has great promotions lined up this year which should be attractive to we locals.
“We have daily promotions now such as Margarita Mondays with Cucumber, Mango or Watermelon flavours for 249 baht, Ladies Lipstick Night which offers free flow bubbles on Wednesdays to all ladies in lipstick for 499 baht and a buy one get one free Happy Hour every day from 4 – 6pm and again at 11pm – Midnight.” There is also a classic t-shirt promotion on Thursdays offering 10% for people in Hard Rock or classic band shirts, Friday free flow mixer, ice and one portion of nacho all day, Saturday spend over 999 bath get 15% of merchandise. Kids eat free on Sunday.
Interestingly, the Hard Rock Cafe’s shop is just as busy as its restaurant bar and Carley says many items such as the Chiang Mai Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts are flying off the shelf. “People around the world are serious collectors of our branded products,” said Carley, pointing to pins, guitar picks, shot glasses and caps, all of which are big sellers. We don’t sell anything online, you see, so to get to have a piece of our Hard Rock branded products, you need to have the Hard Rock experience. That is what makes them coveted.” The staff is also encouraged to design some t-shirts, sharing proceeds with the brand when they sell, making up to 300 baht per t-shirt sold.
“Just look out for the guy with the red hair next time you come,” grinned Carley excitedly.
Hard Rock Café Chiang Mai
Open 11am – Midnight
115 Loi Kroh Road, Chang Khlan
053 277 766
Facebook: HardRockCafeChiangMai