'Twas two years ago the folks at Hard Rock Cafe overlooking the Pike Place Market realized they weren't gettin' no respect from foodies, so they had a bunch of us over for supper and brews, and showed off their collection of rock-star memorabilia (Eddie Vedder's acoustic guitar, for example). Hundreds of Hard Rock locations these days, most of them franchised.
No fewer than 425 seats in the Seattle place, on three or four levels, depending on the weather because there's seating on the roof as well with a great view. One entire floor transforms into a performance venue. The menu is a mashup of "faux-Seattle" and "faux-southern" so you get burgers, wings, nachos, and so on.
The news today is that the building has been sold. The Hard Rock is staying, but the new owner is shelling out nearly $21 million for the real estate. Who? An investment trust from Noo Yawk, natch. Their first venture in Seattle. Not bad for a former pawnshop, eh?
Hard Rock Café, 116 Pike St., Seattle, 206-204-2233
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