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In an insular, independent, and venue-rich city, will the new Hard Rock

Published 8:00 am Monday, November 26, 2012

But some members of the local club scene aren't taking kindly to a national chain sweeping into town and potentially stealing shows in an already crowded market.
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But some members of the local club scene aren't taking kindly to a national chain sweeping into town and potentially stealing shows in an already crowded market.
But some members of the local club scene aren't taking kindly to a national chain sweeping into town and potentially stealing shows in an already crowded market.
My only question would be: Is a corporate chain entity going to be accepted in a very close-knit and organic, insular community? asks Dana Sims, the owner of El Corazon.
It's a Seattle mentality that I haven't wrapped my head around yet, because it's like, 'Oh, we don't want anyone here that's corporate,' but yet you live in a city that has Amazon, Nintendo, Starbucks, and Microsoft, counters Hard Rock talent buyer Amy Bauer, who grew up in Pennsylvania.
It's like you're a contradiction to your own self in this city. I understand you want to be very independent, but all those businesses are what drive this city, Bauer says.
Bauer's new room has provoked the ire of Crocodile publicist Kerri Harrop, who took to Twitter on the February day members of the media were given a peek inside the Hard Rock: Other than a rooftop deck, could there be anything lamer than the Hard Rock Cafe? SERIOUSLY. Deck not yet open!
Croc owner Marcus Charles says he's not too worried about losing business to the Hard Rock. In fact, he believes they'll quickly learn that their club is better suited for private parties and will soon give up on shows. They're not a rock club, they're a restaurant, he says.
The Hard Rock is never going to be the place to see a show. But it's already the place to see a show after you polish off a $14.75 cheeseburger downstairs.
The showroom's glossy, but no more so than the new Croc was when it debuted a year ago.
The Temper Trap was the first out-of-town act to play the Hard Rock, which sits about a block east of Pike Place Market. But it will be far from the last, as Bauer has ambitious plans for the second-floor restaurant/nightclub.
In addition to Tuesday-night residencies by local bandsaE”Red Jackete Mine was the featured repeater in MarchaE”she's planning to keep the room full three or four nights a week with all manner of performers.
I'm not trying to take business from people; I'm really just trying to work together, Bauer says. Anything that I could do to help drive people to their club, on nights that I'm not doing things here, you know what I mean?

In an insular, independent, and venue-rich city, will the new Hard Rock Cafe find its niche in the music community? All photos by Bobby McHugh.Published on March 30, 2010

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