The
stage was set since September 2021 and step-by-step, the team at Hard Rock Café
at Puteri Harbour prepared to welcome fans of this renowned brand to experience
its unique vibe in Johor.
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| The rockstar team at Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour, Johor |
Hard
Rock International is one of the most globally recognized brands that
owned/licensed or managed hotels, casinos, Rock Shops, live performance venues
and cafés with venues in 68 countries across 241 locations.
In
2018, I had the privilege of a sneak peek into the Hard Rock Hotel that was
about to open in Desaru Coast, Johor, and the opportunity to join a number of
events with Pin Collectors and local celebrities who presented personal items
to the Hard Rock Memorabilia collection.
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| Just follow the sign to Rock This Way |
The
most memorable experience for me must be being part of Hard Rock Hotel’s Grand Opening Party in Desaru Coast and the one-on-one interview with Johor-born legendary rockstar, Amy of Search fame, the featured artist in the event’s rock concert.
With
Hard Rock Hotel opened in Desaru Coast, the arrival of the first Hard Rock Café
in Johor was equally highly anticipated.
In
September 2021, I joined the virtual Press Conference for the announcement of
the opening of Hard Rock Café in Puteri Harbour planned for December, the
brand’s fourth Hard Rock Café in Peninsular Malaysia after those opened in
Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka.
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| The guitar monument facing the harbour at Hard Rock Cafe |
Soon
as I was warmly welcomed into the Café, a glance around the glass and chrome
interior gave me the impression of a slick and contemporary décor, bathed in
natural light pouring through tall glass walls.
I recognized
familiar faces, waved to say “Hello!” and thought that I should congratulate
Jimmy Wong, General Manager of the Hard Rock Café Puteri Harbour and his team
for gathering the Who’s-Who of local media at this exciting event.
“No
time to chit-chat,” I reminded myself as I focused my attention on what I was
keen to see in the first Hard Rock Café opened in Johor. Firstly, the Monuments…
Just
as Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast features an iconic Mandala Guitar in its
forecourt, the Hard Rock Café in Puteri Harbour has its version of a similar
guitar perched on a raised stand at the outdoor dining area.
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| A section of the Rock Shop within the Cafe |
Fans
of Hard Rock Merchandise can conveniently reach the Rock Shop which is situated
next to the Café entrance.
Here’s
where Hard Rock fans and collectors can enjoy a rock star shopping experience
for music inspired merchandise like the Hard Rock classic T-shirts, hats, pins,
glassware and accessories.
At
the entrance, my eyes were riveted to two mannequins standing within a glass
showcase that displayed smart suits that belonged to rap stars, Joe Flizzow,
and Nicky Minaj.
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| Eric Clapton's guitar is in Puteri Harbour, Johor |
My
quest for more took me up a short flight of stairs to the mezzanine floor where
a range of guitars were showcased on the wall in the private dining area.
My
eyes zeroed in on the Fender Stratocaster, autographed by Eric Clapton, along
with guitars from B. B. King, Bob Dylan and Chuck Berry among others.
 |
| An ornate beaded belt worn by Elvis Presley, King of Rock and Roll |
I
was pleased to see that the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was
also honoured here with his ornate beaded belt that he wore with his fancy jumpsuits.
Speaking
of fancy outfits, some of our media friends came dressed to the nines and rocked
their glitzy bling-bling footwear and those black leather leggings and jackets topped
with a felt hat.
When
all the guests had arrived, the event kicked off with a word of welcome from GM,
Jimmy Wong, and lunch was served with live music entertainment presented by Take
Five, a seven-piece local band.
It
was simply different to dine to the beat of live music, where we can bop to the
rhythm and groove to the harmony as we enjoyed the menu of Hard Rock flavours.
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| The band, Take Five, providing live music entertainment at Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour |
I thought the talented band did well in presenting a good repertoire of popular music that ranged from Guns N’ Roses and Gloria Gaynor, to the Bee Gees and Queen.
 |
| With Ye Chin and Murray Aitken |
This
was just one of those Moments when we caught a glimpse of how dining was distinctly
different in a Hard Rock Café.
After
the final farewells, guests trickled out of the Café while some stayed to
capture creative photo mementoes at the many interesting spots in and around
the premises.
As
for me, I was simply delighted to finally meet with Ye Chin, wife of Murray
Aitken, General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. She was a former
classmate of my cousin Dennis Ng, who told me that she was now back in Johor with
her husband.
Hard
Rock Café Puteri Harbour is located at Retail Lot 2-B2 Residensi & Hotel
Marina, Persiaran Tanjung, Pengkalan Puteri, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
The
Café serves Food and Beverages that are free from alcohol and pork products. Open
daily from 12pm to 12am. Live band show from 8pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Tel: +607
– 276 9999.
Stay
connected for updates and promotions on Hard Rock Café Puteri Harbour official
pages on Facebook @HardRockCafePuteriHarbour and Instagram @hrcputeriharbour.
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