Hard Rock Cafe London

The Basics

Highlights of The Vault, Hard Rock Cafe’s exhibition space, include a guitar played by Jimi Hendrix, lyrics hand-written by John Lennon, and outfits worn by Guns’n’Roses. While it accepts walk-ins, the restaurant does get very busy so it’s better to book ahead. Keep costs down and cut out the wait by purchasing your 2- or 3-course dinner in advance, and benefit from skip-the-line entry to the restaurant.

Things to Know Before You Go

• As the flagship Hard Rock Cafe, the restaurant in London is a must-visit or music fans.

• Book a table in advance to avoid waiting around.

• A gift shop sells t-shirts and other branded merchandise.

• The restaurant is fully accessible to travelers using wheelchairs and with strollers.

How to Get There

Hard Rock Cafe is situated on Old Park Lane in London’s Mayfair neighborhood. To get there by public transit, ride the Tube to Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line), or Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly, or Victoria).

When to Get There

The restaurant is open daily until after midnight from Monday through Saturday, though the Vault, where the music memorabilia is on show, closes at 10.30pm. Friday and Saturday nights are particularly busy; if you don’t book ahead, you may be waiting for a while.

London’s Other Musical Hot Spots

London is full of places associated with big-name bands and solo artists. Among the most frequented is the Abbey Road crossing, which featured on the cover of the Beatles’ 1969 Abbey Road album; the flat on Brook Street where Jimi Hendrix lived; and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), where even more music memorabilia, including a guitar smashed by the Who’s Pete Townshend and the original artwork of the Rolling Stones lips-and-tongue logo, are displayed.

Ways to explore

You can combine a meal at Hard Rock Cafe London with a visit to the Vault, a free exhibition space that includes a guitar played by Jimi Hendrix, lyrics hand-written by John Lennon, and outfits worn by Guns N‘ Roses. While it accepts walk-ins, the restaurant does get very busy, so it’s better to book ahead. Keep costs down and cut out the wait by buying your 2- or 3-course dinner in advance, and benefit from skip-the-line entry to the venue.

Accessibility

Hard Rock London has step-free access and accessible restrooms.

Age limits

None; there’s a kids’ menu for diners age 10 and under.

What to pack

Don’t bring your own food and drink, as you can’t consume it inside the restaurant.

What to wear

There’s no dress code for Hard Rock Cafe London, though some people like to glam up, rock style.

Not allowed

Dogs

Amenities

Wi-Fi, restrooms, bar, museum, gift shop, delivery

Address

The Hard Rock Cafe London is on Old Park Lane in the affluent Central London neighborhood of Mayfair. You can walk there from Oxford Street, the city’s shopping hub.

Driving

It’s not recommended to drive around Mayfair, which is prone to traffic jams and subject to the daily Central London Congestion Charge of £15. Opt for a rideshare or black cab to save yourself the stress.

Public transportation

The nearest London Underground station is Green Park on the Victoria and Jubilee lines of the tube. Buses 13, 14, 23, 38, 6, and 9 also stop nearby.

Best times to visit

From 6:30pm to 9pm on Wednesdays, Hard Rock Cafe London hosts Live Music Unplugged, featuring up-and-coming musicians.

Best days to visit

The Vault is open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, so reserve a table then to see the rock museum. If you’re hoping for walk-in seating, your best bet is going midweek.

Best months to visit

London is liveliest in the summer, which is a perfect time to add on a stroll around nearby Hyde Park to your visit.

Special events

In addition to weekly live music, Hard Rock Cafe sometimes hosts concerts and special events—these are sporadic, so keep an eye on the events calendar on the website for more details.