The Place
An emblem of American culture since the 1970s, Hard Rock planted its flagship China venue right here in Shenzhen. Yes, Longhua’s Mission Hills neighborhood is part of Shenzhen. Within a year or two, Line 4 will take you right there. In the meantime, your Didi driver can navigate the construction chaos.
Inside, it’s nostalgia incarnate: guitars from Joan Jett and Bon Jovi and costumes from Elvis, Rihanna and Chinese rockers like Second Hand Rose. The look is slick ’90s L.A. in black and neon, but it works somehow. Here, autotune hasn’t killed the radio star. Rock and roll lives on, as innocuous and family-friendly as burgers and fries.
The Food
You want a burger? They’ve got a dozen. Java Lava (RMB98, all prices add 15 percent service charge) rubs espresso on a patty blended from Australian rib eye, beef fat and tenderloin. The end result is familiar cheese-and-bacon Americana, with a bold bit of fire from the grilled jalapeño.
But for January only, indulge in a Budburger (RMB118) slathered in a thick sauce of slow-simmered Budweiser that could masquerade as a smoky bourbon. Or pick the hickory smoked combo (RMB128), with tender meaty ribs and chicken that tastes like it just came off dad’s grill on the fourth of July. Every dish has its own sauce and this one is almost a chutney, rich with vegetables inside its barbecue tang.
If you’re in the neighborhood with friends, kick back with some draft beers (Bud, Stella and Snow) and share a Jumbo Combo (RMB148). Its lip-smacking buffalo wings, freshly fried chicken tenders, onion rings, delectable Southwest spring rolls (each with the appropriate sauce) and cream cheese bruschetta are enough for three to comfortably share.
The Vibe
With rock music, we don’t really want authentic passions – real love, despair, joy and pain waver with the heart, too fickle to find harmony. We want our rockers to churn out reliable classics on demand. That’s what Hard Rock Cafe promises, in Vegas, Dubai and now Shenzhen. Visit for the hits, memories of American greats and new memories shared with friends.
Price: RMB120-150
Who’s going: music fans, urban explorers, Mission Hills day-trippers
Good for: nostalgia, tried-and-true American classics
Nearest metro: Qinghu (Exit A), 40 minute Didi ride
Open daily, 10am-2am. See listing for Hard Rock Cafe
0 User Comments